Best Interchangeable Knitting Needles

If you’re knitting something circular, such as a knit cap, socks, or sleeves, circular knitting needles are just what you need. (They can also be used for straight projects, when the project is something very long, such as a blanket.) But, occasionally you’ll want to change the diameter of the knitting needles that you are using. Interchangeable knitting needles are pairs of needles that are connected by means of a nylon cable that is screwed onto the needle’s base. A set of circular knitting needles will include a few cables of different lengths--this gives you greater versatility when knitting. There is a cord key that allows you to tighten the cable onto the knitting needle.

But knitting needle sets will differ in the material of the needles, the number of pairs of needles in the set, the lengths of the cables, and more. You’ll see needles made from bamboo, from metal, or from carbon--each giving a different weight and feel. You’ll want to get some details before deciding which is best for you.

We’ve composed this buyer’s guide to help you make the right decision when selecting interchangeable knitting needles. It'll help you:

• Choose the right type of interchangeable knitting needles,

• See useful tips about that particular type of interchangeable knitting needles,

• Read reviews of different interchangeable knitting needles, and what customers are saying,

• Select the right brand of interchangeable knitting needles, and

• Compare prices and find the best deals.

We can find interchangeable knitting needle sets in a variety of materials.
Each has certain advantages, which can tip the scales in choosing one over another.

• Wood/Bamboo: Wood and bamboo are traditional materials for knitting needles, and have a certain “warm” feeling. Bamboo tends to be more sturdy than wood. The KnitPicks Needle Set is made from wood, and the Clover needles are made from bamboo.

• Carbon Fiber: This has a high tensile strength, which allows the needles to bend without breaking, but is also lightweight, so that there is no fatigue when knitting for a long time. The Knitter’s Pride Karbonz Deluxe Special Interchangeable Needle Set is made from carbon fiber, but with nickel-plated brass tips.

• Plastic: Plastic needles will be lightweight and less expensive--but they can also be more brittle. The Denise Needles Interchangeable Knitting Brights set are made from plastic.

• Metal: You’ll also find needles made from metal, typically aluminum or steel. These are very durable, but also tend to be heavier. That might be a factor when using needles with a very large gauge.

• Ways of changing needles: Some needle sets require you to use a cord key to detach the needle from the cable and attach it to another needle. There is also a “twist and click” type cable connection, which some people find easier to use, as in the Denise Needle set.

• Cleaning the cables: Some customers notice that the cables start to get sticky from perspiration as you work with them for an extended period of time. It’s recommended to clean off the needles and cables every so often with alcohol--otherwise, the residue might remain on your knitting project.

• Number of pairs in the set: You’ll see a range of needle sizes in each set. Many sets that we reviewed had 7 pairs of needles, ranging from Size 2 to Size 8 (US sizes), as in the ChiaoGoo needles. The Clover sets had 12 pairs of needles, ranging from Size 3 to Size 15. They also offer 5 different nylon cord lengths, ranging from 16”, 24”, 29”, 36”, and 48” lengths.

• Needle gauge: Different needles will produce a different number of stitches per inch. A needle gauge is a useful device, which allows you to identify the needle that you want for your project (even though most patterns will already say which needle to use). It will also eliminate some of the confusion about the US, UK, and Japanese standards in needle sizes.

• End caps: Since interchangeable knitting needles are far larger projects, you will probably have to stop in the middle. You’ll find that end caps, or point protectors, that fit on the needle tips will secure your work in place so that it doesn’t slip off the needle.

• Stitch Markers: A very useful aid when doing circular stitching is the stitch marker. In straight stitching, the beginning and end of each row is well-defined. But that’s not so in circular stitching. So, a stitch marker is something that you insert in your project to indicate when you should start adding to the next round in the opposite direction.

ChiaoGoo Needle Gauge

Clover Stitch Markers

Knit Picks Point Protectors/End Caps

• Knitter’s Pride--was founded in 2006. They are makers of a large range of sets of knitting needles and crochet hooks, as well as accessories that make knitting and crochet significantly easier. They make blockers (which maintain tension between sections of the fabric), yarn cutters, repair hooks, wool needles, and more.

• Denise Needles--are makers of crochet hooks, knitting needles, and interchangeable needles. They started making needles in the 1970s and were the originators of the interchangeable design. They are presently owned by the Krag family, operating from Virginia.

• Clover--are makers of products for knitting, crochet, sewing, quilting, and other crafts. They were founded by Toshio Okada in 1925 of Osaka, Japan. The company became Clover USA in 1983 when it moved to Los Angeles, California. They have a wide selection of knitting needles, crochet hooks, interchangeable hooks, embroidery tools, and more.

• ChiaoGoo--is a brand of knitting and crochet tools and a division of the Westing Bridge LLC. The headquarters is in Troy, Michigan, while the manufacturing is done in Hangzhou, China. They make single and double point needles, as well as interchangeable needles , circular needles, and crochet hooks.

• Knit Picks--was founded in 2002 by Kelley and Bob Petkun, as an online knit shop, selling knitting and crochet equipment. They sell wood, acrylic, and nickel plated knitting needles, yarns, knitting books and knitting supplies. They also give knitting tutorials.