Knitting Needle Sizes - Conversion Chart & Types (2024)

Learn about Knitting Needle Sizes! Whether you have been knitting for a while or want to start, understanding the different sizes of knitting needles will help you succeed. Knitting needles are essentially the most important part of knitting, and this guide will answer all your questions.

Knitting Needle Sizes - Conversion Chart & Types (1)

Knitting Needle SizesTutorial

If you're new to knitting, the number of options for knitting needles may confuse you. There are different materials, types of knitting needles, and sizes. As a general rule, thicker yarns need larger needles and thinner yarn needs smaller needles.

Why is Knitting Needle Size Important?

In knitting, gauge is the number of stitches you can fit into an inch. The size of knitting needles you use will affect the knitting gauge of your project and thus the size of your knitting project. If you use the wrong knitting needle size, you can end up with a sweater that is too small or too large.

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Always knit a swatch before you start to determine if you have the right sized knitting needles.

Where to Find Knitting Needle Sizes

Most yarn labels recommend a needle size for the particular yarn. This may vary by yarn manufacturers. For example, for worsted weight yarn, one may recommend a 6mm and another an 8mm.

US vs UK Knitting Needle Sizing

There are US and UK sizes of knitting needles.

  • The US system starts with low numbers for knitting needles with smaller diameters and increases as the diameter increases.
  • With British sizing, however, the smaller the diameter, the larger the number of the size.

These differences can make it challenging to choose which knitting needle you need if you only have a size number. However, the two sizing charts have one commonality - they are the same size for the 4.5 mm knitting needles.

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Knitting Needle Guage Tools

A knitting needle gauge is a measuring tool that resembles a ruler, with holes cut out in various sizes. You use the gauge by inserting the needle into the correct-sized hole and reading the relevant measurement.

These tools help determine knitting needle sizes where nothing is marked on the end.

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Knitting Needle Sizes Conversion Chart

If the two different types of knitting needle sizing are difficult to understand, here is a conversion chart that you can refer to.

This knitting needle size chart will help you compare the size numbers between the two sizing styles and determine your need.

This conversion chart uses the metric system to maintain common ground between the two sizing styles. It also shows what sizes you can get, and if a knitting needle size doesn't exist in your preferred sizing, you can always use metric sizes or measurements.

Metric MeasurementAmerican SizesBritish Sizes
2 mm014
2.25 mm113
2.75 mm212
3 mmDoes Not Exist11
3.25 mm310
3.5 mm4Does Not Exist
3.75 mm59
4 mm68
4.5 mm77
5 mm86
5.5 mm95
6 mm104
6.5 mm10.53
7 mmDoes Not Exist2
7.5 mmDoes Not Exist1
8 mm110
9 mm1300
10 mm15000
11 mm17Does Not Exist
19 mm19Does Not Exist
25 mm20Does Not Exist

Knitting Needle Sizes and Yarn Weight

Just like there are variations in the sizes and types of knitting needles, there are a few options of yarn in the market for you to choose from. Knitting is not an exact science but matching compatible materials together can help you get the best chance of success from your knitting project.

Knowing which types of yarn will work the best with the sizes of knitting needles you have is important.

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One of the most important things that you need to know when choosing knitting needle sizes and yarn is knitting gauge measurement.

If you don't want to get into the numerical values, you can always you're your yarn around the knitting needle you have and figure out if it will work for your project or not. The chart below will show you how to best pair your yarn and knitting needles together, including the gauge measurement.

Knitting Needle Lengths

Knitting needles come in different lengths and are suitable for different-sized projects. A short length is great for knitting a scarf, while longer needles lengths may be used for the body part of a sweater or blanket.

Here are some suggested needle lengths:

Length (inches)Length (cm)Common Uses
8-1020-25Small, flat projects: like wahcloths, small scarves, baby items.
12-1630-40Hats, sleeves, or other small circular projects.
16-2040-50Sweaters, baby blankets, larger scarves, shawls. Ideal for larger flat projects.
24-3260-80Adult-sized sweaters, larger shawls, and blankets. Bigger projects with more stitches.
36-40+90-100+Very large projects like afghans, large throws, or large number of stitches.

