HELP!:knitting: :knitting:
I am new to knitting and would like to know how many stitches should I cast on when using straight needles if the pattern calls for circular needles.
If the circular knitting calls for 144 stitches, would that be 72 on straight needles?
I am not ready for circular needles!
Thanks,
MRS Loopy
Welcome to KH. What are you knitting? Can you link to your pattern? If you’re knitting something flat then the circular needles are to accommodate the number of stitches. It would take a long straight needle to hold that many stitches and it could be awkward to work with. Circular needles are used for knitting in the round (a hat for instance) or for flat knitting.
ETA I just reread your post, I’m sorry I misread the first time. If your pattern calls for 144 stitches then 144 stitches is almost certainly the number you’ll need to cast on even if you convert the pattern to knitting flat.
you are absolutely ready for them! (take it from somebody still newish and learning). 
a link to the pattern you’re using would be helpful, but in general…
if you’re using the circular needles in place of the straight needles, but are still doing straight knitting, then it should be the same number of cast-on stitches.
if you were knitting in the round (That is, connecting the first and last cast-on stitches, in order to start something like a hat, or cowl, etc), then you may need a slightly different amount of stitches based on your knitting gauge (how tight/loose you knit) as most people are slightly different in their straight/circular tension and need to adjust amounts some.
add in some more info… pattern, needles, yarn, and we’ll be able to add some more helpful hints and techniques.
MRS Loopy, do you want to convert a pattern for knitting in the round to knitting flat or are you thinking of using double points instead of the circulars?
I agree with all you said except that I think the cast on should remain the same. If gauge is different then the needle size would be changed to get gauge. That’s easier for a new knitter than adapting the pattern to a different gauge.
I agree that it’s time for MRS Loopy to give circular needles a go. 
RE needle size/gauge… true GG, see, i’m already just adapting things on a whim… but yes, for a real newbie to it, changing needle size if needed is the better answer. thanks for clarifying/reminding
X - You’re almost always spot on. What we do as we gain more experience varies. Personally I detest having to “make gauge” and adapt things to my gauge instead. I’m still curious whether this is to be converted to flat knitting, and what is it?