Straight VS Circular Knitting Needles

Knitting needles come in a variety of styles, sizes and materials. You can knit with any pair of needles, but for best results, you must choose that works best for you. Knitting with straight or circular needles doesn't affect the difficulty or ease but depends on a specific pattern or project. You can definitely knit with both types of needles but it's a personal choice when working on a specific project. There is no discussion on straight versus circular, it is based on the pattern requirement and also in a way the comfort or skill levels of knitters.

Let’s explain with an example. If you want to knit a sweater you can make it on any knitting needle. You can knit it back and forth and then seam the back and front as well as sleeves or you can knit round from the neckline or from the bottom. Both needles will create a perfect sweater but the comfort of working with them entirely lies with you.

In this blog, the reference of needles changes; it is not the design of the needle but the pupose of knitting. For knitting back and forth the options are single-pointed as well as circular needles. And, for circular knitting, you would require double-pointed needles as well as circular needles.

What is the difference between straight and circular? 

To start with, remember that all knitting needles are in a way straight; they are with pointy tips, smooth surfaces, shaped like the magic wand. The needles and tips are pointed to work with all types of yarn. In the category of straight needles, you can count both single-pointed as well as double-pointed needles while circular needles come in varieties of fixed and interchangeable ones. But, when it comes to using and basically knitting style straight is referred to as knitting back and forth while circular is referred to as knitting in rounds. When knitting flat pieces, you need to work the project in rows. The straight needle's long shape can result in heavier needles that stress your hands and wrists. Also, sometimes, it can be difficult to cast as many stitches on straight needles because of the limited space available.

Similarities between knitting with straights and circulars

Though the double-pointed needles (DPNs) are also straight they can be used for circular knitting. The set of five needles works together, with 3 or 4 needles creating a perimeter and the extra needle used for knitting. But, it also does not mean that you cannot knit back and forth with it. Many advanced knitters knit up a swatch or small projects with two needles of the set.

Circular knitting needles perform the same tasks as straight ones. They can be used to knit flat pieces and work in rows as well as patterns that are worked in the round. The needle tips are shorter in comparison to straights resulting in lighter needles. The flexible cord that lies attached to the tips carries the weight of the project. The cord length in the case of interchangeable circular needles can be switched which gives freedom to work with as many stitches as the pattern demands. You can knit a pair of socks and even a blanket with the same needle as long as you have the right cord length. Also, the circulars along with cords can be rolled up, making them convenient while storing or on the go. 

Now, that we’ve discussed everything about straight and circular knitting needles, get ready to cast on your projects. A knitter can choose to express their creativity and make a knitted fabric in any way they want. Like every knitter is unique so are knitting needles, so it best to have them all in your craft collection!

Knitter’s Pride has the widest range of knitting needles, crochet hooks and accessories. The knitting needles cater to beginner to advanced knitters. Explore single pointed needles or sets of double points (DPNs) or fixed circulars or interchangeable circular needles and sets. Available in standard sizes in materials such as bamboo, wood, stainless steel, metals, acrylics and more.