What Is The Best Size Knitting Needles For Beginners

Discover out exactly how to Select Knitting Needles for Beginners in our Absolute Beginner Knitting Series.

So far, we've identified the iv materials y'all'll need to start knitting: Yarn, Needles, Scissors, and a Tapestry Needle. Then we took a closer look at the types of Knitting Yarn available.

Together, let's figure out exactly which needles will best help you outset knitting today!

Ten pairs of wooden bamboo knitting needles arranged in a circular pattern atop a green background.

Best KNITTING NEEDLES TYPE FOR BEGINNERS

Directly NEEDLES

Ten pairs of straight wood bamboo knitting needles arranged in a circle on a green background

We will be using Direct Knitting Needles in this Series, which are two identical needles that are straight like pencils.

There are a diverseness of Knitting Needle types, similar double pointed, circular, cable, and even the new curved needles. Simply nosotros are keeping it onetime schoolhouse and using traditional, direct needles while we learn how to knit.

Two straight knitting needles, a circular knitting needle, and a metal cable needle on a green background

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KNITTING NEEDLE SIZE CHOICES

Size 11 U.s.a. (8mm) or Larger

Larger needles are usually best for beginning knitters. I personally like size eleven US and bigger for beginner knitting projects.

In that location are 4 different systems for labeling Knitting Needle Size: Metric, US, Uk, and Japanese. While shopping, y'all'll discover that most needles are labeled with both the Metric (MM) and The states (US) numbers, so we'll focus on those 2 numbers.

A close-up of metal knitting needles in size 13 US 9.0 mm held by hands

A close up of two wood bamboo knitting needles in size 10.5 US 6.5 mm

KNITTING NEEDLES SIZE FOR YARN

As mentioned when we looked at Choosing Yarn, we are pairing upwards your Knitting Needle Size to your Yarn Weight. Let'due south take a await at Craft Yarn Council's Standard Yarn Weight System, helping usa to figure out which yarn and needles are all-time paired together.

If you are purchasing new knitting needles and decide to select size 11 United states of america or larger, as I suggest, that means you'll exist on the hunt for Super Bulky weight yarns (#6) or the newly created Jumbo weight (#7) by the Standard Yarn Weight Organisation.

Standard Yarn Weight System by the Yarn Craft Council

BENEFITS OF KNITTING WITH LARGER NEEDLES FOR BEGINNING KNITTERS

These larger sized needles are easier to handle. When starting out, many kickoff knitters feel more secure with substantially sized needles in their hands.

How to Select Yarn to Start Knitting in the Absolute Beginner Knitting Series by Studio Knit

Another great benefit to knitting with larger needles is that your knitted piece will knit up faster! Heavier weighted yarns create larger knitted pieces, meaning you'll finish that scarf, hat, or pillow faster when using larger knitting tools. Sweet!

Again, if a friend has lent you some costless needles, utilise them! Even if they're on the smaller side of the size range, hey, you lot tin't beat out gratis! Just refer to the chart to see which yarn weight pairs upward best with your needles.

DIFFERENT KNITTING NEEDLES MATERIALS

Knitter's Choice!

There are three chief types of Knitting Needle Materials: Wood, Aluminum, and Plastic.

Close up of pairs of knitting needles in wood bamboo, metal, and plastic materials

Wood NEEDLES

This is my personal favorite, as I typically knit with bamboo wood needles.

These can be a little bit on the more expensive terminate of the spectrum. Just, one set of bamboo needles can be purchased for under x dollars, then information technology's not that crazy. I like the traditional look and feel of the woods needles. They hold up great throughout the years and will last a long fourth dimension, as well.

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ALUMINUM NEEDLES

Many knitters swear by aluminum needles, especially loving how rapidly the yarn slides off their needles.

I've found that beginning knitters sometimes can go frustrated past them, only if you already have these on mitt, give them a endeavor. I was handed downwards my aluminum needles from my late grandmother and aunt, who were both speed knitters. They might become your favorite knitting material, likewise.

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PLASTIC NEEDLES

This is usually the nearly inexpensive of the knitting needle types and a fine option for beginning knitters. The yarn volition slide nicely off your needle, but won't exist too slippery like aluminum. There is usually a really large selection of plastic needles at craft stores, so they're really easy to find, also.

Decide on Knitting Yarn & Needles to Purchase

Now that you lot understand all the nuts of Knitting Yarn and how to select the appropriate sized tools, there's nothing holding y'all dorsum from purchasing them now!

Once you're shopping or ordering, make certain to add together in a Tapestry Needle to your gild.

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I promise you are inspired to select your knitting tools with confidence in your adjacent knitting project. If y'all'd like even more groovy knitting ideas, delight make sure yous join my mailing list. Subscribing to my YouTube channel Studio Knit is some other free and easy way for the states to stay connected and help support my work.

Happy Knitting to Yous!