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.
Quick List - Top Knitting Needle Sets
BCMRUN
A Smooth and Lightweight Stainless Steel Set
ChiaoGoo
Short Interchangeable Needles for Small Projects
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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!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Knit Picks Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set | ![]() | Ergonomic Interchangeable Needles for All Knitters | |
2 | EXQUISS Knitting Needles Set | ![]() | Everything a Newbie Knitter Needs | |
3 | BCMRUN Straight Single Pointed Stainless Steel Sweater Needles | ![]() | A Smooth and Lightweight Stainless Steel Set | |
4 | ChiaoGoo Twist Shorties Interchangeable Knitting Set | ![]() | Short Interchangeable Needles for Small Projects | |
5 | Vancens Bamboo Circular Knitting Needles Set | ![]() | Circular Needles in All the Sizes You'll Need | |
6 | Z-Color Double Pointed Stainless Steel Knitting Needles Set | ![]() | A Sleek Set for Sweaters, Socks, and More | |
7 | Lykke Indigo Driftwood Interchangeable Set | ![]() | A Wood Interchangeable Set That's as Smooth as Metal | |
8 | LIHAO Bamboo Knitting Needles Set | ![]() | A Wide Range of Bamboo Needles for Beginners | |
9 | CLOVER Takumi Combo Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles | ![]() | Create 60 Different Combos With This Set | |
10 | BetyBedy Double Pointed Knitting Needles Set | ![]() | Double-Pointed Needles for Beginners |
This needle set from Knit Picks makes knitting a breeze for beginners and long-time knitters alike. It comes with nine pairs of laminated birch needle tips and two different lengths of memory-free cables that can be used for flat or circular projects. The eight end caps help prevent your work from sliding off.
The needles themselves are square, with four smooth sides that allow for a comfortable and secure grip. The set comes in a vinyl carrying case. Choose between three vibrant colors, or if you prefer metal needles, purchase the nickel-plated set.
Some reviewers complained that the cables had a tendency to loosen while knitting. Others said their needles broke. However, the majority of reviewers praised these needles for being comfortable and easy to use. They said the wood had just the right amount of grip and the cords connected smoothly.
If you're looking for a low-investment beginner's set, this one from EXQUISS has it all! It includes 18 pairs of straight needles and 18 circular needles in the most popular US sizes. The cords on the circular needles are made from flexible plastic tubing and the needles themselves are made from bamboo.
In addition to the needles, this set includes a plastic case filled with helpful accessories. Use the scissors to snip your yarn and the measuring tape to check the dimensions of your work. The included locking and flexible stitch markers come in handy for nearly every project.
Some reviewers complained that the needles split or that the plastic cords detached from the needles. However, most reviewers said this set was a great value and especially suited for beginners. They found the needles to be smooth and comfortable. And they loved the included accessories.
This set of straight single-pointed needles from BCMRUN is made from stainless steel. They're lightweight and smooth, so your yarn will slide easily as you work. The set includes 11 pairs, from US 0 to 11, with the sizes marked on the top for easy identification.
A cinch-top bag holds the entire set, keeping the needles together. Locking stitch markers, a measuring tape, and tapestry needles are included as well.
Some reviewers complained that the needles were too light or thin for their liking and at risk of bending. Most reviewers, however, thought this set contained a great variety of needle sizes at versatile lengths. They said the needles were smooth with a nice point. And they said the carrying bag was very convenient.
This set of interchangeable needles from ChiaoGoo does things a little differently. The needle tips are short - just two and three inches - which leaves more stitches on the flexible cord. With 10 pairs of needle tips and three memory-free cables, this set can be used to make different lengths of circulars from nine to 14 inches.
The set includes a sleeve for the needle tips as well as a zippered pouch to hold all of the equipment. It also includes end stoppers, tightening keys, connectors, stitch markers, and a needle gauge.
Reviewers praised this set for its high quality and versatility. They loved that they could mix and match the needle tips on either side of the cable. They said the connections were very smooth and once they got used to the short needles, they were easy to use. They loved using these needles for items like socks, gloves, and sleeves.
If you're looking for circular needles in a large range of sizes, this set from Vancens should fit the bill. Made from bamboo, they're lightweight, smooth, and require less tension than metal needles. The set includes 18 needle sizes, connected with colorful plastic tubing.
In addition to the circular needles, the set includes some helpful tools, including a crochet hook, locking stitch markers, tapestry needles, measuring tape, and scissors. You can purchase these needles in a 31.5-inch or 16-inch length.
Some reviewers complained that these needles weren't smooth, saying the stitches got caught on the tube or on the connection between the tube and needles. On the other hand, most reviewers found these needles to be easy to use. They said they were great for beginners and appreciated the variety of sizes.
This set of double-pointed needles from Z-Color is made from stainless steel for a smooth knitting experience. It contains 11 sets of needles, with five needles in each set. The sizes range from US zero to 10.5, which are great for socks, gloves, sleeves, sweaters, and more. Each size comes in its own package for easy storage.
Some reviewers said the ends of these needles were too blunt. Others wished the sizes were etched onto the needles themselves instead of just written on the sleeve. Some found that the sizing was off and didn't match their other needles.
Still, most reviewers praised these needles for their sturdiness and lightweight feel. They said they were sleek and quick to knit with. And they appreciated that the tips of the needles didn't hurt their fingers.
Lykke means "happiness" in Norwegian, and this interchangeable needle set is made with care to bring joy to every knitter. Handcrafted in Nepal, the set includes 12 pairs of five-inch wood tips and cords to create circular needles measuring 24, 32, and 40 inches.
The needle sizes range from US four to 17, so you can use them for a huge variety of projects, from delicate shawls to chunky sweaters. An indigo denim case holds the needle tips, cords, stoppers, cord keys, and connectors.
Reviewers had high praise for this set, saying that the needles were gorgeous and felt wonderful in their hands. They said both the needles themselves and the connections were super smooth and the tips had a nice medium point. Even knitters who usually prefer metal loved this set.
This set of straight needles from LIHAO includes 18 needle pairs that range from US size zero to 15, making them great for all kinds of projects. Made from bamboo, they're bleached to create a smooth, strong, and mildew-proof surface. Each needle measures nine inches in length.
Some reviewers complained that their needles were splintered or warped. Others said the small sizes were flimsy. However, most reviewers found that these were great needles for beginners who were just getting comfortable with knitting. They liked the texture of the needles, saying they had just the right amount of grip.
Made in Japan, the Takumi Combo interchangeable needle set includes 12 needle sizes and five cord lengths, for a total of 60 combinations. The needles are made from bamboo, with tapered tips and a silky finish. The set comes contained in a zippered case for easy storage and portability.
Some reviewers complained that the connectors unscrewed during knitting and they had to tighten them often. Others said the points on the small needles were too sharp. Some found that their needles splintered.
On a positive note, many reviewers praised this needle set for being convenient and lightweight. They said the needles were durable and easy to use, with a good amount of grip. Some reviewers said they wished they had purchased this needle set years ago!
With 75 pieces, this set of double-pointed needles from BetyBedy gives you room to play around with needles of all gauges. They range from US zero to 15, with five needles of each size. Made from carbonized bamboo, they're sturdy, smooth, and mildew-proof. Each needle is a manageable eight inches in length.
Some reviewers said their needles were warped. Others found that they were rough or splintered, and ended up shredding their yarn. However, most reviewers were pleased with these needles, saying they had a good texture and consistent quality. They loved the easy-to-use length and appreciated the wide range of sizes.
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.
No. 1: Knit Picks|Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set
No. 2: EXQUISS|Knitting Needles Set
No. 3: BCMRUN|Straight Single Pointed Stainless Steel Sweater Needles
No. 4: ChiaoGoo|Twist Shorties Interchangeable Knitting Set
No. 5: Vancens|Bamboo Circular Knitting Needles Set
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