Whether you're a novice knitter or a seasoned pro, it's inevitable that you'll run into a situation where you don't have the right knitting needles for your project. From circular to double-pointed, large gauge to teeny-tiny, needles come in so many types, lengths, and sizes that it's nearly impossible to own them all. But instead of buying a new pair each time you start a new project, investing in a knitting needle set can ensure that you have the right needles on hand every time.
We've compiled a list of the top 10 knitting needle sets, including straight, circular, double-pointed, and interchangeable. Our top pick? The Foursquare Options Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set from Knit Picks. These versatile needles can be used straight or circular and have a unique square shape for increased comfort. Keep scrolling for the rest of our picks! And check out our buying guide for more information on picking a needle set that works for you.
Our top 10 list includes needle sets of all types, lengths, materials, and sizes. Some come with extra accessories, like stitch markers and tapestry needles. Others come with cases to keep everything organized.
$59.99
Quantity | 9 pairs |
---|---|
Type | Interchangeable |
Material | Birch |
US size range | 4-11 |
Length(s) | Tips: 4.75 in; cables: 24 and 32 in. |
Additional items | End caps, tightening keys, case |
$19.99
Quantity | 18 straight pairs, 18 circular pairs |
---|---|
Type | Straight single-pointed, circular |
Material | Bamboo |
US size range | 0-15 |
Length(s) | Straight: 9 in; circular: 31.5 in. |
Additional items | Scissors, point protectors, measuring tape, tapestry needles, stitch markers, plastic pins |
$13.97
Quantity | 11 pairs |
---|---|
Type | Straight single-pointed |
Material | Stainless steel |
US size range | 0-11 |
Length(s) | 9.8 in. |
Additional items | Stitch markers, tapestry needles, measuring tape, bag |
$75.62
Quantity | 10 pairs |
---|---|
Type | Interchangeable |
Material | Stainless steel |
US size range | 4-8 |
Length(s) | Cables: 5, 6, 8 in. |
Additional items | End stoppers, cable connectors, stitch markers, needle gauge, tightening keys, case |
$8.99
Quantity | 18 pairs |
---|---|
Type | Circular |
Material | Bamboo |
US size range | 0-15 |
Length(s) | 31.5 in. |
Additional items | Scissors, measuring tape, crochet hook, tapestry needles, stitch markers |
$15.85
Quantity | 11 sets of 5 |
---|---|
Type | Double-pointed |
Material | Stainless steel |
US size range | 0-10.5 |
Length(s) | 7.9 in. |
Additional items | - |
$116.00
Quantity | 12 pairs |
---|---|
Type | Interchangeable |
Material | Wood |
US size range | 4-17 |
Length(s) | Tips: 5 in; cables: 24, 32, 40 in. |
Additional items | Connectors, keys, stoppers, case |
$8.99
Quantity | 18 pairs |
---|---|
Type | Straight single-pointed |
Material | Bamboo |
US size range | 0-15 |
Length(s) | 9 in. |
Additional items | - |
$110.43
Quantity | 12 pairs |
---|---|
Type | Interchangeable |
Material | Bamboo |
US size range | 3-15 |
Length(s) | Tips: not provided; cables: 16, 24, 29, 36, 48 |
Additional items | Case |
$7.15
Quantity | 15 sets of 5 |
---|---|
Type | Double-pointed |
Material | Bamboo |
US size range | 0-15 |
Length(s) | 8 in. |
Additional items | - |
Image | 1 ![]() Knit Picks | 2 ![]() EXQUISS | 3 ![]() BCMRUN | 4 ![]() ChiaoGoo | 5 ![]() Vancens | 6 ![]() Z-Color | 7 ![]() Lykke | 8 ![]() LIHAO | 9 ![]() CLOVER | 10 ![]() BetyBedy |
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Name | Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set | Knitting Needles Set | Straight Single Pointed Stainless Steel Sweater Needles | Twist Shorties Interchangeable Knitting Set | Bamboo Circular Knitting Needles Set | Double Pointed Stainless Steel Knitting Needles Set | Indigo Driftwood Interchangeable Set | Bamboo Knitting Needles Set | Takumi Combo Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles | Double Pointed Knitting Needles Set |
Features | Ergonomic Interchangeable Needles for All Knitters | Everything a Newbie Knitter Needs | A Smooth and Lightweight Stainless Steel Set | Short Interchangeable Needles for Small Projects | Circular Needles in All the Sizes You'll Need | A Sleek Set for Sweaters, Socks, and More | A Wood Interchangeable Set That's as Smooth as Metal | A Wide Range of Bamboo Needles for Beginners | Create 60 Different Combos With This Set | Double-Pointed Needles for Beginners |
Price | $59.99 | $19.99 | $13.97 | $75.62 | $8.99 | $15.85 | $116.00 | $8.99 | $110.43 | $7.15 |
Quantity | 9 pairs | 18 straight pairs, 18 circular pairs | 11 pairs | 10 pairs | 18 pairs | 11 sets of 5 | 12 pairs | 18 pairs | 12 pairs | 15 sets of 5 |
Type | Interchangeable | Straight single-pointed, circular | Straight single-pointed | Interchangeable | Circular | Double-pointed | Interchangeable | Straight single-pointed | Interchangeable | Double-pointed |
Material | Birch | Bamboo | Stainless steel | Stainless steel | Bamboo | Stainless steel | Wood | Bamboo | Bamboo | Bamboo |
US size range | 4-11 | 0-15 | 0-11 | 4-8 | 0-15 | 0-10.5 | 4-17 | 0-15 | 3-15 | 0-15 |
Length(s) | Tips: 4.75 in; cables: 24 and 32 in. | Straight: 9 in; circular: 31.5 in. | 9.8 in. | Cables: 5, 6, 8 in. | 31.5 in. | 7.9 in. | Tips: 5 in; cables: 24, 32, 40 in. | 9 in. | Tips: not provided; cables: 16, 24, 29, 36, 48 | 8 in. |
Additional items | End caps, tightening keys, case | Scissors, point protectors, measuring tape, tapestry needles, stitch markers, plastic pins | Stitch markers, tapestry needles, measuring tape, bag | End stoppers, cable connectors, stitch markers, needle gauge, tightening keys, case | Scissors, measuring tape, crochet hook, tapestry needles, stitch markers | - | Connectors, keys, stoppers, case | - | Case | - |
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If you're having trouble deciding which knitting needle set to buy, we're here to help! Our buying guide includes information on the various needle types, sizes, and materials, and what kinds of projects they're best for.
Knitting needles come in three types: straight single-pointed, circular, and double-pointed. Each type is suited for different kinds of projects. In addition to this, you can find interchangeable needles, which allow for additional flexibility.
Straight needles are probably what you picture when you think of knitting needles. They’re straight pieces of wood, metal, or plastic, with a point at one end and a knob or stopper at the other end. They range from nine to 14 inches long.
When knitting with straight needles, all of your stitches are held on the needles themselves, so your project can’t exceed the total length of the needles. This makes them best for smaller, flat projects like scarves, dishcloths, or items knit in pieces.
Circular needles consist of two needles connected by a flexible cord made of nylon, coated steel, or plastic, creating a single implement. They can range from 8.5 to 60 inches long, but the most common lengths are 16, 32, and 40 inches.
Circular needles are used for projects that are knit in the round, like hats, cowls, and sweaters. However, they can also be used for large, flat projects that don’t fit on straight needles, like blankets and shawls.
When using circular needles, the length of the needles should be equal to or smaller than the circumference of your finished project. For example, if you want to make a hat that’s 20 inches in circumference, look for circular needles that are 16 inches in length - 24 inches will be too long.
