Any time you need a different needle size it means another trip to the store, but not with a set of interchangeable knitting needles. These products are time and money savers, not to mention easy to use. It can be pretty satisfying starting a new project knowing you have the knitting needle to tackle the task.
This is only the case when using a quality product, and some are better than others. Because of this, we have created the following list of the best interchangeable knitting needles. Each one comes with plenty of needles, some have added accessories included but what each product enjoys is a stellar reputation.
- Editor’s Choice
Knit Picks Options Wood Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set – US 4-11 (Radiant) (Amazon) – Review - Best Bamboo
CLOVER Takumi Combo Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles (Amazon) – Review - Most Durable
ChiaoGoo 7400-C Twist Tip Interchangeable Complete Set, 4-Inch (Amazon) – Review - Best Affordable
Knitter’s Pride Zing Deluxe Interchangeable Needles Set, Multi (Amazon) – Review - Best Value
Delaman Interchangeable Knitting Needles, Circular Knitting Needles (Amazon) – Review - Best Compact
CHIAOGOO Interchangeable Needle Tips, Twist Red Lace Mini, Stainless Steel, Red (Amazon) – Review
Editor’s Choice: Knit Picks Options Wood Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set – US 4-11 (Radiant)
With everything needed to take on a wide range of projects, these are our picks for the best interchangeable knitting needles. Not only do they have US sizes from 4 to 11 but this includes 9 pairs of needles that measure 4.75 inches long. The vinyl carry case keeps everything intact and makes it easy to arrange the needles yet keeps them secure with its snap shut mechanism.
The needles themselves look great, with a laminated birch design that has an array of colors and the flexible cables are easy to connect and ensure snag-free knitting. This makes every project more comfortable and these certainly have the feel of a product that can be relied upon with every use. There are even metal tightening keys included that makes everything fit tightly after changing between needles.
- The US sizes 4 to 11
- 9 pairs of needles
- 4.75 inch long needles
- Pleasant birch design
- Good value
Best Bamboo : CLOVER Takumi Combo Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles
As close to luxury as one can get in the world of interchangeable knitting needles. The pack includes 12 different needle sizes and 5 cord sizes to combine for a generous 60 different combinations. The leather case has been made to store everything so that it is easy to select the right needle yet also looks and feels good.
There is a smooth finish to the needle tip to make for seamless knitting and the quality is clear, especially since they are made in Japan. They are made from premium Takumi bamboo and the 5 cord lengths vary between 16 to 48-inches. The screw connections are easy to secure and feel tight and every stitch has a smooth slide.
- 12 needles and 5 cord sizes
- Quality leather case
- Premium Takumi bamboo
- Smooth slide
- May be a bit pricey for some
Most Durable: ChiaoGoo 7400-C Twist Tip Interchangeable Complete Set, 4-Inch
With stainless steel tips and twist red cables that are memory free, this is an excellent interchangeable knitting needle set. The 4-inch tips have a quality feel and there are plenty of accessories included in this set. Expect to find everything needed for hassle-free knitting projects such as end stoppers, T-shaped tightening keys, fabric case with a zipper enclosure, stitch markers, and more.
Many of these are switchable and the 13 pairs of tips that range in sizes from US 2 to 15 and can be put to multiple uses with a smooth join. These are some of the highest-rated interchangeable knitting needles around because of the ease of use, quality of the materials, and value.
- 13 pairs of stainless steel tips
- US size 2 to 15
- Lots of accessories
- Highly rated
- Not everyone likes to use stainless steel tips
Best Affordable: Knitter’s Pride Zing Deluxe Interchangeable Needles Set, Multi
It’s difficult to find quality interchangeable knitting needles for this price, but Knitter’s Pride has made it possible. We like the variety. Included are 9 needles with 4 cords to open up plenty of possibilities for different projects and one set of cord connectors to tie everything together.
The fabric case has a nice feel about it and some of the sizes include 4/3. 5mm; 5/3. 75; 10/6mm; 10. 5/6. 5mm; 11/8mm. The smooth aluminum needles feel good yet have a decent amount of grip to ensure easy knitting when everything is in place. Using the same size connectors has been made simple and affordable so this is definitely one to consider for beginners or those on a budget.
- 9 needles
- Quality fabric case
- Great value
- Smooth yet with decent grip
- Not as much variety as more expensive options
Best Value: Delaman Interchangeable Knitting Needles, Circular Knitting Needles
Another good set of interchangeable knitting needles that won’t break the bank. Made from bamboo and circular, they have a nice smooth feel with enough grip to ensure each project runs smoothly and as fast as those fingers will go. The carbonized bamboo and aluminum ensures they will never rust and there is plenty of variety on offer.
The PU bag keeps everything together and there are some neat extras such as a tool patch and mini spanner. Of course, there are the expected parts such as an extended connection tool. Needle sizes range from 2.75 mm to 10 mm and the cable length can be approximately 32cm, 38 cm, 42.5cm, and 55 cm.
