Point Protectors
Point protectors are small caps placed on the tips of knitting needles to keep stitches from sliding off during transport or breaks in your work.
Explanation
Point protectors are small, soft caps made of rubber or silicone that fit over the tip of a knitting needle. They are used to prevent stitches from accidentally sliding off the needle when the work is set down or taken on the go, while also protecting the needle tip from damage. Point protectors are especially useful for projects using straight needles or several double-pointed needles at once, where stitches can easily fall off both ends if the needles aren't secured between knitting sessions.
Also known as: Needle stoppers, Point caps
What they are for
Point protectors are small rubber or silicone caps that go on the needle ends when you put your work down. They stop stitches sliding off in your bag and stop the tips poking holes in whatever they sit against.
They earn their keep most on double-pointed needles, where stitches sit near the end of four needles at once and slip off easily.
Simple substitutes
Without them, a wine cork or an eraser does the same job. A rubber band wound round both ends of a circular needle also keeps stitches in place.
More than protection
Some knitters use a protector as a temporary stopper: cap one end of a circular needle and you can work back and forth from the other without stitches escaping off the waiting end.
They also come shaped as small animals or figures, which makes it easier to recognize your own project bag at a knit night.
Common mistakes
- Using protectors too large for the needle, so they fall off in the bag.
- Leaving the protectors on while knitting, where they get in the way of the stitches.
Keywords
- point protectors
- needle protectors
- needle caps
Frequently asked questions
Do I need point protectors?
Not strictly, but they save you picking up dropped stitches. Particularly worth it if you knit on the move.
Do they fit all needle sizes?
No. They usually come in two or three sizes. Check they grip tightly enough to stay on.