Double-pointed needles are straight needles with points at both ends. They range in length from five to eight inches. They’re ideal for projects knitted in the round that are too small for circular needles, like socks, gloves, and finishing hats. You can also use them to knit toys.
Depending on your project and the type of yarn you’re using, the size and type of needles you need will change. It’s very unlikely that you’ll be able to knit everything you want to knit with one set of needles. Interchangeable needles can prevent the need to purchase new needles every time you start a new project.
They typically consist of three pieces - needles, cords, and caps - which allow you to create circular or single needles of any size. While interchangeable needles can be more of an investment, a set will contain everything you need in one place.
Knitting needles are commonly made of metal, wood, or plastic. The type you prefer will depend on your level of experience and knitting style.
Metal needles are very strong and durable. Because their surface is extremely smooth, stitches slide across them easily. This can make metal needles more difficult to use for beginners, but for experienced knitters, it can help them knit more quickly. Metal needles are typically made from aluminum or steel.
Wood needles are great for beginners and experienced knitters alike. Because their surface isn’t completely smooth, stitches are less likely to slide off the needle. If you’re knitting with a particularly fuzzy yarn, they may not be ideal, since the yarn could catch on them. In addition, wooden needles at smaller gauges are more fragile.
However, if you like to work at a slow and steady pace, wooden needles are a good choice. Wooden needles can be made from a variety of types of wood, but the most common is bamboo, which is a natural and renewable resource.
If you’re thinking about trying out knitting as a hobby but aren’t sure you’ll like it, plastic needles are a great low-investment option. They’re lightweight and easy to handle. Like wooden needles, they’re not completely smooth, so your stitches won’t slide around as much.
Needle sizes are measured by the gauge, which is how thick the needle is. They range from US 0 (two-millimeter gauge) to US 50 (25-millimeter gauge). When you’re working on a project, the recommended needle size will be listed in the pattern or on the yarn you’re using. Generally, the bigger the yarn, the bigger the needle size.
However, there’s no right and wrong needle size. Different sizes will create different textures. Having a needle set can be helpful since it allows you to play around and see how different gauges create different looks with the same yarn. Some sets include a huge range of needle sizes, while others contain just a few.
If you see yourself knitting all kinds of things, from dainty baby blankets to chunky sweaters, look for a kit with a variety of needle sizes. If you tend to stick more with one weight of yarn or one type of project, a set of needles within a specific size range may be better for you.
The length of your knitting needles will depend on what type of projects you want to make and your knitting style. The longer your needles, the more stitches you can hold on them, so the bigger your projects can be.
With straight needles, shorter lengths can be great for beginners and on-the-go projects since they’re easy to maneuver and store. Longer needles may be more difficult to use but can hold more stitches for large projects. With circular needles, remember that your project can’t be any smaller than the length of the needles.
For more complicated projects, you’ll likely need more than one pair of needles. For example, if you’re knitting a sweater, you’ll use a long needle for the body and a short one for the sleeves. This is where interchangeable needles can come in handy. You can use the same needles, but switch out the length of the cord between them.
Some needle sets come with extra accessories that come in handy while knitting. They might include stitch markers, tapestry needles, a gauge ruler, tape measure, and scissors. Some sets come in a bag or case for carrying and storage.
If you’re an experienced knitter, you probably already own these things. But if you’re just starting out, it can be helpful to have things like stitch markers on hand - you never know when you’ll need them!
Whether you want to create a work of art or are just looking for a soothing new hobby, there are tons of crafty kits out there. Check out some of our other favorite fiber arts below.
Adding a needle set to your toolkit is a great way to step up your knitting game. No more putting projects on hold because you don't have the right size needle - everything you need will be right at your fingertips!
When choosing a knitting needle set, think about what you like to knit, whether it's scarves, blankets, sweaters, hats, socks, or something else. Then, look for a needle set that contains the size and type of needle that's best suited for those projects.
Author: Melissa Jong
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