- Quality bamboo and aluminum
- Lots of needle sizes
- PU bag
- Neat extras
- Not everyone wants bamboo
Best Compact: CHIAOGOO Interchangeable Needle Tips, Twist Red Lace Mini, Stainless Steel, Red
Another good option and again, not too pricey. This means you may have to compromise on some of the variety but there is enough to keep most people happy. These are compact, so expect thin and short needles, ideal for anyone who travels and needs to pack down small.
Included are 12 pairs of needle tips as well as 6 thicknesses to choose from as well as 3 red patented ropes. These are ion sizes of 13 cm, 15 cm, and 20 cm. Also, 2 cable connectors feel sturdy and the red bag has a nice feel to it where other brands might feel cheaper in this area. The mounting hole in the tips ensures a strong connection adding to what is a quality set of interchangeable knitting needles.
- Compact but with enough inside
- Thin and short needles
- 12 pairs of tips
- 6 thicknesses
- Some people prefer bigger needles
The more experienced the knitter, the more variety they will need for new projects. This is where Interchangeable Knitting Needles are such a good option. Not only do they save money, but they make it easy to keep everything in one place. Getting started on a new scarf or garment should be easier as a result.
Expect variety, and quality materials for the needles to last a long time. This is only possible when using a quality product. Because of this, we have created the following buyer’s guide.
Variety
Only with a sizable array of knitting needles can the user undertake pretty much any knitting project. This is why it is important to get as many as possible. Look for the size of the tips, anything from 3.5 inches for a short tip to 5.5 for the long tips.
Material
Some are better than others but when choosing the best Interchangeable Knitting Needles you will want to pay attention as to what suits you best. Some prefer the slight tackiness of bamboo whilst others stick with aluminum. There are other options of course, but the likes of plastic, stainless steel, and wood aren’t as popular for a reason.
Connection Point
The better the quality here, the more comfortable it will be to the user and the smoother the knitting. Some brands include a click in between the needle and cable, whilst others will opt for a screw in.
Sharpness
Some people prefer needles that are sharper than others, it can make for more accurate knitting and give a better grip of the yarn. Otherwise, the smoother curves can be less of a hazard but at times, are more challenging to work with.
Cables
To hold the knitted stitches, a quality cable is a must. Your options are limited to plastic or coated plastic. Much like regular knitting cables, a swivel cord will come in handy if you don’t want anything getting bunched up.
Quality Bag
To keep everything together, a quality bag is important. Low-quality bags tend to be made from plastic and will be an area where brands try and save a bit of money. Fabric bags or the likes are going to offer better protection, as well as feel and look better. Without a bag, the user risks misplacing connectors, needles, or tips which can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the kit.
Rubber Grips
These help to make everything attach easily. Without them, the set isn’t as complete so brands that try to sell a product without them may not be as reputable.
One of the major benefits of using them is that they allow the user to change needle size whilst knitting swatch and use the needles for multiple projects at the same time. Of course, they are easier to organize and save space in the knitting bag.
Then there is the fact that they save the user money as only one pair per set is needed, the same goes for the cables, only one of every length is required. Although the initial outlay can be more expensive, investing in interchangeable knitting needles can save money in the long run. The price of individual pairs of needles can really add up. It is also possible to use different sized needles to even out a gauge.
This shouldn’t be a problem but can be with some brands. One of the main culprits can be not using the grip properly. Otherwise, it might be the fault of the product itself so be sure to do the right research to find a quality brand.
Although it is rare for them to become loose, especially when using a quality product, using the needle grip can help tighten them. Some products use a slightly different approach but this is the most common.
Well the idea of buying them is that they can be used on pretty much any project. It all starts small so if you are looking to make baby-sized items, particularly socks then that is a good place to begin. A short cable and tips will make this easy. Then of course knitting scarves and slightly bigger items is easy and can make good use of some of the medium-sized needles.
After this, the larger needles can be used to make sweaters. If you realize the needle is too short, just remove the tip and attach another – that’s the beauty of using interchangeable knitting needles.
Although the initial outlay might seem a fair bit higher than regular needles, the savings will soon become apparent when other people would usually need to buy individual sets. Expect to pay anything from $50 for a budget set to $400 for the upmarket products. These will provide more variety and provide needles made from high-quality materials. A telltale sign is often in the case that is included. The higher the quality of this, the better the product is likely to be.
After reviewing multiple products, we found the best to be Knit Picks Options Wood Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set. With US sizes that range from 4-11, there are plenty of needle options to tackle different projects. At 4.75 inches long, they are the ideal size for most knitters, and the laminated birch both looks and feels great when working through the yarn.
Flexible cables work their magic to make sure there are fewer to zero snags that stop the momentum. The metal tightening keys keep everything together making this the best option by far.
This depends on how much knitting the user does or intends to do. Anyone who is more of the casual kind may find that they don’t get as much use out of them. Otherwise, the variety included makes them an excellent choice. It also means you are prepared for any project and have the tools for the task no matter what the size.
The transition between needles and tips and cables may take some getting used to but this shouldn’t take long and when up and running, there will be no better way to knit.
