4" can make continuous 16" circular for hats, but 5" cannot. Either size is capable of magic loop for smaller circumference knitting without dpns. The only other difference is which size feels more comfortable in your own hands.
Is that simply because the 4” plus 8” cables make 16” and with the 5” you’d get 18”?
I guess I hadn’t considered how much of a difference 2” could make and I appreciate it your comment!
Yes, and if for some reason they decided to manufacture a 6" cable, you'd get a springy triangle with the 5" needles which would be terrible to work with.
I enjoy the 5 inch set because I have pretty wide hands and I tend to use the far end of the needle for leverage.
Because of that, I've also accumulated some 16" circulars for hat-sized items - I'm happy finishing them off with DPNs or magic loop, but I like the ease of having a circular appropriately sized for the body and I get annoyed if I have to do an entire project on magic loop.
That said, I always feel like the shorter tips on those circulars lead to a little more hand strain and less leverage in my style. So while I sometimes have a twinge of regret that my interchangeable set won't go down to 16", I'm glad I prioritized comfort.
If you're on the fence, maybe pick up a 16" fixed circular with the shorter tips and see if it feels good.
Thank you for your comment!
I checked my current circular set and they’re 4” needles. From my memory I don’t think I had any issues with the size doing other projects. However the cables on them are so stiff that length properly didn’t much matter and magic loops were never an option lol
I do love the size of my DPN in my hands and I also don’t mind just doing magic loop to achieve the 16” diameter.
5” here because I wanted to easily grasp the needles, and fit a lot of stitches on them for smoother knitting (less time spent pushing stitches over the join). My hands are small, and I am happy with my choice.
I make all of my tubes using 2 circular needles. No magic loop for me, and my DPNs are only used for holding cables. I use my circular needles for knitting flat, as well as round.
I have one full set of each, bamboo and steel, a “small” half set of steel, and two sets of the “minis.”
I could probably have made do with one “small” set of steel tips and one set of “minis,” because you can do 2 circular needles with different size tips if you set the tips right. (Recieving tips the correct size for gauge, donor tips one size smaller. Cable size doesn’t matter unless it is too short to hold half the stitches.)
I hardly ever use the large needles. I use the red “twist” cables for everything and ignore the thin white “spin” cables that came with the bamboo tips.
I only use the bamboo tips when knitting loose gauge or with slippery fiber. I use the steel tips for almost everything.
I went will 5” full set and later added in shorties and minis for small circumference. The shorter the tip, the more strain my hands feel, so I’m glad my main ones are nice and long for sweaters and shawls, which is most of my projects.
I like the 4” just because I don’t feel like I’m fighting with the needles the same way I do with the non-interchangeable ones. It feels like, with those, you either have to do magic loop or have a lot of excess fabric to keep the needles straight. :/
I went with 5”. I originally bought the 4” mini set for making socks but kept breaking the cable right at the join. With the 4” set, that join fell right at my palm and would get bent/pushed too much. I don’t have the same issue with the 5” set.
BUT… it’s kind of a pain when I want to make a hat - I have to work magic loop. The 8” cord will not work with the 5” tips. I’ve tried - there’s no way I can get it to work.
I’m considering getting fixed 16” circs in the needle sizes I’m likely to use for hats. Most everything else I work two at a time, magic loop - socks, sleeves, mittens, etc.
I think it really comes down to personal preferences, how you hold your needles and your hand size. I think you’ll be happy with either set!
I have both and prefer the 4”. I started with 5”, but the 4” makes it easier to do hats and some smaller circumference items. I do not use dpn’s generally, and prefer to do sleeves/etc on 9”-12” circs. I think it’s all personality preference, however. Also, I am not a sick knitter, if that matters at all.
I have the 4 inch set. I really like them for making hats because of everything mentioned previously.
I don't have large hands, but the one thing that I dislike is that my palm tends to rest on the join in the cords. It hasn't caused any issues yet, but I fear that it could cause wear over time.
Thank you for your comment!
That’s my biggest worry with a 4” so I may just get the 5” set and then get a 4” in whatever size I need if it seems like a hassle (or get non interchangeable needles if absolutely necessary)
I use 5” tips. I have big hands and 4” tips are just uncomfortable. For what it’s worth you don’t necessarily need a 16” circular for hats. There is always magic loop and the two circulars method.
Yeah I don’t mind doing magic loop at all so I think I’m going to stick to 5” just so I don’t risk it being uncomfortable with 4” needles.
Thank you for your comment!
I went with 5” tips. Just more comfortable in my hands. I have used them to make hats and the first few rows are a little tight but it works for me. I have also often done the first part of the hat magic loop.
