Let’s talk about the best beginner knitting needles. You’d be forgiven for believing that all knitting needles are equal. They aren’t. Knitting needles come in all varieties of shapes, sizes, and even materials.
So, how can you know which knitting needles you should start out with? I’m so glad you asked.
3 Types of Knitting Needles
For non-knitters, it may come as a bit of a surprise that needles can look different than what they expect. For example, they can be straight, circular, or double pointed.
Each variety of knitting needle is suitable for a specific function, but they can also be versatile, working outside their specialty.
The main purpose of each needle is to either knit a flat piece or a circular piece. This is called flat knitting or knitting in the round.
Straight Needles
These are the knitting needles you have probably been picturing all along, also called “single pointed needles.” They are the classic straight stick with a pointed tip and are the most common knitting needles. Straight knitting needles always come as a pair.
Straight needles work your piece back and forth, creating a “right side” and a “wrong side” that you flip over each time you get to the end of a row.
Single pointed needles are the easiest to work with, making them the best choice for beginners. They usually measure between 7” – 14”, but shorter is generally easier to maneuver, especially as you’re getting used to the feel of moving the needles.
Straight needles can be more difficult to store as your project gets longer. They take up a lot of room since you can’t easily fold the piece you’re working on. I definitely suggest getting yourself a pair of needle protectors to keep your project from sliding off your needles after you set it aside.
Believe me; there’s nothing more heartbreaking than picking up your knitting only to discover that half the stitches slid off.
Best For
If you’re working a small to medium-sized flat piece, or a project you work up in separate pieces to join later, flat needles are the best choice.
Straight needles are the best beginner knitting needles for any project that can be knit working back and forth. And since I highly suggest sticking to flat projects when you’re first getting started, get yourself a pair or two of straight needles!
Circular Knitting Needles
Don’t let these needles make you nervous. Circular knitting needles are short, straight needles whose ends are connected by a flexible cable, forming one long needle with points at each end.
This knitting needle can hold many stitches and take a lot of weight, making it much easier to work on very large knitting projects. Circular needles can have a cord that measures between 16” – 48”.
They may look a little crazy and perhaps intimidating, but they are pretty simple to use once you get the hang of them.
You can buy circular knitting needles individually in the same sizes as straight needles, or you can purchase a set of interchangeable needles. This allows you to swap out the needle tips on your cable, so you have every size all in one kit.
One of the highlights of circular knitting needles is that they store your project easily. Because your stitches are sitting on a flexible cable, you can fold up your piece and put it away neatly.
But beware of cheap circular needles. I’ve had problems with some that the cable wasn’t well attached to the needle, so it fell off partway through my project. As you might imagine, that’s more than a little maddening! So be sure you spring for quality circular knitting needles.
Best For
If I ever have the chance to knit something in the round instead of stitching up a seam, I jump at the opportunity to knit in the round! (Time to spill the tea; I hate sewing up seams.) They may not be the best beginner knitting needles, but they may make your projects easier as you gain a little more experience.
You can use these needles for certain sweater patterns or to knit an infinity scarf, for example. Even smaller items can be worked up on shorter cables, such as a hat or socks.
However, circular knitting needles are super versatile, and you can also use them for large flat projects. You’ll have a much easier time knitting a blanket or shawl when you have the flexibility of a circular needle instead of the rigid, limited room of a straight knitting needle.
Double Pointed Needles
Double pointed needles (DPNs) are, hands down, the most frightening-looking contraption when they are in use. They are certainly intimidating, and for good reason. Double pointed knitting needles are complicated.
DPNs are a set of four or five straight needles with points at each end. You only use double pointed needles to work in the round; all your stitches are connected from needle to needle, using one free needle to work the stitches on to. It’s a complicated process, and easy to twist your stitches in the beginning.
However, these needles make working through your circular knitting quicker and help you avoid seams. They’re shorter than straight needles, usually between 4” – 8”, and lighter.
Setting aside your knitting project on double pointed needles is a tricky proposition! Your project is at risk of sliding off the needles all over the place; it is wisest to invest in a big batch of needle protectors for your double pointed needle projects!
Best For
If you are working on a small circular project, like socks, hats, or mittens, you’ll be amazed at how nicely DPNs pull your work together.
Knitting Needle Materials
Knitting needles can be made of nearly anything. However, the most common are bamboo, metal, and plastic. Your yarn feels and behaves differently when it’s on different materials. The material can affect your tension, speed, and ease of moving your yarn over the needle.
Some people may not feel it matters what type of knitting needle material they use, but most people find a preference reasonably quickly as they experiment with different needles.
There isn’t one material that stands out as the best beginner knitting needle, so you should try them all out.
