You might think that knitting needles would be the simplest part of learning to knit, but actually there are different kinds available that are suitable for different types of knitting. A pattern will sometimes state the type of needles to use and sometimes it will leave the choice to you. Chances are, once you’ve started your knitting journey, you’ll quite quickly collect a range of different sizes, styles and materials! Take a look at our guide to give you a better idea of the available tools and which of them you are most likely to prefer.
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Single Point Knitting Needles
Straight knitting needles are probably what most people imagine when they think about knitting – two sticks with slightly pointed ends, allowing stitches to move back and forth. Many projects can be completed on single point (or ‘single end’) needles, where the knitted piece is usually made up of separate parts that are sewn together. You will mostly likely find this range of sizes:
·15cm – often used as children’s knitting needles, these shorter sets are great for smaller items and the points sit much closer to your hands.
·25cm – can be used for full-sized items made up of smaller parts, or smaller items that use chunky yarn and so require more needle space.
·30cm – standard size, good for most projects.
·35cm – standard size, good for most projects.
·40cm – this longer length is perfect for larger projects, chunkier yarn, and more stitches.
When looking for single point knitting needles for beginners, you can sometimes find needles that are different colours or have other identifying features so you can tell one from the other. This can make it much easier for new knitters (or children in particular) to distinguish which needle is for which hand.
You might also see square needles, which are much easier to grip and so are great for crafters who struggle with strength issues or hand pain.
If you’re a more advanced beginner and you’re looking to begin a needle collection but don’t know where to start, many brands offer needle sets that give you a range of sizes all in one go! Look for brands that you trust and materials that feel comfortable in your hands.
Pros: Easy to use – great for beginners. Available in a huge variety of brands, sizes and materials.
Cons: Not suitable for every project. Ends can get in the way of your arms whilst knitting.
Double Pointed Knitting Needles (DPNs)
Generally available in sets of five (very occasionally six), double pointed needles, or DPNs, are shorter needles that are pointed on both ends. These needles are usually used for knitting in the round, which requires the use of both ends of the needle.
Depending on their intended use, DPNs can come in various sizes, but are usually shorter than standard single point needles; DPNs for use with socks, for example, can be as short as 10cm.
Sleeves, hats and some decorative items can require DPNs, usually of 15cm, 20cm, or 23cm length. You can even find DPNs as long as 40cm.
Using DPNs can be quite tricky and does take some getting used to, but they are useful for many different projects and using them will often mean you don’t have as many seams to sew up. You do have to ensure that your stitches don’t fall off the needle on either end (always a possibility with DPNs), and if you find that juggling four or five needles is not for you but you’d still like to knit in the round, you may find it easier to use circular needles.
Some packs of DPNs have needles in different colours to help you keep track of which needle you should be using and when you’ve reached the end of a round. You’ll also find DPN assortment sets that, just like single point needle sets, include a range of sizes, allowing you to build your collection more quickly.
Pros: Enables you to knit in the round. Still useable if you lose a needle. Can make it easier to keep track of the stitches or rows you’ve knitted.
Cons: Can be a bit tricky to hold multiple needles at once. Difficult to work on larger pieces with smaller needles.
Fixed Circular Knitting Needles
Because of their structure, circular knitting needles are used for both knitting in the round and knitting flat. Two shanks, like very short knitting needles, are joined by a flexible cable, the length of which you choose, depending upon how many stitches you have.
Fixed circulars have a permanent join between shank and cable and so have a fixed needle size and cable size. This means it’s easier to keep track of which sizes you have in your collection and you can be sure the join between shanks and cable will be smooth and unlikely to catch on your work.
Shanks come in the usual needle sizes, while cables vary from a tiny 20cm to a whopping 300cm. The much smaller circulars are generally used for items such as socks, while the longer lengths are usually designed for blankets and throws.
The important thing to remember is that the length of a circular knitting needle is measured from shank tip to shank tip, not the ends of the cable: your 60cm circular knitting needles may have an actual cable length of less than 40cm, but the added length of the shanks gives you your full measurement.
Circular knitting needles meant for socks tend to have specific traits that make knitting easier. You may get needles that have sharper ends, perfectly suited for use with thinner yarns, and occasionally you will find sets that have one larger shank to help give a better grip and more even tension.
If you’re knitting with circular needles, you may want to employ the use of a safety cable. Inserted in a safe place in your work, if you find you’ve made a mistake, it’s easy to undo your work back to the safety cable and work your way up again.
Pros: Much easier to knit in the round – can also knit flat. Smooth joins between shank and cable.
Cons: Needles in use are harder to switch out. Will need to buy a whole new set for a new size.
Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles
Interchangeable circulars have the same uses and sizes as the fixed circulars, but the detachable shanks give you the ability to mix and match sizes. Rather than buying circular needles in every size, you can simply collect all the shank sizes and all the cable sizes and then combine them as you wish. Be careful of shanks of different lengths though – shorter shank sizes can only be used with shorter cables (approx. 40cm).
Many interchangeable circulars come in both sets and individual pieces, so it’s easy to get started with a standard collection and then add more sizes as you wish. Some crafters find the join between shank and cable is harder to navigate with interchangeable circulars, but you also have the option of removing your shanks mid-project and attaching them to another cable for a different project altogether – a welcome change of pace!
You’re most likely to find yourself using needle sets with screw-in ends, which usually come with a small pin or key that you insert into a hole in the cable, giving you leverage enough to properly tighten the connection and avoid snagging. Click-in connections are less often used but still work perfectly well.
Should you want to swap mid-project, don’t forget to attach your end caps to the cable to ensure none of your stitches are lost – they’re essential if you want to store your work safely. If you find yourself with a large collection of cables and no desire to purchase more, you may also need a cable connector – this will enable you to join cables to use with extra-large projects, rather than buying a new, extended cable you may only use once!
Pros: Easier to knit in the round. Easier to swap from project to project. Don’t have buy a whole new set to get a different size.
Cons: Shanks can become unscrewed slightly whilst you work (occasionally tightening them will prevent this). Knitting can sometimes snag on the join if they do become unscrewed.
As well as the style of needle you need/would like to use, it is also a good idea to consider what kind of material would be best suited to you and your yarn. This is usually a matter of personal preference, but you might also find that a particular type of yarn knits better with one type of needle.
Wood
Wood needles are available in a variety of styles but are almost always finished with polishing or laminating to ensure a smooth knitting surface that won’t snag.
Pros: Warm in the hands. Good grip on your yarn
Cons: Can become quite heavy once you reach larger sizes. May splinter and snag yarn after repeated use. The smaller sizes can be at risk of snapping.
Metal
Metal needles are often hollow to avoid being too heavy, but you can also get solid needles made from lightweight metal.
Pros: Hard wearing and long-lasting. Smooth surface avoids any kind of snagging.
Cons: Can become quite heavy once you reach larger sizes (solid needles). Can be cold in the hands. Metal tapping might set your teeth on edge!
Plastic
Versatile and long-lasting, plastic needles mean that all the sizes, even the giant ones, are not too heavy.
Pros: Lightweight, even with very chunky needles. Massive range of sizes, lengths and styles to choose from. More flexibility.
Cons: Possible seams where the plastic has been joined which can snag. Flexibility can lead to breakages.
