Circular knitting needles

[MissMoogle]

As part of learning to knit, I'm keen to learn to knit using circular needles, however the ones I currently have, the cable is too long for things like hats.

Has anyone used the ones with the interchangeable cables, and if so, are they any good?

I have tried double pointed needles, but I just cant get on with them sadly, and keep stabbing myself with the bloody things!

If they're too long you might be able to use a method called the magic loop for

Doing hats or smaller circumference items. Look up some videos on YouTube.

You can get ones with interchangeable cables, I have a Knit Pro set. I'm not a massive fan though, I find that the needle unscrews from the cable as I knit and I keep having to remember to stop regularly and screw it back up again.

I have a set of knit pro interchangeable needles and love them, barely use anything else! However, they're a bit of an investment so I do recommend the 'magic loop' method in the meantime if you're not sure. YouTube is your friend! Happy knitting!

I have the knit pro symfonie interchangeable needles and love them. I don't have any problems with the needles unscrewing part way through and with them being wood rather than metal they're not slippy.

I bought a set which gives the basic sixes and a couple of different length cables then topped up with other sizes as needed.

I have recently started using Double pointed needles though and after a few false starts and feeling like I was juggling hedgehogs, they do make knitting in the round easier especially with small circumference items like mittens or socks.

Another recommendation for magic loop - once you’ve got the hang of it it’s easy, and you don’t need to change to double pointed needles even to close up hats.

Love circulars , I knit everything in them now , also magic loop is a revelation . Very Pink knots on You tube has some very good tutorials

Yes, Knit Pro needles are great but they do cost. The magic loop method is a good alternative and quite easy to pick up, OP - have a practice with some YouTube videos. I shied away from it for ages (knitted socks on double pointed needles etc etc) until I bit the bullet one day and realised how simple it really was. I'm sure you'll get the hang quickly.

I have the knit pro interchangeables with wooden tips for 4mm + and metal tips for the smaller sizes (as I find the wooden ones snap quite easily), however I tend to use long cables for even small projects like hats and sleeves, I'm not sure if what I do is "magic loop", but it works well and is much easier than a very short cable.

I prefer the fixed ends personally , I find the interchangeable ones sometimes catch .