I am a beginner knitter and had NO idea there was so much to know about knitting! Whew. Now I feel I should watch every one of your episodes before knitting anything else! I love, love, love your videos.
Mrs. Benson, thank you for your very informative presentation! Plus, you are a very nice sincere person, but you're just so adorable! You look like someone I would love to visit, and really talk-you quite a bit of personality; this shows how friendly you are!
I have knit for 58 years, tight knitter too. And i just discovered the ChiaoGoo mini cables. The BEST MAGIC LOOP needle ever. You can use any ChiaoGoo tip US000-1.5, OR US2-8 with a mini/small adapter and a mini cable which are soooooo tiny. They come in 8",14",22",30" or 37". I absolutely love these so much I bought three pair if adapters. Also ChiaoGoo interchangable sets include connectors to join more than one cable. Just try one. Great for tiny thumbs, fingers or baby sleeves. ChiaoGoo are quality made, smooth joins, pointy points,great breadth of sizes. Thanks for your funny video.
Love my Chiagoo set. However being new to lace knitting, I need more grab on the yarn. So I tried knit picks royal. Like the tip and the cord it swivels and the one I purchased is a permentaly attached. The join ruins them sadly. I also knit tightly! So the yarn I'm using is very thin like a #2 size, not fingering but close. It's beautiful and expensive yarn (Its spoiling me seriously) and it was being frayed on the joins. So I started again, this is my third time, but I'm determined. I have watched so many videos where people can knit loosly, it amazes me. I have tried to do that but find it difficult, my need I guess is be uniform and knitting loosly feels totally uniform but people can do it and do it so well. My hat's off to you because lace can really look beautiful lose. Its beautiful tight also but we always want what we don't have. Human nature. I just put the points together on the Chicagoo and the Knit Pic Royales and ChiaGoo's are much longer, same point just shorter distance seems longer because of its a carbon tip and the wood is coloured by size of needle. Luckily I just bought a pair not an entire set. If anyone has experience with ChiaGoos Bamboos please tell me about your experience. Thanks so much. Thanks Barbara another great video. I very early on in knitting bought the full set of 5 inch Lace interchanables and use them on everything. Love the cords. What's very awesome I've read is that the Bamboo tips also work with the red lace cord interchangables. So hopefully that will be the case and the ticket to help me be more confident with "Every Which Way" pattern I'm currently working on.
Thanks so much for this video. I've never heard of most of these names. My experience with DPN was when I decided to teach myself to make socks while having my first cataract surgery. The cataracts free so fast within a month I couldn't see my face in the mirror even with my nose against it. It actually went amazingly well. I did start putting point protectors on them so I wouldn't drop stitches. I was so glad I was using wooden needles, I needed the extra "grabbiness." I love your videos and have learned so much! Thank you so much!
Very informative and helpful. I gave up on DPNs after losing them down the gearshift box and between car seats and in tall grass. Went to two circulars for socks. Recently took up ChiaGoos 9" for most of the sock. I use the two circs for toes and heels and for the occasional "try on".
I have never done the two circ thing but have been thinking about trying it for awhile. The only thing DPNs get used for around here is as a cable needle LOL.
Just an FYI. Those twisted wires in the ChiaoGoo needles is an actual cable. Twisting a group of wires together forms a cable. So in that instance using the name "cable needles" would be correct.
Despite being a several-decades-long knitter, I am always learning something new from you! Thank you so much, Barbara! Who knew what that joining piece of a needle is really called? Fun fact for sure! LOL
definitely a knitters pride dreamz, in a size 5. That's the first set I bought, the interchangeable. Love them. Still pretty slick for a wooden needle. Recently got their nova platina interchangeable set too. Love both of them. Their cases stink tho...so be prepared to get a different case.
Hey Barbara, I have used different types of circular needles even the very inexpensive ones, since I had surgery on both hands the circular needles I like best are knitters pride square ones easier since at times I tend to knit tight it is easy to go through the stitch. Thank you for giving your point of view on what you like. As always love, laughter and happy crafting.
I've always wanted to try the square needles but I hesitate to use them when I am designing. They tend to produce different gauge than more traditional needles so I run the risk of creating a pattern with a gauge that is difficult for many knitters to duplicate.
Barbara, I don't like the single or DPN"S which I started learning on only to look down and my stitches had came off ,I had never seen cable needles until I watch knitting videos on here and thought those even have to be harder to use,but I love them and is all I use. I need help with sizes.I got a huge bag of circular needles from a threft store,some have the sizes on and some don't. I need a 7mm is there a Us size for this? Also 18cm needle. I just bought Bernats Baby Velvet yarn and suppose to use 7mm for a blanket can I use a different size or a size 10?
I'm afraid that there is no US equivalent for a 7mm needle, and I honestly don't know why. But a 10.5 = 6.5mm and an 11 = 8 mm. You might find something from an EU site? I've never even heard of an 18 cm needle. The smallest circular I know of is a 9 inch (22 cm). The only way to know what size you need to use is swatch with a couple of different sizes and see what gets you closest to the pattern gauge.
Interchangables. I have trouble with the needles coming off even after using the tightening tool. I love the Denise Interchangeable connections b/c they snap in and do not come loose. I just wish Denise would make thinner cords.
Great information, especially about the lifeline on the interchangeable because I recently bought some and did not know how to use the lifeline. thanks 💕
Haha I love circulars too. I switched when I was traveling a lot and dropped a dpn one too many times on a flight. LOL Magic loop is awesome. I've donated most of my straights. Every once in awhile I use DPNs to finish off a hat if the longer cables from my circ set are in use, but otherwise they sit, unloved and unused.
I pretty much started with circulars from the get go. I occasionally work a scarf on straights, but they have to be pretty short or I just flail madly. I do both Magic Loop and Traveling loop depending on the length of the cord. Thanks for commenting!
Also just found you and really like your videos. Would add 1 more needle. For those of us with sore hands, ergometric are wonderful. There are square needles but my favourite are made by Prym and are called ergometrics. They have made a huge difference.
Barbara love your style. So easy to listen to.[That's a bonus]. Very informative advice.I'm from Canada. Our sometimes brutal winters keeps most of us indoors. Sooooooooooo lots of time to knit. P.S I also love your sense of humor.
Just found you on youtube. So glad i did. This video is ssooooo helpful! The best one i’ve seen. Some don’t even show you a close up of the tips. Thank you. I am subscribing right now 🙂
I got rid of all my straights 5 or 6 years ago. Donated them to a local church-based charity that does outreach by teaching knitting at homeless and battered partners shelters. I hated DPNs at first because all I had were some metal and very slick wood needles. Switching to unfinished bamboo (much more grippy) alleviated all the awkwardness of trying to maneuver the needles so stitches wouldn't slide off the non-working end. I now prefer DPNS to Magic Loop, although I go back and forth between both methods depending on the project (one method or the other often seems more suited to some projects). Caveat, I don't ever knit socks so I don't know how well unfinished bamboo would work for knitting those. Because you didn't mention it, my favorite needle material is acrylic (okay, I heard those gasps). I have a set of Knitters Pride Marblz (acrylic) interchangeables (discontinued now I think) and they're my absolute favorite needles.
I have no issues with acrylic at all! They aren't my favored because I like super slick needles but no judgement if they are what works for you! The Marblz are beautiful.
I started knitting with Knitters Pride interchangeable needles but they kept unscrewing while I was in the middle of a row. I've used hiya hiya sharp interchangeable for ~8 years and like them. I decided to get a set of chiaogoo interchangeable needles and really enjoy knitting with them
I know this is an old vid, but those wood interchangeables are a good match for shawl knitting with slippery yarns and those often needed life lines because most of us can not read our knitting well enough to figure out where you are in the lace designs Bad joints are a no no for me , I had the same thing happen , yarn falling into ditch , unwound just enough to be dangerous , hard to get it out of there, without unwinding more.
Thank you for explaining why there are different size range sets of interchangeable needles! As a new knitter looking to invest in a set, I was disappointed to discover that even at my skill level now I would need multiple sets. Seemed like a gimmick to get my money, but now I understand the very practical reason why!
That is great to hear! I just keep talking and hope that something useful comes out. LOL. I can totally see where it seems like they are just trying to get more money.
