KNTIT (Knitting Needle Tip Inspection Tool): A Comparative Pointology Application Experience
Hey Marna! Why did you make the KNT-IT tool?
Because I am a geek, and I like collecting and organising data, and I like presenting that data in a visual way.
But also because “Which are the best needles?” is a really common question in places where knitters gather — when someone has a Significant Birthday, or the urge to splurge, or just fancies a change.
And it’s a hard question to answer, because there isn’t a best needle. It’s personal, and it's often project- or yarn-specific too.
Me? I want needle tips that are sharp and slippy. I don’t ever magic-loop, but I still like a flexible cable. I hate all small-circumference knitting, but I hate least those flexible DPNs; I hate next-least teeny circulars — but if I am teeny-circular-ing, I really appreciate them being interchangeable, and with a choice of tips, because my hands prefer more length in the right-hand needle. Actually, I am interchangeable-all-the-way. I am too chaotic to keep track of individual needles. The needle I need will always be lost in some long-forgotten WIP. Better to just cobble together what I need from my excessive and messy collection of tips and cables.
See? Personal. Subjective.
I can tell you what I like knitting with, and I can tell you why. I can’t tell you what you will like.
So this site is an attempt to make some objective observations about knitting needles. We’re starting with the tips.
Why no crochet hooks?
Because I mostly knit — and because I had to start somewhere. I am very open to making a crochet version!
Why are you missing My Favourite Needles™?
Let me know what brands you’d like me to add, and I'll see if I can track them down.
I have loads of ideas for future expansions too, including needle material, cable flexibility, needle smoothness, available formats, quality of joins. This might be just the start of a gloriously geeky resource.
Why are there limited sizes available?
Knitting needles are expensive, and I thought it was more important to prioritise having a wide range of brands. I chose three sizes that I felt would be usefully representative - 2.5mm, 3.5mm and 5mm. Those translate to 1.5, 4 & 8 in US needle sizes.
How accurate are the measurements and diagrams?
Pretty accurate. Not perfectly accurate.
Everything is measured using the same tools, in the same conditions, and by the same person (me!) so even if individual measurements are slightly imperfect, the comparisons should be reliable.
How do you measure the needles?
I use a digital vernier gauge. I measure:
- the needle’s diameter before the taper starts
- the diameter at the tip
- the length of the tapered section
I also assign a sharpness score (between 1 and 5) to the very tip.
Can I see the data?
Of course! Everything is in this Google Sheets spreadsheet:
I am a knitting needle manufacturer and I have a criticism / comment / offer of needles for your science
Email me at [email protected].
I am not a knitting needle manufacturer and I have a criticism / comment / question
Also email me at [email protected].
Who are you anyway?
My name’s Marna. I like cats and knitting, and I combine the two at https://caitinbeag.com/. If you also like cats and knitting you might enjoy what I make.