Circular knitting needles are knitting needles, held together by a flexible nylon or plastic cord. And their name already implies their use, - knitting in the round. Although they admittedly are capable of producing the magic of a completely seamless sweater, circular knitting needles can accomplish so much more than just that. See below ten strong reasons why circular knitting needles are the megastars among all knitting needle types.
Reason No. 1
Apart from knitting in the round you can also use a pair of circular needles for knitting straight items like shawls or blankets. You do so, by simply knitting back and forth and turning your WIP after each round, as you would do with a pair of straight, single-pointed needles. Only by connecting your stitches to a loop do you knit in the round.
Reason No. 2
Circular knitting needles have proven more ergonomic for our hands. Straight needles can be supported by our arms, true. And yes, we have seen those pictures of brave 19th century women flying their yarn across a pair of straight needles while standing at the hearth and preparing the family meal. But unless you plan to do that, all the weight of your ongoing project lies on the wrists of your hands. The cord or cable of a circular knitting needle will distribute that weight more evenly and make long-term knitting less painful.
Reason No. 3
Circular knitting needles make you a faster knitter. When knitting in the round you just produce stockinette stitches, no purls, because you are always knitting the right side. Unless your pattern demands purls, that is. Once you have got the hang of it, you can finish a seamless project way faster. The loops on your string will just fly before your eyes if you do not have to turn those needles around any longer. And eventually, knitting in the round will save you all the sewing time, too.
Reason No. 4
You can knit bigger items effortlessly. Because you can fit more stitches onto the cord of the circular needle, creating larger and chunkier projects means less toil for you. The heavy weight of your ongoing project rests in your lap, and is not solely maintained by your wrists and arms. The whole process will therefore not only speed up your knitting but will also exhaust your tendons less. Particularly people with arthritis and ongoing joint pain will feel the relief!
Reason No. 5
Out-of-your-home knitting will become so much easier. No longer lost needles, when you are sitting on a bus, no awkward storing of your unfinished project in your bag. Circular knitting needles do not even need a stopper to prevent your stitches from sliding over the points. You just hold all your stitches on the cord. Cords are available in various sizes, too. And if you are a knitting enthusiast who loves a prolonged outdoor knitting session on a (self-made) blanket in the park, the circular needle will make it possible to change your position frequently. You can even knit while lying down!
Reason No. 6
Interchangeable knitting needles are a fantastic invention. Not only do they allow you to switch sizes mid-project, but you can also combine all sorts of different-length cords with different needle sizes. You can even create a piece in the trendy Condo stitch that has become so fashionable these days. This new and unique knitting style uses two needles of different sizes at once to create an interesting, net-like effect in your garments.
Our sets of interchangeable knitting needles are available for all needle types and come in many different sizes and colours!
Reason No. 7
The cable of your circular knitting needle can be used in creative ways, e.g. for learning the Magic Loop! Circular knitting needles are made for knitting in the round. But by simply using a long cord and doubling it you create a magic loop even for the tiniest tubular objects. This way you can avoid having to resort to double-pointed needles when trying to complete a smaller circumference in the round. Think socks or sweater sleeves. A minimum cord length of 29 inches is recommended for a smooth Magic Loop, though.
Reason No. 8
Knitting on circular needles is a great way to introduce beginners to the art of knitting. Some people may find them a bit intimidating at first. Especially, when the common image of a knitter is still that of a person using two straight, single-pointed needles. However, once you give a pair of fixed or interchangeable circular needles a try you will quickly find that knitting becomes much smoother and more securer. Instead of having to struggle at first with handling two needles at once or having to pay attention to losing stitches, you can now comfortably concentrate on what is important, - your knitting pattern. When starting, try maybe a pair of bamboo needles, at first. They are inexpensive, hardly weigh anything, and are so much fun to use.
Reason No. 9
Your knitting is a lot securer on a circular needle than on straight knitting needles. When working with a higher number of stitches, the loops will distribute much more evenly on a pair of circular knitting needles than on their straight counterparts. For bulky projects, such as blankets, this difference can mean the world. When your stitches are bunching up on your needle you can just add a longer cable and thus avoid losing them or splitting the yarn. Again, interchangeable knitting needles provide you with all the freedom you need to dream and plan big!
Reason No. 10
One fits all! Circular needles are the most versatile needles on the planet. There is simply nothing that cannot be knit with two needles and a cord, from sweaters to cardigans, flat and round items, big objects, such as blankets or rugs, and tiny objects like doll clothes. They give you the freedom and flexibility to create anything that comes to your mind. With circular knitting needles, you can even knit both socks at the same time.
