Versatile, ergonomic, and perfect for seamless knitting — circular needles are the go-to choice for top-down sweaters, magic loop socks, hats, and any project where you want the weight in your lap instead of on your wrists. Our circular needles collection features fixed circulars and interchangeable sets from ChiaoGoo, Knit Pro (Symphonie and Zing), Addi, and Pony, in cable lengths from 25cm to 100cm and sizes to suit every project. Whether you're a beginner starting your first hat, a Petite Knit enthusiast, a traveller who loves portable knitting, or someone who hates sewing up seams, circular needles offer the flexibility and comfort you need. Stocked in New Zealand and shipped fast from Rangiora across NZ and to Australia.

Why Knitters Love Circular Needles:
Circular needles are perfect for top-down knitting (sweaters, cardigans, yokes), knitting in the round (hats, cowls, seamless garments), people who hate sewing up seams, Petite Knit patterns and modern seamless designs, easy travel (compact and portable — this is why I love them!), ergonomics (weight rests in your lap, reducing wrist and shoulder strain), and versatility (can also be used for flat knitting like very long straight needles). Beginners can absolutely start with circulars — you don't need to use straight needles as a rite of passage!

Switching from Straight Needles? You've Got This!
Learning as an adult is hard, and relearning a skill with a new tool is expected to feel uncomfortable at first. If you've only ever knitted with straight needles, transitioning to circulars can feel awkward initially — and that's completely normal. You're performing the same basic stitches, just with different tools. The initial discomfort is your muscle memory adjusting, not a sign you're doing something wrong. Here's how to make the switch easier:

• For flat knitting, treat them like straights: Knit to the end of a row, turn your work, and continue back. The cable just holds the overflow of stitches.
• Adjust your grip: With straights, you might anchor one end against your body. With circulars, the weight rests in your lap. Your hands primarily manipulate the needle tips with your fingertips. Practice relaxing your grip — clutching too tightly causes fatigue.
• Manage cable curl: New, inexpensive needles often have stiff, curled cables. To soften a plastic cable, carefully dip the cord (avoiding needle joints) into hot water for 1-2 minutes, gently pull it straight, and hold until cool. Quality needles with supple cables are worth the investment.
• Keep stitches on the tips when working: Keep the stitches you're actively knitting on the solid needle tips, not the flexible cable. This provides a firmer foundation for each stitch.
• Start simple: Begin with an easy project like a hat, cowl, or practice swatch to get comfortable before tackling complex techniques.
• Practice daily: Short, regular sessions (even 5-10 minutes) build muscle memory without frustration. The awkwardness will fade with consistent practice.
• Use the right cable length: For knitting in the round, your needle length must be shorter than the item's circumference. Stitches stretched tight across a too-long cable make knitting difficult. A 60-80cm needle works for most projects.
• Prevent twists when joining: When joining to knit in the round, ensure your cast-on edge isn't twisted. Lay your work in a circle, confirm all stitches face inward uniformly, then join carefully. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.

Understanding Cable Lengths:
We stock cable lengths from 25cm to 100cm. The most popular are 60-80cm, which work for most projects. Shorter cables (25-40cm) are great for small circumferences like hats, sleeves, and baby garments. Longer cables (80-100cm) are perfect for large projects like blankets, adult sweaters, and the magic loop method for socks.

What is the Magic Loop Method?
The Magic Loop is a knitting technique using one long circular needle (usually 80cm/32"+) to knit small-circumference items like socks, sleeves, and hats in the round, replacing double-pointed needles (DPNs). You divide your stitches in half, pull the long cord out between them to form a "loop," then knit one half of the stitches using the needle tips, and repeat by creating a new loop to work the other half, allowing seamless knitting of tiny tubes. Key benefits: versatility (one needle size works for various circumferences), simplicity (fewer needles to manage than DPNs), and no lost needles.

