TOOLS FOR KNITTING

    SPOKES. 

     Spokes – the main tool of the skilled worker, therefore their choice needs to give enough attention. They should be easy, well polished and not too sharp.

    There is a huge variety of spokes:

 1. Spokes make of different materials: aluminum, a steel, plastic, a bamboo and a tree. Spokes from a bamboo and a tree usually more expensive.

       It is more convenient to work as the steel nickelized spokes, though they a little тяжеловаты. On such spokes almost all skilled workers who throughout long time are fond of this needlework knit.

      Some lovers of knitting prefer aluminum spokes. They are good: are easy, convenient, don't break, but on them it is impossible to knit a cloth from a light yarn as on its surface and hands there are dark traces.

       Plastic and bamboo spokes often break even at insignificant mechanical influences. But these spokes are good in that case when knit a product from a volume yarn.

      To work as wooden spokes also it is not too convenient. Because of properties of wood the thin and smooth yarn easily slides off them, and loops are dismissed.

2. Spokes distinguish not only on a material of which are made, but also on length.

          Short spokes use for knitting of small subjects, such as mittens, socks, stockings.

         Longer spokes use at knitting of details of a product. Such spokes, as a rule, have the closed end – the terminator which doesn't allow loops to slide off at knitting.

3. On sale there are spokes of three kinds: usual, circular and чулочные. We will consider in more details each of three kinds.

      Usual (direct) spokes. The majority of knitters start to knit on usual spokes. These spokes are used for knitting of details in direct and return directions. The length of such spokes from 20 sm to 40 see For simple small products is better to use a spoke in length of 25 sm, and for the big products it is necessary to take spokes in length of 40 sm that all loops were located on them.

     Circular spokes. These are two spokes connected by a flexible plastic rope. These spokes are used for knitting on a circle, оо is make products without seams. Such spokes are ideally suited for knitting of hats and sweaters. Their length: 30, 40, 50, 60, 80 and 100 see Always it is necessary to use spokes of that length which is specified in the instruction. If spokes don't correspond to the instruction the product will look deformed. On such spokes the product weight is conveniently distributed – the cloth lies in a lap, instead of is kept on weight.

    Chulochnye spokes. Chulochnymi spokes small details on a circle, for example, socks, mittens and gloves knit. At loop knitting are distributed fifty-fifty on the number corresponding to quantity of spokes. The complete set usually consists of five spokes: on four spokes loops, and their heel провязывают are distributed. The complete set of such spokes allows to maneuver easily round the connected detail in limits considerably smaller radius. Length of spokes from 18 to 25 mm.

     HOOKS

    Hooks happen two kinds: short which are used for simple are viscous, and long which are applied only at so-called Tunisian knitting.

   Hooks, as well as spokes, make of different materials: a tree, plastic, a bone and metal.

   Hooks from plastic very easy, but they often break. Bone hooks are convenient in application, but in due course grind off. Wooden hooks convenient enough, but are used seldom. Very often use hooks from stainless steel. Such hooks sharp, don't bend and don't break.

  Thickness of hooks various, therefore number which designates diameter of the tool in millimeters is assigned to each hook. A hook № 1 use for knitting of laces, № 2 –

  № 3-for knitting by a thin thread, № 4 № 6-for knitting by thick threads.

   To choose a hook it is necessary depending on quality of threads with which you are going to knit. If to knit a thin hook from thick threads the cloth will be very dense. And if to knit a thick hook from a thin yarn the rare cloth with the big gleams between threads will turn out. The hook tip should be not too roundish as will grasp a thread difficult. If a hook tip too sharp it is easily possible to wound a finger. Also the hook should have a big cut that the thread didn't slide off, and was easily kept.

   Hooks for the Tunisian knitting are longer usual on 15-20 see Them knit in a special way. Now seldom who uses them.

   Sometimes instead of a hook use a plug which looks as a thick metal wire which is bent in a special way and the holder in the top part has. It is auxiliary means which helps to execute original вязку.