addi Classic Basic Circular Knitting Needle 100cm 8.00mm

Product Information

Knitting needle sizes can be confusing. That’s because different countries have different ways of numbering their knitting needles. If you have knitting needles from all over the world or of unknown origins, your best bet for identifying their size is by using a knitting gauge.

Side note: The SWG was only implemented in 1884. Before that, it was the Birmingham Wire Gauge; keep that in mind when you follow historic patterns). It's not generally a good idea to try to change the size of a pattern by sizing up or down your needles. For example, you might want to make a jumper pattern oversized, by using larger needles than the pattern suggests. However, you'll probably end up with extremely large arm holes and a bad fit - not the chic style you were going for! What is gauge and how does it affect needle sizes?

To help you decipher the world of knitting needle sizes, refer to the charts below! Knitting Needle Sizes Chart for US and UK Using the needle sizes in our table will generally give you a knitted fabric that is neither very tight nor very loose. It will not have visible gaps between the stitches, but the finished fabric will not be particularly rigid, either. Your personal tension: Are you a tight or loose knitter? Your knitting style and even the needle material (wood vs metal) will have a huge influence on your gauge. Think of how Apple forced unique chargers and cables on their customers for two decades. Miss Lambert probably called her needle gauge “ Standard Filière” for very similar reasons – distinction. The Singer Corporation famously heralded this change towards international marketing around that time with their sewing machines ( source) with a kind of success that would dominate the industry for the whole century to come.

If you look at Miss Lambert’s “ My knitting book” from 1845, you will find her marketing a “ Standard Filière” that bears a strong resemblance to the wire gauges used in the British industry at that time and follow the same systemization. Other authors, such as Hope, Mee, and Gaugain also advertised their own needle gauges. And this explains why the smallest knitting needles have the largest numbers in the UK. Source: Miss Lambert, My Knitting book; London, 1845, John MurrayThis knitting needle size conversion chart compares knitting needles in the US and UK, with crochet hook sizes thrown in for good measure! Metric (mm)

Plastic needles: they are very lightweight, which makes them great if you need extra large needles. They're a budget-friendly option and useful for getting started. However, they can warp over time, and may not last as long as other materials. It's easy to get confused with terminology when you see needles and hooks discussed online. That's because there are three different numbering systems that people use to talk about sizes! Choose to use larger needles if you'd like an airy fabric with visible holes between the stitches. For example, you could make a loose, drapey jumper by using finer yarn with bigger needles. The finish result would be somewhat see-through, and would have a relaxed feel to it.In the UK and most of the world, it's common to use the metric system to talk about needle sizes. The smallest widely available needles are 2mm, while at the top end of the spectrum, it's possible to find very large needles of 10mm or more. Matching knitting needle or crochet hook sizes and yarn can sometimes be a bit more complicated. You should also think about the nature of the project. Sometimes it's a good idea to use a bigger or a smaller needle, depending on the effect that you want to achieve. In some projects, gauge doesn't really matter. For example, if you're making a blanket or a scarf, you might not care if the finished result is a few centimetres bigger or smaller than the pattern indicates. However, if you're making a fitted garment, like a jumper or cardigan, getting gauge right is essential. The yarn label of the most commercially produced yarns should provide you with a size range. It has to be noted that these kinds of recommendations are only a first step. The right needle size for you will largely depend on two factors: A knitting gauge is a small tool made of plastic, metal or wood. Like a slice of Swiss cheese, it has a bunch of variously sized holes all over it.