Knitting needles are found in almost every home around the world. Mostly the grandmothers in every home use it for knitting clothes, sweaters, blankets, and scarves for their grandchildren because it is a healthy activity – it makes them happy and helps them pass the time. Even my grandmother knitted many sweaters for me when I was young, and I also gifted her a set of knitting needles on her birthday.
Nowadays, young people are also showing interest in knitting. So we have shortlisted the 10 best knitting needles for all levels of skill sets.
Buyer’s Guide and Recommendations are at the end of this article.
Top 10 Picks for the Best Knitting Needles: User Review
In this list of best knitting needles, I have managed to give a review of knitting needles from different categories based on their type, material, and utility. So I hope that this single piece of article will be sufficient to help you find your suitable knitting needle.
If you are looking for an affordable gift for beginners or first-time users to inculcate knitting habits in them, then Vances is a perfect option. I found Vance’s knitting needles to be highly affordable yet productive, having wooden needles with colorful plastic tubes.
These knitting needles are made of bamboo wood, making them eco-friendly and chemical smell-free. And I feel that knitting is very comfortable and smooth bamboo knitting needles as they don’t slip the thread and give you a firm grip. So it will be a lot easier for beginners to handle.
It comes in 18 different needle sizes ranging from 2 to 10 mm, which is adequate for knitting a large range of yarns.
Accessories
- Scissors.
- Crotchet hook.
- Measuring tapes.
- Couple of needles and hooks.
- Wooden grip for smooth and comfortable knitting.
- Largest number of needle sizes.
- Eco-Friendly Knitting Needles
- Highly affordable in price
- Chemical smell-free needles
- Needles are not polished.
- Length can’t be adjusted as they are fixed type needle
- Plastic tubing is not durable and might get loosened over time.
Their cheap price does not mean that they are inferior in practical usage. Instead, they meet all the basic requirements (built, size, and length variations) for some productive knitting making it suitable for beginners for their first project.
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Specifications:
- Needle Tip Length: 3.8” for sizes 3-10. 4.2” for sizes 10.5 – 15
- Number of Needle Sets: 12 Sets of needle tips
- Sizes of Needle: US 3 – 15 | ( 3.25 – 10mm).
- Number of Cord: 5.
- Cord lengths: 16″, 24″, 29″, 36″ and 48″.
- Material: Bamboo.
- Type: Screw type interchangeable.
Now, these are my favorite bamboo needles that I use for my knitting tasks. Unlike other wooden knitting needles, I found them quite fast as the yarn moves freely through the needles because of its polished bamboo needles.
For me, the most important thing to consider in a needle is its construction material and finishing. And I always prefer bamboo needles due to their firm grip, comfortable knitting, with elegant outlook. Coupled with an elegant finish, I found Clover to be the best bamboo knitting needles.
Also, these wooden needles are lightweight yet sturdy and are a great source of attraction for all levels of knitters. And have 12 needles varying from 3 – 15, which I think is adequate for various knitting yarns.
Accessories
- Zipper pouch
- The bamboo needles are durable yet lightweight
- The bamboo needle does not obstruct the yarn.
- Best holding experience.
- Noiseless and smooth knitting experience.
- Interchangeability enhances productivity and maneuverability.
- With a sleek synthetic leather pouch.
- Tiresome when used with heavy yarn.
Clover has the best bamboo needles that I have ever used or reviewed. These bamboo needles are extremely light in weight and comfortable to use.
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For knitting small-size garments like gloves, socks, or baby garments, you need smaller knitting needles, and I realized that the hard way. For this, I have picked one of the best knitting needles for small garments.
Lykke is a famous Norwegian knitting brand working to provide the best knitting experience to its customers. It has a 3.5” small knitting needle set made of driftwood. I own one of Lykke’s driftwood needles, and they give a peculiar knitting experience. It’s a dry rocky textured driftwood with a firm grip resulting in a smooth knitting experience.
This knitting needles package has 9 needles in different sizes ranging from 3 – 10.5. Lykke’s driftwood needles are their first preference for most knitters as they are stylish with a peculiar knitting experience.
Accessories
- Denim case
- Pair of connectors
- Couple of keys and stoppers
- Appropriate size for small garments knitting.
- Rocky texture and peculiar grip.
- Smooth knitting experience.
- High maneuverability due to interchangeability.
- Elegant leather case.
- Not that durable.
- Size limitations for smaller garments.
