If you are new to knitting, you may be boggled by all the choices of knitting needles that are available to you. There are bamboo knitting needles, double pointed needles, straight needles, and even circular needles. Any knitting needle you buy will will allow you to knit, but each needle does the job in a different way. Most knitters will eventually choose their favorite type of knitting needle after trying different types out, and sometimes knitters use a variety of needles depending on the project they are working on.

The two main knitting needle types are metal and bamboo knitting needles. Metal needles are slicker, and most people feel that they can knit quickly with them. These types of knitting needles are very sturdy and good for most knitting projects. On the other hand, bamboo needles will "grip" yarns better, which is good if you are knitting lace because stitches do not slide off of the needle. The disadvantage of bamboo needles is that some of them can snap or splinter, so it is important to not grip them too tightly.

The knitting needle that people are most familiar with are straight needles. These are the long needles that are usually 12 inches long and have a metal circle on the end that prevents the yarn from sliding off. These needles come in a variety of thicknesses and materials; however, many knitters are now starting to use circular needles instead of straight ones. Circular needles have two needles about four to five inches long with a plastic or nylon cord joining them. Circulars can do the work that straights do, but straight needles cannot create a round knitting project, which is why many knitters have started using circulars instead. Circular knitting needles also have the advantage in that they can hold a larger volume of stitches without putting strain on the knitters wrist.

Finally, there are double pointed needles. Double pointed needles resemble straight knitting needles, but they do not have the metal circle on the end that prevents stitches from sliding off. Double pointed knitting needles look a bit like over-sized toothpicks and are available in a variety of sizes and materials. These types of needles are mostly used for smaller circular projects, such as socks or sleeves.

The best way to figure out which needle is right for you and your project is to try several of them out and see which you prefer. Depending on your knitting style you may find that you love metal circular knitting needles above all else or that you only feel comfortable using bamboo needles. Whatever your preference, there is a knitting needle that will work for you.