knitting-needle
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. |