They say necessity is the mother of invention. And so it was with the creation of circular knitting needles.
The need to provide and clothe one's family, this is at the core of how knitting began. But to be able to sustain and provide, one had to have the right tools to be able to knit in the round.
This guide to circular knitting needles aims to explain circular knitting as a whole. We’ll talk about the types of circular knitting needles, their uses, and throw in a little knitting history for good measure. Let’s begin.
Circular Knitting
It may come as a surprise that the earliest knitting needles designed were for circular knitting, but it’s true. Even before flat knitting came to be popular, knitting in the round was the singular method of knitting in use.
"The Buxtehude Altar"
It remains a popular method for knitters today and we can understand why. Knitting in the round takes functionality and efficiency to a whole new level. Faster knitting, more yarn, endless projects.
But I’m getting carried away. Let’s deep dive into the types of circular knitting needles and their uses.
Types of Circular Knitting Needles
There are three types of needles for knitting in the round. They are double pointed needles, fixed circulars, and interchangeables.
But first, I think it’s important to say that the language associated with these types of knitting needles can be confusing.
Knitting in the round, circular knitting, circular needles but not speaking of double pointed needles. It’s all very clunky, I agree. And it is so because it’s a mixed bag of related subjects.
I’ll try to break it down for you.
Circular knitting and knitting in the round = same thing. That's the easy one to explain away.
I feel the biggest confusion comes when talking about circular knitting needles. Let’s talk about that.
Circular Knitting Needles
Circular knitting needles are ANY needles which provide the function of knitting in the round. They may have a cord attached between them, they may not. An instance of the latter are double pointed needles, or DPNs.
When speaking of circular knitting needles, double pointed needles may not be your first thought. But if we look back in the history of knitting, some of the earliest knitting needles were double pointed needles.
Double Pointed Needles (DPNS)
The earliest DPNs were quite basic. They looked more like skewers or wires, but they were practical and necessary. They were often made of steel as this material was common and plentiful. Other materials such as ivory and bone were also used but were more of a luxury item.
Their design concept hasn’t changed much since its earliest inception. With points on both ends, and aptly named, this feature allows the knitter to work projects in the round.
What has changed is the number of knitting needle materials you can find them in. In addition to metal, they are also available in bamboo, wood, and carbon fiber.
You can read more about these knitting needles types and others.
What Are Double Pointed Needles Used for?
DPNs are used when a project is too small to fit on a fixed circular or interchangeable needle. These tools help knit seamless tubes and are most frequently used to knit:
- Children’s garments and hats
- Socks
- Mittens
- Sleeves
- Amigurumi toys
- and more!
DPNs are also used for smaller projects that don't require the full length of a knitting needle. Some examples of flat knitting projects are:
- Washcloths
- Dishcloths
- I-cords
- Headbands
Fixed Circular Needles
Unlike DPNs, fixed circulars are two short, single point needles, and connected by a flexible cord. Their needle tips come in 4” or 5” lengths, while their cords range from 8” up to 40” long.
Why are their different needle lengths, you ask? Well, the needle length and cord length dictate what types of projects you use them with.
Since you cannot change the size or length of these needles, you will need to be precise with your project requirements.
Interchangeable Knitting Needles
These are available in the same sizes as fixed circulars. Unlike them, you must screw or snap the parts together, then lock the interchangeables in place.
While commonly sold in sets, you can also purchase them in pairs. I find this feature to be quite handy. If you’re also a knitter with too many WIPs and UFOs, then you know what it’s like to suffer a shortage of needles. To remedy this, I have duplicates in my most used sizes to offset this conundrum.
Compared to fixed circulars, interchangeables are generally more preferred. Why? I’m glad you asked.
Why are Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles Preferred?
- Cord length is adjustable (shortened or lengthened) in progress.
- Needle tip sizes are adjustable in progress.
- Able to vary needle sizes.
- Come in a handy case for protection, quick access, and travel.
- Joining cable prevents lost or dropped needles.
- Can be used to knit flat or in the round.
- Allow you to knit a wide range of project sizes.
- You can lock your work in place if you need to use your knitting needles for another project.
- Great for large projects as they distribute the weight evenly.
- Some brands provide a lifeline built in to the cable.
- Some brands provide cables that spin and/or are kink-free
What Can You Make with Circular Knitting Needles?
Some examples of projects knit with circular needles are:
- Hats and headbands
- Gloves and mittens
- Cowls or infinity scarves
- Sweaters
- Amigurumi toys
- Blankets
- Shawls
Compared to DPNs, these knitting needles allow for knitting in the round on a larger scale. Also, fixed and interchangeables are great for large projects designed for flat knitting. Overall, they provide more flexibility in your knitting.
