You're likely to be surprised by the many types of craft needles on the market, made from materials such as metal, plastic, wood and bamboo. Here are some of the more useful ones for your knitting and sewing. Straight needles In the US, needle sizes start at 0 and increase to 50. However, in the UK, sizes start at 14 and go up to 000. Once you've got the hang of knitting, why stop there? There's a reason why so many people love to crochet, and we've got the crochet hooks to get you hooked too. To help you decipher the world of knitting needle sizes, refer to the charts below! Knitting Needle Sizes Chart for US and UK

These are the most common type of knitting needles, characterised by pointed tips and a flat, wide end. Straight needles are often used for projects where rows of stitches are required - scarves, blankets and washcloths. Circular needles Knitting needle sizes can be confusing. That’s because different countries have different ways of numbering their knitting needles. In Japan, knitting needles use different standard metric sizes, starting at 2.1 mm and going up to 25 mm. What is My Knitting Needle Size? If you have knitting needles from all over the world or of unknown origins, your best bet for identifying their size is by using a knitting gauge.

We've also come up with a collection of fashionable and rewarding clothing and knitting & crochet projects that you might like to try yourself. Recognisable by a wire and a nylon cord that forms an extension between two knitting needles, circular needles are used for projects that require a round pattern - hats, sweaters and infinity scarves. They're also commonly used for larger projects because the extension can hold a larger amount of stitches. Double-pointed needles This knitting needle size conversion chart compares knitting needles in the US and UK, with crochet hook sizes thrown in for good measure! Metric (mm) Once you've got the project and the craft needles, you'll want to select the knitting yarn that appeals most to you. From cotton blends and acrylics to 'faux mo', 'feels like butta', ombre and rainbow, you'll be dazzled by the different yarns and textures available. Needle art tools Unlike Swiss cheese, these holes are precisely sized for measuring knitting needles! This is a standard plastic gauge for measuring knitting needle sizes.

A knitting gauge is a small tool made of plastic, metal or wood. Like a slice of Swiss cheese, it has a bunch of variously sized holes all over it. Cable needles are less common but this doesn't mean they're not handy. In fact, if you're working on a cabling project, only cable needles - with their unique U-shape - will be able to do the job. Cable needles can also be used in combination with straight needles, circular needles, double-pointed needles and more.If the needle slides in smoothly and sits snugly in the hole, then you’ve just identified your needle size. Mystery solved! Ready to buy? Shop through our knitting & tapestry yarn needles online. However, before you do, arm yourself with more knowledge of what you need by reading our buying guides on choosing yarn and choosing knitting needles & crochet hooks.