Best Circular Knitting Needles Set Of 2024: Completed List
Brandon Forder Apr 26, 2024 11:24 AM
Picking up a pair of circular needles has several benefits. These needles, which are joined at their points by a cord, let you knit in the round, eliminating the need for seams. Fabric rests on the cord rather than your wrists, and working on your lap alleviates stress. Circular needles eliminate the need to keep track of four or five needles, and offer an alternative to double-pointed needles (which are still preferable for knitting smaller pieces like gloves and socks). These recommendations will help satisfy your knitting needs whether you're buying a new pair or replacing an old one.
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The needle tips
Think about the kind of knitting you enjoy doing and the needles that would work best for those projects before you go out and buy needles. Does knitting with shiny metal needles make you a fast sweater maker? Do you find that you need a little extra grip while stitching with metal, or do you find that you have better control with wood? Are there any plans to make sock and hat cuffs shorter? Do you think shorter ones would be easier on your wrists, or longer ones? Consider the sharpness and tapering of the points too. Would you like super-sharp, lace-friendly tips, or something a touch blunter and less prone to split your yarn?
If the answer to any (or all) of these questions is "it depends…", that's ok! Interchangeable knitting needles are all about mixing and matching, so look for a brand such as KnitPro that offers a broad choice of compatible ranges, and you can construct your own unique collection.
Also, make sure you know if the needle sizes are printed or lasered on, as printed sizes tend to rub off and leave your needle unidentifiable without a gauge. Keep an eye out for the teeny, tiny holes that let you thread a knitting lifeline through your needle for easy ripping back.
The joins
This is a huge deal for advocates of fluid canons. Needles with tips that unscrew easily or have obvious cable joints that catch yarn are a major source of frustration for knitters. Many interchangeable needles employ a screw fitting to attach the tips to the wires, which may require an extra tool for tightening, while others (particularly Addi) attach with a simple push and click operation.
The joints on more expensive needles are typically smoother, however this does depend on your knitting technique and personal preference. For example, although one knitter may have trouble with needles unscrewing or getting caught on stitches, another may have no such issues with the same brand. We advise reading reviews to get an idea of the product's quality, and if you have a friend who knits and already has the set you're considering buying, asking if you can give it a try.
The cables
When shopping for a set of interchangeable knitting needles, it's easy to ignore the cables, but they're an integral component of the process and can differ greatly between companies. Some will be more flexible than others, some may twist and kink more, and some may be all-round rowdy! The cables can be tamed by soaking them in hot water for 30 minutes or so before usage, but a memory-free cable would be simpler to manage while knitting. A swivel mechanism that allows the cable to rotate freely at the connection is an added bonus.
Determine whether or not a connection is available to attach the cables together. This can be incredibly useful when you find yourself running out of cable space in the middle of a project (especially if you're already using your longest cable!), or if you have many projects on the go and need to reproduce a particular cable length.
An attractive and durable case
The case is a crucial aspect of any interchangeable knitting needle set, as it is essential for you to keep the various components organized so that you may replace the tips as needed.
The case needs to be strong and secure so that its contents are kept safe from damage and misplacement.
As with anything you use frequently, it's important to have something that looks good as well as serves its purpose. Cases for many interchangeable needle sets are available in eye-catching hues and designs.
Included end caps
Some sets of interchangeable needles include cable stoppers to keep the yarn from slipping off the end of the cable. When you're in the middle of a project and need to switch needles, this will keep your work protected.
There is a wide variety of stoppers available, from plain but functional plastic ones to those with whimsical designs. There are some that are more robust than others, but even the less sturdy ones usually get the job done.
Grip and extenders
It's possible to improve your grip with a little rubber patch on the end of some interchangeable knitting needles. It improves the hold and prevents your fingers from sliding around.
Metal knitting needles, which tend to slip, benefit greatly from this.
Needle extenders, included with some sets of interchangeable knitting needles, make it simple to increase the length of a six-inch needle to a seven-inch one.
Connectors
If you need more than 60 inches of stitch space, you can connect additional wires to create a larger working area. There are a ton of great sets available online with tiny connectors that make knitting entire blankets a breeze. It is possible to link multiple cables together, with the longer cables taking on the responsibility of holding the yarn steady while you focus on the more intricate aspects of your knitting.
Color
Needles of a contrasting color can be a lifesaver when you need to quickly find a specific size or gauge of yarn for a knitting project. This is so because it can be challenging to see the needles when using a dark-colored yarn and a dark-colored needle. A dark yarn and a light needle are the perfect combination for a stress-free knitting experience.
Price
Knitting needle sets can be found for a wide range of prices on the internet. The knitting needles can be sold singly or as a set depending on your demand. Even if you're just starting out, it's smart to acquire an interchangeable set because the cost of buying each piece separately can mount up rapidly. Thinking of your interchangeable knitting needle sets as an investment is beneficial as this is something you will likely use a lot after you obtain one.
Are interchangeable knitting needles universal?
No, you probably can't use the tips and cables from multiple sets of interchangeable knitting needles because each line has its own connection scheme. However, the Knitter's Pride Ginger Deluxe Interchangeable Needles Set is compatible with all Knitter's Pride interchangeable needle sets.
How do you use interchangeable needles in knitting?
Knitting using interchangeable needles is the same as knitting with circular needles. You may change the needle size by detaching the tips and reattaching them to the cables.
Does the size of the needles matter when doing different kinds of projects?
There is a correlation between the size of your knitting needle and the finished product. If you're knitting a pair of gloves or socks for a child, for instance, you'll want to use much smaller needles than you would for something like a blanket.
Are interchangeable needles better than regular circular needles?
Circular needles are limited to the size of the needle and the cable itself which is why changing sizes can be troublesome. With interchangeable needles, you’ll have considerably more flexibility over all of your projects as nothing is fixed. The cables and the needle tips in interchangeable sets come in a broad number of combinations to make bigger and better creations than you would with a circular needle.
The use of standard circular knitting needles is a boon to any knitter, whether they are just starting out or are seasoned veterans of the craft. With the correct set, you’ll have the right tools at your fingertips to tackle any project.
If you found this article helpful in deciding which pair of circular knitting needles to purchase, please forward it to your friends who also enjoy knitting.
