Circular Knitting Pin - 40cm x 5.50mm

Circular needles let you knit seamless garments, with no seams to sew up and no sore patches where the pieces join. They also change how a project feels in your hands. Instead of holding the full weight of your knitting on two long straight needles, you let it rest in your lap, because the cable carries the bulk of the weight. That takes the stress off your hands and wrists, which makes a long knitting session a lot more comfortable.

The needles

These are manufactured from solid aluminium, then anodised. The anodising increases the hardness of the metal and helps it resist corrosion, so the needles stay smooth and keep their finish through plenty of use. They’re 5.50mm, a size that’s popular for thicker yarns, and the 40cm length is a short circular, which suits small-circumference projects.

Why 40cm?

A 40cm needle is a good length for projects with a small number of stitches in the round. It’s a natural choice for hats, cowls, neckbands, children’s jumper bodies and sleeves, where a longer cable would stretch the stitches too far. If you need to knit something bigger, such as an adult’s jumper body, choose a longer needle in the same size.

What to knit

• Hats and beanies: worked from the brim to the crown, with no seam
• Cowls and snoods: quick, chunky projects in the round
• Sleeves and neckbands: small-circumference parts of larger garments
• Mittens and children’s wear: small projects that fit the short cable
• Seamless garments: top-down jumpers, when you start with the neckband

Tips for using them

• Check your stitches aren’t twisted along the cable before you join the round
• Put a stitch marker at the start of the round, so you can count your rows
• If your project is too small to stretch around a 40cm cable, try the magic loop method on a longer needle, or use double-pointed needles
• Wipe the needles clean after use and store them with the cable relaxed, so it stays flexible

• Needle size: 5.50mm
• Length: 40cm
• Type: circular knitting needle
• Material: solid aluminium, anodised