You can knit any flat piece of knitting using either straight or circular needles. Many people learn to knit on straight needles and prefer these exclusively. We often recommend circular needles to knitters because the needles themselves are shorter, and may be more ergonomic especially if you experience any knitting pain. Circular needles have the added benefit of being able to put on many more stitches than on straight needles, which are usually 10- or 14-inches long. Since stitches sit mostly on the cord between the needles, it means less weight or tension on your hands and wrists. It is also more convenient to slide your stitches down onto the cord when you are through knitting, preventing dropped stitches.

It is important to choose the right length for your project, and if you need any assistance with this, please call Skein Lane Studio for advice. Circular needles come in a variety of lengths and are measured from needle tip to needle tip. Common lengths are 16, 24, 29, 36. Addi Turbo (metal) and Crystal Palace (bamboo) has some additional longer lengths, which we can order for you.

We hope this guide will help you make your needle selection easier, and if you need further assistance, just ask staff at the shop. Skein Lane does not endorse any particular needle manufacturer or material, but we are happy to share our knitting experience with you so you can make the most informed decision when purchasing needles. For a complete list of the needles we carry visit our Needle Page.