Just Wondering

[Antares]

I like both. I've used large needles and chunky yarn to make some great scarves and cardigans. They really seem to fly off the needles, and I love that I can finish something quickly in this way. I don't recall having any problems with pain or with it being cumbersome, though. Of course, I was using circular needles for the cardigan, so that helped.

I also like knitting with smaller needles, too. Right now I'm working with fingering weight yarn and size 5 needles, as well as dk and size 8 needles. Switching between the two (as someone else pointed out) is very interesting. Right after I switch projects, I always feel as though the larger size needles are much too large and the smaller needles are way too tiny (even though the knitting up to that point looks fine). It's kinda fun to get used to each needle size again.

Is there a different way you can wrap your yarn to make this process less cumbersome? I find that I learn a lot from watching other people knit. Even after several years of knitting, I'm always finding slightly different ways to hold the yarn or wrap the yarn or move the needles. It might be worthwhile to just browse through some videos and see if you get any new ideas for how to do things differently!

[MerigoldinWA]

I rarely use anything over a worsted weight yarn and I rarely use anything over a 7 needle. I would if I needed to to get gauge but I guess I'm rather a loose knitter. I use a lot of DK or sport yarn and some fingering (sometimes held double). I think I use US size 3-4 needles more than other sizes. I'm not real comfortable with great big needles but have used them a few times for a special project like felted hats or slippers.

[IDunnoWho]

I usually have a bit of trouble when I start out on a new project with anything more than 5mm needles, mainly because the weight of the yarn required by larger needles is, well, heavier. I normally use something between a 3mm-4.5mm.

Having said that, I am currently working on a sweater in unspun roving for DH that requires I use 8mm needles. When I first started out it was awful...I knit for a half hour and my hands were exhausted. HOWEVER...I finished the back and it was a major success.

It's definitely a matter of preference. I would prefer to use smaller needles and lighter yarns because the project is lighter, but the speed of production with the larger tools and thicker medium has its definite advantages, too.

How's that for ambiguity?

[knitcindy]

I prefer to work with thicker needles/yarn. Mostly because my projects go faster and there's not as many stitches to work with! I have made afghans with 4 strands together on size 50 needles and LOVE IT!!

I have to laugh when I look at some vintage patterns where they tell you to cast on over 100 sts just for the BACK!!! That's one of my deciding factors in choosing a sweater pattern -- if there's more than 90 sts to cast on for the front or back -- forget about it!!

That's just me!!!
knitcindy

[Mirl56]

Up to size US 10 needles are OK, I don't often go that big a needle but will. Right now I'm using size 15 and it really feels awkward, I mostly just want to be done this project and the yarn used up. It's LB Incredible ribbon yarn I've had for ages and I just want it gone. I guess it'd be gone faster had I gifted or Goodwill'ed it, but I'm nearing the end of the project so it will soon be done.

I make a lot of socks so I'm happy using 0, 1 or 2 needles. I also do a lot of lace with fingering weight so that's usually size 5 or 6.

[NorthernIrelandKnitter]

Is there a different way you can wrap your yarn to make this process less cumbersome? I find that I learn a lot from watching other people knit. Even after several years of knitting, I'm always finding slightly different ways to hold the yarn or wrap the yarn or move the needles. It might be worthwhile to just browse through some videos and see if you get any new ideas for how to do things differently!

I don't know if there is a different way to wrap my yarn. Are there any particular videos you would recommend?

Having said that I prefer working with the smaller-sized needles, when it comes to that fuzzy yarn I am using, I find it much easier to use it doubled-up as I can see what I am doing more clearly.

Gillian

[ArtLady1981]

I can't say what I prefer...but I can say that I avoid knitting with fingering & lace weight yarn for garments which require teeny needles such as US000-3. But I've done it, reluctantly, for baby sweaters.

I'm not wild about super bulky weight yarns which require huge needles either, but I've done it, too!

Usually, my garment knitting ranges around dk weight, worsted weight, and aran weight. And the needles usually are US5-US9 to get gauge.

I don't mind knitting on the US5 or US6 using dk weight. You get used to it. I always knit a 4"x4" gauge swatch, and this gets your hands used to smaller needles again.

I have circulars ranging from US000-US19. And I bought a straight pair of needles in sizes US35! They are hollow plastic needles, not too heavy. I think I even have a pair of straight US50! For rugs...using BIG YARN, or numerous strands held together. Saw it done on a Knitting Daily TV dvd video. Real cool. So I purchased the super gigantos when I spotted them somewhere.