Our Favorite Interchangeable Knitting Needle Sets

A good interchangeable knitting needle set is an investment that will pay huge dividends for any avid knitter. There is no better time than the holidays to choose the set of your dreams. You’ll have an answer ready whenever someone asks, “What do you want for the holidays?”

As serial sweater knitters, the Interweave editors have owned and used interchangeable circular needles from a variety of brands. We’ve surveyed the market to find the best interchangeable needle sets at a variety of price points, and we’re here to tell you about our favorites.

What Makes a Good Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set?

The best interchangeable needle set is the one that suits your knitting preferences. Do you like metal needles, wood, or plastic? Do you need longer needles, for making sweaters and blankets, or a set of shorter needles to make hats? Are you more inclined to knit with fingering and sport weight yarns, or chunky and jumbo? There are interchangeable needle sets available to suit every knitter.

Be sure to carefully read the description in the product listing before you click “add to cart.” Read the product reviews to hear about other knitters’ experiences with the brand. If you’re having trouble deciding, most manufacturers sell interchangeable needle components separately. Consider ordering a single cable and pair of needle tips so you can take them for a test drive before committing to the purchase of a full set.

Our Favorite Interchangeable Needles

We’ve linked to the sets we actually own and use.  In most cases, these manufacturers offer a variety of compatible sets, with different tip colors, styles and lengths. The length of the needle cables refers to the total length achieved when the needle tips are attached at both ends.

Knit Picks Sunstruck Options Interchangeable Circular Set

Needle Tip Sizes: Nine pairs, sizes 4–11 (3.5 mm–8mm)
Cable Lengths: Two 24″, one 32″, one 40″
Accessories Included: Vinyl case, 8 end caps, 2 cable keys, 1 cable connector.

Technical editor Sandi Rosner is a fan of Knit Picks Options Interchangeable needles. She owns three sets: one in light-colored laminated birch, one in dark-colored cocobolo wood, and one with shorter tips and cables to make 16″ circular needles. “I like the warmth of the wood in my hands and the tips are just right—not too blunt, not too pointy,” says Sandi. “The components of all three sets are compatible, so I can make a circular needle of just about any length.”

Lykke Driftwood Long Interchangeable Circular Needle Set

Needle Tip Sizes: Twelve pairs, sizes 4–17 (3.5 mm–12 mm)
Cable Lengths: Two 24″, two 32″, one 40″
Accessories Included: Denim case, 8 end caps, 4 cable keys, 2 cable connectors.

Knits editor Kerry Bogert doesn’t play favorites—she is happy knitting with either wood or metal needles. Her wood set is the Lykke Driftwood, with tips made from birch wood stained a lovely, distressed shade of gray. Kerry says, “I love how soft they are in my hands and how easily wool glides across the needle tip. It has just enough grip that my tension stays nice and even without being slippery and losing stitches.” If gray isn’t your color, Lykke needles are also available in Indigo, Blush, and Umber.

addiClick Rocket² Squared Interchangeable Needles

Needle Tip Sizes: Eight pairs, sizes 4–11 (3.5mm–8 mm)
Cable Lengths: One 24″, one 32″, one 40″
Accessories Included: Vinyl case, 1 Click connector, 1 addiGrip, 1 needle gauge.

When Kerry wants metal needles, she reaches for her addiClick Rocket² Squared needles. These brass needle tips coated with white bronze have several unique features. First, the needle shaft is square, not cylindrical. Some say the square needle shaft requires less pressure to hold, easing strain on the hands and wrists. The needles also have a subtle texture along the sides of the shaft. This texture prevents both your fingers and your stitches from slipping on the needles. Because of the square shaft, your gauge with these needles may be different than the gauge you get with conventional needles. Be sure to swatch with the same needles you intend to use for your project!

ChiaoGoo Twist Red Lace Interchangeable Circular Needle Set

Needle Tip Sizes: Thirteen pairs, sizes 2–15 (2.75 mm–10 mm)
Cable Lengths: Two of each length, one to fit smaller tips, one to fit larger tips; 24″, 32″, and 40″
Accessories Included: Cloth case, 2 cable keys, 2 cable connectors (one large, one small), 1 needle gauge, 24 stitch markers.

For digital editor Andrea Lotz, ChiaoGoo needles are her ride-or-die. The needle tips are made with surgical stainless steel and are renowned for their sharp points. Unlike the other sets featured here, the ChiagoGoo needles come with cables in different diameters, as well as different lengths.  The larger needle sizes (size 9 and up) have a larger screw fitting, requiring a larger fitting on the cable. Andrea says, “I love how securely the tips and cables connect, while still being easy to swap out. The case keeps everything organized and makes it easy to take my set on the go. ChiaoGoo needles are my preferred fixed (non-interchangeable) circular needles as well, so I can switch between my interchangeable and fixed circulars without any change to my gauge. Next, I need a set of the shorties and a set of the mini needles, so I can make hats and socks with interchangeable needles!”

Whether you drop hints to family members, or treat yourself to a special gift, there is an interchangeable needle set that’s just right for you!

Do you have a favorite interchangeable needle set? Tell us about it in the comments!

Sandi Rosner is the technical content editor for all things yarn at Interweave. When she isn’t knitting, she usually has her nose in a book. You’ll find new technical content from Sandi nearly every week at www.interweave.com.

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