
A knitter’s stash has a variety of knitting needles, sizes and materials all serving different purposes. Selecting the appropriate knitting needles is essential. There are various types of needles available in the market but choosing the right one for your project needs careful consideration. But don't worry, in addition to helping you choose the best material for your knitting, this blog will explain the various kinds of knitting needles, such as circular and double-pointed needles. You can refer to our blog for a guide to Lantern Moon needles.
Understanding the Needle Types
Let's understand the basic needle types that you use for your projects:
1. Single Pointed or Straight Needles
Best for: Flat Knitting (Back-and-Forth)
The classic knitting needle comes in a pair with a point at one end and a stopper at the other. They are great for beginners in fact most have learned knitting on them. They work best for flat knitting projects. Usually, these needles come in a range of lengths and standard sizes to suit a variety of project sizes. Lantern Moon's single-pointed knitting needles are handcrafted from premium ebony wood.
2. Destiny Circular Knitting needles
Best for: Knitting flat & in the Round
With two needle tips joined by a flexible cord, circular needles are useful for flat and round knitting. Because they relieve wrist pain by allowing the weight of the fabric to rest on your lap, they are ideal for larger projects like blankets, shawls, and sweaters. Knitters love Lantern Moon Destiny circular needles for seamless knitting experiences because of their smooth connection, flexible cords, and attractive appearance. The needle tip is created to work with every type of yarn. The cord is also expertly designed to avoid twisting and lay flat when storing it. Destiny Fixed Circulars (FCNs) come in the standard range of sizes with a fixed cable length varying from approximately 16 inches (40cm) to 40 inches (100cm) depending on your needs.
3. Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles
Best for: Flat Knitting & Knitting in the Round
One of the fantastic needle types for knitters. Interchangeable needles like fixed circular needles consist of two straight needles and a flexible cord. However, interchangeable needles allow changing of tips and cords to combine different lengths and sizes according to a project or knitter’s comfort.
Lantern Moon offers individual tips in 4 and 5-inch lengths as well as interchangeable circular knitting needle sets. The Lantern Moon needle sets prevent you from having to buy dozens of different pairs and offer a versatile option of various needle sizes and cord lengths along with accessories.
4. Double Pointed Knitting Needles
Best for: Knitting in the Round
Just as the name suggests, double-pointed knitting needles have points on both ends. They are shorter than straight needles (usually between 4 and 8 inches in length) and come in sets of 5.
DPNs are only used to knit in the round, especially the small circumference knitting projects. Though knitting with them seems fiddly, it is the old and trusted way to knit in the round. DPNs are handy tools to knit even when circular needles can’t accommodate the smallest knitting projects such as fingers of gloves or the top of hats, etc. Working with double-pointed needles is often challenging for beginners. To help you master knitting small circumferences in the round explore 10 tricks and tips to knit smoothly with double pointed needles.
Besides these finishing needles and cable needles are also knitters’ handy tools. The cable needles are exclusively used for cable knitting patterns while finishing needles are used in both knitting and crochet projects to weave in yarn ends and repair some mistakes.
Here’s a quick guide to the different knitting needle types:
Needle Type |
Description |
Best Uses |
Single-Pointed Needles |
Straight needles with a pointed tip on one end and a stopper on the other. |
Flat knitting, such as scarves, dishcloths, and panels for blankets. |
Double-Pointed Needles (DPNs) |
Needles pointed at both ends, typically sold in sets of 4–5. |
Small, tubular projects like socks, mittens, hats, and seamless sleeves. |
Circular Needles |
Two short needles are connected by a flexible cord. |
Knitting in the round for hats, sweaters, and blankets; also used for flat knitting. |
Interchangeable Needles - 4” & 5” |
Detachable tips and cords for flexible length adjustments. |
A versatile option for various projects, from small pieces to large garments. |
Cable Needles |
Short, grooved needles are designed to hold stitches temporarily. |
Creating cable patterns in projects like sweaters and blankets. |
The Material - What is best for you?
Your knitting experience is greatly affected by the knitting material you choose for your project. But every knitter has their own preference without any right or wrong. Wooden knitting needles are preferred for warmth and smoothness, providing a nice grip that lowers the possibility of stitches being dropped. They work wonders with the silk yarns. Handcrafted from high-quality ebony wood, Lantern Moon wooden needles ensure a flawless finish and an opulent knitting experience. For knitters who prefer a natural feel, these are ideal. Learn the best yarn to pair with your wooden knitting needles. Metals such as stainless steel, brass and aluminium are loved for speed and durability while bamboo is similar to wood.
It is always recommended to work with premium knitting needles, which are available in various sizes. You can read our blog and understand knitting needle sizes. The wooden needles from Lantern Moon are handcrafted by skilled artisans and are made from ebony wood that provides smooth knitting. With a precision point, 24k brass plated connectors, fixed cords, and nylon-coated stainless steel offer a luxurious knitting experience.