2) Metal Knitting Needles

This article is the second article in our new series of articles on the types of materials knitting needles are made from. It will cover how they feel and work, as well as the pros and cons are of each type. Hopefully this will give you an idea of what kind of knitting needles would work best for you, but as always the best way is figure out this for yourself is to knit with different types to find out how you like them.

Different finishes and types of metal knitting needle. From left to right: unpainted hollow, grey matt dipped with solid core and grey glossy dipped with solid core.

Metal knitting needles
This is probably the most ubiquitous type of knitting knitting needle out there. You probably have a few of these aluminium needles with light grey coat of enamel paint either in matt, gloss finish, or uncoated. They also are available in a variety of styles, straight, double pointed, circular or interchangeable – this will be discussed in another blog post.

Metal knitting needles are usually the choice of most serious knitters. The main reason is that they allow you knit faster other types of knitting needle because they are smoother. They are are firm and and hold their form, ie do not bend out of shape or warp. The only time I’ve seen metal needles warp was when I stopped knitting a sweater for long time, and they sat in the bag for a long time. This made the needle sag slightly in the middle as it was a rather large piece that was sitting on the needle. It is also nearly impossible to break or snap metal needles – which means they will last a long long time.

For the above reasons, consider getting metal needles for the smaller sizes up to 4mm, even if you are a big fan of bamboo, wood or plastic knitting needles. I have broken a number of bamboo knitting needles in the smaller sizes, but this will not happen with metal needles.

The benefits of metal knitting needles:
- smooth
- knit faster
- lighter if they have a hollow core
- stronger not likely to break even in smaller sizes
- keep their point
- does not warp bend or sag
- do not need maintenance

Solid coated knitting needles
My first pair of knitting needles is a pair of 35mm aluminium knitting needles dipped in grey. I presume this protects the needles, but it does chip and looks very sad after a while. These come in matt or glossy finish. I found that the ones with glossy finish are slightly smoother and hence faster to knit with. Generally this type of knitting needles is made with aluminium, which does not tarnish or rust. The core is solid which makes the needle heavier.

Most knitting needles of this type are made of aluminium which does not rust. It is light and strong enough that it does not bend easily. Other metals used in knitting needles are brass coated nickel. These are nice and shiny and generally not coated. However in hot tropical places, keep these needles unexposed to the elements as brass will tarnish.

Hollow metal knitting needles
The newer metal knitting needles tend to come with a hollow core. This makes them lighter especially in the larger sizes, in other words they are more comfortable to knit with. These are quite strong, but not as strong as solid metal needles. They do not break, but they will get a dent if you knock it around or bend at an angle only if too much force is used. I’ve only ever seen this once on a smaller needle!

Conclusion
My favourite material for knitting needles are the uncoated glossy hollow metal ones with lace tips – meaning they are slightly sharper at the tips which makes them more agile and faster to knit with.

Why? Because they are

• smooth
• fast
• light
• strong enough