Circular Needle sizes?

How-to Questions
1

Hi,
I am a new Knitter and I have had several people in passing tell me how much they enjoy knitting with the circular needles. I am looking at getting some and was wondering if anyone could help out with what length I need to get. What is the most used sizes and so forth. I know each pattern is different but just wanting some input.
Thanks so much, Brittani

2

Welcome Brittani and welcome to the mad world of knitting too! I bought an interchangeable set of circular knitting needles from Knit Picks, they came with two 24" and two 32" cables, I would imagine these are pretty useful/popular sizes. Although for a large project, like a sweater, you’d need a longer cable. Do you know what you plan to knit as a first project?

3

I was gonna try socks and a hat. Working on Christmas gifts!!

4

Adult hat’s would be good on a 16" cable, not sure about socks as I knit mine on dpns, but I would think a 16" would work for them too. I also believe the cable length is the entire length of the cable with the two needles attached, not just the cable on it’s own, so bear that in mind when you’re shopping.

Good luck with the knitting, post here if you get stuck, lots of helpful peeps!

5

Thank You so much!
Looking forward to Using this site! Looks so Helpful!!!
Thanks again!
Brittani

6

I recommend starting with one of the sampler sets in the Knitting Help shop. I love the Knitters Pride interchangeable needles! Then you can decide which needle material is your preference. I have the wood Dreamz needles and also like Nova. They have a nice, thin flexible cable.
http://shop.knittinghelp.com/interchangeable-needle-sets/

There are several methods for using circulars for something like a hat-

  • 16" fixed circular and DPN (to finish the top) You can’t finish the top with. The 16" needles.
  • 2 circulars
  • 1 long cable circular for Magic Loop

My preference is Magic loop so I can use the same needles from start to finish. I also use ML for socks.

Socks require you to buy fixed circulars separately because the interchangeables don’t come that small.

7

–1 long cable for Traveling Loop.

Just another method for making “in the round” stuff. :slight_smile: