A long straight blunt ‘needle’ or slender rod used, two or more at a time, in knitting; either of steel for fine work, or of wood, ivory, etc., with a knob at one end, for larger work.
These are sometimes distinguished as kn.-needles and kn.-pins. In Scotland steel kn.-needles are called wires.
1598. Florio, Agucchiare, to knit with knitting needles.
1712. Arbuthnot, John Bull, III. ii. She would prick him with her knitting needle.
1889. ‘J. S. Winter,’ Mrs. Bob (1891), 48. She plied her knitting-needles.
