Knitting Supplies

I have begun knitting a new pair of socks with fingering weight yarn. Since the yarn is skinnier, the needles must be thinner. I am using a size two double pointed needle for this project and it was quite difficult getting the whole thing started.

Using different needles -- this time made of metal -- requires some adjustment. Some needles, such as wooden needles, are less slippery with the yarn. It's more difficult to move the project on the needles as you knit, but there is less likelihood of losing stitches. The size two needles I am using are nice to knit with, but the project is moving more slowly because the stitches are smaller. Still, I am interested to see how the whole project works out. This pair of socks is going to be like socks one would wear with shoes. We'll see how it works.

This project also has me thinking about needles in general. The Additurbo needle is supposed to be the circular knitting needle. I am considering asking for a set for Christmas. Circular needles are versatile and really nice to work with if they're constructed well. Some people in my knitting class have additurbos and they swear by them. I did once purchase a cheap set of circular needles and where the needle meets the connecting wire I had trouble with the yarn getting caught instead of smoothly moving along. I have since gotten rid - at the thrift shop - of those needles.

I cannot believe how many needles and supplies there are for knitting. And it matters. I knit a washcloth with a size four needle though the yarn is made for size eight needles. It will be interesting to see how this washcloth washes in the machine. will it shrink to be the size of a coaster? Will it maintain its shape because I used smaller needles? Time will tell.