Confused about Knitting Needle Options?

There are so many different kinds of knitting needles out there, from circulars, straights and DPNs of different lengths to those made of wood, bamboo, metal, plastic and other materials. How do you know which needle type is right for you and the project you are working on?

You can’t try every single needle type that is out there, but once you’ve given a few a test you’ll begin to develop your own preferences (I love wooden straights and circulars and tend to use interchangeables a lot). In the meantime, you can check out the free (with free signup to Knitting Daily) ebook Free Guide to Knitting Needles.

This nine-page PDF covers the pros and cons of the major types of knitting needles you’ll find out there and gives some tips for choosing the right type for you. If you like speed, for instance, consider fixed circulars with metal tips. If you love cute stuff, go for candy-colored plastic and acrylics.

The guide also includes a chart with the basics on all the models they tested and a handy knitting needle conversion chart, just in case you’re looking at a pattern that calls for a 4 mm needle and you don’t know what that means (size 6 US, by the way).

[Photo by Knitting Daily.]

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The other day I saw a post from Pinterest about trends for summer and it said one of them was “cultivating whimsy.”

Well, I don’t know where Pinterest has been all this time, but we’ve been cultivating whimsy here at Craft Gossip for a long time. I love sharing projects that are a little different, things that make you smile when you see them, and will make you smile when you knit them and wear them or use them.

Such it is with the Tutti Frutti tee knitting pattern from Bea Creative Knits.

This cute little baby tee is worked top down in the round with contiguous shoulder construction to shape the sleeve caps. There are short rows for the neckline and folded hems with picot edging at the hemline, neckline and edges of the sleeves.

All of this would be great on its own, but then there’s the addition of a super cute fruit icon, which is added with duplicate stitch. There are a lot of options, including strawberry, banana, orange, cherries, watermelon, lemon, blueberries, kiwi, peach, dragon fruit, apple and pear, so it’s likely you can add on your favorite fruit.

It is offered in eight sizes, to fit a bust measurement ranging from 28-30 inches (71-76 cm) to 56-58 inches (142-147 cm). The design is meant to be worn with around 6.3 inches/16 cm of negative ease, but you can choose the fit you prefer. There’s also optional bust and waist shaping included in the pattern if you want to make it even curvier.

This is considered an advanced beginner or intermediate project because of all the skills involved, but it’s sure to be a lot of fun even if some of these techniques are new to you.

Grab a copy of the pattern for yourself form Bea Creative Knits on Etsy.

[Photo: Bea Creative Knits]

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