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How to Choose Knitting Needles for New Knitters
Are you just starting with knitting? Or, are you introducing a loved one to the knitting world? The beginning of your knitting journey shapes the rest of your path. So, it is important to begin right. In most cases, we are introduced to knitting by a friend or family member. Our first pair of knitting needles is theirs, as are most of their techniques. But, this might not be the best idea for a beginner knitter.
It is wise to choose the right knitting needles for beginners as they will help cultivate skills, ignite interest in the art, and of course, enjoy knitting. Investing in knitting needles and tools made from high-quality materials will save you from having to reinvest time anew or time again. Also, it will affect the quality of your knitting project. How do you decide between all of the choices out there?
To make things easier, we are here with a guide for knitting needles for new knitters.
Types of Knitting Needles
Knitting needles come in three popular types with each one serving a different knitting need. To choose the best knitting needles for a beginner, it is important to understand their use.
Single-Pointed Knitting Needles (STNs)
The most popular of the lot and one of the easiest ones to use, single-pointed needles are perhaps the needles that most knitters learn to knit with. While the needle has a pointy tip at one end, the other has a stopper which makes sure the yarn doesn’t fall off while you’re knitting making it an ideal choice for beginners.
STNs are used to make smaller projects and are usually flat pieces such as dishcloths, mufflers and scarves. They can also be used for knitting flat pieces that are later seamed together. The needles come in pairs with lengths of 10 to 14 inches in all standard sizes.
Circular Knitting Needles
Perhaps one of the most popular needles since their invention a century back, the needles serve multiple purposes. The circular needles are a pair of needle tips attached to a cable. In the case of fixed circular needles, the cable remains fixed while interchangeable needles have the option of changing the needle tips as well as cables. When it comes to circular needles, the options range from 10″ (25 cm) to 47″ (150 cm) in a standard range of sizes.
The needles work for projects that require you to work in the round as well as for patterns that need to be knitted flat. So, whether you want to knit a dishcloth or a blanket or your first hat, this helps with all knitting needs. Both fixed and interchangeable circular knitting needles are ideal for beginners. The ergonomic make of the needles allows the weight of the project to rest in the cables. This makes the weight and fatigue away from the hands and wrists. Also, as the cable lies in your lap, the project is secure from unnecessary snags.
Double-Pointed Knitting Needles (DPNs)
DPNs as they are popularly known, are knitting needles with pointed tips on both ends. Available in a set of five, the needles are used together to knit in the round, especially the smallest circumference. They are in fact the oldest way to knit round projects. While as a beginner you will not start straight away with such a delicate project of small circumference project or managing five stitches, it is recommended to have them in your stash. They work great for small projects such as fingers of a glove, beanies, socks, and baby apparel.
Knitting Needle Material
Every knitter is unique as are knitting needles. They come in a variety of materials such as wood, bamboo, plastic, carbon fiber and more. Every knitter has their own preference. While bamboo and wood are beginner-friendly choices, stainless steel knitting needles and metals are for fast knitting and good for tight knitters. The choice of the material lies with a knitter and mostly the yarn fiber.
Knitting Needle Size
Knitting needle sizes depend on the yarn weight. Heavy yarns = bigger needle size and lighter yarn = smaller needle sizes.
To help you better understand which knitting needle to use for the different yarn sizes.
| Yarn Category name | Description | Metric knitting needle size | Knitting Needle Size US |
| Lace | fingering, crochet 10-count thread | 1.5mm – 2.25mm | 0 – 1 |
| Super fine | sock, fingering, baby | 2.25mm -3.25mm | 1 – 3 |
| Fine | sport, baby | 3.25mm – 3.75mm | 3 – 5 |
| Light | DK, light worsted | 3.75mm – 4.5mm | 5 – 7 |
| Medium | worsted, Afghan, Aran | 4.5mm – 5.5mm | 7 – 9 |
For beginners it is recommended to stick to US 6 (4 mm), US 7 (4.5mm) and US 8 (5mm). The small-sized needles will take a long time to finish a project and bigger-sized needles feel fiddly and it will be difficult to knit with them.
With this guide, you will be choosing the right knitting needles for every project.
Happy knitting!