Fixed vs Interchangeable Circular Needles:
Fixed circulars have the needle tips permanently attached to the cable — they're cheaper (typically $8-$20), great for beginners, and perfect if you know exactly what size and length you need. Interchangeable sets include multiple needle tips in different sizes and cables in different lengths that screw together, so you can create custom circular needles for any project. They're more expensive upfront but best for regular users, super flexible for building a collection, and mean you can switch out the tips if you're changing sizes mid-knit (perfect for sweaters!). With Knit Pro, the Symphonie and Zing ranges use the same cables, which is really handy.

What You'll Find in Our Circular Needles Collection:

• ChiaoGoo — premium circular needles with kink-resistant cables, smooth joins, and the widest size range. Interchangeable sets go down to 1.5mm (smaller than Knit Pro which starts at 2.5mm due to connector size). Perfect for serious knitters who want the best.
• Knit Pro Symphonie and Zing — beautiful interchangeable sets that share the same cables, offering great value and performance. Our most popular interchangeable choice.
• Addi — specialist sock needles with shorter cables and thinner tips, also great for knitting baby necks and sleeves
• Pony — budget-friendly fixed circulars, perfect for beginners or testing cable lengths before investing in a set
• Cable lengths from 25cm to 100cm (most popular: 60-80cm)
• Fixed circulars: $8-$20
• Interchangeable sets: higher investment but incredible value for regular knitters

Common Questions About Circular Needles:
I've only ever knitted with straight needles — can I use circulars? Yes! Circular needles work exactly the same way for flat knitting — just knit back and forth like you would with straights. The only difference is the cable connecting the two tips. Many knitters find circulars more comfortable because the weight rests in your lap. It's expected to feel awkward at first as you retrain your muscle memory, but with short daily practice sessions, the discomfort fades quickly. Start with a 60-80cm cable for a familiar feel.

Can beginners use circular needles? Absolutely! Beginners can start with circulars — you don't need to use straight needles as a rite of passage. Circulars are often more comfortable and versatile. Start with a fixed circular in a medium size (4-5mm) and popular cable length (60-80cm).

What cable length do I need? It depends on your project! 25-40cm for hats, sleeves, and baby items; 60-80cm for most adult garments and general knitting (most popular); 80-100cm for large blankets, sweaters, and magic loop method for socks.

Should I buy fixed circulars or an interchangeable set? Fixed circulars are cheaper ($8-$20) and great for beginners or if you know exactly what you need. Interchangeable sets are best for regular knitters — they're more expensive upfront but incredibly flexible, and you can switch tips mid-project. If you knit regularly, invest in a set like Knit Pro Symphonie or ChiaoGoo.

What is the magic loop method? Magic loop uses one long circular needle (80cm+) to knit small tubes like socks, sleeves, or hats by dividing stitches in half and pulling the cable out to form a loop. It replaces double-pointed needles and is simpler with fewer needles to manage.

What are sock needles? Sock needles like Addi are circular needles with shorter cables and thinner tips, specifically designed for knitting socks and other small-circumference items like baby sleeves and necklines.

Why choose ChiaoGoo over other brands? ChiaoGoo offers kink-resistant cables, incredibly smooth joins, and the widest size range (interchangeables go down to 1.5mm vs Knit Pro's 2.5mm). They're premium quality and worth the investment for serious knitters, especially lace knitters or those who knit tiny circumferences.

Where can I buy circular needles in New Zealand and Australia? The Wool Shop stocks circular needles from ChiaoGoo, Knit Pro, Addi, and Pony, including fixed circulars ($8-$20) and interchangeable sets. Cable lengths from 25cm to 100cm. Fast shipping across NZ and to Australia from our Rangiora store, with most orders dispatched same day.

Whether you're knitting your first top-down sweater, mastering the magic loop for socks, switching from straight needles, working on a seamless Petite Knit sweater, or building your dream needle collection, our circular needles offer the versatility, comfort, and quality you need. From budget-friendly Pony fixed circulars to premium ChiaoGoo interchangeable sets, each needle is chosen for performance and value.