Hmm, I will write a note about that. Needles and how they interact with yarn. Good idea. As far as TSA approval, I rarely fly but when I do I go to the TSA website and print out the page that says that knitting needles are OK just in case. I have never been bothered about my needles.
Over the years, I've picked up my one pair of knitting needles and tried to make something, with mixed results. Finally, I'm obsessed, and thanks to TH-cam, I'm having some success. I got some bamboo needles and made some washcloths. Then I wanted to make some socks for my tender feet, so I watched a few videos and ordered a pack of wooden/bamboo? dpns from Amazon. Meantime, while waiting to get going with the socks, I decided to learn to knit in the round with some cable needles so I decided to make a hat for beginners... OMG. What fun. I love knitting in the round... except... the needles themselves are so short that my hands, especially my right hand, cramped up. There's not much to hang on to. I haven't done a lot of knitting but what I have done, has been on longer needles. I see that you have some longer cable needles but, these are bamboo #11, 16" long, so fat little needles, and the yarn is a bit bulky. The actual working part of the needle is only a couple inches. It's interesting, the habits we develop. You felt the longer needles were in the way, and I feel that they give me stability. Something to hold on to and slide the stitches along. I've had to take some Ibuprofen to continue using the short needles, but hope I can exercise my hands a get ok with them. I don't think I knit tight, but am trying at look at that. I really loved making that hat. I've started another one and want to send for some more of the same yarn to make some gifts, but don't want to get ahead to myself if I can't do it. I really love your presentation. I learned a lot, so maybe there is a solution for me. Looking forward to more of your videos. Thanks for posting.
I am very curious about the square knitting needles. I was in my LYS a few years ago when they first came out and they were not appreciated by the employees doing fine knitting. It was difficult to move the stitches from the cable onto the square part. I watched the woman doing socks and that decided me against them. I am slightly surprised that Knit Picks is putting some out. Just got the email but haven't looked at it yet. What was your actual experience with them? I have snapped innumerable wood DPNs when picking up stitches or doing fancy heel stitches on socks. Don't have any experience with traveling loop but I think I needed to know that 2 projects ago. Post carpal tunnel for years but do magic loop all the time for better weight balance. Enjoy your videos totally - thank you.
I've not knit with the square one's yet. My understanding is that they do result in different gauges from the round needles. Which if you are just knitting you can adjust needle sizes to get the gauge you need. But I am afraid if I design with them (and pretty much all my knitting is design knitting) that I might create a pattern with un-matchable gauge for people using standard needles. I'll have to get some and figure out how to try them out. Trying the same size in both square & round might be an interesting experiment in gauge?
We are so much alike. I am getting rid of my straight needles because of the weight...and I poke my husband with them when I'm knitting in the car. I dislike DPNs because I forget to move the stitches onto the needle and they all end up on one. I knit everything on "cable" needles. LOL. I would love to see a magic loop demo.
Hi Barbara, Which needle length do you prefer on the interchangable sets 4" or 5" and why please? You have already taught me so much but I feel there is a lot more to learn from you so while working on Easter bunnies I'm listening and learning from your videos. Thank you for doing them. By the way do you have any idea of how many people would love to have your curly hair?
The tip lengths really depend on your knitting style. When you knit look at how you hold your needle, I have a whole hand grip so I like the longer tips. If you do more small circumference knitting or you knit more with your fingers you might like the shorter versions - they can get into tighter spaces. Thank you for the lovely compliment about my hair. Just so you know I am not one of those people who hates my curly hair, I totally embrace it. Sometimes when I go to a new hair stylist they offer to teach me how to flatten my hair and I am all WHY WHY WHY. I never go back to those stylists.
Good for you. My hair is totally straight- great in the 60's when everyone whanted straight hair but honesty love curly hair. Hope you have a fantastic wonderful day. What area do you give classes in. I don't go out much but would love to be in your classes.Big hug for you.
I'm exploring needles again after a decade on the bamboo knit pro circulars. This was really useful to watch! I think I'll try Chiaogoo - look at that cable. :D
I like jumper needles, like a circular that has been cut in two with a stopper on the ends, circulars are nice too. I have some of my mom's old Aero needles butI just do not care for metal needles, they fatigue my fingers.
I recently started using dpns to work socks. I used to be afraid of them but really enjoy them for very small circumferences. Otherwise circulars all the way. Magic loop is ok for hats or bigger items. I get ladders with magic loop for gloves so that’s why I tried dpns. I haven’t used regular knitting needles in years😁
Fantastic! Do you think hiyahiya is better to knit with or chiaogoo? Do you notice a lot if the cable's spinning with your hands in hiyahiya? I don't have money too much to buy both of them. I'm the one with 6 different sets of knitpicks and they're fin exept some cale - connections where fine yarn or mohair hang and I've to use my fingernail /thumpnail for nearly every single stitch to help it go 'over the brigde' to the needle. I hate it! Hknitpicks do have one needle - fixed cable - from Royals, where the cable spins with me so cable's allways unculed. BUT: the cable goes a bt - about 2 mms - into the needle and back and THERE the thin or fluffy yarn loves to hang firm, too! So I can't use it, too! Otherwile it would have been fine to make cables who spin, for interchangeables. They never came along. Ok, I need a ne set and I'm in trouble between hiyahiya and chaogoo! Chiaogoo have got the better cabls because of better inlay (steel wire) and they have sharper tips. That I do love so much! But: What about 1st the spin? And 2nd hiyahiya have the parts to lengthen the tips to long needles (jacket - needles we call them). The 2nd point isn't as important as the first. But what do you think? Your oppinion is very important to me because it seems that you're extremly similar to me in themes of knitting and so I trust in you. I know it's my choice but please, help me! Thanks a lot!!!
I love both Hiya Hiya and ChiaGoo needles. I find Hiya Hiyas to be a bit lighter in the hands and CG to have a stiffer cable. If it annoys you when the cable flips around then the CG are a better choice than the HH. Some people find the CG to be a bit slicker, but I haven't noticed that. I pretty much have an equal number of these two needles.
I am a beginning knitter and started a simple scarf with a medium sized yarn, which was kind of fuzzy acrylic. The yarn would bunch up and get really fuzzy, and when I tried to correct a mistake it was impossible, it knotted up! I was using the recommended needle size, wooden. I think I should have used a metal needle as the yarn would not catch on the needles, thereby causing tangling. Am I right in that assumption? I have two skeins of this particular yarn, it's really beautiful but I'm reluctant to start a project with it.
So, the first thing I would recommend is that you set that yarn aside until you are more confident in your knitting. Starting with a yarn that you have to fight with is setting yourself up for frustration. It will still be there when you feel ready to come back to it. Novelty yarns can be very tricky and fussy. As to your needle question - I have been thinking about that since I read your comment last night and I thing that there is a whole video in there! Watch for it.
Later... July10th.. Ordered a Knit Picks Try-It set in that gorgeous Majesty..as well as a set of Majesty straights I want to use for a particular project.. Love that purple! ..,It was irresistible..
I have at least one of each brand you showed and agree with your comments about them. And I learned something new, too! I have a knitpicks interchangeable set and always wondered what the second hole was for. Now I know! I've only used lifelines a few times but each time I had trouble with staying in the same row when using a tapestry needle to thread the waste yarn. Especially when cable stitches are involved. Do you have a demo on lifelines?
Excellent! It is great to hear that I am not alone in my opinions, lol. The bonus hole is a bit on the odd side and not self explanatory, I'm glad to have shed some light on the subject!
I love your videos... because you are so much fun... You are serious about your awesome work, but obviously don't take yourself too seriously... This was a very informative video.. I just returned to knitting...and crocheting...after a very long trip me.. Part if that time was spent quilting... So... a lot of what I am seeing and heating us new to me... I was so happy to discover circular needles...The owner of our LYS kindly pointed me in the right direction... DPN's... I don't Magic Loop, so I do use these puppies when shaping hats... I knit a lot of hats for charity.. I love using my tiny 9 inches for preemie and newborn hats. However, I do have to admit that I have very small hands..I am only about 4ft. 10 inches talk.. ChauGoo has two sets...a Small and a Large.. Each has its own connection that fits that particular set of needles... I have saves know CG Red Lace circus, and love them..I can't wait to try the HH's. I just ordered from Amazon.. I really don't like the Clover Bamboo needles at all, and am nit a huge fan of Knitter's Pride products.. I am knitting a very simple prayer shawl on a KP circular needle now, and have to manually firecrackers the stitches over the join.. That project is going on neither a CG needle, or a HH... I just had to stop knitting... it wasn't fun...
