Just Wondering

[NorthernIrelandKnitter]

Do you prefer knitting with thicker yarn and bigger-sized needles or with thinner yarn and smaller-sized needles? I am knitting a project on size 10mm needles and find them quite cumbersome when winding the yarn around the needle each time compared to when I am using the smaller-sized needles. Just wondered what other people found.

Gillian

[suzeeq]

I won't use a needle smaller than an 8 and that rarely, I usually knit with 6.5 to 8mm for most things, sometimes a 6mm which I don't consider that big. I don't use bulky yarn much, but will knit worsted on the 6.5mms to 7.5mms. If it's a lacey wrap I use fingering or dk on 5.5mm to 6.mm.

[Jan in CA]

I don't like the bigger needles or yarn myself. I find big needles hurt my hands and I feel like I'm knitting with bats. On occasion I do use a larger or smaller needle, but generally I use DK to worsted weight yarn (usually worsted) and size US 5-8 (3.75-5mm) needles. As you can see from the two responses you've gotten so far that it's personal preference.

Right now I have a fingering weight scarf with size US 8 needles and a worsted weight sweater with size US 7 needles.

[suzeeq]

Definitely a preference yeah. I've got 7s and when I use them or the 8s, they hurt my hands more than the 7 or 8mms.

[fatoldladyinpjs]

I started out using only large needles at 10 1/2, 11, or 13. I've since learned how to use smaller needles and like them better, maybe a 5-8 range. I use baby sport, sport, or worsted mainly. Personal preference. You might want the bigger needles if you're trying to get a gift done in a hurry or need some quick hats or mittens when winter catches you off guard.

[salmonmac]

I spend most of my knitting time on 2-4mm needles but find it's fun to go up to 8mm and higher every now and then. It feels like a totally different sport until you get used to it. It's all good.

[1louder]

I know this is entirely wrong but whenever I knit on my 7mm or 10mm needles it is something else. When I first started I thought it was a joke, but I liked it after a while. However, I normally knit on 4-5 mm needles.

[fiberfiction]

Do you prefer knitting with thicker yarn and bigger-sized needles or with thinner yarn and smaller-sized needles? I am knitting a project on size 10mm needles and find them quite cumbersome when winding the yarn around the needle each time compared to when I am using the smaller-sized needles. Just wondered what other people found.

Gillian

I knit a lot of socks so I like small needles and thin yarn. I just started some slipper socks with chunky yarn (two strands together) on size 9 DPN's. It seems to bother my hands a bit since they aren't used to that kind of workout!

[suzeeq]

If you're using 2 strands of yarn to make a chunky weight, you need larger needles. Bulky and size 8 or 9s make my hands hurt too because of the dense gauge, since I'm used to heavier yarns.

[nonny2t]

My favorite is the itty bitty sock dpn's. I love knitting socks and using the small needles. At first, I had a problem with them making my hands sore, but now it is just the opposite as knitting socks is much easier on my arthritic hands for some reason. I do know that for me nickel is lots easier to use than bamboo and I can't use plastic at all even with a crochet hook. My crochet hooks are metal too for use in picking up stitches or having to do a single crochet row, etc. I don't crochet per se.