Circular Needles

I never know what length circular needles to order for my knitting projects. Is there a formula to use to make sure they’re the right length?

Thank you so much!

Such a great website. I really appreciate all the input!

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The right length for either circular or flat knitting is often a matter of personal preference. Some like the shortest they can use for the number of stitches and some like them longer. I waffle on which I want to use depending on what I’m knitting. My solution was to get interchangeable needles. I can change the length easily and as often as I wish even in the middle of a project. Another consideration is do you like really short tips, like those on the really short circulars? I don’t. Even the shorter tips on 16" circulars are too short for me to use comfortably. One idea is to get 40" circulars and use magic loop for small diameter pieces. Another is to get two sets of each in maybe 32" and use two circulars, If you’re interested in getting interchangeable needles you can experiment and try all the different ways of knitting in the round or flat with different lengths.

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There’s some leeway with stitch number, yarn weight and circular needls length. This article is a helpful guide especially when you are starting a new project and thinking about whether you need to buy needles.

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Thank you! I don’t love the interchangeable needles and like you, I’m not a fan of short tips. Probably best alternative for me is to get different lenghts of the size needles I use.
Best,
Charlene

Great! Thank you!
Best,
Charlene

I have both fixed circular and interchangeable needles. I love both.
I always prefer to use two circulars to work in the round. I find magic loop annoys me or gives me more difficulty. Fixed double point needles are weapons the yarn uses against me!

I like to have multiple projects going at the same time. I always want a second set of any size needle I need. I find interchangeables gives me the flexibility to move tips between projects. Then I run out of cables!

I hope you find needles that fit your hands, projects, work habits and style.

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Thank you!!!

This sounds intriguing! How do you use two circulars to knit in the round? I’m trying to picture it but I can’t seem to get there.

Circular knitting needles are double point needles. Long, floppy dpn.

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Thank you. I know what circulars are - I use them all the time and I always use them for magic loop when I do sleeves. But I don’t love magic loop and the poster says she uses two circulars instead. Wondering how that actually works. I’ll look for a video.

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The video I posted above is knitting in the round on two circs. Might save you some looking.

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lol, I am Jack (or John irl) M58.

Unlike fixed DPNs you use the other end of a circular to knit (or work the pattern) from the same [cut! That dialog is never going to explain this clearly] (think, think, think)

Okay do you know slinky dog from “Toy Story?” Working in the round is having two slinky-dogs for needles. The tail end is closest to the working yarn and digs love to chase their own tails! So the nose works the new stitches into the last row stitches coming off its own tail. Then flop your project to work on the next “dog.”

I was going for a visual that would be easy to picture.

I hope that is helpful and also reminds you of a wonderful movie.

@GrumpyGramma posted an excellent vid from Roxy. She explains “how” to do it from time 1:26 through 5:40.

Thank you, @cgkeyles for asking. Thank you, @GrumpyGramma for finding an excellent video.

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Sometimes when we all do our bit the solution to a problem or answer to a question appears in a form that’s useful to the asker. I love your slinky dog analogy. I’d never ever in a million years think of something like that. You gave me a good giggle and I needed one. I’m now visualizing knitting with slinky toys. Would they still ‘walk the stair without a care’ after the knitting was done? I had to go look up the old jingle they used back when I was just a really small kid.

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I am not a fan of Magic Loop Either! :blush:

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