If you are looking for small needles with remarkable knitting experience, then Lykke’s needles are an exceptional option. They are the best wooden knitting needles for small garments.
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Wooden needles usually come in dull and pale colors, which are not attractive to everyone; however, there are a few exceptions. Knit Picks has some of the most stylish wooden needles I have ever seen, for which I have listed them in my best knitting needles list.
These needles come in amazing colorways with a shiny and smooth polished surface. Furthermore, they are available in 7 different color variations, which I found to be the most attractive aspect of these needles.
However, it’s not just about style; these needles are made of laminated birch wood, which is quite hard. This gives it a firm grip and is enhanced durability. So their tips remain pointed for a longer time, giving you an exciting knitting experience.
Lastly, these needles have some of the most premium connecting cables I have ever seen. These are memory-free cables and don’t tangle or snag for a longer time. By remaining flexible for longer, they give you a comfortable knitting experience.
Accessories
- Vinyl case
- Connectors
- Pair of keys
- Number of stoppers
- Attractive design outlook and color variations.
- Smooth with perfectly tapered tips.
- Memory-free cables for snag-free knitting.
- The handy vinyl case for needle safety.
- Lightweight needles for nonstop knitting.
- Traditional issues with screw-type connectors.
- 9 sets of needles are sufficient, yet a relatively lesser size range.
If you want a wooden yet stylish and durable needle, then Knit Picks might have the best wooden knitting needles for you. They come in fabulous colorways and give a fantastic wooden knitting experience.
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If you want to knit in an enclosed circular shape, you need double-pointed knitting needles. And when it comes to that, Karbonz is one of the most preferred and best knitting needles that I found.
What I like most about this needle is its elegant construction. The tips of these double-pointed needle sets are made up of stainless steel, while the grip area is made of carbon fiber.
Thus its metallic tips give you higher knitting speed, and its carbon fiber area gives you a nonslip firm grip. This results in a balanced combination of speed and comfort. Moreover, these needles have a very appealing outlook that gives a professional vibe to the knitters.
Accessories
- Needles only.
- Strong yet lightweight.
- It can be used for both cobwebs and yarns
- Perfect for small to large level knitting
- It does not slip because of carbon fiber material.
- Highly economical in price.
- Tricker to use for beginners.
- Lacks size variations.
If you are looking for knitting enclosed circular knitwears and want a double pointed needle then Knitter’s Pride’s Karbonz are our straightforward recommendations. They are strong and tough with highly elegant design. However, you must see the size before buying.
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Whereas wooden knitting needles are preferred by many, metallic needles have their own grace and separate fan base. And when it comes to metal, ChiaoGoo offers some of the best metallic knitting needles, and its standard needles, 7500-C, lies on the top.
The two features I like most about the metallic needles are their speed and durability. The thread passes swiftly through its smooth stainless steel surface, and they offer significantly less resistance when sliding against each other.
Another remarkable thing about these needles is that they come with six different-sized connecting cables with a cable connector that enables you to extend the length further.
Lastly, this surgical-grade stainless steel makes it highly durable. While the wooden bamboo needles wear and break over time, this steel needle is a lifelong knitting partner.
Accessories
- Zipper case
- Project bag
- Pair of connectors
- Pair of keys
- Needle gauge
- Number of stitch markers
- Number of stoppers
- It has sharp points, making precision and delicacy simpler to achieve.
- Longer and sharper taper than other needles.
- Great for speedy knitting.
- These metal needles have a lifeline hole in the tip.
- Highly durable for lifelong usage.
- Better screw joint for better tightening.
- Not the perfect choice for beginners due to its sharpness and expensive price.
- Needles might be slippery due to their cylindrical design.
- Noisy sound of metal needles sliding over each other.
ChiaoGoo is one of the best metallic knitting needles with highly durable construction and an elegant outlook, which gives you high speed and maneuverability.
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While ChiaGoo needles were highly expensive and heavier in weight as they were made of stainless steel, I looked for a cheap alternative metallic needle. Obviously, it had to be of aluminum with a higher strength-to-weight ratio and a much lower price.
So I borrowed Rudi aluminum needles from one of my friends to get a firsthand experience. As expected, it was much lighter in weight than the steel needles I used earlier. So, it can be used for a much longer period without any rest.
Secondly, these needles are about 5 times less expensive than the expensive steel ones. However, all the aluminum needles you will find will be painted as their lustrous metallic surface dulls over time.
