How many knitting needles do you own?

#1

I’m new knitter, I wonder…
How many needles do you have (are you beginner/advanced knitter)?

The thing is, when I read about gauge, it says ‘change needles to obtain gauge’… it makes me wonder ‘wow, then we knitters have to own almost every needles possible’. Except that around my area there arent many craft shops, and the needles arent that cheap. If I have to buy new needles size everytime I find a pattern I like… whoa, no way.

Do you have any tips? Maybe you substitute the yarn, or you figure your own gauge, or something like that? I’m new to knitting so… forgive me for asking obvious questions :stuck_out_tongue:

How many needles do you think knitters should have?

#2

Proud to say … too many to count … Carol … is that why you went into “the business” ??? :slight_smile:

#3

[color=blueviolet]That’s one of the best reasons to get an interchangeable set like the Denise’s or Boye’s. I rarely get the same gauge as the designer so having the the Denise set has be invaluable to me. There’s a whole thread on the pros and cons of each set.

As for your question, I’ve been a knitter since May 2005 and I have a both a Denise set, a Boye set that I hate, and 6 Addi Turbo’s ranging in sizes US 000 to 4.[/color]

#4

Here’s what I have.

I have straights, sizes 3, 6, 8, 10, and 19
DPN’s: sizes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10.5
circs: (multiples of each) 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, 10.5, 13
and I have a set of denise interchangables. :heart:

#5

You are going to sadly limit yourself if you limit your needle collection. Do it a little bit at a time…they are purchases you will only have to make once! Its an investment!

I have two sets of Denise Interchangeables
Several circs in sz 2-4
DPNs in 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 10.5, 11, 13.

Im waiting for my LYS to get sz 4 & 8 DPNs in, and then my collection will be complete! And then Ill RULE THE WORLD!!! BWAA HA HA HAAAAAAA! :shifty:

#6

The last time I counted I think I had over 65 circs. I’ve gotten more Addis’ since then, though, because I don’t want to knit with anything else.
As Kelly said, I consider them a one-time investment–they will last me for years and years, and I never have to wait because I don’t have the right needle size. I also have straights in every size, but don’t use them too often. I have dpns, but I don’t use them that often either–I generally use two circs when I can–but I probably have most of the smaller sizes, anyway.

#7

I have the Boye Needlemaster set and about 6 or 8 different sizes/lengths of straights. I have a couple of sets of dpns but don’t use them regularly. I own one cable needle. :slight_smile:

#8

I made a chart on the computer (is that geeky or what?) of all the needles I have. I carry it with me so I can fill in the gaps whenever I have a coupon or there’s a sale. The problem for me is that the chain stores (Michael’s, Joann’s Walmart) around here don’t carry double pointeds or circulars or if they do they don’t have the smaller sizes. I love having lots of needles because then I can start a project anytime without having to wait and go to the store!

#9

I started in Dec 2004, and have acquired quite a stash:

Various straights in bamboo and metal
Various dpns in wood and acrylic? (bryson)
Denise set
Boyes set (which I also don’t like)
A few Addi’s.

My biggest suggestion is: EBAY! Many of my needles came from Ebay - alot of times there will be huge lots of needles sold.

Also make use of your Joann’s and Michael’s 50% off coupons.

Unfortunately these are the tools of the trade - you gotta have them in all different sizes, and often in multiples of the same size.

#10

I started knitting in November and am having lots of fun! I picked up a ton of knitting needles (mostly straight ones) at Deseret Industries (like Goodwill). They were in great condition, cost about .35 per pair and now I have every size. It has helped me experiement with various needle sizes, yarns and stitch patterns to see what happens to the final fabric. I’ve made about 5 hats and 15 scarves and lots of swatches (I like to experiement) since November. I kind of want to make a sweater now and have also been experimenting with Iris Schirer’s (sp?) modular knitting. I have also been adding Addi Turbos to my needle collection abiet slowly! I also learned to knit from this site. Everyone laughed when I sat in front of the computer with the needles and yarn and watched how to cast on over and over to figure it out. It was a great way to learn to knit because it doesn’t make you feel as dumb as having to ask a person to show you the same thing over and over and it’s available 24/7! I love this web site.

#11

Well, I just went rooting through my desk to track down my straight needles. (One of these days I’ll have to get a needle roll!) Anyway, I’ve got sizes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (two pairs), and 10.

Truthfully I haven’t used them much in a while, not since I got my Boye set. It’s got every size I’ve needed so far, they’re easier on my hands and wrists, and I feel like I’m knitting twice as fast.

That said, I still gaze covetously at the Addi’s at my LYS, and I don’t have any DPN’s or bamboo (looks over shoulder for DH) yet.

I think it’s just a question of having the tools of the trade so you can get started whenever the fancy strikes you. You don’t have to get them all at once (gotta eat now and then), just pick up a pair here and there when you can. You won’t regret it when you find yourself dying to start a project at 3 am and you just happen to need a pair of 2’s.

Or do we all just love to shop?

#12

errr yeah!!

:oops:

heheee!

#13

I think when I started I had 5, 7 and 8. Pretty common sizes. But then I became a knitting freak and now I have so many I can’t even carry them around. In fact, it is easier to carry around my Boye Needlemaster than to carry the container that has all my other needles in it. :slight_smile:

#14

Save your pennies, nickles, dimes, whatever currency you use and get a set of interchangeables! After that you will only need to buy them occasionally for sizes the set doesn’t include.

I have Denise Interchangeables and several single circs and straights.

If you can’t find a local store can you buy online? It’s often cheaper anyway unless the shipping is very high.

#15

errr yeah!!

:oops:

heheee![/quote]

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmm, yeah (in my best “office space” voice)…

That isn’t what you told ME, Carol! You told me that you started because you had a certain, shall we say, style of needle you liked??? (style being a color…)

(ducks)

#16

:roflhard: :roflhard: That’s what I heard, too. [color=violet]Carol[/color] just [color=violet]LOVES[/color] certain [color=violet]colors[/color] which shall remain unnamed. :wink:

It’s okay, Carol…I like that color, too. :wink:

#17

Straights = 2,3,4,5,6,7,9,11,13,15
Circulars = 8, 13
DPN’s = 9,10

I’m slowly getting there :lol:

#18

hahahaaa! Yeah, but to get those certain color needles I usually had to buy a bunch of them at once to get one or two pink needles! So I ended up with a ton I didn’t use!

:rofling: :rofling:

Yes, I am a weirdo!!! :blush:

#19

Are you ready? I have:

Straights size: 1, 2 (2sets), 3, 4, 5, 6 (2sets), 7, 9, 10 (2sets), 10.5 (2sets), 11 (2sets), 13, 15, 17

Dpns size: 0000, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (4sets), 9, 10, 10.5

Circulars size (of diffent lengths): 1, 2, 4 (2pairs), 5 (2pairs), 6, 7,8, 9, 10

1 Denise set (hoping to get another for my anniversary)

Does anyone else notice that I have no size 8 straight needles of any kind? I also want to get another set of size 3 dpns. As you can see I am needle poor, but I use them all eventually. :shock:

#20

Definitely check Ebay. I got a sweet collection of bamboo needles at a great discount (about $4/pair including shipping). 36 pairs total, 12 each in straight, DPN, and circs in sizes 2-11. I had a few pairs of aluminum needles in mid-range sizes (6-13). Love the bamboo needles!

Eventually I’ll invest in the Denises. It just makes sense to me to have a compact, versatile set like them or the Boyes.

Other places to find needles are Goodwill and yard/estate sales. You really don’t have to spend a fortune to get a decent set! Keep looking, and take your time. :smiley: