The Best Knitting Needles In 2023

Top 5 Best Knitting Needles 2023:

1. Addi Turbo Circular Knitting Needles
2. CLOVER Takumi Bamboo Knitting Needles
3. Knitters Pride Dreamz Deluxe Interchangeable Needle Set
4. Susan Bates Knitting Needles
5. Knitter’s Pride Karbonz Knitting Needles

If you think that knitting is reserved for old ladies only, you are entirely wrong. In the era of DIY projects frenzy and vintage fashion comeback, knitting is as popular as ever regardless of your age.

What do you need to start knitting and be successful at it?

You cannot do without knitting needles and yarn. Not just any will do either; you have to think twice before you choose your tools, especially if you want to become a prosperous knitter.

The combination of needles and yarn will make or break your project. For this reason, we will help you find the best knitting needles on the market.

We will review the best ones so that you can consider all their pros and cons and pick the right product for your needs. Keep on reading to learn all there is about knitting needles.

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5 Best Knitting Needles In 2023: Detailed Reviews

1. CLOVER Takumi Bamboo Knitting Needles – Eco-minded lightweight needles

Clover Takumi Bamboo knitting needles are size 8, 9-inch long, single point straight needles. They are sleek and feel smooth. These needles are suitable for beginner users since polished bamboo allows yarn to move smoothly over their surface and keeps stitches in place. 

Thanks to the high-density structured Japanese bamboo, these needles are built to last. Bamboo is a renewable resource, and thus these Takumi knitting needles are environment-friendly and a perfect choice for all eco-minded knitters.

They are rather lightweight, but if you paired them up with a bulky yarn, you might still find them tiresome to work with, especially if you already suffer from hand or arm pain. If you are into speedy knitting, you will surely feel that these needles are slower than many others when powering through projects. They are best suited for small projects such as baby wardrobe, sleeves, or scarfs.

2. Susan Bates Knitting Needles – Best plastic jumbo needles for bulky & chunky yarns

Susan Bates jumbo size knitting needles are 14 inches long, size 50, single point needles suitable for bulky and chunky yarns such as cotton rope. Even though they are quite large, these needles are still rather lightweight and weigh only 2.4 ounces. You might still find them too heavy, primarily when you use a heavier yarn, or you already experience hand or arm pain.

These Susan Bates plastic knitting needles are best suited for knitters that want to finish a large yarn project quickly. The bigger the yarn, the larger the stitches will be, and you’ll need fewer of them to complete your project. You can use these needles when experimenting with double or triple stranded knitting too.

Beginners may find these needles too big or too uncomfortable to learn advanced knitting techniques. On the other hand, being large-sized, these needles are an excellent choice for knitters who have difficulty gripping smaller needles. 

3. Knitters Pride Dreamz Deluxe Interchangeable Needle Set – Beginner-friendly needle set for all sorts of knitting projects

Knitters Pride Dreamz Deluxe Interchangeable needle set is a complete set that is sure to help you create knitted masterpieces. The set comes in a practical carrying case and includes nine different tips from US 4 to US 11 (metric 3.5 – 8mm) and four cords measuring 24″, 32″, and 40″. You also receive size markers, end caps, and cord keys.

The needles are made from high quality densified laminated birchwood. Birchwood is harder than rosewood or ebony and will last you a lifetime. On the downside, it is more expensive too. 

This Knitters Pride needles feature perfectly tapered points suitable for all types of yarns and knitting projects you can think of. The wood surface prevents stitches from dropping and is suitable for beginners and experienced knitters alike.

4. Knitter’s Pride Karbonz Knitting Needles – Extra-strong double-pointed knitting needles for delicate projects

Karbonz Double Pointed Knitting Needles are 6″ long, size 00/1.75mm. They are made with carbon fiber, which makes them lightweight and robust but also eliminates the slipperiness that is the primary problem users face when using stainless steel double-pointed needles. 

Most double-pointed needles start at US size 0. Still, Knitter’s Pride Karbonz needles start at US size 00000, which makes them suitable for most delicate knitting projects out there. This particular size can be used with yarns ranging from cobweb and lace weight yarn to much more bulky yarns.

Double pointed needles are, in general, more challenging for beginner knitters. Still, you can use tip protectors to prevent stitches from sliding off these needles. Experienced knitters can refrain from using the protectors in order to gain some speed and move from needle to needle more quickly.

5. Addi Turbo Circular Knitting Needles – Ideal for projects that require both speed and precision

Addi Turbo Circular Knitting Needles are your best option for quick knits. Therefore, if you are an experienced user that would like to save some time by making your knits in the shortest possible time, you should definitely try these Addi Turbo circular knitting needles. 

They are constructed for easy usage and high speed and precision. The tapered brass tip, paired up with blue cords and snag-free joins from Skacel, guarantee years of trouble-free use. In fact, these circular needles come with a lifetime warranty on any defect from the manufacturer for your peace of mind, just make sure you buy the original product. They are designed and produced in Germany. 

We have tested size US 06 (4.0mm) with a 32 inch (80cm) cord, but there are numerous size options available. The Addi Turbo circular needles we have reviewed work best for lace knits and smaller craft projects.

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What To Consider When Shopping For The Best Knitting Needles?

There are many things you need to consider before you buy a pair of knitting needles. They come in a variety of styles, lengths, tips, and are made of different materials.

First of all, your choice will depend on your level of experience. If you are an experienced knitter, chances are you have developed muscle memory and needed skill and will benefit from slick texture speed knitting needles. A beginner knitter, on the other hand, requires different shape and texture and would thus probably feel much more comfortable using a pair of straight needles with an anti-slip coating.