It is no fun fighting your tools. I wasn't having any fun when I was working on bamboo and switching to needles I liked was a revelation. The DPN vs Magic Loop thing is very personal preference and I don't fault anyone for either side! I am so glad you are back to knitting and cannot wait to see what you knit up!
Long straight needles are good for armpit knitting (Cottage Knitting if the Yarn Harlot comes to mind) and... as you hold the working yarn in your armpit -- therefore the name. I made several afghans which were predominantly garter stitch. It was veg time, yes, but the afghans were beautiful when finished. Long wooden/bamboo needles like that also make a cast on for a purse then you leave the needle in the top of the bag and install a second stopper. 2 req'd. Nice big knitting bag that declares when you carry it: "Why, yes, I knit, do you?" Or you cheat and use doweling and install big thick beads for the ends but needs staining then. To relax needles from circulars which don't behave, if you like a cup of tea, you can heat the water for the tea and as the tea kettle steams, you can pull your needle between your fingers above the steam with your fingers enough away to be safe. This will relax the needle's cord/cable. And you can then have your tea or if it is summer, throw ice cubes in your tea if you are now hot from steaming your needle cords.
Hey, what ever happened to nylon needles? Call me cheap, but I tried nylon circulars from the thrift store, and I loved them. They were sooooo smooth, yet not slippery lIke alluminum. But it seems like theyre not really made anymore.
Barbara you are so much fun! "Ham-fisted knitter" made my day!! Thank you so much for your videos, I learn so much and I love your sense of humor! I agree with the other posters, please do a magic loop video! I'm a DPN-phobe so I'd like to learn that!
I am fixin' to work on some socks so I will definitely use that opportunity to do a magic loop video. I don't know where I would be without magic loop. I think I can fake the top of a hat too so you can see how I avoid switching for a hat crown. Thank you so much for your kind words. When I was watching the video I was like, you know - my hand do look like little hams there.
hello, just found your videos and wanted to say thank you. I'm just starting to teach myself knit through youtube, recently learned the basic cast on and the finger cast i'll just stick with the basic and now i'm practicing the knit stitch before moving on.. i'm teaching myself on those double pointed needles because i'd read they were the the best for beginners but like with crochet i'm realizing i'm a super tight knitter and also like you seem to be a handfisted knitter also the same way with crochet i don't hold my yarn up with my pinky or all that which is why continental was not working for me at all even though it's supposed to be an easier way to knit if you started with crochet first i'm just glad that I went and tried out the English method instead because i'd have given up.. anyway i'm thinking i'd like to try the circular needles now this video has helped me i'd been wondering if they were only for specific projects or something but you can use them to make beginner projects like washcloths? Do you have a video on beginner tips, like what to do when a stitch falls off your needle instead of ripping the whole project off and starting again, there has to be an option.
I will put fixing mistakes on my list of things to make videos for. Because most of my patterns aren't exactly beginner patterns I didn't start out making those kinds of videos, but I am flexible!
@@WatchBarbaraKnit it's ok! i found a few on youtube so no worries. I'm enjoying your videos and am back to watch this one as i'm wondering what the differences are between certain ChiaoGoo sets on amazon some look exactly the same but are different prices.
love long and flexible circular knitting needles. love wood..but I have to order online because you can't buy them at hobby lobby or Walmart....I have to drive two hours to a yarn store. but I don't like dpkn either. I use magic loop or two 16" circular knitting needles to knit socks...
Good day, I just listened to your needles video and it is very interesting! Every knitter has its favorite needle type... but I was wondering how can someone figure out if they knit tight, medium or loose. (Well, tight is more obvious... but as for the others??). Alwayse a good moment listening to you speaking about knitting...
Most people figure out they knit loose because when they make gauge swatches they cannot get gauge with the needle called for in the pattern. Of course this requires knitting gauge swatches LOL!
I love my Chiagoos! I just bought a complete set and some extra cables (and a few shorter tips too). After using cheaper circulars and fighting the cables, it's such a relief to have the red Twist cables. I also bought a long Chiagoo Spin cable (it spins like the Hiya Hiya ones) for magic loop knitting. The Spin cables are supposed to be very flexible. I'll definitely check out your magic loop video! I enjoy your videos. :)
After using the red Twist cables, I don't really like the Spin. :( It holds its circular shape from the packaging and it annoys me. Still, I got it for magic loop so I'll hold onto it. :)
I user my nine inch cable needle as a cable stitch holder when I'm knitting cables and I like it better than my J-hook holder! I can't imagine what it's like to actually knit something with them !!!
I'm afraid that I don't use the square needles at all. While I understand that they are supposed to be better for the hands, I am afraid to use them because the gauge you achieve with them is different than round needles of the same size. So it is possible I could create patterns where the gauge is actually difficult for people to achieve with standard needles.
@@WatchBarbaraKnit wow just came across your needle segment. You are very enjoyable for sure. Good news!!!! I have a patented “adjustable ergonomic system”. I would love you to see a demo of My Two Ladies Brand. How can I send you a pair? Specifically for projects with lots of stitches. Thanks. Alexis Www.mytwoladiesknitting.com Alexis@mytwoladiesknitting.com
I love ChsiGoo, HiyaHiya, and Knit Picks Needles... However, I have heard good things about the nnew Knitter’s Pride Zings-So... I just ordered a 16 inch Zing...suze 8... I loved the beautiful pink... Each suze has its own color...a big plus- If I like the Zing, I plan to order the 16 inch set...because I knit lots of charity hats. I love my tiny 9 inchers.., I use them fir my Preemie/newborn hats.. admittedly,, my hands are very small... I can appreciate how hard it would be fir Knitters with larger hands use them. I do use DON# to shape the crowns if hats...but I always dread using them...Magic Loop did not work fir me... My lack of coordination got me, Thanks again for another great video...❤️❤️😎
Some people who don't like Magic Loop find working with two circulars easier, but I have never tried it. Maybe I should! I am really loving my Zings right now too.
08-28-19 ..Just listened to this..one of my favorites ....for at least the second time Now that I have been knitting for a while (returned to knitting and crocheting after 15 years of quilting)... I enjoyed the video even more... because now I know what needles really work for me.. If I need wood, I grab the beautiful Knit Picks Needles...absolutely no bamboo, please. Too grabby.. My very favorite Needles are the ChaiGoo Red Lace, and the color coded Zings, made by Knitters Pride are a close second. I really appreciate the color coding, because sizes are very hard...sometimes impossible...for me to see. I never soak cords, either... They work, or don’t work... Thanks for a good review...
ChiaoGoo has two types of points: Their regular needles and their "Red Lace" needles. The difference between them is that the Red Lace needles have a longer taper on the point, which is great for lace knitting.
Hi . new subscriber here. I learned how to knit last winter. Iv made blankets and scarfs. I'm trying my luck at circular needles now. I find that i pick them up wrong often. Any pointers? If i lay my work down then come back to it. ? Thankyou. :)
Hmm, you lay them down wrong? Well, one way that might help is to use a removable stitch marker and attach it to the right side of your knitting. That way when you pick it up you can always know which is the right and which is the wrong side. If you are knitting in the round put the marker on the outside. Another thing to note, if you're knitting in the round, is that your working yarn should always be coming off of your right hand needle (assuming you are knitting right handed).
Watched this again.. By now, I have given my Knit Picks beautiful wooden needles a real workout.. They are AWESOME! Pointy points, super smooth joins and surfaces.. I've added them to my Huhutss, and my lovely ChaiGoos. I do not care for Knit Picks.. which is what my LYS sells..
Help!! I am having the most terrible time with circular needles. If I have the size needle the pattern calls for then the cable is too long or the needle is too long. Which leads to really stretched out work. For Christmas a Clover interchangeable circular needles. I thought great problem solved, not even close. Is there a way to use circular needles for small projects without stretching the hell out of the project?
Magic loop for the win! th-cam.com/video/PwShXMdn9yU/w-d-xo.html But seriously, magic loop is an excellent technique and I use it all of the time. I also know knitters who use two circulars, it is a technique I have not played with because magic loop works well for me.
Very informative and much appreciated. I recently purchased a large set of bamboo needles and the very first time using they were catching my yarn and leaving tiny pieces of bamboo on my work. UGH Is this common with wooden/bamboo needles? LOVE your channel and you crack me up!