Bamboo Knitting Needles
Wood is a wonderful beginner knitting needle material. They provide a fair amount of friction, holding your stitches secure and preventing a lot of slipping. This also means that your knitting is likely to move slightly slower.
There’s a lot to love about bamboo knitting needles. First, they feel warm and flexible in your hands, so they’re very comfortable for most people. Bamboo is very environmentally friendly, and frankly, they’re just so darn beautiful. And they’re also very affordable.
There aren’t any yarns that don’t perform well on bamboo knitting needles. All yarn types are compatible with bamboo needles.
The only drawback might be that bamboo can break. If part of the needle becomes chipped or splintered, it could snag your yarn, causing all sorts of headaches. And the thinner needles can snap.
Metal Knitting Needles
You probably already have a pair of these laying around. Metal knitting needles are the most traditional type; your grandmother would have used these. Most metal needles are made of aluminum, although they can be formed of any kind of metal.
If you’re looking for very, very strong knitting needles that can take a lot of stress, you’ll like metal. They will not break, although the thinner needles might get s little bend out of shape.
Some people don’t like working with metal needles because it’s so smooth that the stitches slip and slide around. Although being able to slip your stitches more quickly might help you knit faster, it might be too slick for a beginner.
A knitter who isn’t used to controlling stitches may wind up with a few dropped stitches using metal needles, so these probably aren’t the best knitting needles for beginners. These may be better for a more experienced knitter.
Metal knitting needles are fun because you get that lovely “click click” sound when your needles are flying. That always makes me feel like a “real” knitter.
Plastic Knitting Needles
Plastic knitting needles fall somewhere in between metal and bamboo for how smoothly your stitches glide along the needle. Acrylic or plastic makes one of the best beginner knitting needles. These needles are super lightweight and flexible.
Plastic knitting needles are suitable for very large-size projects. When working with heavier yarn, you want the lightest needles possible to take some of the burden off your hands.
Although plastic can be quite durable, plastic and acrylic knitting needles can warp. It shouldn’t be a problem for your knitting projects, though!
Carbon Fiber Knitting Needles
This is a rare knitting needle material but is gaining in popularity lately. Unfortunately, they aren’t easy to find in stores.
Carbon knitting needles are incredibly durable, so they won’t warp or bend, but they are also super expensive. They’re very lightweight and are suitable for very fine or lightweight yarns.
Carbon offers mild friction for your yarn, so they aren’t too slippery but can still knit quickly.
Knitting Needle Sizes
The weight of your yarn should dictate the size of needle you use. The finer your yarn is, the thinner your needle should be. If you’re working with a chunky yarn, you’ll use a fatter needle.
The needle size is how wide the circumference is. They are measured in metric or U.S. sizes, so a needle that’s a U.S. 8 will equate to a 5.00 mm needle. Check out this handy conversion chart whenever you need some help.
Some brands mark the size right on the shaft or the head of the needle, but not all of them do. Thankfully, your knit gauge can measure your needle size for you, so keep it close by. Your knit gauge is one of your essential knitting supplies for beginners, so be sure you have one in your bag!
The larger your needle is, the bigger your stitches will be. This is a good thing for beginners because you need to be able to see your knitting well. Larger needles also knit up projects more quickly, which also makes them the best beginner knitting needles; it’s encouraging when you’re first starting out to finish a project!
How to Choose the Best Size
Your pattern will recommend what kind of yarn you use and what size needle should go with it. However, it will also tell you what your gauge needs to be; this is critical. Your garment won’t measure correctly if your gauge differs from what your pattern states.
Therefore, try a different needle size if you knit your swatch and it doesn’t match the pattern recommendation. If your swatch is too small, move up one needle size. On the other hand, an oversized swatch means you need smaller needles.
The Importance of Length
Obviously, longer knitting needles will hold more yarn. But, unfortunately, very long straight knitting needles can be very awkward to maneuver.
A very long cable on circular needles can be excellent for big projects. However, if you’re using a circular needle to work in the round, you must have the appropriate cable length. A cable that’s too long for your circular project is a complete pain to work with.
Even double pointed needles come in different lengths. Again, these can be awkward to use when they’re very long, but if they’re too short, you are in danger of losing your stitches as your work.
One of the simplest ways to determine what length needles your project needs is by looking at the pattern’s finished size. It will tell you how wide your garment should measure; add two inches to that measurement for good security.
Wrapping Up
When it comes down to it, there’s no right answer for the best beginner knitting needles. It all boils down to a matter of personal preference. That’s why you should try out a few different types and build a collection of various needles. If you have the chance, borrow needles from a friend before you invest in some. I’m sure you’ll have your favorite types in no time at all.
Trackbacks/Pingbacks