Every knitter needs to find knitting needles that will work best for their needs. The best knitting needles should be made of the material that works best for you, your yarn choice, and your knitting project but also within your budget.

Our guide will define the criteria, but you also need to try out and experiment with different types of needles in order to find a perfect fit for you. With all this in mind, read on and learn about all the things you should consider when buying knitting needles:

1. Length

The length of the needle is measured from the needle tip to its opposite end, and it does not include the stop or end cap on straight needles.

The longer needles are best used in combination with a large-sized yarn. The longer the needle, the more room you have to space out the stitches. 

The needle length should be considered in relation to the number of stitches in a pattern and the type of your knitting project. For example,  if you have a circular knitting project, and you need to knit 25 stitches of lightweight yarn, a 16″ circular needle will be an appropriate choice. On the other hand, a 40″ circular needle won’t work since there are not enough stitches to go around all 40 inches.

2. Tip

The tip of a knitting needle is another vital consideration. There are two options for you to choose from:

• Sharp And Pointed Tip: Suitable for fine yarns such as lace, cobweb, or fingering. If you use a small size needle to knit socks or gloves, a sharp tip will make knitting tight stitches much more manageable. Pointed tipped needles are more suitable for twisted stitches or multiple stitches too.
• Round And Blunted Tip: Rounded tipped needles are best paired with larger yarn weights. They are an excellent choice for the yarn that splits easily, such as cotton, novelty, or acrylic yarns. Blunt tips are slower, too, and thus not the best option for speed knitting.

3. Type 

There are different types of knitting needles intended for all sorts of knitting projects. You should learn all about these types in order to choose the one that best suits your current project and your needs and requirements.

Circular Needles

Circular needles are appropriate for big projects due to their sharp, pointed ends and flexible cable. The cable not only connects them but also holds the weight of your project. They are an excellent choice for travel knitting too.

All the projects that are knitted horizontally can be completed with a circular type of knitting needles. You can use them to knit blankets, sweaters, scarves, knitted hats, and socks. You can opt for fixed or interchangeable circular needles, according to your needs and preferences.

Straight Needles 

Straight needles are the best choice for newbies since they feature a knob at one end and a point on the other, preventing the stitches from slipping off. They are affordable and perfect for hobbyists and people who want to try to learn knitting. 

You can use the straight needles to complete small basic knitting projects, make dishcloths, mitts, and scarves. They are sold in pairs and different lengths from 7 to 14 inches. Their biggest disadvantage is their inflexibility. 

Double Pointed Needles

Double pointed needles are straight, short, and feature points on both ends. They come in different sizes (5, 6, and 8 inches) and are sold in pairs by five or four, which makes them ideal for knitting in the round.

You can use them to knit socks, baby hats, and other basic projects. You need to practice a bit before you get used to them so as to prevent the stitches from slipping off.

Interchangeable Needles

We have already mentioned that circular needles can be fixed or interchangeable. Interchangeable needles come in sets that contain various needle ends and cables. As a result, you can make different combinations and create needles of different sizes and lengths.

Interchangeable needles are both versatile and flexible and can thus be used for both small and big knitting projects. On the downside, they cost more than other types of needles.

Cable Needles

You should buy cable needles only if you are knitting cables. They are short, hooked or straight, and quite cheap.

See Also: The Best Sock For Sweaty Feet

4. Material

The material your knitting needles are made of matters too. Consider the following options:

• Wood: Most often, wooden needles are made of rosewood or ebony. They are lightweight and can be found in bright colors or attractive designs. The most significant disadvantage is that they can be broken. Another problem might be their lower speed of knitting in comparison to other needles.
• Metal: Many professional knitters swear in metal needles. They are the most popular option and thus, mass-produced. Metal needles are reasonably priced and offer stability and durability. You might be annoyed by the clicking sound they make while knitting, though. Moreover, they are not flexible enough for some projects. 
• Plastic: Plastic needles are lightweight and flexible. They are a perfect choice for people who prefer knitting with large needles. You can find them in various colors and designs that can add fun to your projects. If you purchase the ones without the metal core, you need to be extra careful not to deform them or break them. 
• Bamboo: Bamboo needles are lightweight, easy to use, and come in cool designs. They are environment-friendly too. Unlike wooden needles, they will not slow down your knitting since they are quite flexible. The bigger the bamboo needle is, the more resilient it will be. 
• Casein: Casein needles are made of milk protein and are much like plastic knitting needles. They come in different pearly colors and feature blunt short points. You can use them for most basic projects, but be sure to keep them away from the sun or heat as they can melt.

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Final Thoughts

If you want to have fun knitting and get the best out of each of your projects, you must have the best knitting needles on your side. We hope that our buying guide and Top 5 list have helped you find them. 

In case that picking the best knitting needles still feels too overwhelming for you, look at our final recommendations.

If you are an experienced knitter in need of speed and precision, your best choice are Addi Turbo Circular Knitting Needles. They come in numerous sizes to fit any project and will help you finish your work in record time.

While interchangeable and circular needles are the most popular option that dominates the knitting industry and sales, beginner users should still stick to the single point straight needles such as CLOVER Takumi Bamboo Knitting Needles. They might feel a bit heavy and slow, but they nevertheless provide a wide range of items to be created even for the newbies. 

Any of our recommendations will help you become a better knitter and enjoy this rewarding craft. Do not waste any time, buy the best knitting needles, and start knitting ASAP. It will help put your mind to rest while creating unique garments for your loved ones.