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Knitting Projects: When Should You Switch from a Set of Double-Pointed Needles to Circular Needles / Long Straight Needles?

23210 Posts Recent Started
Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Dear Community,
for which knitting projects is it necessary to switch from a set of double-pointed needles to circular needles or long straight needles—or vice versa, back to a set of double-pointed needles? What are the advantages and disadvantages of doing so?

4044 Posts Recent Started
Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Whenever possible, I use circular needles—I find them the most comfortable. But when the circumference gets very small, like with socks for example, then of course I have to use a set of double-pointed needles.

1534 Posts Recent Started
Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 2:52 PM
When do you switch to a set of double-pointed needles? Never—I never knit with a set of double-pointed needles; I always use the Magic Loop method and only very rarely use that “crazy trio”.... I really don’t like a set of double-pointed needles at all—I’m constantly dropping a needle or knitting a needle empty and then pulling out the wrong one... 

4509 Posts Recent Started
Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 3:29 PM
I haven’t used straight needles in ages.
I either use circular needles in various lengths or sets like the CrazyTrio.
My latest purchase is a small asymmetrical circular needle (25 cm) with tips of different lengths.
One tip is 4 cm and the other is 7.5 cm.

1534 Posts Recent Started
Thursday, March 5, 2026 at 5:10 PM
.... Asymmetrical—that sounds interesting. I also have short circular needles, and I always run into the problem that the tips are way too long, which makes it hard to knit neatly because the stitches don’t run evenly along the cable.
I’ll make a note of that. Thanks for the tip. 

121 Posts Recent Started
Friday, March 6, 2026 at 2:02 PM
I’ve tried just about every method of circular knitting out there.
I find “Magic Loop” the worst. You end up sliding the stitches for what feels like miles, and the loop isn’t great for the cables on the needles either.
I’ve also tried knitting with “Crazy Trio,” but I constantly prick my palms because the needles are so short.
I’m good at knitting with a set of double-pointed needles—practice makes perfect. Plus, they come in different materials; some glide well and others don’t. You just have to try them out.
Depending on the project, I also use two circular needles, with half the stitches on each.

4509 Posts Recent Started
Friday, March 6, 2026 at 2:14 PM
You’re welcome, Steffi :)

904 Posts Recent Started
Friday, March 6, 2026 at 8:16 PM
When the top of the beanie gets tighter... I tend to switch from the small circular needle to a set of double-pointed needles... until there are almost no stitches left... then I pull the last few stitches together... and it’s done ;) 

3422 Posts Recent Started
Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 9:08 AM
I don’t knit with a set of double-pointed needles at all anymore.
I quite like using Crazy Trios, but I prefer circular needles even more. When buying them, I make sure the transition to the cable is completely smooth—and that the cable is thin. That way, I don’t see any stair-step effect on the sides anymore. I also knit my socks this way from start to finish.

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