Purchase advice: length of circular needles (needle, not cable, length)

I would like some purchasing advice for circular needles. I am a new knitter and would like to move on from knitting rectangular things and cowls to other projects such as hats, mitts, and mittens. I have a set of Tulip CarryC Long 5” bamboo interchangeable circular needles and have an opportunity to get the similar set with shorter, 3.75”, needles. The sets use the same cables except that the shortest cable, which makes a 16” with the short needles, is a bit too short to work well with the long needles.

I am trying to figure whether to get the set with the short needles, both for the immediate plans mentioned above and for future flexibility (someday a cardigan!). The short set may not continue to be easily available so I’d really like to get them now if they might be useful.

What factors would you consider in making this decision? I like the feel of the long 5” needles that I am currently using for a cowl. I don’t know if there would be a clear winner with respect to hand fatigue as shorter needles would be lighter but have less room for resting the fingers. The long needles are pretty light but I haven’t knitted for long sessions.

I understand that there are other options for working projects with a small circumference such as DPNs, magic loop, and two long circulars. I also got a few flexiflips at a close-out sale. I haven’t worked with any of these methods yet. I am a patient learner so I’m open to exploring different methods.

I would appreciate any thoughts on this. Thank you!

Hello
I think in this case you might get a different answer from every knitter.

I bought a set of the shorter needle tips thinking it would help with the smaller circumference knitting in the round as the longer tips restrict the circle size, as you mentioned. For my style of knitting I found them uncomfortable as my hands and fingers just need the longer tip. However I adapted and used them on several projects, partly because I’d bought them and was determined to get some use from them, partly because my previous circulars had come to the end of a long and productive life (which was why I was buying new) so I didn’t really have another to switch to.
Ultimately though I bought the longer tips and have been far more comfortable and happier since.
I now never use the short tips.
As for the small circumference knitting in the round, it is just not for me, it requires an angle between the needles which just doesn’t fit with my style of knitting, I’ve given it a go, I’ve tried to adapt but only resulted in frustration, hand pain and an unpleasant knitting experience. I now adapt patterns for sweaters to make sleeves and neckbands flat and seamed instead of in the round. Not all, patterns are worked in the round anyway.

There are of course very many knitters who love short tips and small circumference knitting in the round.

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As @Creations said, everyone will have a different opinion. I love short tips! They fit inside my hands and I feel that I can be more relaxed with them. I used longer tips for quite a while, but once I tried shorts, I was hooked! I don’t do much small circumference knitting, but they work fine for anything.

If they’re a good price and might be hard to come by later, I’d say go for it. You can likely sell them onward if you find you prefer longer tips.

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I use KnitPro 25cm circulars for mitts. https://www.woolstack.co.uk/knitpro-zing-25cm-fixed-circular-knitting-needles/

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You may love them, like them, or hate them. Would they be returnable if you don’t like them? I don’t use 16" circs because they cause pain. I don’t grip my needle tips, they rest in my hands, and I had to pinch the shorter tips. Ideally you could try them out before buying but when we order online that’s not an option.

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Thank you all for your advice. I really appreciate it! It sounds like it’s hard to know without trying so I went ahead and ordered the short set of circulars. They are on sale so they are not returnable. Even if this set turns out not to be my favorite, since they are interchangeable with my long set, they still may be handy as extras for doing more than one project requiring a particular diameter needle. This was my first time posting to this site and I am grateful for the friendly start!

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You must let us know how you like them when you’ve given them a trial run.

It’s a friendly place here, I came to ask one question and never left. So helpful and welcoming.