Accessories
- Zipper case
- Pair of connectors
- Pair of keys
- Point grippers
- Number of stoppers
- Aluminium makes them lightweight and highly durable.
- Complete knitting kit with a wide range of accessories.
- Comes in a wider range of sizes, from fine to thicker yarns.
- Attractive color coding.
- Not good for people who have arthritis hands.
- Needles are painted as made of aluminum.
If you are looking for metallic knitting needles that are cheaper and much lighter, then Rudi has the best cheap knitting needles for you. They provide aluminum needles that are lighter in weight yet are durable and faster.
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While most of the interchangeable needles I have ever seen have screw-type joints, which work great only if they are tightened properly, that is comparatively laborious work. And if they are not tightened properly, they start unscrewing over usage, which is sometimes disturbing for me.
For that, I was glad to find addi click needles – a German brand. These needles have a unique twist and lock-type joints, which I found very attractive and better in many ways. Most importantly, they get locked much quicker and are comparatively more secure. Thus, making them one of the best knitting needles.
However, it’s not just about the joint; I found these white brass needles highly elegant in design. Unlike nickel-plated needles, their metallic shine is even brighter and remains for longer as they are corrosion free.
Accessories
- Canvas case
- Project bag
- Pair of connectors
- Pair of keys
- Needle gauge
- Number of stoppers
- Quick connection due to state-of-the-art twist locking joints.
- Needles stay connected during knitting.
- Metal needles that are Smooth and fast to work with.
- More lustrous outlook as of brass.
- Noisy knitting due to metallic needles.
- A bit expensive but worth the price.
For those who want a different experience from traditional interchangeable metallic needles, addi click turbo is the best knitting needle set for them, especially due to its intelligently built joints.
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These are some of my favorite knitting needles and are very close to my heart as I learned knitting on these. These are straight-type knitting needles made of lightweight polished bamboo, giving them a traditional touch.
The best thing I like about these needles is that you don’t have to worry about the connecting cables getting lost or completely off. These extra-long 9” needles are adequate for knitting small to medium size garments.
Then these needles are really fast and easier to use as there are no strings attached. These needles are lightweight and provide a firm grip as well. Above all, these needles are the most economical you are going to find.
Accessories
- Only Needles.
- Most economical in price.
- Classical knitting experience.
- Extremely fast and easy to use.
- Extremely lightweight.
- Perfect grip as of bamboo.
- Suitable for a wide range of yarn thicknesses.
- Size limitations and not appropriate for larger garments.
- Not suitable for longer tasks as there are not stoppers.
- Not that durable.
BetyBedy is one of the most famous knitting brands currently on the market. It is one of the perfect DIY knitting needles with classical touch and large size variations. This makes it the best straight knitting needles.
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Now, these are specially designed straight needles for beginners that are made of stainless steel. Thus, they are highly durable and elegant in appeal. Surprisingly they are available at insanely low prices, so we have to put them on our top picks for the best knitting needle sets.
As they are of steel, my intuitions were that they would be heavy, but to my surprise, these needles are exceptionally lighter in weight. More interestingly, they are also available in aluminum, making the needles even lighter. Thus, nonstop knitting would be more comfortable than ever.
The package includes 11 sets of needles ranging from 2mm to 8mm, which is sufficient for regular usage. Furthermore, the package includes many auxiliary tools to make it a beginner’s starter kit.
Accessories
- Pouch
- Large eye needles
- Couple of stitch markers
- Measuring tape
- Hihhly economical in price.
- Classical knitting experience with modern needles.
- Extremely fast and easy to use.
- Exceptionally lightweight for steel needles.
- Suitable for a wide range of yarn thicknesses.
- Slippery grip as made of metal.
- Size and usage limitations.
If you are looking for a beginner-friendly metallic straight needle, then BCMRUN has the best knitting needle sets for you, which are lighter in weight and highly economical in price.
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A Quick Buying Guide for the Best Knitting Needles
Knitting needles come in various types, tips, materials, and sizes. But when choosing the knitting needles, always consider these two factors speed and weight. Because these two play an important role in maximizing the output. A knitting needle should balance both because it can help you knit faster on the yarn of your choice.
What do you look for when buying the best knitting needle that can be used for almost every knitting needle? Knitting needles revolve around length, style, tips, and material. Whenever you want to buy a knitting needle that best suits your needs, you must first figure out what you’ll be knitting, which yarn you will use, and how the needle is constructed.
