Giant Knitting Needles

[NotQuiteCockney]

DH gave me giant knitting needles today. When I say giant, I mean really really big, like six feet long, and a few inches thick. I'll work out the actual gauge.

What on earth do I do with these, other than keep DS1 from bashing people with them? Can I buy yarn thick enough to go on them? Can I really knit with them? I think the woman in the shop said something about knitting with multiple strands - do they end up counting as if they were heavier weight?

I was only yesterday looking at a small catalogue from Redicut. Not very inspiring but they did have a few hat and scarfs sets I thought would be quick and easy to make for next winter and a few really thick, simply jackets/coats that I liked the look of. But they used something like 10mm and 15mm needles. Wouldn't it be like knitting with broomsticks!!!

Ummm... no, you have me stumped there. The largest I have ever used were 15mm for Rowan Big Wool and I hated it. Just like brromsticks, as Dingle says. You need to be careful not to get RSI, I think!

You're right that multiple strands count as heavier weight- you quite often see Rowan patterns that are either some kind of DK or two strands of Kidsilk Haze (which is otherwise very thin). Still not sure I'd want to try it..... Glad to see you're getting addicted though

They're about an inch in diameter, DH says. So 25mm.

They're longer than broomsticks. About as thick.

I feel I ought to try knitting something with them, he means to be encouraging.

I did stall on knitting for a while there, I had two projects nearly finished, which is where everything always falls apart with me. Particularly as it turns out the last bits of knitting are suspiciously like sewing, which isn't a hobby of mine at all. But I got the hat finished last night, and have bought pins to finish sweater.

Do I really need to iron and measure and all that? Or just make sure the front and back are the same?

I never measure (once I've finished knitting I mean, like blocking to size), but I do press the bits before I sew up. I used not to, and could never understand why everything looked so disappointingly home-made. Now I do, and it makes a huge difference. Go on, steel yourself! I don't think it would matter unduly for a hat though.

I think John Lewis offer a sewing-up service if you're really desperate!

A quick google on 25 mm needles revealed the folling ideas: jumper , and a rather repulsive (IMHO) bag - you need to scroll right down.