All the Different Knitting Needles Explained

Knitting needles come in all shapes, sizes, and materials—kind of like magic wands for yarn! But with so many options, how do you know which ones to use? 

Knitting Needle Materials: What’s the Difference?

Just like yarn, knitting needles are made from different materials. Each one feels a little different in your hands and works better for certain projects.

1. Bamboo & Wooden Needles

🧶 Best for: Beginners, slippery yarns, relaxed knitting

Bamboo and wooden needles have a warm, natural feel and a bit of grip, which helps keep stitches from sliding off too easily. This makes them perfect for beginners or for working with slick yarns like silk or alpaca. They also make less noise than metal needles—great if you love to knit while watching TV!

2. Metal Needles

🧶 Best for: Speedy knitting, tighter stitches, durability

Metal needles (like aluminum or stainless steel) let stitches glide smoothly, which makes them great for fast knitters. They’re also super strong and perfect for projects where you need to knit tightly, like socks or lacework. Just be warned—they can be a little slippery!

3. Plastic Needles

🧶 Best for: Budget-friendly projects, usually lightweight

Plastic needles are light, affordable, and come in lots of bright colours. They’re a good choice for big projects that require large needles, like chunky blankets. They don’t last as long as metal or wood, but they’re a great option if you’re just getting started.

4. Carbon Fibre Needles

🧶 Best for: A mix of speed and grip, lightweight but strong

Carbon fibre needles are like the best of both worlds—they have the strength of metal but with a little more grip, like wood. They’re a favourite among experienced knitters who want a smooth knitting experience without being too slippery.

Types of Knitting Needles: Which One Should You Use?

Now that we’ve covered materials, let’s talk about the different types of knitting needles!

1. Straight Needles

📏 Best for: Flat projects like scarves, dishcloths, and panels for sweaters

Straight needles are the classic pair of knitting sticks you probably picture when you think of knitting. They’re great for beginners and work best for flat projects.

2. Circular Needles

🔄 Best for: Large projects, seamless knitting, and reducing strain on your hands

Circular needles have a flexible cable between them, which makes them perfect for knitting in the round (like hats and sweaters) or for flat knitting when you want to hold more stitches—think big blankets! They’re also easier on your wrists since they distribute weight more evenly.

3. Double-Pointed Needles (DPNs)

🎯 Best for: Small, round projects like socks, mittens, and sleeves

DPNs come in sets of four or five and are used to knit in the round when circular needles are too big. They look a little tricky, but once you get the hang of them, they’re great for making small tubes of fabric.

4. Interchangeable Needles

🔄+📏 Best for: Knitters who love versatility!

Interchangeable needles are like a mix-and-match knitting set. You get a bunch of different needle tips and cables that you can swap out to create the exact size you need. If you knit a lot of different projects, these are a great investment!

Final Thoughts: Which Needles Should You Choose?

That depends.  I know, not helpful.  First, your pattern will usually suggest a needle size and type.  For example, you may need 3.0mm - 24" circular needles.  This is a good starting point for you as the final needle size you need to get gauge may change based on your knitting.  

As for the material choice for your needles, this is a personal preference.  For me, it depends on the yarn I'm using as to what material I will use.  However, I do tend to go for wooden needles as I like the extra grip they provide.  For knitting socks, I do like a nice set of metal double pointed needles.  Keep in mind, your knitting gauge will change from material type to material type, even if the needle size is the same.  

At The Wool Pirate, we carry needles and crochet hooks made in Nepal (Lykke), made in Indian (Knitters Pride), made in the US (Brittany) and made in the European Union (Neko).