How to Choose Knitting Needles

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Last Updated: July 12, 2023 Approved

Knitting is a relaxing, portable and creative hobby, but selecting the proper needles could mean the difference between an enjoyable pastime and sheer frustration. Knitting needles come in many different varieties, so it can be a challenge to know what ones to choose for a project. However, you can choose the right pair or set for you by considering your preferred knitting needle material, type, and size.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Considering Knitting Needle Materials

1
Use metal needles. Metal needles are the classic type of needle and they come in many different sizes. Many knitters enjoy using metal needles because you can work quickly with them and because of the clicking sound they make while you are using them. However, if you are not concerned with knitting speed and/or find the clicking sound annoying, then metal needles might not be the best option for you.^{[1]
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- Most metal needles are made of aluminum, but you can also find metal needles that are made from nickel or brass.
2
Try plastic needles for a budget option. Plastic needles are the most inexpensive knitting needle option, so this is a great choice if you are looking for a budget option or if you are just trying out knitting to see if you like it. You can also find plastic needles in extra-large sizes that other needles are not available in, so these may be a good option for knitting projects that require using a super bulky yarn or uncommon materials.^{[2]
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- Keep in mind that the yarn will easily slide off of plastic needles while you are working with it, which can be a bonus for speed knitting, or frustrating if you drop a stitch!
Wooden needles are some of the most expensive, but many knitters prefer the feel of wooden needles.^{[3]
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Research source} Wooden needles are also nice for beginner knitters because the stitches will not slide off of the needles as easily as with metal or plastic needles.^{[4]
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If you like the feel of wooden needles but find them too expensive, then bamboo needles are a less expensive alternative to wooden needles.^{[5]
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Research source} Bamboo needles offer knitters a similar feel to wooden needles and the texture of the needles helps the yarn to stay on the needles rather than slipping off them.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Picking a Knitting Needle Type

1
Use straight needles. Straight needles are the kind that have pointed tips and a flat, wide end or knob to keep the stitches from slipping off.^{[6]
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Research source} These are best for projects that you want to work in rows, such as scarves, blankets, and washcloths. They come in many different sizes and in different lengths as well, so you can find a pair to suit your project.
- Straight needles usually come in 7”, 10”, 12”, and 14” lengths.^{[7]
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2
Experiment with circular needles. Circular needles have a wire or nylon cord that extends between two needles. They are best for working projects in the round, such as hats, infinity scarves, and sweaters. However, you can also use them to hold all of the stitches for a larger project that you want to work in rows, such as a blanket.^{[8]
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- Circular needles come in many different sizes and with different lengths of wire or nylon cord extending between the needles. Some common circular needles wire lengths include 16”, 20”, 24”, and 32”.^{[9]
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3
Try double pointed needles. Double pointed needles (DPNs) are often necessary for binding off projects like hats, which you would mostly work on a pair of circular needles. Double pointed needles are also great for smaller circular projects, such as socks and mittens. You can get double pointed needles in many different sizes.
- Double pointed needles come in sets of four or five needles.^{[10]
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- You may want to get a set of needle point covers if you plan to use double pointed needles. Stitches can easily slip off the ends of double pointed needles, especially if you are using metal or plastic ones. Place a needle point cover over one end or both ends of the needles while you work to avoid dropping a stitch.
4
Make cables with a cable needle. Cable needles are "U" shaped needles. If you are interested in trying cabling, then you will need a cable needle. However, keep in mind that a cable needle is not something you can use on its own. You will need to use a cable needle in conjunction with a pair of straight, circular, or double pointed needles to make cables.
- Cable needles come in lots of different sizes as well. Make sure to get a cable needle that matches your other knitting needles for the project.
5
Look into interchangeable sets. If you think you might want to work with a variety of knitting needles, then you might want to get an interchangeable set. Interchangeable sets include a variety of needle types that you can connect in different ways to use for your projects. You can attach different lengths of wire between circular needles or use extenders to make longer straight needles as needed.^{[11]
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- Keep in mind that these sets can be expensive, but it may be less expensive than buying all of the different needle types and sizes that you might use.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Choosing a Knitting Needle Size

1
Check your pattern. When trying to decide on a knitting needle size, it is best to begin by consulting the knitting pattern you are using. Knitting patterns will usually specify the size and type of needle required for a project. If multiple needle types and sizes are required, then these should all be listed on the pattern.
- Always check before you get started and stick to the pattern’s recommendations to ensure that you get the best result possible.
2
Look at the yarn label. If you are not following a pattern, then the next best place to look for a needle size recommendation is on the label of your yarn. Most yarn labels include a size recommendation for knitting needles and crochet hooks. Check the label and look for a written or illustrated recommendation.^{[12]
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- Sometimes the labels will have written recommendation, such as “Knitting needles size 8,” while other times you will just see a pair of knitting needles with a number inside the illustration. This number is the size you need to get.
- Keep in mind that there are American and European sizes. American knitting needle sizes are listed as whole numbers on labels, and European sizes are listed as a millimeter measurement, such as “9mm.”^{[13]
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3
Test the gauge. Gauge is the number of stitches you knit per inch with a specific type of yarn and pair of needles.^{[14]
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Research source} If you are not sure what size knitting needles to use, but you have a few pairs and some yarn, then you can always knit a gauge swatch to help you decide.
- To knit a gauge swatch, knit a square that is four inches by four inches with your yarn and needles. Then, check the look of the stitches and see if this is the ideal needle size for your project, or if it might look better with a smaller or larger pair of needles.
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What size needle do I need for a baby blanket?

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Needle size depends on how thick your yarn is. The thicker the yarn, the thicker your needles must be. Most of the baby-specific yarn that I have come across tend to be on the thicker side. Most patterns suggest a needle size, as do most skein labels. I would use US size 6, 7, or 8, but without knowing the pattern or weight of the yarn, it's hard to say specifically. Try making a test swatch with the size you think fits best, then if it turns out well, make your blanket. If it turns out too tight, go up a size. If it turns out too loose, go down a size.

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How do I make a gauge?

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Cast on however many stitches your gauge calls for, plus about 5. Knit in the pattern stitch listed in the gauge (usually stockinette stitch) for 5 inches. Then use a ruler to measure how many stitches to the inch, about 3 inches up from the cast-on edge.

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Is a United States size 8 knitting needle the same as a Canadian size 8?

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No, Canadian and British sizes are different from American sizes. Most knitting needles have the size in millimeters (mm) on them, and that's the best way to size needles.

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Consider the needle size.

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Metric size (mm)	U.S. size	UK/Canadian size	Japanese size
2.0	0	14
2.1			0
2.25	1	13
2.4			1
2.5
2.7			2
2.75	2	12
3.0		11	3
3.25	3	10
3.3			4
3.5	4
3.6			5
3.75	5	9
3.9			6
4.0	6	8
4.2			7
4.5	7	7	8
4.8			9
5.0	8	6
5.1			10
5.4			11
5.5	9	5
5.7			12
6.0	10	4	13
6.3			14
6.5	10 ½	3
6.6			15
7.0		2	7 mm
7.5		1
8.0	11	0	8 mm
9.0	13	00	9 mm
10.0	15	000	10 mm
12.0	17
16.0	19
19.0	25
25.0	50