Best Knitting Needle Sizes for Yarns

Yarn WeightYarn NameUS SizesUK SizesGauge Size
1 – 3 PlyLace, Light Fingerling0 – 214 – 1233-40
4 PlyFingering, Sock1 – 313 – 1027-32
5 PlySport2 – 412 – 923-26
8 PlyDouble Knit (DK weight)3 – 610 – 821-24
10 PlyMedium Worsted Yarn6 – 88 – 616-20
12 PlyBulky, Chunky8 – 116 – 012-25
14 PlySuper Bulky, Super Chunky11 – 170 – 0006-11

Types of Knitting Needles

There are many different types of knitting needles. The different materials can affect how easily you can handle the yarn and make different stitches. Materials include bamboo needles, plastic or metal.

There are also different levels of sharpness of the knitting needle points, which can help you with the type of stitches you may want to use.

Understanding the different types of knitting needles and what they can do for you is a great way to ensure the success of your next knitting project.

1. Straight Needles

Straight needles are among the most common types of knitting needles and are also the type that you probably associate with knitting the most.

Straight knitting needles are made from various materials, such as wood, metal, plastic, and even poured resin or glass. Straight needles are the easiest to use and very beginner-friendly.

They are best for small flat projects such as scarves, washcloths, afghan squares, and sweaters made by joining separate knitted pieces.

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2. Circular Needles

One of the most versatile types of knitting needles is circular needles. While these knitting needles can be made from various materials, they are usually made from metal.

Circular knitting needles are essentially two short pointed ends joined by a plastic cord. The plastic cord can be permanently joined to the two shorter needles but can also be flexible.

You should use circular knitting needles to knit seamless sweaters or items that are rounder in shape. You can knit hats, cowls, and even socks with these knitting needles, and you can also work on flat projects that are a bit on the larger side, such as shawls and blankets.

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3. Double-Pointed Knitting Needles

Unlike other knitting needles, double-pointed needles (DPNs) have points on both ends. They usually come in sets of four to six and are great for smaller, round-shaped projects.

They are usually made from a variety of different materials, but the most common ones are made from metal. Some double-pointed knitting needles have a flexible middle portion, allowing for more maneuverability.

Though not the most beginner-friendly, these can make your knitting experience much more fun with enough practice. You can make gloves, hats, and mittens from scratch with these knitting needles or you can finish off a project started on circular needles.

4. Cable Needles

Cable knitting needles look a lot different than others because they are shaped to resemble a hook.

These knitting needles are great for holding stitches when you knitting cables. Cable knit needles are also great when you’re trying to keep active stitches safe when moving around. Their specific purpose makes them great for every knitting project, and they will always serve you well in your knitting needle arsenal.

5. Interchangeable Knitting Needles

Another type of knitting needle that has no specific use but will always serve you well when knitting is an interchangeable one. Even though these knitting needles look like circular needles, one major difference sets them apart.

They have pieces that can be changed to different sizes and flexibilities. They come in a pack with all the variations of parts you could need. Interchangeable needles can also be used as straight needles and have many versatile uses.

Knitting Needle Size FAQs

How do I know what size knitting needles to use?

Choosing the right size knitting needles for your project depends on several factors, including the yarn weight, the pattern requirements, and your personal knitting tension or gauge. Always check the yarn label as well as the pattern designer's recommendations. Make a knitting swatch to ensure that your tension matches what is intended for the project.

What to do if you don't have the right size knitting needles?

If you don't have the exact size knitting needles recommended for a project, you have a few options to work around this issue. These include changing your yarn and altering the tension. Always choose the knitting needle size closest to the recommended one and do a swatch to determine the adjustment needed.

How do I choose a beginner knitting needle?

Focusing on a few key factors can make choosing the best knitting needles for beginners easier. Bamboo and wood needles are lightweight and allow you to grip them easily. They are usually best for beginners to maintain tension.

For beginners, starting with a medium size in a 10 inch length is generally recommended. This allows for easy handling and is versatile enough for various projects.

As a beginner, consider starting with a simple project, like a scarf, that allows you to practice basic stitches and get comfortable with handling the needles and yarn.

Knitting Needle Sizes – In Conclusion

Knitting will help you create something practical while having fun. You also get the satisfaction of making something yourself from knitting needles and some yarn.

With the different knitting needle sizes and the variations of yarn, it will always serve you well to understand what your project needs and then invest in those materials only.

Some knitting needles are more beginner-friendly, and some are more suited for novices. No matter who you are, this guide is perfect for helping you figure out knitting needle sizes, types of different needles, and which yarn will work best with the needles you choose.

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