Editing Knitting (section)

==Tools==
The process of knitting has three basic tasks:

#the active (unsecured) stitches must be held so they don't [[drop-stitch knitting|drop]]
#these stitches must be released sometime after they are secured
#new bights of [[yarn]] must be passed through the fabric, usually through active stitches, thus securing them.

In very simple cases, knitting can be done without tools, using only the [[Finger knitting|fingers]] to do these tasks; however, knitting is usually carried out using tools such as [[knitting needle]]s, [[knitting machine]]s or rigid frames.  Depending on their size and shape, the rigid frames are called [[stocking frame]]s, knitting boards, knitting rings (also called knitting looms) or [[Spool knitting|knitting spools]] (also known as knitting knobbies, [[Knitting Nancy|knitting nancies]], or corkers).  There is also a technique called knooking<ref>{{cite web |url=http://knooking.blogspot.com/ |title=I'd Rather Be Knooking |access-date=2011-07-09 |archive-date=18 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180518054100/http://knooking.blogspot.com/ |url-status=live }}</ref> of knitting with a [[crochet]] hook that has a cord attached to the end, to hold the stitches while they're being worked. Other tools are used to prepare yarn for knitting, to measure and design knitted garments, or to make knitting easier or more comfortable.

===Needles===
{{main|Knitting needle}}
[[File:Straight knitting needles.JPG|thumb|left|Knitting needles in a variety of sizes and materials. Different materials have varying amounts of friction, and are suitable for different yarn types.]]

There are three basic types of knitting needles (also called "knitting pins").  The first and most common type consists of two slender, straight sticks tapered to a point at one end, and with a knob at the other end to prevent stitches from slipping off. Such needles are usually {{convert|10|-|16|in|mm}} long but, due to the compressibility of knitted fabrics, may be used to knit pieces significantly wider.  The most important property of needles is their diameter, which ranges from below 2 to 25&nbsp;mm (roughly 1&nbsp;inch). The diameter affects the size of stitches, which affects the gauge/tension of the knitting and the elasticity of the fabric.  Thus, a simple way to change gauge/tension is to use different needles, which is the basis of [[uneven knitting]].  Although the diameter of the knitting needle is often measured in millimeters, there are several measurement systems, particularly those specific to the [[United States]], the [[United Kingdom]] and [[Japan]]; a conversion table is given at [[knitting needle]].  Such knitting needles may be made out of any materials, but the most common materials are metals, [[wood]], [[bamboo]], and [[plastic]].  Different materials have different frictions and grip the yarn differently; slick needles such as metallic needles are useful for swift knitting, whereas rougher needles such as bamboo offer more friction and are therefore less prone to dropping stitches.  The knitting of new stitches occurs only at the tapered ends.  Needles with lighted tips have been sold to allow knitters to knit in the dark.

[[File:Double pointed knitting needles.JPG|thumb|Double-pointed knitting needles in various materials and sizes. They come in sets of four, five or six.]]
The second type of knitting needles are straight, double-pointed knitting needles (also called "DPNs"). Double-pointed needles are tapered at both ends, which allows them to be knit from either end.  DPNs are typically used for [[circular knitting]], especially smaller tube-shaped pieces such as sleeves, collars, and socks; usually one needle is active while the others hold the remaining active stitches.  DPNs are somewhat shorter (typically 7 [[inch]]es) and are usually sold in sets of four or five.

The third needle type consists of circular needles, which are long, flexible double-pointed needles.  The two tapered ends (typically {{convert|5|in|mm}} long) are rigid and straight, allowing for easy knitting; however, the two ends are connected by a flexible strand (usually nylon) that allows the two ends to be brought together.  Circular needles are typically 24-60&nbsp;inches long, and are usually used singly or in pairs; again, the width of the knitted piece may be significantly longer than the length of the circular needle. Interchangeable needles are a subset of circular needles. They are kits consist of pairs of needles with usually nylon cables or cords. The cables/cords are screwed into the needles, allowing the knitter to have both flexible straight needles or circular needles. This also allows the knitter to change the diameter and length of the needles as needed. The needles must be screwed on tightly, otherwise yarn can snag and become damaged.

[[File:Circular knitting needles.JPG|thumb|left|Circular knitting needles in different lengths, materials and sizes, including plastic, aluminum, steel and nickel-plated brass]]The ability to work from either end of one needle is convenient in several types of knitting, such as [[slip-stitch knitting|slip-stitch]] versions of [[double knitting]].  Circular needles may be used for [[flat knitting|flat]] or circular knitting.

Cable needles are a special case of DPNs, although they are usually not straight, but dimpled in the middle. Often, they have the form of a hook. When cabling a knitted piece, a hook is easier to grab and hold the yarn.  Cable needles are typically very short (a few inches), and are used to hold stitches temporarily while others are being knitted. When in use, the cable needle is used at the same time as two regular needles.  At specific points indicated by the [[knitting pattern]], the cable needle is moved, the stitches on it are worked by the other needles, then the cable needle is turned around to a different position to create the cable twist.

[[File:Cable Needles.JPG|thumb|Cable needles]]
Cable needles are a specific design, and are used to create the twisting motif of a knitted cable. They are made in different sizes, which produces cables of different widths.

===Ancillary tools===
[[Image:Knitting tools.png|thumb|Some ancillary tools, also called [[Notions (sewing)|notions]], used by hand-knitters. Starting from the bottom right are two crochet hooks, two stitch holders (like big blunt safety pins), and two cable needles in pink and green. On the left are a pair of scissors, a yarn needle, green and blue stitch markers, and two orange point protectors. At the top left are two blue point protectors, one on a red needle.]]

Various tools have been developed to make hand-knitting easier.  Tools for measuring needle diameter and yarn properties have been discussed above, as well as the [[swift (textiles)|yarn swift]], ballwinder and "yarntainers".  Crochet hooks and a darning needle are often useful in [[binding off (knitting)|binding/casting off]] or in [[grafting (knitting)|joining two knitted pieces edge-to-edge]].  The darning needle is used in duplicate stitch (also known as Swiss darning). The crochet hook is also essential for repairing dropped stitches and some specialty stitches such as [[tufting]].  Other tools such as [[spool knitting|knitting spool]]s or [[pom-pom]] makers are used to prepare specific ornaments.  For large or complex [[knitting patterns]], it is sometimes difficult to keep track of which stitch should be knit in a particular way; therefore, several tools have been developed to identify the number of a particular row or stitch, including circular stitch markers, hanging markers, extra yarn and [[Row counter (hand knitting)|row counters]].   A second potential difficulty is that the knitted piece will slide off the tapered end of the needles when unattended; this is prevented by "point protectors" that cap the tapered ends.  Another problem is that too much knitting may lead to hand and wrist troubles; for this, special stress-relieving gloves are available. In traditional Shetland knitting a special belt is often used to support the end of one needle allowing the knitting greater speed. Finally, there are sundry bags and containers for holding knitting, yarns and needles.