Systems and methods for providing a knitting needle

Abstract

Some implementations of the described invention relate to a knitting needle. While this first knitting needle can have any suitable characteristic or component, in some cases, it defines a groove that extends longitudinally along a length of the knitting needle. In some cases, the groove opens near a point end (or distal end) of the first needle. Thus, in some cases, a tip of a second knitting needle can run through the groove, such that the tip of the second needle is able to readily pass under a portion of yarn (or other material) that is on the first knitting needle. In some cases, a proximal end of the knitting needle comprises an object that is wider than a width of a shaft of the needle. In some cases, the described knitting needle is coupled with another needle via a non-resilient coupler. Other implementations are described.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A knitting apparatus, comprising:
 a first knitting needle,   wherein the first knitting needle defines a first groove extending along a portion of a length of the first knitting needle.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first knitting needle comprises an elongated shaft, wherein the elongated shaft comprises a substantially flat exterior surface, and wherein the first groove is defined in the substantially flat exterior surface. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first knitting needle comprises an elongated shaft, wherein a portion of the elongated shaft comprises a polygonal shape, wherein a first surface of the polygonal shape defines the first groove, and wherein a second surface of the polygonal shape defines a second groove that extends along the portion of the length of the first knitting needle. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first knitting needle comprises an elongated, square shaped shaft, wherein the first groove is defined in a first face of the square shaped shaft, and wherein a second, third, and fourth groove are respectively defined in a second, third, and fourth face of the elongated, square shaped shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first knitting needle further comprises:
 a distal end having a pointed tip; and   a proximal end comprising an object that is wider than a width of an elongated shaft of the first knitting needle.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a second knitting needle, wherein the second knitting needle defines a second groove extending along a portion of a length of the second knitting needle, wherein the first and second knitting needles are coupled together with a flexible coupler. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible coupler has comprises a non-resilient material. 
     
     
         8 . A knitting system comprising,
 a first knitting needle comprising an elongated shaft having:
 a distal end comprising a pointed tip of the first knitting needle; 
 a proximal end; and 
 a first groove defined in an exterior surface of the elongated shaft, 
 wherein the first groove extends from a distal portion of the elongated shaft, proximally along a length of the elongated shaft, and 
 wherein the first groove is configured to receive a pointed tip of a second knitting needle. 
   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the first groove is longer than about 2 cm. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the elongated shaft defines a second groove that extends from the distal portion of the elongated shaft, proximally along the length of the elongated shaft. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the elongated shaft comprises a four-sided shaft,   the first groove is defined in a first side of the four-sided shaft, and   a second, third, and fourth groove are respectively defined in a second, third, and fourth side of the four-sided shaft.   
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 8 , further comprising the second knitting needle, and wherein the first knitting needle comprises a first distinguishing feature that readily distinguishes the first knitting needle from the second knitting needle. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , further comprising the second knitting needle, wherein the proximal end of the first knitting needle and a proximal end of the second knitting needle are coupled together via a non-resilient coupler. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first groove opens at its distal end to allow the pointed tip of the second knitting needle to slide distally out of the first groove. 
     
     
         15 . A knitting system comprising:
 a first knitting needle comprising a four-sided, elongated shaft having:
 a proximal end; 
 a pointed distal end; and
 a first, second, third, and fourth groove, that each extend from a distal portion, and longitudinally along a length, of the four-sided, elongated shaft, with the first, second, third, and fourth groove respectively being defined in a first, second, third, and fourth face of the four-sided, elongated shaft. 
 
   
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising a second knitting needle, wherein the proximal end of the first knitting needle and a proximal end of the second knitting needle are coupled together via a non-resilient coupler. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first knitting needle comprises a first distinguishing feature that readily distinguishes the first knitting needle from the second knitting needle. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein the first knitting needle comprises a first dominant color, and wherein the second knitting needle comprises a second dominant color that is readily distinguishable from the first dominant color. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the first groove opens at its distal end to allow a pointed tip of a second knitting needle to slide distally through and out of the first groove. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the proximal end of the first knitting needle an object that is wider than a width of four-sided, elongated shaft of the first knitting needle.