Any knitting/crochet experts about?

[cadelaide]

I've ordered DD beginner's books on crochet and knitting, I'd like to get some needles/hooks and yarn.

What sizes do I get please? Can you get little ones for small hands? All recommendations latched onto with relief.

You can get small needles. You can use the ones for toy making which are good for small hands too.

I wouldn't get too big a needle as they get a bit difficult to handle especially for small hands. I think I would start as child as I did, with a 4mm needles and DK yarn. You could go up to an aran weight and 5mm needles but it would be more difficult to find short needles for that size. Anything smaller than 4mm needles takes an awfully long time to grow.

If you wanted to get crochet hooks again, 4mm or 5mm is best.

Have you had a look at kits for children? They would probably have short needles with some yarn in too.

These needles look OK although I don't think it says how long they are.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/15-Pr-VERY-SHORT-20cm-Bamboo-Knitting-Needles-NEW-SIZES-/160612347498?pt=UK_Crafts_Knitting_Crochet_EH&hash=item25653dee6a#ht_821wt_952 These are a bit more expensive but wood is nicer to use. I think my short set are Pony bamboo if you want to have a look for individual sets.

I'll try that second link again!!

Either pop into your local charity shop and pick up some needles or get a friend to buy you a set like this which are great as they are bamboo and very kind to your wrists.

4mm thick, 25 cm long. Ordinary pony needles is fine. Crochet hook 4mm. Get the cheapest you can for the time being and see what she is like with the knitting before you buy anything else. You can pick up a couple of balls of double knitting yarn (don't buy wool it is much more expensive) from Dunelm or Wilkinson or It's a Gift, whatever the sort of shop is you have in the area. Just over £1 a ball. Markets are a good place to look as well. What you want to aim for is something she can try out knitting with, without it costing a small fortune. Once she gets into knitting properly you can get more hooks/needles/yarn as the pattern requires.
Best of luck

Thanks everyone

I find the opposite, when just beginning a large hook and some chunky wool is easier to manage.