Even though the pattern (a hat) calls for 16"?
Nope. Sorry. The stitches will be joined, and thus what is intended to reach around a circumference of 16" will have to be stretched another 13 inches! If you could even manage to stretch it that far, your hat would be totally distorted, and the knitting pretty much impossible to manage.
darn. i’ll have to return the 29" incher then. thanks!
Yeah, it’s a pain, but you always get better results with the right equipment!
Stop, no, you don’t have to return it, you [B]can[/B] use it for a hat, and it will be useful for other items. Use Magic Loop or a variation. When you CO the stitches won’t fit all the way around, fold the cord about halfway and pull it through the sts and join. When you get to where the cord loops out, pull the right needle out so the stitches are more toward the left one. Loop the right needle and continue knitting. Keep pulling and looping the right needle to shorten up the cord and your hat will knit up fine.
thanks, suzeeq. if i were already experienced at knitting in the round, i would follow your advice, but seeing as this will be my first time, i don’t want to complicate things for myself. i am nervous enough as it is! 
but i might just keep the 29" for a later project.
The way I look at it is that I never return needles, I just end up rebuying them later.
Got the 16 inchers and now I’m knitting away on my first hat! I also took the opportunity to check out a new yarn store in my town. Oh, I am a total junkie already. :knitting:
Ah, suzeeq! Great point…I haven’t used Magic Loop yet, and just didn’t think of it.
I totally agree with not bothering to return needles, too. Always something to knit with them later!