No longer a leisure activity for grandma: knitting is all the rage! What used to be considered stuffy is now all the rage. Hollywood celebrities such as Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz are known for their passion for knitting. It is estimated that around 60 percent of women over the age of 14 in Germany can knit or crochet. In Germany, knitting and crochet yarns generate annual sales of 400 to 500 million euros. And: knitting is also an expression of one's own creativity and individuality. Anyone who knits wants to stand out from the uniformity of the big fashion chains. idee für mich offers all knitting enthusiasts and those who want to become one lots of suggestions and ideas on the subject of knitting.

Knitting: Which needle is the right one?

There are basically three types of knitting needles: jacket needles, circular knitting needles and auxiliary needles. Jacket needles (with a shaft of the same thickness) and the related fast knitting needles (with a tapered shaft) are available in thicknesses from 2 to 20 and in lengths of 30 to 40 cm. Circular knitting needles are available in thicknesses from 2 to 15 and in lengths from 40 to 150 cm. Auxiliary needles, which consist of five needles, are usually used when knitting socks or gloves. The stitches are distributed evenly over four needles while the fifth needle is used for knitting. Auxiliary needles are available in sizes from 1.25 to 8 and are between 15 and 20 cm long.

The gauge of a knitting needle is identical to its thickness: gauge 4, for example, corresponds to a thickness of four millimeters. An old rule of thumb is: the thicker the wool, the thicker the needle. The right length of needle depends on what you are knitting. Scarves or sweaters often require longer needles than knitting socks.

A question of wool

The most important and best-known types of wool for knitting are

• Alpha wool is great for beginners with its smooth and soft thread. Norwegian patterns and three-dimensional patterns work particularly well with it.
• Angora wool is fluffy and warm, ideal for hats, scarves and other winter items.
• Cable wool, a twisted thread made of wool or cotton, is well suited for plastic patterns or lace patterns on sweaters and jackets.
• Mohair is a fluffy and light wool with excellent warmth properties.
• Synthetic and artificial fibers such as polyacrylic or wool mixed with synthetic fibers are also widely used.

If you want to knit, idee für mich is the right place for you! Here you will find information, tips and tricks on the subject. And let's be honest: the garments we make ourselves are something very special after all!