In my beginning knitting classes, I always use a Medium (#4) yarn  with size 8 or 9 needles, depending on how thick the yarn is (8s with  worsted weight, 9s with Aran weight). It’s also a good idea to use a  light colored yarn so you can see your stitches. There is a wealth of information on yarn labels. Take a close look  at a label and you should see the fiber content, the recommended  needle size, washing instructions, and gauge information (for more  on gauge see "Gauge" below). As you become a more experienced knitter you’ll learn how to  interpret the information on a yarn label to help you decide what  to use a specific yarn for. For the purposes of this eBook, find yourself a yarn that knits up  at 4.5 to 5 stitches per inch on size 8 or 9 needles. If you’ve been to a yarn shop or craft store, you’ve noticed all the  different types of needles available. There are wooden needles and  metal needles made from all kinds of different wood and all kinds  of different metal!  You’ve probably also noticed that there are straight needles (two separate needles) and cir- cular needles, which aren’t actually circular, they’re made up of two needle tips connected by  a cable. Circular needles are use to knit items that are circular or they’re used to knit items that  are very wide, such as afghans or baby blankets.  As you progress in knitting and try out different types of needles, you’ll discover which type  you like best and which needles work for different types of yarn.  For this tutorial I recommend a set of straight bamboo needles. The bamboo grips the yarn  a little bit so your stitches won’t slide around too much.  In knitting, gauge is a measurement of your knitting  that is a critical factor in getting and accurate fit. All  patterns are based on a specific number of stitches  and rows per inch of knitting. If your knitting doesn’t  match that specification, chances are good that your  garment won’t fit properly.  You “get gauge” by knitting a swatch, which is a 4- by  4-inch square piece of knitting. The pattern tells you the  number of stitches and rows you need to get that 4"X 4"  square, and you change needle sizes if you’re not getting  gauge.  To measure the gauge, lay the swatch flat, place a tape  measure or ruler parallel to a row of stitches, and count  the number of stitches are in 4 inches. This is your stitch  gauge per 4 inches. Compare this gauge to the one speci- fied in the pattern.  If your swatch is too loose (fewer stitches than called  for) you need to go down a needle size. If your swatch is  too tight (more stitches than called for) you need to go  up a needle size. For the patterns at the end of this eBook, gauge is not  crucial, but it’s still provided as a guideline. This swatch shows how much  needle size can change the  size (gauge) of your knitting.  This is knit from the same  yarn, going up a needle size  with each color change. Yarn Label RISK-FREE TRIAL OFFER Discover knitwear designs that will capture your imagination.  You don’t have to be a designer or a knitting pro to make beautiful knitted  garments and accessories, and you don’t have to hunt all over for inspiring designs. interweave.com/go/kdiwk 3 Copyright © 2011 Interweave. From cover to cover,  Interweave Knits  magazine gives you great projects, from  the beginner to the advanced. Every issue is packed full of captivating smart  designs, step-by-step instructions, easy-to-understand illustrations, plus  well-written, lively articles sure to inspire. Take advantage of this special risk-free offer today! Yarn Labels Needles Gauge