Why are there so many different lengths of circular needles, and when do I use each one?
Circular needles are wonderful tools for knitting. Many people use only circular needles to knit all of their projects, even those projects that aren’t knit in a circle! Circular needles come in lengths from 9 inches long to over 60 inches long.
Usually your knitting pattern will tell you which length of needle to use with each project, but sometimes you are left to figure it out on your own. It is also hard to know which length to use if you are knitting a flat object on your circular needles. The length is based on how many stitches you are going to cast on for a particular project. Different manufactures of needles use different lengths, but if you give and inch or two using the guidelines spelled out below, you will be right on track.
Nine inch needles, such as the Hiya Hiya needles (which only come in US 0-3 in the 9” length), are a new way to knit garments such as socks and gloves. The next length is usually 12 inches which is a good length for a baby or child garment. Following 12 inches is a 16 inch which is usable for a hat, neckline, sleeve, or just for knitting a flat garment that has 30 or less stitches such as a scarf.
The next sizes such at 24 inch, 32 inch, and 47 inch are often used for knitting garments, afghans and other larger projects either flat or in the round. Circular needles with a cable that is more than 60 inches are especially great for an afghan project.
As was discussed last week, there are so many different knitting needles out there and if you haven’t tried knitting either circularly maybe start with an easy hat project or if you have never knit a flat project with circular needles, pick up a pair and cast on! You will be amazed at your results.
Happy Knitting!
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