This concludes our guide to circular knitting needles, their uses, and what you can make with them. Did you find it helpful? Please drop us a line and share your thoughts with us.
Circular knitting needles that have interchangeable chords, if I take the chords off, can I use the needles as a double pointed needle?
Good question! Unfortunately, the answer is no. The other end of interchangeable knitting needles is short, blunt (no pointed tip), and includes a screw thread, sometimes internally or externally, and wouldn't make for good knitting. Thanks for asking! I hope this helps.
Hi. I enjoy reading and refreshing my knitting technique. So, how about a tutorial on how to decrease with double points, just cant seem to master that. Thank you
Thanks for dropping me a note and for the post suggestion. Believe me, that one is on my list. I'm sure I'll be knitting a hat here soon and will be sure to work up that next post in the process. Cheers!
How do you know what length to use with circular needles connected with a cord?
Great question! This is a post in the works now but here is some quick info. The length is measured from needle tip to needle tip. An average adult hat requires a 16" circular. Anything smaller like socks, sleeves, or baby hats will require DPNs, two circulars, or magic loop. Anything larger than a hat, like a cowl or a poncho, will vary from 24" on up depending on the project and personal measurements. Good pattern designers will include the specific requirements. Hopefully this answers your question. Thanks for the comment! Good luck!
Circular needles usually come in regular and short versions. If I wanna make primarily hats, child/baby hats and socks, is it better to get the shorter version? Or will I be able to knit a child's hat in the round on the regular (usually around 13cm or 5 inches) circular needles? I've been told the shorter ones are also a bit more tricky to work with so now I can't decide 😀 Thank you
Yes, circular knitting needles, particularly interchangeables, come in different tip lengths. They range from a regular 5 inch (12.7cm) lengths down to a very short 2 inch (5cm) tip length. I recently purchased a combo pack of Chiaogoo Shorties, which includes a 2" and 3" needle tip set with cables, to see how I feel knitting with them. These shorter versions are also available as fixed circulars. You'll find more info about all of these in my general knitting needle guide here.
I haven't had a chance to try them but I'd recommend this option to you as well if you're looking to invest. They do seem rather short and potentially tricky but I will give them an honest shot soon.
If you're not a DPN person like me and are wanting to knit child-size hats, socks, etc., you could also try using two circular needles instead. This is my personal preference. I'll have a tutorial for this coming soon.
I hope this helps! Let me know if you have more questions. ~ C
The photo at the top of the page shows five black needles with silver points. What brand needle are those? Thanks for this Guide, very helpful. I 've just subscribed to your site.
Thank you so much for the feedback and the note. Yes, those are Knitter's Pride Karbonz Double Pointed Needles. They are made of carbon fiber. I discussed them also in my Guide to Knitting Needles. You'll find a link there if you're interested in purchasing them. Cheers!
Great information. Thanks so much.
You're very welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful. Thanks for the note! 🙂
Can I get a tutorial lesson for stitching...am a first timer
I don't really understand how to do it here...can u tutor me privately..like on WhatsApp pls 🥺
Hi Meenah. I'm sorry you're struggling to understand. Is there something specific you're having a problem with? I'll try to help.
Unfortunately, I'm not able to do private tutorials at the moment due to my workload, but hope to have video tutorials in the near future.
I have big hands and need circular needle tips that are quite long. In your experience which are the longest you've found?
Have been using KnitPro Zing but the work sticks at the join.
Sue, that's a great question. Thanks for asking.
In my experience, the longest tips I've seen are 5" (or about 11.5 cm). I tend to prefer my ChiaoGoo Red Lace Interchangeables, and use them for everything. I've never had a single issue with yarn catching at the join or unscrewing while using them. If simply as a replacement to your Zings, I'd highly recommend these. Hopefully this helps! Best of luck!
Thanks. I've ordered a pair of fixed point red lace ones (not interchangeable) and will see how I get on. The interchangeables always seem to come undone on me.
The reason I like Knitpro Zing is they are long, about 5.5 inches. Longer than any others I've found!
Excellent! You're welcome! I hope they work out for you.
Are there tips longer than 5in for interchangeable circular needles? I am knitting a very dense blanket in size us15 needles and I hate how short the tips are.
Hello! Unfortunately, I've not seen or heard of any longer than the 5" tips. Sorry. Good luck with your blanket!
First time circular knitting needles. Don't understand how the yarn connects?
Hi Sylvia! Thanks for your question. This tutorial on how to join your knitting should help you. Best of luck!
I have circular knitting needles but every time I try to use them, the string slips off the other part of the needle. How do I keep this from happening?
Hi Judy! Thanks for writing in! Sorry to hear you're having trouble with circular needles.
