Circular Knitting Needles

Choosing the right circular needle

Two numbers matter on a circular needle: the needle size and the cord length. The size is set by your tension square. The cord length is set by the circumference of what you are knitting — the stitches must go all the way round the cord and the two needle tips comfortably, without stretching. That is why this collection carries the same needles in 40cm, 60cm, 80cm and 100cm: one length will not cover a baby hat and an adult cardigan.

Which cord length for which project

• 40cm (16in): hats, cowls, and adult sleeves worked in the round. Too short for anything smaller.
• 60cm (24in): jumper bodies, yokes, large cowls and shawls; the single most useful length to own.
• 80cm (32in): big garments, blankets worked flat, and magic loop for sleeves and socks.
• 100cm (40in): shawls with hundreds of stitches, blanket edgings, and two-at-a-time sleeves.

Materials and how they feel

Wood and laminated birch needles, such as the KnitPro Symfonie range, have a slight grip — welcome with slippery yarns like silk and bamboo, and reassuring if you are prone to dropping stitches. Metal needles, including the Addi and KnitPro Zing lines, are faster and slicker, which suits wool and sticky acrylics and anyone knitting at speed. Plastic and acrylic options such as Pony's plastic circulars and KnitPro Trendz are light and warm in the hand, useful if metal makes your joints ache. Lace tips are extra sharp for fine yarns and heavily decreased stitches; cubic-shaped needles like Nova Cubics change the grip entirely and some knitters find them easier on the hands.

Magic loop, and knitting small circumferences

If you want to knit sleeves, socks or mittens without buying double-pointed needles, use one long circular — 80cm or 100cm — and the magic loop method. Divide the stitches in half, pull a loop of cord out at each side, and knit each half in turn. The technique lives or dies on the cord: a stiff, springy cord fights you, while a supple one that does not retain kinks makes it painless. Dipping a coiled cord briefly in hot water and pulling it straight will relax most of the memory out of a new needle.

Joining in the round without a twist

The classic first mistake is joining with a twisted cast-on, which is not fixable later. Cast on, lay the needle flat on a table and check that the bottom edge of every stitch faces the centre before you work the first stitch. Place a marker at the join, and work the first round slowly. To close the small gap that forms at the join, work the first stitch with the yarn held firmly, or cast on one extra stitch and work it together with the first.

Looking after your needles

Check the join where cord meets tip regularly — a rough or loosening join snags every single stitch and is the usual reason a needle feels wrong. Wooden tips can be smoothed with very fine sandpaper and a little wax. Store circulars hanging, coiled loosely, or in a needle case with the sizes labelled, since fixed circulars are notoriously hard to identify by eye once the packaging is gone. A needle gauge costs very little and settles the argument.

Circular needle questions

What length circular needle do I need for a hat? 40cm for an adult hat, or a longer cord using magic loop.

Can I use circular needles for flat knitting? Yes — simply turn at the end of each row. The weight of the work sits in your lap.

Fixed or interchangeable? Fixed circulars are cheaper and have smoother joins; interchangeable sets are better value if you need many size and length combinations.

How do I stop my cord from coiling? Soak the cord in hot water for a few seconds and pull it straight, then let it cool.

What size needle should I use? Whatever gives you the tension stated in your pattern — always swatch first.