It seems you might be having a bit of a Barbara Binge? ;) I hate to say it, but those sound like really low quality needles. Bamboo can be rough but they should not leave pieces of bamboo in your work. If there is one place that is good to splurge on a more expensive product, it is needles. Needles you will use over and over in many projects. Yarn you use for one project. Spending time fighting your tools makes for miserable knitting.
@@WatchBarbaraKnit yes, definetly on a Barbara binge 😂 enjoying every minute of it. I've only knitted with metal/aluminum etc never bamboo....yes, these were very cheap and I won't make that mistake again. lol I used to knit A LOT and got away from it when I had my three little ones. Now over 15 yrs later, I'm trying to remember everything. TH-cam is a wonderful thing and so are you!
Like you, I never use straight needles. I am a circ needle exclusively. I discovered the Knitters Pride Nova Platina, and never looked back. I LOVE LOVE these needles. I loath DPN's because they're too fiddly. Hence, I will probably never knit socks. oh and just FYI....I have crazy-hair like you :)
Is there ANY benefit or use for the bent Boye circular needles? I aways thought they were akward, but they've been around for awhile, so they must have a use.
If you go to the Watch Barbara Knit home page you will see that there are playlists, in the tutorial section there are several small shall patterns that are shown step by step. It depends on what shape you want to do !
I really don't understand how to use dpn's. Every time I try, I get it totally twisted and can't work out how to sort it. I'd love to learn how to use them but after years of trying I'm no further on, can you help please? Xx
@@WatchBarbaraKnit yes sorry, I only realised once I'd sent you the message...DOH!!! I really do enjoy magic loop now I understand how it works 😊thank you so much 💖
I'm afraid that wooden needles are just more "grabby" you can look into wooden needles with slicker finishes but it depends on how tightly you knit. If you are working on something like a Clover bamboo, they are unfinished and are super grabby. They are great for slipperier yarns where you need more control. There are wooden needles that are finished and polished to have better slide - something like those available from Knit Picks or Knitters Pride. With wooden needles it is all about the finish. There is nothing wrong with knitting tightly, you need to knit however is comfortable for you, but if you knit tightly then you might want to look into switching to metal needles, they simply have a slicker finish and it makes it easier for the stitches to slide. I use metal needles almost exclusively.
WatchBarbaraKnit Thanks kindly. I did end up raiding my great grandmother's needle stash and got a bunch of metal needles. I am a tight knitter so wood just wasn't working for me.
Thanks for all the information! Have you ever used the Nova cubic interchangeable needles from Knitters Pride? I have one set and had issue with them always coming unscrewed every other row or so. Have you tried the new Knit Picks cubic needles? What is the reason of the different shape? Thank you so much for your help. I'm a new subscriber and I love your channel already!
Oh, and I would love to see a magic loop video. I just did my first hate and wasn't a fan when I had to move the stitches to DPNs. Would love to avoid that next time
I have not used the cubic needles. My understanding is that the different shape is more ergonomically correct for the hands and can help ease strain, especially for arthritic hands. I'm so glad you subscribed and hope you continue to enjoy my videos! If you have any ideas or questions let me know. I have already written down Magic Loop on my list and it will be coming! Maybe I can do a separate video specifically on doing the top of a hat.
Thank you!! Can't wait to see it. I tried to do it with this hat and was too confused so I went the DPN route but wasn't a fan. I love my circulars for just about everything.
I hate Addie needles. I have some and regret buying them. Love Chiaogoo and Karbonz (karbonz are sexy -LOL), anything bamboo is awesome. Metal is too slippery, doesn't hold yarn well I feel.
I still only have the one set of addis lol. For me, I find most wooden needles way too grabby and my yarn doesn't move - which is why I like metal. Everyone knits differently and that's why there are a lot of amazing products out there.
Added 10-25-21-- guys…PLEASW. Do yourself a huge favor, and steer clear of cheap, knitting needles… try the different name brands…the ones Barbara showed you… Once you use a hood knitting needle, you will be able to tell the difference right away.. it’s I,portent to use the best tools you can afford …no matter what you are doing… Knitting…and crocheting are no different. A poorly made knitting needle will definitely not make yiur knitting experience Whst you want it to be..
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I am a beginner knitter and had NO idea there was so much to know about knitting! Whew. Now I feel I should watch every one of your episodes before knitting anything else! I love, love, love your videos.
I am so glad you enjoy my videos. I am constantly learning things I didn't know so you are not alone in that.
Mrs. Benson, thank you for your very informative presentation! Plus, you are a very nice sincere person, but you're just so adorable! You look like someone I would love to visit, and really talk-you quite a bit of personality; this shows how friendly you are!
Thank you! I wish I could visit knitters all over the world but doing these videos is the next best thing.
I have knit for 58 years, tight knitter too. And i just discovered the ChiaoGoo mini cables. The BEST MAGIC LOOP needle ever. You can use any ChiaoGoo tip US000-1.5, OR US2-8 with a mini/small adapter and a mini cable which are soooooo tiny. They come in 8",14",22",30" or 37". I absolutely love these so much I bought three pair if adapters. Also ChiaoGoo interchangable sets include connectors to join more than one cable. Just try one. Great for tiny thumbs, fingers or baby sleeves. ChiaoGoo are quality made, smooth joins, pointy points,great breadth of sizes. Thanks for your funny video.
Hmmm, I will have to look into these mini-cables.
Make sure to buy the mini/small adapters so you can use the mini cable with the small (US2-8) tips.
Love my Chiagoo set. However being new to lace knitting, I need more grab on the yarn. So I tried knit picks royal. Like the tip and the cord it swivels and the one I purchased is a permentaly attached. The join ruins them sadly. I also knit tightly! So the yarn I'm using is very thin like a #2 size, not fingering but close. It's beautiful and expensive yarn (Its spoiling me seriously) and it was being frayed on the joins. So I started again, this is my third time, but I'm determined. I have watched so many videos where people can knit loosly, it amazes me. I have tried to do that but find it difficult, my need I guess is be uniform and knitting loosly feels totally uniform but people can do it and do it so well. My hat's off to you because lace can really look beautiful lose. Its beautiful tight also but we always want what we don't have. Human nature. I just put the points together on the Chicagoo and the Knit Pic Royales and ChiaGoo's are much longer, same point just shorter distance seems longer because of its a carbon tip and the wood is coloured by size of needle. Luckily I just bought a pair not an entire set. If anyone has experience with ChiaGoos Bamboos please tell me about your experience. Thanks so much.
Thanks Barbara another great video. I very early on in knitting bought the full set of 5 inch Lace interchanables and use them on everything. Love the cords. What's very awesome I've read is that the Bamboo tips also work with the red lace cord interchangables. So hopefully that will be the case and the ticket to help me be more confident with "Every Which Way" pattern I'm currently working on.
I found your discussion of needles very helpful. Thanks. Also love your style of presenting.
Thank you for your kind words! And I am so glad that you found the video useful! I hope to see you again!
Thanks so much for this video. I've never heard of most of these names. My experience with DPN was when I decided to teach myself to make socks while having my first cataract surgery. The cataracts free so fast within a month I couldn't see my face in the mirror even with my nose against it. It actually went amazingly well. I did start putting point protectors on them so I wouldn't drop stitches. I was so glad I was using wooden needles, I needed the extra "grabbiness." I love your videos and have learned so much! Thank you so much!
I'm so glad you found it useful!
Very informative and helpful. I gave up on DPNs after losing them down the gearshift box and between car seats and in tall grass. Went to two circulars for socks. Recently took up ChiaGoos 9" for most of the sock. I use the two circs for toes and heels and for the occasional "try on".
I have never done the two circ thing but have been thinking about trying it for awhile. The only thing DPNs get used for around here is as a cable needle LOL.
WatchBarbaraKnit I agree on the DPNs. Also tops of hats sometimes or when all my other needles are “busy”
Just an FYI. Those twisted wires in the ChiaoGoo needles is an actual cable. Twisting a group of wires together forms a cable. So in that instance using the name "cable needles" would be correct.
LOL. Thanks!
Despite being a several-decades-long knitter, I am always learning something new from you! Thank you so much, Barbara! Who knew what that joining piece of a needle is really called? Fun fact for sure! LOL
I love weird words!