Can you tell me more about how you're using them? Are you knitting back and forth or are you making something in the round?
What material are they made of (metal, wood, plastic, etc.)? What is your yarn made of?
Also, please share more details about how the yarn slips off and I'll do my best to help you.
My circular needles are metal. I am trying to put the wool, and ??? on the circular needles to make a 130 sts, but every time I get the sts on, the metal unscrews off the screwing part of the attachment. Really, the string part of the attachment unscrews from the needle as I continue to put on the 130 sts. Does it have something to do with the twisting of the string part? In the beginning, I got the yarn on without any problems for a few rows, but now I can not even get all the sts on before the string disconnects with the needle. Tried to keep an eye on the right side (where the disconnection happens (fixing it each time) but it didn't help any.
Ah, thanks for the info. Sounds like you have interchangeable needle tips and a cable (string), which seem to keep getting disconnected. This keeps recurring because the needles aren't secured to the cable. Here's what to look for.
Depending on the brand of interchangeables you have, you probably have the kind that simply twists on. There are others that are spring loaded. The twist on types usually have a small hole at the end of the cable in which you can insert a thin pin (like a blocking pin) or a cable pin to help you twist the tips on tightly. You'll need to use the pin or the cable key on both ends of the cable to properly secure your needles.
I'm including a couple of links below to videos to show you exactly what I mean. Both will show you how to do it correctly. Hopefully, this will help you out and you won't have to go through this again. Let me know if you have any other questions. ~Christina
Connecting ChiaoGoo interchangeables.
Connecting KnitPicks interchangeables.
Hi! My circular needle cord just broke from the metal tip. I’m thinking I can’t fix this. Am I correct?
Sorry to hear this, Teri. You are correct, it cannot be fixed. However, most quality needle makers stand by their work and will replace it if it fails. Reach out to them and see if they can make it good for you.
Hi, Christina. Do you know where I can find "straight needles with plastic extensions?" I saw a description of them and believe they are just what I need but have been unable to find them or anyone who knits and has heard of them. Thank you so much
Hi Linda! Sorry, I haven't heard of these before but you've peaked my curiosity. If you can tell me where you saw the description of them, I will definitely help you look.
You can just reply to this message or send me an email at info@knitfarous.com.
Thanks!
Hi Linda. Thanks for that info. I was able to look at the book and see exactly what you're talking about. Since the author is in the UK, this may be something found only within the region, which is why I hadn't heard of them. HOWEVER, you could make your own version of these with interchangeable knitting needles. Here are two options:
1. You could either use a single cable with needles on both ends and work back and forth. This is my preferred go-to method for anything I knit flat. It wouldn't have a stopper but it'd keep everything connected and in one place.
2. Or you could use two cables and make similar versions of these "extensions." You'd attach 1 needle to one end of each cable and an "end stopper" to the other ends of each cable to keep your knitting from falling off. It'd look much like what the picture showed.
I can't speak for other brands as my favorite interchangeables are my ChiaoGoos, but you can look up "end stopper" for ChiaoGoo on Amazon and see what I mean.
This should help. If you try either of these methods, let me know. I'd be curious how it works out for you. Good luck!
These needles were described in a book called "Ultimate Knitting Bible" by Sharon Brant. The book is published by Collins & Brown. I contacted the publisher to try to get in contact with Ms. Brant, but there was no reply. I thought this kind of needle made a lot of sense, but I could find no one who has heard of them. If you find them, please let me know. Thanks.
Christina, thank you so much for your suggestion. I used to knit sweaters for my children more than 50[!] years ago, but I did not used circular needles. When I tried them, I did not like them and was thinking of cutting the plastic connector in half to make two knitting surfaces. The problem was how to keep the garment from falling off the end of the plastic. Your suggestion was perfect, and I have ordered "end stoppers" from Amazon. I look forward to making baby blankets for my future great-grandchildren. Thank you again. Linda
You're very welcome, Linda. I'm grateful for your question because it made me see my circular needles in a new light. I never though of using them that way but it'd be interesting to try at least.
Please let me know if you do try them and if they work well for you. I'm genuinely curious.
are there knitting needles longer than 5 inches. I thought i saw a pair one time now i cant find them . i have a hard time using the 5 inch needles .
Hi Jennifer! No, sorry. Last I checked, 5 inch tips for circular needles were the largest I've found. Sorry you have a hard time using this length. It takes some time to get used to. Maybe over time and with a little more practice, you'll change your mind. Best of luck!
THank you for replying , I did see them once and i knew i should have grabbed them but did not .
What are the circular plastic things that can in a circular needle kit??
I think you mean stitch markers. Here's a link with more info on them.