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In last month’s chapter, I talked about mobile knitting and the use of knitting sheaths. This naturally led me to thinking about knitting needles. I was surprised to learn that the majority of early knitting needles have been made of metal (I would have guessed wood). But then, many believe that knitting evolved in the Middle East and I don’t associate wood with the Middle East. A quick check on history reveals that metal was developed in the Middle East during the Bronze Age, starting around three centuries BC well before knitting appeared around the third century AD.
Metal needles were made in blacksmith shops, where steel wire was cut to length, tempered, then the ends smoothed. Early needles were heavy; nickel plating was often applied to prevent rusting. In part, due to the frequent use of knitting sheaths, old needles often developed a curved profile. Very large needle sizes were, in fact, made of wood.
This pervasive use of metal continued in Europe until the mid-1800’s when boxwood, ivory and whalebone started to be used. Aluminum has generally replaced steel and, of course, plastic has provided a whole new world of needle options.
Early knitting typically created small objects such as socks and stockings, bags, hats, mittens, gloves, pillow covers. These items were made with all knit (stockinette) stitches, which would have been worked “in the round” with double pointed needles (though it sure feels like “in the square as you are doing this). To this day, it is still the double-pointed needle that we use when creating small rounds such as for socks, or the tops of hats.
The 1900’s saw the invention of the circular knitting needle, which is in fact a pair of straight needles connected by a flexible material. Early circular needles were made of steel wire cable with the rigid ends crimped on. These joints would often snag the knitted yarn, which was a major reason why the circular needle was so slow in gaining acceptance.
Thanks to recent technology that allows smoother jointing and more stable connections for kits of interchangeable needles, circular needles have become very popular. Our knitting instructor at Sew Steamboat, Lori Bourgeois, teaches a class on Knitting in the Round that features both methods. In fact circular needles have proven to be so versatile that they are the primary type of needle we sell at Sew Steamboat.
Some of our customers still prefer straight needles, as it takes some effort to get used to working with the flexible cable, but often, once they see you can accomplish back-and-forth knitting as well as knitting in the round, the choice is obvious. Circular needles are available in an overwhelming variety of metals, bamboo and other woods, and of course, cable lengths. Stop by the Shop any time to learn about all of your options.
--Kathleen Titus
For more historical information, primarily focusing on knitting in Europe, you may find Richard Rutt’s A History of Hand Knitting a useful reference.
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970-879-3222 info@SewSteamboat.com Monday-Saturday: 10:00am - 6:00pm Sunday: 12 noon - 5pm
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