OMG, thank you so much! I've been looking for someone to explain what type of needles are available and so far you're all I've found.
I'm so glad that I was helpful! Hopefully I answered most of your questions?
definitely a knitters pride dreamz, in a size 5. That's the first set I bought, the interchangeable. Love them. Still pretty slick for a wooden needle. Recently got their nova platina interchangeable set too. Love both of them. Their cases stink tho...so be prepared to get a different case.
LOL, all my needles usually end up everywhere.
Had to laugh at your storage method. Looks like a giant cat toy. lol. @@WatchBarbaraKnit
Hey Barbara, I have used different types of circular needles even the very inexpensive ones, since I had surgery on both hands the circular needles I like best are knitters pride square ones easier since at times I tend to knit tight it is easy to go through the stitch. Thank you for giving your point of view on what you like. As always love, laughter and happy crafting.
I've always wanted to try the square needles but I hesitate to use them when I am designing. They tend to produce different gauge than more traditional needles so I run the risk of creating a pattern with a gauge that is difficult for many knitters to duplicate.
Barbara, I don't like the single or DPN"S which I started learning on only to look down and my stitches had came off ,I had never seen cable needles until I watch knitting videos on here and thought those even have to be harder to use,but I love them and is all I use. I need help with sizes.I got a huge bag of circular needles from a threft store,some have the sizes on and some don't. I need a 7mm is there a Us size for this? Also 18cm needle. I just bought Bernats Baby Velvet yarn and suppose to use 7mm for a blanket can I use a different size or a size 10?
I'm afraid that there is no US equivalent for a 7mm needle, and I honestly don't know why. But a 10.5 = 6.5mm and an 11 = 8 mm. You might find something from an EU site? I've never even heard of an 18 cm needle. The smallest circular I know of is a 9 inch (22 cm). The only way to know what size you need to use is swatch with a couple of different sizes and see what gets you closest to the pattern gauge.
Interchangables. I have trouble with the needles coming off even after using the tightening tool. I love the Denise Interchangeable connections b/c they snap in and do not come loose. I just wish Denise would make thinner cords.
Great information, especially about the lifeline on the interchangeable because I recently bought some and did not know how to use the lifeline. thanks 💕
That is one of those not so secret tips. Lifelines are awesome.
Haha I love circulars too. I switched when I was traveling a lot and dropped a dpn one too many times on a flight. LOL Magic loop is awesome. I've donated most of my straights. Every once in awhile I use DPNs to finish off a hat if the longer cables from my circ set are in use, but otherwise they sit, unloved and unused.
I pretty much started with circulars from the get go. I occasionally work a scarf on straights, but they have to be pretty short or I just flail madly. I do both Magic Loop and Traveling loop depending on the length of the cord. Thanks for commenting!
You are so fun, informative, and great to watch. Thank you for all you do!!
Thank you!
Also just found you and really like your videos. Would add 1 more needle. For those of us with sore hands, ergometric are wonderful. There are square needles but my favourite are made by Prym and are called ergometrics. They have made a huge difference.
I love my Prym needles!
Barbara love your style. So easy to listen to.[That's a bonus]. Very informative advice.I'm from Canada. Our sometimes brutal winters keeps most of us indoors. Sooooooooooo lots of time to knit. P.S I also love your sense of humor.
Thank you for taking the time to comment and I am super happy that you enjoy the videos! Stay warm!
Just found you on youtube. So glad i did. This video is ssooooo helpful! The best one i’ve seen. Some don’t even show you a close up of the tips. Thank you. I am subscribing right now 🙂
I'm so glad you found me and enjoy the videos!
I got rid of all my straights 5 or 6 years ago. Donated them to a local church-based charity that does outreach by teaching knitting at homeless and battered partners shelters.
I hated DPNs at first because all I had were some metal and very slick wood needles. Switching to unfinished bamboo (much more grippy) alleviated all the awkwardness of trying to maneuver the needles so stitches wouldn't slide off the non-working end. I now prefer DPNS to Magic Loop, although I go back and forth between both methods depending on the project (one method or the other often seems more suited to some projects). Caveat, I don't ever knit socks so I don't know how well unfinished bamboo would work for knitting those.
Because you didn't mention it, my favorite needle material is acrylic (okay, I heard those gasps). I have a set of Knitters Pride Marblz (acrylic) interchangeables (discontinued now I think) and they're my absolute favorite needles.
I have no issues with acrylic at all! They aren't my favored because I like super slick needles but no judgement if they are what works for you! The Marblz are beautiful.
I started knitting with Knitters Pride interchangeable needles but they kept unscrewing while I was in the middle of a row. I've used hiya hiya sharp interchangeable for ~8 years and like them. I decided to get a set of chiaogoo interchangeable needles and really enjoy knitting with them
It can take some time to find the needles that work for you! I'm so glad you did.
Enjoyed this video. Could you give more info on the lifeline technique? I’m a novice knitter and I have never heard about that. Thanks for all you do!
You are not the first person to ask for this. I definitely will have a video on it soon.
I know this is an old vid, but those wood interchangeables are a good match for shawl knitting with slippery yarns and those often needed life lines because most of us can not read our knitting well enough to figure out where you are in the lace designs Bad joints are a no no for me , I had the same thing happen , yarn falling into ditch , unwound just enough to be dangerous , hard to get it out of there, without unwinding more.
Thank you for explaining why there are different size range sets of interchangeable needles! As a new knitter looking to invest in a set, I was disappointed to discover that even at my skill level now I would need multiple sets. Seemed like a gimmick to get my money, but now I understand the very practical reason why!
That is great to hear! I just keep talking and hope that something useful comes out. LOL. I can totally see where it seems like they are just trying to get more money.
Hi Barbara love the video,are they TSA approve . And can you talk a little more about what needs are best for working with what texture yarn or fiber.
Hmm, I will write a note about that. Needles and how they interact with yarn. Good idea. As far as TSA approval, I rarely fly but when I do I go to the TSA website and print out the page that says that knitting needles are OK just in case. I have never been bothered about my needles.
Over the years, I've picked up my one pair of knitting needles and tried to make something, with mixed results. Finally, I'm obsessed, and thanks to TH-cam, I'm having some success. I got some bamboo needles and made some washcloths. Then I wanted to make some socks for my tender feet, so I watched a few videos and ordered a pack of wooden/bamboo? dpns from Amazon. Meantime, while waiting to get going with the socks, I decided to learn to knit in the round with some cable needles so I decided to make a hat for beginners... OMG. What fun. I love knitting in the round... except... the needles themselves are so short that my hands, especially my right hand, cramped up. There's not much to hang on to. I haven't done a lot of knitting but what I have done, has been on longer needles. I see that you have some longer cable needles but, these are bamboo #11, 16" long, so fat little needles, and the yarn is a bit bulky. The actual working part of the needle is only a couple inches. It's interesting, the habits we develop. You felt the longer needles were in the way, and I feel that they give me stability. Something to hold on to and slide the stitches along. I've had to take some Ibuprofen to continue using the short needles, but hope I can exercise my hands a get ok with them. I don't think I knit tight, but am trying at look at that. I really loved making that hat. I've started another one and want to send for some more of the same yarn to make some gifts, but don't want to get ahead to myself if I can't do it. I really love your presentation. I learned a lot, so maybe there is a solution for me. Looking forward to more of your videos. Thanks for posting.
I'm so glad that you enjoyed the video and found your knitting mojo! I hope you enjoy future videos.
can you demonstrate the use of the lifeline in a lacy shawl project?
I should be able to figure out how to do that! I will put it on the list. Thanks so much for the suggestion.
Thank you... i really needed this...i am a NEW knitter... i will for sure get the circular ones and that is it...
I'm glad you found the needle video and that it was helpful!
I am very curious about the square knitting needles. I was in my LYS a few years ago when they first came out and they were not appreciated by the employees doing fine knitting. It was difficult to move the stitches from the cable onto the square part. I watched the woman doing socks and that decided me against them. I am slightly surprised that Knit Picks is putting some out. Just got the email but haven't looked at it yet. What was your actual experience with them? I have snapped innumerable wood DPNs when picking up stitches or doing fancy heel stitches on socks. Don't have any experience with traveling loop but I think I needed to know that 2 projects ago. Post carpal tunnel for years but do magic loop all the time for better weight balance. Enjoy your videos totally - thank you.
