Needle/Hook Size

Hi all!

I was wondering if it REALLY matters what size needles you knit with or what
size hook you crochet with. I see that each skein of yarn tells what size
to use, but I assume they're just guidelines. Of course you probably have
to use the size specified if you're following a pattern, but what if you're
not?

I ask because I was just at Micheals and I bought size 10 1/2 (6.5mm)
knitting needles because they were marked down to $2.00 since they're going
to stop carrying them, and I don't have any yarn that calls for 6.5mm
needles!

Thanks!
Kathryn

On Wed, 21 Jan 2004 21:17:48 GMT, Kathryn wrote:



I ask because I was just at Micheals and I bought size 10 1/2 (6.5mm)
knitting needles because they were marked down to $2.00 since they're going
to stop carrying them, and I don't have any yarn that calls for 6.5mm
needles!

What an excellent excuse to go out and buy some new yarn ;-)
--
Liz Hanson

Find some nice wool, knit a hat the size of a 3-gallon bucket and toss
it in the washer. Magic will happen.

On Wed, 21 Jan 2004 21:17:48 GMT, "Kathryn"
wrote:

Hi all!

I was wondering if it REALLY matters what size needles you knit with or what
size hook you crochet with. I see that each skein of yarn tells what size
to use, but I assume they're just guidelines. Of course you probably have
to use the size specified if you're following a pattern, but what if you're
not?

I ask because I was just at Micheals and I bought size 10 1/2 (6.5mm)
knitting needles because they were marked down to $2.00 since they're going
to stop carrying them, and I don't have any yarn that calls for 6.5mm
needles!

Thanks!
Kathryn

"Kathryn" wrote in message
...
Hi all!

I was wondering if it REALLY matters what size needles you knit with or
what
size hook you crochet with. I see that each skein of yarn tells what size
to use, but I assume they're just guidelines. Of course you probably have
to use the size specified if you're following a pattern, but what if
you're
not?

It's more the gauge that's important, if you're knitting or crocheting
something that you want to fit properly. For a lot of knit items I have to
go to smaller needles, as I'm a "loose" knitter.

I ask because I was just at Micheals and I bought size 10 1/2 (6.5mm)
knitting needles because they were marked down to $2.00 since they're
going
to stop carrying them, and I don't have any yarn that calls for 6.5mm
needles!

It's always good to have every size needle available in your needle
"holder". You never know when you'll need it (grin). I have quite a few
very old needles and hooks from at least 30 years ago. That doesn't stop me
from buying more. heh, heh.

Shelagh

"Slinky" wrote in message
...
Find some nice wool, knit a hat the size of a 3-gallon bucket and toss
it in the washer. Magic will happen.

Har, Slinky - you always make me smile. What a great idea!

Have you seen the red & black felted bag in the Winter 2003 Knitter's?? I
love it! If I can ever get my two sweater projects out of the way I want to
make that one.

Shelagh

"Shillelagh" wrote in message
...

"Kathryn" wrote in message
...
Hi all!

I was wondering if it REALLY matters what size needles you knit with or
what
size hook you crochet with. I see that each skein of yarn tells what
size
to use, but I assume they're just guidelines. Of course you probably
have
to use the size specified if you're following a pattern, but what if
you're
not?

It's more the gauge that's important, if you're knitting or crocheting
something that you want to fit properly. For a lot of knit items I have
to
go to smaller needles, as I'm a "loose" knitter.

I ask because I was just at Micheals and I bought size 10 1/2 (6.5mm)
knitting needles because they were marked down to $2.00 since they're
going
to stop carrying them, and I don't have any yarn that calls for 6.5mm
needles!

It's always good to have every size needle available in your needle
"holder". You never know when you'll need it (grin). I have quite a few
very old needles and hooks from at least 30 years ago. That doesn't stop
me
from buying more. heh, heh.

Shelagh

Yeah, the gauge is key, like Shelagh said -- what they tell you on the yarn
label or in the pattern is a starting point guide. I have to always go up a
size or two because I still knit too tightly. I have to say though that my
10s and 10-1/2s get used more often than any other size needle that I have.
I find that I use them a lot for scarves and hats, and sweaters in bulky
yarn. If they're on sale, go for it, because you'll use them eventually!

Karen in MN

Great idea! Speaking of which . . . what is the rule-of-thumb guideline for
how big to make something if you're going to felt it -- like maybe twice the
desired finished size?

Karen in MN



"Slinky" wrote in message
...
Find some nice wool, knit a hat the size of a 3-gallon bucket and toss
it in the washer. Magic will happen.

On Wed, 21 Jan 2004 21:17:48 GMT, "Kathryn"
wrote:

Hi all!

I was wondering if it REALLY matters what size needles you knit with or
what
size hook you crochet with. I see that each skein of yarn tells what
size
to use, but I assume they're just guidelines. Of course you probably
have
to use the size specified if you're following a pattern, but what if
you're
not?

I ask because I was just at Micheals and I bought size 10 1/2 (6.5mm)
knitting needles because they were marked down to $2.00 since they're
going
to stop carrying them, and I don't have any yarn that calls for 6.5mm
needles!

Thanks!
Kathryn

Thanks to everyone for your help!

I'm not sure about other Michaels...but the one in Mission Valley in San
Diego had a few more pairs of the Lion's Brand 6.5mm needles on sale for
$2.00!


"Karen in MN" wrote in message
...

"Shillelagh" wrote in message
...

"Kathryn" wrote in message
...
Hi all!

I was wondering if it REALLY matters what size needles you knit with
or
what
size hook you crochet with. I see that each skein of yarn tells what
size
to use, but I assume they're just guidelines. Of course you probably
have
to use the size specified if you're following a pattern, but what if
you're
not?

It's more the gauge that's important, if you're knitting or crocheting
something that you want to fit properly. For a lot of knit items I have
to
go to smaller needles, as I'm a "loose" knitter.

I ask because I was just at Micheals and I bought size 10 1/2 (6.5mm)
knitting needles because they were marked down to $2.00 since they're
going
to stop carrying them, and I don't have any yarn that calls for 6.5mm
needles!

It's always good to have every size needle available in your needle
"holder". You never know when you'll need it (grin). I have quite a few
very old needles and hooks from at least 30 years ago. That doesn't
stop
me
from buying more. heh, heh.

Shelagh

Yeah, the gauge is key, like Shelagh said -- what they tell you on the
yarn
label or in the pattern is a starting point guide. I have to always go up
a
size or two because I still knit too tightly. I have to say though that
my
10s and 10-1/2s get used more often than any other size needle that I
have.
I find that I use them a lot for scarves and hats, and sweaters in bulky
yarn. If they're on sale, go for it, because you'll use them eventually!

Karen in MN

"Karen in MN" wrote in message
...
what is the rule-of-thumb guideline for
how big to make something if you're going to felt it -- like maybe twice
the
desired finished size?

Karen in MN

Karen,
My best suggestion is to swatch and then felt the swatch. Then you can
see how your "fabric" will change and plan accordingly.

Janise

Slinky,
In an earlier post you mentioned the ROTFL retereat/ could you send me some
more info,like,where, when, how much and what goes on (crazy stuff i assume.
I apologize to the list, but I tried to contact her privatley in email. but it
kept getting returned.
thanks
kathy
san antonio