Hence, one must look for the following factors before making a purchase.
Length
The area measured from the needle tip to the other side end is the needle length. When using a huge yarn, thin, long, straight, or circular needles should be used because they give some room for the stitches and make knitting faster.
And when using the smaller yarn or cobwebs, small needles can be used. The longer knitting needles have their uses, and short knitting needles have their own. The user has to select according to their project and needs.
Needle Tip
When buying a knitting needle, the tip is an important factor. There are two types of knitting needles tips:
- Pointed and Sharp Tip
- Blunted and Round Tip.
Both tips are used for different types of yarns and knitting. When knitting with fine yarns like lace, cobwebs, or other qualities, you should use needles with sharp and pointed tips.
The sharp and pointed tips are also known as the lace tips. These are best for doing tighter stitches and knitting gloves or socks. And for larger yarns, blunted and round-tip needles should be used. For example, cotton yarns, spun fibers, acrylic yarns, and many more. Some experts or experienced knitters prefer lace tip needles for every type of yarn because it helps speed knitting.
Material
A knitting needle can be made from bamboo wood, carbon fiber, aluminum, stainless steel, brass metal, etc. All of these materials have their own positive and negative.
Like needle made from bamboo wood is very lightweight and is best for people with arthritis hand. But bamboo knitting needles can slow down the knitting process of different materials.
The carbon fiber needles are a little bit heavier than the bamboo wood. But the carbon fiber needles have a strong grip. Carbon fiber needles have a brass metal tip. In addition, stainless steel and aluminum needles are also perfect for knitting, but stainless steel and aluminum tips can bend or break.
So these are some pros and cons of these different materials of knitting needles. Knitting needles are also made from plastic, but plastic knitting needles are mostly used for chunky and bulky yarns. Plastic needles can easily break as compared to metal or wood needles. The most preferred material nowadays is bamboo wood.
Style
There are around 4 styles/types of knitting needles. Those are straight, circular, interchangeable, and double-side pointed needles.
Straight needles are the oldest style of needles. You move the straight needles back and forth in the yarn for knitting. Knitting done with straight needles is known as flat knitting.
Circular needles are best for beginners or for people who have arthritis hands. Circular needles work with cords. The cords take up all the weight of the yarn knitted.
The next type of knitting needles is the interchangeable knitting needles. These are a wonderful alternative to circular needles because of their adaptability. A single pair of interchangeable needles can be used for knitting various lengths and sizes.
And the last one we have is the double-pointed knitting needles. They are mostly used for knitting gloves, socks, or hats. These are mostly used for smaller tasks or projects.
So when buying knitting needles, all of these factors should be considered first before making the purchase.
Final Verdict
If you are still confused and unable to select the best knitting needles set, here are some straightforward recommendations for the frequently inquired categories.
IMAGE | PRODUCTS | PRICE |
---|---|---|
#1 Best Over All
|
Clover Takaumi
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
#2 Best Metal
|
Addi Click Turbo
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
#3 Best Straight
|
BetyBedy Knitting Needles
|
Check on AmazonRead Full Review |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which of these are the best knitting needles for arthritis hands?
The best knitting needles for arthritis hands are made from bamboo wood. The knitting needles made from bamboo wood are very lightweight and smooth while knitting. Also, circular-type needles are more suitable for arthritis hands than any other type.
So any person facing any wrist or hands pain and joint pain in hands should use bamboo-made knitting needles.
For beginners, which is the best knitting needle?
For beginners, the best knitting needle is one that is made from bamboo wood. Because they are very lightweight, comfortable to use, and can handle medium-sized yarn easily.
What factors to look for when buying knitting needles?
There are four factors anybody should consider when buying knitting needles. Those are length, tip, shape, and material. By keeping these in mind, you can select the one which best suits you.
Can I use the same knitting needle for all my projects?
While selecting knitting needles, remember the type of item you’ll be working on, and then select the knitting needle according to your project.
Conclusion
I hope you have learned a lot about knitting needles and found what you were looking for, i.e.Best knitting needles as per your requirements. If you are passionate about knitting and sewing, keep following.
Have a nice day.
Hi, I am Doria Edwards. I started my journey of designing in high school. I wasn’t that rich to afford designer clothes, so I had to redesign my regular clothes by doing different Embroidery. Soon Embroidery became my hobby, and I decided to pursue it professionally by becoming and fashion designer. I hope that advice can guide you well in your sewing journey.