I've not knit with the square one's yet. My understanding is that they do result in different gauges from the round needles. Which if you are just knitting you can adjust needle sizes to get the gauge you need. But I am afraid if I design with them (and pretty much all my knitting is design knitting) that I might create a pattern with un-matchable gauge for people using standard needles. I'll have to get some and figure out how to try them out. Trying the same size in both square & round might be an interesting experiment in gauge?
We are so much alike. I am getting rid of my straight needles because of the weight...and I poke my husband with them when I'm knitting in the car. I dislike DPNs because I forget to move the stitches onto the needle and they all end up on one. I knit everything on "cable" needles. LOL. I would love to see a magic loop demo.
LOL I have done the same thing with DPNs and then been confused why I can't make it work with 3 needles. I will put magic loop on the list!
Hi Barbara,
Which needle length do you prefer on the interchangable sets 4" or 5" and why please? You have already taught me so much but I feel there is a lot more to learn from you so while working on Easter bunnies I'm listening and learning from your videos. Thank you for doing them. By the way do you have any idea of how many people would love to have your curly hair?
The tip lengths really depend on your knitting style. When you knit look at how you hold your needle, I have a whole hand grip so I like the longer tips. If you do more small circumference knitting or you knit more with your fingers you might like the shorter versions - they can get into tighter spaces. Thank you for the lovely compliment about my hair. Just so you know I am not one of those people who hates my curly hair, I totally embrace it. Sometimes when I go to a new hair stylist they offer to teach me how to flatten my hair and I am all WHY WHY WHY. I never go back to those stylists.
Good for you. My hair is totally straight- great in the 60's when everyone whanted straight hair but honesty love curly hair. Hope you have a fantastic wonderful day. What area do you give classes in. I don't go out much but would love to be in your classes.Big hug for you.
I'm exploring needles again after a decade on the bamboo knit pro circulars. This was really useful to watch! I think I'll try Chiaogoo - look at that cable. :D
I'm glad it was helpful!
I like jumper needles, like a circular that has been cut in two with a stopper on the ends, circulars are nice too. I have some of my mom's old Aero needles butI just do not care for metal needles, they fatigue my fingers.
I have never head of jumper needles, thank you for sharing that with me. I will have to do some research!
I do use circulars once in a while but I find I am always reaching for the jumpers. Clover makes especially nice ones.
barbara Nines 56y
I recently started using dpns to work socks. I used to be afraid of them but really enjoy them for very small circumferences. Otherwise circulars all the way. Magic loop is ok for hats or bigger items. I get ladders with magic loop for gloves so that’s why I tried dpns. I haven’t used regular knitting needles in years😁
Everyone really has to find what works for them. I get horrible ladders with DPNs lol.
Fantastic! Do you think hiyahiya is better to knit with or chiaogoo? Do you notice a lot if the cable's spinning with your hands in hiyahiya? I don't have money too much to buy both of them. I'm the one with 6 different sets of knitpicks and they're fin exept some cale - connections where fine yarn or mohair hang and I've to use my fingernail /thumpnail for nearly every single stitch to help it go 'over the brigde' to the needle. I hate it! Hknitpicks do have one needle - fixed cable - from Royals, where the cable spins with me so cable's allways unculed. BUT: the cable goes a bt - about 2 mms - into the needle and back and THERE the thin or fluffy yarn loves to hang firm, too! So I can't use it, too! Otherwile it would have been fine to make cables who spin, for interchangeables. They never came along. Ok, I need a ne set and I'm in trouble between hiyahiya and chaogoo! Chiaogoo have got the better cabls because of better inlay (steel wire) and they have sharper tips. That I do love so much! But: What about 1st the spin? And 2nd hiyahiya have the parts to lengthen the tips to long needles (jacket - needles we call them).
The 2nd point isn't as important as the first. But what do you think? Your oppinion is very important to me because it seems that you're extremly similar to me in themes of knitting and so I trust in you. I know it's my choice but please, help me! Thanks a lot!!!
I love both Hiya Hiya and ChiaGoo needles. I find Hiya Hiyas to be a bit lighter in the hands and CG to have a stiffer cable. If it annoys you when the cable flips around then the CG are a better choice than the HH. Some people find the CG to be a bit slicker, but I haven't noticed that. I pretty much have an equal number of these two needles.
I am a beginning knitter and started a simple scarf with a medium sized yarn, which was kind of fuzzy acrylic. The yarn would bunch up and get really fuzzy, and when I tried to
correct a mistake it was impossible, it knotted up! I was using the recommended needle size, wooden. I think I should have used a metal needle as the yarn would not
catch on the needles, thereby causing tangling. Am I right in that assumption? I have two skeins of this particular yarn, it's really beautiful but I'm reluctant to start a project
with it.
So, the first thing I would recommend is that you set that yarn aside until you are more confident in your knitting. Starting with a yarn that you have to fight with is setting yourself up for frustration. It will still be there when you feel ready to come back to it. Novelty yarns can be very tricky and fussy. As to your needle question - I have been thinking about that since I read your comment last night and I thing that there is a whole video in there! Watch for it.
Just started watching your videos...you are such a 7 day marvel that I have begun to knit again. Thanks for sparking my interest again.
Thank you for taking the time to say this. It absolutely made my day! What are you going to knit first?
Naturally, the shawl! Hope I don't get stuck with the final rows...will get to you if I do!!
LOL! Shawls are awesome. Can't wait to see it.
Most definitely!
You've got such a wonderful, lovely, laid-back yet zainee
personality...
I enjoy watching whatever topic you you in store for us.... Thank you😉
I'm so glad you enjoy my videos. Zany is a good word.
Later... July10th.. Ordered a Knit Picks Try-It set in that gorgeous Majesty..as well as a set of Majesty straights I want to use for a particular project.. Love that purple! ..,It was irresistible..
The Try-it set is perfect to see if you like it. I am a sucker for all things purple.
I have a couple pairs of majestic four square. I love them.
Very cool!
I have at least one of each brand you showed and agree with your comments about them. And I learned something new, too! I have a knitpicks interchangeable set and always wondered what the second hole was for. Now I know! I've only used lifelines a few times but each time I had trouble with staying in the same row when using a tapestry needle to thread the waste yarn. Especially when cable stitches are involved. Do you have a demo on lifelines?
Excellent! It is great to hear that I am not alone in my opinions, lol. The bonus hole is a bit on the odd side and not self explanatory, I'm glad to have shed some light on the subject!
I love your videos... because you are so much fun... You are serious about your awesome work, but obviously don't take yourself too seriously...
This was a very informative video.. I just returned to knitting...and crocheting...after a very long trip me.. Part if that time was spent quilting...
So... a lot of what I am seeing and heating us new to me... I was so happy to discover circular needles...The owner of our LYS kindly pointed me in the right direction...
DPN's... I don't Magic Loop, so I do use these puppies when shaping hats... I knit a lot of hats for charity.. I love using my tiny 9 inches for preemie and newborn hats. However, I do have to admit that I have very small hands..I am only about 4ft. 10 inches talk..
ChauGoo has two sets...a Small and a Large.. Each has its own connection that fits that particular set of needles...
I have saves know CG Red Lace circus, and love them..I can't wait to try the HH's. I just ordered from Amazon.. I really don't like the Clover Bamboo needles at all, and am nit a huge fan of Knitter's Pride products.. I am knitting a very simple prayer shawl on a KP circular needle now,
and have to manually firecrackers the stitches over the join.. That project is going on neither a CG needle, or a HH... I just had to stop knitting... it wasn't fun...
It is no fun fighting your tools. I wasn't having any fun when I was working on bamboo and switching to needles I liked was a revelation. The DPN vs Magic Loop thing is very personal preference and I don't fault anyone for either side! I am so glad you are back to knitting and cannot wait to see what you knit up!
Thank you Barbara for your review of needles. I would like to watch your review of square needles.
I've never really knit with square needles but it's on my list of things to try.
Long straight needles are good for armpit knitting (Cottage Knitting if the Yarn Harlot comes to mind) and... as you hold the working yarn in your armpit -- therefore the name. I made several afghans which were predominantly garter stitch. It was veg time, yes, but the afghans were beautiful when finished.
