Why Choose One Needle Tip Over Another?

In December we posted about the value of moving more often while we knit, protecting our backs when we sit, and knitting on more than one project at a time using different sized needles and weights of yarn.Today we’ll share why needle tips make a difference, again with information from Carson Demers’ book Knitting Comfortably, the Ergonomics of Handknitting.

Matching our needle tips to our yarn

Something to keep in mind when choosing a needle for a project is the type of tip on the needle.  If you match needle tips to your yarn, your knitting experience will be more pleasant.  For instance, like Amelia, you may love sharp needle tips but they aren’t the best for for two-ply yarn or yarn that is softly spun or softly plied.  The structure of two-ply yarn causes the plies to push away from each other, causing gaps which are found by a sharp tipped needle.  Then we complain because the yarn is ‘splitty’ and it isn’t the yarn’s fault at all!  When this happens to you, try a needle with a medium-to-blunt tip and see if the problem goes away!  That blunt tip won’t find the gaps between the plies the way a sharp tip will.  Sharp tips are wonderful for projects with small gauges like socks, lace, cables, and twisted stitch patterns.  Try purling two together through the back loop with both kinds of needles as an experiment!Or, like Diana, you may love medium-to-blunt needle tips which are best for stockinette in DK and heavier weight yarn and simple knit-purl textured stitches.  Ideally, every knitter should have both types of needle tips in their knitting toolbox!

Which needle to buy

We carry a selection of needles with both medium-to-blunt tips and sharp tips.  If you would like a sharp tip for your next project, our Addi lace and rockets are two of your choices.  If you’d like to splurge on a super sharp tip, you can treat yourself to a Signature needle!  If a blunter tip will make your project more pleasurable, you could use Addi turbos, Knit Picks Dreamz or the new Lykke needles. A thoughtful pairing of needle tips with yarn goes a long way to making your project easier and more enjoyable to knit!We have fun helping you find exactly what you need to make your next project and that includes choosing needles so please ask!