Long wooden/bamboo needles like that also make a cast on for a purse then you leave the needle in the top of the bag and install a second stopper. 2 req'd. Nice big knitting bag that declares when you carry it: "Why, yes, I knit, do you?" Or you cheat and use doweling and install big thick beads for the ends but needs staining then.
To relax needles from circulars which don't behave, if you like a cup of tea, you can heat the water for the tea and as the tea kettle steams, you can pull your needle between your fingers above the steam with your fingers enough away to be safe. This will relax the needle's cord/cable. And you can then have your tea or if it is summer, throw ice cubes in your tea if you are now hot from steaming your needle cords.
Thanks for all of that info!
Hey, what ever happened to nylon needles? Call me cheap, but I tried nylon circulars from the thrift store, and I loved them. They were sooooo smooth, yet not slippery lIke alluminum. But it seems like theyre not really made anymore.
Interesting. I have never encountered nylon needles. You might be able to find them on ebay or vintage sites?
Barbara you are so much fun! "Ham-fisted knitter" made my day!! Thank you so much for your videos, I learn so much and I love your sense of humor! I agree with the other posters, please do a magic loop video! I'm a DPN-phobe so I'd like to learn that!
I am fixin' to work on some socks so I will definitely use that opportunity to do a magic loop video. I don't know where I would be without magic loop. I think I can fake the top of a hat too so you can see how I avoid switching for a hat crown. Thank you so much for your kind words. When I was watching the video I was like, you know - my hand do look like little hams there.
hello, just found your videos and wanted to say thank you. I'm just starting to teach myself knit through youtube, recently learned the basic cast on and the finger cast i'll just stick with the basic and now i'm practicing the knit stitch before moving on.. i'm teaching myself on those double pointed needles because i'd read they were the the best for beginners but like with crochet i'm realizing i'm a super tight knitter and also like you seem to be a handfisted knitter also the same way with crochet i don't hold my yarn up with my pinky or all that which is why continental was not working for me at all even though it's supposed to be an easier way to knit if you started with crochet first i'm just glad that I went and tried out the English method instead because i'd have given up.. anyway i'm thinking i'd like to try the circular needles now this video has helped me i'd been wondering if they were only for specific projects or something but you can use them to make beginner projects like washcloths? Do you have a video on beginner tips, like what to do when a stitch falls off your needle instead of ripping the whole project off and starting again, there has to be an option.
I will put fixing mistakes on my list of things to make videos for. Because most of my patterns aren't exactly beginner patterns I didn't start out making those kinds of videos, but I am flexible!
@@WatchBarbaraKnit it's ok! i found a few on youtube so no worries. I'm enjoying your videos and am back to watch this one as i'm wondering what the differences are between certain ChiaoGoo sets on amazon some look exactly the same but are different prices.
I have the same problem not happy with straight needles but l am learning how to knit
Finding tools that you like will make the learning experience much more pleasant.
love long and flexible circular knitting needles.
love wood..but I have to order online because you can't buy them at hobby lobby or Walmart....I have to drive two hours to a yarn store. but I don't like dpkn either. I use magic loop or two 16" circular knitting needles to knit socks...
I need to try the two needles trick!
Good day, I just listened to your needles video and it is very interesting! Every knitter has its favorite needle type... but I was wondering how can someone figure out if they knit tight, medium or loose. (Well, tight is more obvious... but as for the others??). Alwayse a good moment listening to you speaking about knitting...
Most people figure out they knit loose because when they make gauge swatches they cannot get gauge with the needle called for in the pattern. Of course this requires knitting gauge swatches LOL!
Good morning Barbara, very informative as usual! Thanks very much!
You are so welcome!
I love my Chiagoos! I just bought a complete set and some extra cables (and a few shorter tips too). After using cheaper circulars and fighting the cables, it's such a relief to have the red Twist cables. I also bought a long Chiagoo Spin cable (it spins like the Hiya Hiya ones) for magic loop knitting. The Spin cables are supposed to be very flexible. I'll definitely check out your magic loop video! I enjoy your videos. :)
Thank you! I need to check out the Spin cables too.
After using the red Twist cables, I don't really like the Spin. :( It holds its circular shape from the packaging and it annoys me. Still, I got it for magic loop so I'll hold onto it. :)
I really appreciated this...I’ve been a little embarrassed to ask needle questions. I’m still consider myself a newbie at knitting.
Ask all the questions! It's the only way to learn.
I user my nine inch cable needle as a cable stitch holder when I'm knitting cables and I like it better than my J-hook holder! I can't imagine what it's like to actually knit something with them !!!
Awesome! You were so full of information so now I feel better about purchasing my needles.
I am glad I gave you some confidence in your decision!
Lifeline! I wondered what that other hole was for!
Now you know!
The lifeline needles are cool they should have that on all the circular needles or interchangeably needles
Most of them I have seen have the holes!
Have you tried the flexible double pointed needles?
Can you do a video on the Kollage square interchangeable knitting needles? And maybe provide a link where ones can purchase them?
Thank you.
I'm afraid that I don't use the square needles at all. While I understand that they are supposed to be better for the hands, I am afraid to use them because the gauge you achieve with them is different than round needles of the same size. So it is possible I could create patterns where the gauge is actually difficult for people to achieve with standard needles.
@@WatchBarbaraKnit wow just came across your needle segment. You are very enjoyable for sure. Good news!!!! I have a patented “adjustable ergonomic system”. I would love you to see a demo of My Two Ladies Brand. How can I send you a pair? Specifically for projects with lots of stitches. Thanks. Alexis
Www.mytwoladiesknitting.com
Alexis@mytwoladiesknitting.com
I love ChsiGoo, HiyaHiya, and Knit Picks Needles... However, I have heard good things about the nnew Knitter’s Pride Zings-So... I just ordered a 16 inch Zing...suze 8... I loved the beautiful pink... Each suze has its own color...a big plus- If I like the Zing, I plan to order the 16 inch set...because I knit lots of charity hats.
I love my tiny 9 inchers.., I use them fir my Preemie/newborn hats.. admittedly,, my hands are very small... I can appreciate how hard it would be fir Knitters with larger hands use them.
I do use DON# to shape the crowns if hats...but I always dread using them...Magic Loop did not work fir me... My lack of coordination got me,
Thanks again for another great video...❤️❤️😎
Some people who don't like Magic Loop find working with two circulars easier, but I have never tried it. Maybe I should! I am really loving my Zings right now too.
08-28-19 ..Just listened to this..one of my favorites ....for at least the second time
Now that I have been knitting for a while (returned to knitting and crocheting after 15 years of quilting)... I enjoyed the video even more... because now I know what needles really work for me..
If I need wood, I grab the beautiful Knit Picks Needles...absolutely no bamboo, please. Too grabby..
My very favorite Needles are the ChaiGoo Red Lace, and the color coded Zings, made by Knitters Pride are a close second. I really appreciate the color coding, because sizes are very hard...sometimes impossible...for me to see.
I never soak cords, either... They work, or don’t work...
Thanks for a good review...
I'm glad the video had something different for you the second time!
Thank you so much Barbara!!!! I have needed this knowledge of needles and you genuinely helped thoroughly in all of my questions! ;)
That is absolutely wonderful to hear! If you have any additional questions please do not hesitate to ask.
Really interesting, have you done a magic loop talk?
Karol Jelbert LOL I couldn't remember so I went and checked and yes I did! th-cam.com/video/PwShXMdn9yU/w-d-xo.html
Your my new favorite youtuber..ive been bindge watching your videos. 😋
Awww, thank you! I hope you continue to enjoy them.
ChiaoGoo has two types of points: Their regular needles and their "Red Lace" needles. The difference between them is that the Red Lace needles have a longer taper on the point, which is great for lace knitting.
Indeed! I only use the red lace because I love the pointy.
Hi . new subscriber here. I learned how to knit last winter. Iv made blankets and scarfs. I'm trying my luck at circular needles now. I find that i pick them up wrong often. Any pointers? If i lay my work down then come back to it. ? Thankyou. :)
Hmm, you lay them down wrong? Well, one way that might help is to use a removable stitch marker and attach it to the right side of your knitting. That way when you pick it up you can always know which is the right and which is the wrong side. If you are knitting in the round put the marker on the outside. Another thing to note, if you're knitting in the round, is that your working yarn should always be coming off of your right hand needle (assuming you are knitting right handed).
@@WatchBarbaraKnit Thankyou
Watched this again.. By now, I have given my Knit Picks beautiful wooden needles a real workout.. They are AWESOME! Pointy points, super smooth joins and surfaces.. I've added them to my Huhutss, and my lovely ChaiGoos.
I do not care for Knit Picks.. which is what my LYS sells..
I am so glad you like your needles. I use the set I have often too, they are pretty much the only wooden needles I use.
Help!! I am having the most terrible time with circular needles. If I have the size needle the pattern calls for then the cable is too long or the needle is too long. Which leads to really stretched out work. For Christmas a Clover interchangeable circular needles. I thought great problem solved, not even close. Is there a way to use circular needles for small projects without stretching the hell out of the project?
Magic loop for the win! th-cam.com/video/PwShXMdn9yU/w-d-xo.html
But seriously, magic loop is an excellent technique and I use it all of the time. I also know knitters who use two circulars, it is a technique I have not played with because magic loop works well for me.
Very informative and much appreciated. I recently purchased a large set of bamboo needles and the very first time using they were catching my yarn and leaving tiny pieces of bamboo on my work. UGH Is this common with wooden/bamboo needles?
LOVE your channel and you crack me up!
It seems you might be having a bit of a Barbara Binge? ;) I hate to say it, but those sound like really low quality needles. Bamboo can be rough but they should not leave pieces of bamboo in your work. If there is one place that is good to splurge on a more expensive product, it is needles. Needles you will use over and over in many projects. Yarn you use for one project. Spending time fighting your tools makes for miserable knitting.
@@WatchBarbaraKnit yes, definetly on a Barbara binge 😂 enjoying every minute of it.
I've only knitted with metal/aluminum etc never bamboo....yes, these were very cheap and I won't make that mistake again. lol
I used to knit A LOT and got away from it when I had my three little ones. Now over 15 yrs later, I'm trying to remember everything. TH-cam is a wonderful thing and so are you!
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us, your a blessing and very generous
Awww, thank you for your kind words.
Omg! Your explanations are great for beginners like me. Thanks.
I'm so glad that you found this video helpful!
Like you, I never use straight needles. I am a circ needle exclusively. I discovered the Knitters Pride Nova Platina, and never looked back. I LOVE LOVE these needles. I loath DPN's because they're too fiddly. Hence, I will probably never knit socks. oh and just FYI....I have crazy-hair like you :)
It's great when you find that tool you love!
chronic Stitcher you can knit socks with magic loop and special small circulars.
Is there ANY benefit or use for the bent Boye circular needles? I aways thought they were akward, but they've been around for awhile, so they must have a use.
None that I have run across. They kinda drive me nuts, but I really liked how the aluminum felt when I was knitting so I ended up getting Zings.
What is traveling loop? I've never heard of it before. I know what magic loop is.
Well, it is like magic loop but instead of having a big loop of cable out both ends you only have it out one side. It is kinda weird to explain.
If you loose the tool you can use a paperclip
Oooh, good tip!
Hi Barbara, do you have a simple shawl pattern?
If you go to the Watch Barbara Knit home page you will see that there are playlists, in the tutorial section there are several small shall patterns that are shown step by step. It depends on what shape you want to do !
@@WatchBarbaraKnit Thankyou
I really don't understand how to use dpn's. Every time I try, I get it totally twisted and can't work out how to sort it. I'd love to learn how to use them but after years of trying I'm no further on, can you help please? Xx
I'm afraid I am not a DPN user, they frustrate me as well. I pretty much use magic loop for everything.
@@WatchBarbaraKnit yes sorry, I only realised once I'd sent you the message...DOH!!! I really do enjoy magic loop now I understand how it works 😊thank you so much 💖
I like cable needles too, oops I meant circular needles, lmbo. I find them more comfortable!
LOL! Thanks!
thank you for your very informative and fun video! very helpful!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very helpful! Thank you.
So glad!
Here's a question. How can I get my stitches to slide better on wooden needles?
I'm afraid that wooden needles are just more "grabby" you can look into wooden needles with slicker finishes but it depends on how tightly you knit. If you are working on something like a Clover bamboo, they are unfinished and are super grabby. They are great for slipperier yarns where you need more control. There are wooden needles that are finished and polished to have better slide - something like those available from Knit Picks or Knitters Pride. With wooden needles it is all about the finish. There is nothing wrong with knitting tightly, you need to knit however is comfortable for you, but if you knit tightly then you might want to look into switching to metal needles, they simply have a slicker finish and it makes it easier for the stitches to slide. I use metal needles almost exclusively.
WatchBarbaraKnit Thanks kindly. I did end up raiding my great grandmother's needle stash and got a bunch of metal needles. I am a tight knitter so wood just wasn't working for me.
ive seen a lot of people store their needles like that. I store mine in all the packaging it came in.
I'm way to disorganized for that LOL!
Help need to have your help with how o knit LSL. Delores
I'm afraid I don't know what LSL means.
Thank you that was very helpful to this new knitter 👍
Wonderful! You will be an old hand soon.
Thanks for all the information! Have you ever used the Nova cubic interchangeable needles from Knitters Pride? I have one set and had issue with them always coming unscrewed every other row or so. Have you tried the new Knit Picks cubic needles? What is the reason of the different shape? Thank you so much for your help. I'm a new subscriber and I love your channel already!
Oh, and I would love to see a magic loop video. I just did my first hate and wasn't a fan when I had to move the stitches to DPNs. Would love to avoid that next time
I have not used the cubic needles. My understanding is that the different shape is more ergonomically correct for the hands and can help ease strain, especially for arthritic hands. I'm so glad you subscribed and hope you continue to enjoy my videos! If you have any ideas or questions let me know. I have already written down Magic Loop on my list and it will be coming! Maybe I can do a separate video specifically on doing the top of a hat.
Thank you!! Can't wait to see it. I tried to do it with this hat and was too confused so I went the DPN route but wasn't a fan. I love my circulars for just about everything.
I never knew what the those tip covers were for, good thing I didn’t throw them out😂
LOL, knitting is full of weird little doohickies.
I wish I could actually knit with cable/circular knitting needles...I always twist and rune my projects. Soooo damn frustrating 😶
It is quite frustrating! But keep at it, you'll get it.
I'm a straight bamboo girl hands down I love the control
It's good to know what you like!
This is great! Thanks for making this video!
My pleasure!
Lol!!!!! Love watching your videos!!!! More kisses from Brazil 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 🇧🇷 😍 😍 😍
Thank you! I am so glad you enjoyed.
your hair looks great,this is a older video also
OMG, the way you said BARGAIN-19:40 hahahaha .... . LOL
I had to go back and watch, I made myself laugh lol. Trying to be subtle.
I love your insight on knitting, not to mention you have a fabulous disputation!! I would love to see your take on magic loop.
Thanks, Carol R
I've actually already done a magic loop video - you can see it here: th-cam.com/video/PwShXMdn9yU/w-d-xo.html
And thank you for your kind words.
Thanks. Love the video.
I'm so glad! Is this what you were looking for? If I missed something let me know. I always need more video ideas.
I would love to learn magic loop. I do like dp's but if I have bulky yarn or lots of stiches I'm always working to keep the stitches on them. :)
I love watching your videos. Love from İstanbul.
Thank you. It is so exciting to think that someone in Istanbul is watching my videos!
I hate Addie needles. I have some and regret buying them. Love Chiaogoo and Karbonz (karbonz are sexy -LOL), anything bamboo is awesome. Metal is too slippery, doesn't hold yarn well I feel.
I still only have the one set of addis lol. For me, I find most wooden needles way too grabby and my yarn doesn't move - which is why I like metal. Everyone knits differently and that's why there are a lot of amazing products out there.
Added 10-25-21--
guys…PLEASW. Do yourself a huge favor, and steer clear of cheap, knitting needles… try the different name brands…the ones Barbara showed you… Once you use a hood knitting needle, you will be able to tell the difference right away.. it’s I,portent to use the best tools you can afford …no matter what you are doing… Knitting…and crocheting are no different.
A poorly made knitting needle will definitely not make yiur knitting experience Whst you want it to be..
You're funny and upbeat!
Thank you! I love knitting. :)
BTW… My Aunt once staved off a would be attacker, by applying a well placed knitting needle.
LOL, bet that's a great story!
You are damn FUNNY! I have enjoyed and laughed so much with you that I promise to come back over and over again. LOL