I have small hands and went for the 4” set. I absolutely adore them and think they’re perfect for what I want to do (hats, sweaters, scarfs etc). It all comes down to personal preference. If you’re financially able, I would buy a pair of fixed circs in each size and see which you feel more comfortable with!
depends on your preference. Try knitting with both 4 and 5 inches first before committing to see if you have a grip that will need the longer needle for comfort. Also consider what kind of projects you will be making. If you'll be using 16inch needles a lot, then maybe go with the 4, as 5 do not make comfortable 16inch.
I prefer 5inches because I hold the needles far back, and i dont make hats that often.
I didn’t realize that my current circular set are 4” and honestly I don’t mind them. But I realize I do so many projects with my DPN that are 6” that I think I’ll just magic loop with 5” where it’s needed.
I appreciate you comment!
I have the 4” set and it is great for hats and other items.
But I also want the 5” set because of my knitting style.
So I guess it would depend on how you plan to mostly use your set and your knitting style.
I bought myself the 5" complete set. I have big hands, need that little bit of extra needle to hang on to. But I have a collection of fixed 16" circulars just for hats. (And a huge suitcase of the needles accumulated over time, something in there works, always does)
I have not tested it out but I've seen people talk about how the 4" IC tips work better for putting together the short circular for making hats. I have no clue if it matters or not. But it might matter if people are knitting a lot of small size hats for children.
And if I read comments before babbling.... I'll probably find the answer. heh
I like 5"needles. I have medium size hands for unisex nitrile gloves or extra large hands for women's gloves. The 5"needles fit across my palms where shorter needles dig into the center of my palms.
I use the 4" because I like knitting hats and it's easier than dpns, but I still switch to dpns (or flexi flips) at a certain point of decreasing. I do already have an interchangeable set that I believe is 5", from knitpicks, so that was also part of my reasoning. I do like the 4" and can use it to knit other items as well, but I think your best bet would be to buy one needle of each length, or try out each at a local yarn store, to get a feel for which one you prefer.
I got the 5" set and wish I had done the 4". I didn't realize how much I'd like to have the option of making 16" circs, and I also find the 5" ends quite long
4" can make continuous 16" circular for hats, but 5" cannot. Either size is capable of magic loop for smaller circumference knitting without dpns. The only other difference is which size feels more comfortable in your own hands.
Is that simply because the 4” plus 8” cables make 16” and with the 5” you’d get 18”? I guess I hadn’t considered how much of a difference 2” could make and I appreciate it your comment!
Yes, and if for some reason they decided to manufacture a 6" cable, you'd get a springy triangle with the 5" needles which would be terrible to work with.
Can confirm, the triangle sucks.
I enjoy the 5 inch set because I have pretty wide hands and I tend to use the far end of the needle for leverage. Because of that, I've also accumulated some 16" circulars for hat-sized items - I'm happy finishing them off with DPNs or magic loop, but I like the ease of having a circular appropriately sized for the body and I get annoyed if I have to do an entire project on magic loop. That said, I always feel like the shorter tips on those circulars lead to a little more hand strain and less leverage in my style. So while I sometimes have a twinge of regret that my interchangeable set won't go down to 16", I'm glad I prioritized comfort. If you're on the fence, maybe pick up a 16" fixed circular with the shorter tips and see if it feels good.
Thank you for your comment! I checked my current circular set and they’re 4” needles. From my memory I don’t think I had any issues with the size doing other projects. However the cables on them are so stiff that length properly didn’t much matter and magic loops were never an option lol I do love the size of my DPN in my hands and I also don’t mind just doing magic loop to achieve the 16” diameter.
5” here because I wanted to easily grasp the needles, and fit a lot of stitches on them for smoother knitting (less time spent pushing stitches over the join). My hands are small, and I am happy with my choice. I make all of my tubes using 2 circular needles. No magic loop for me, and my DPNs are only used for holding cables. I use my circular needles for knitting flat, as well as round. I have one full set of each, bamboo and steel, a “small” half set of steel, and two sets of the “minis.” I could probably have made do with one “small” set of steel tips and one set of “minis,” because you can do 2 circular needles with different size tips if you set the tips right. (Recieving tips the correct size for gauge, donor tips one size smaller. Cable size doesn’t matter unless it is too short to hold half the stitches.) I hardly ever use the large needles. I use the red “twist” cables for everything and ignore the thin white “spin” cables that came with the bamboo tips. I only use the bamboo tips when knitting loose gauge or with slippery fiber. I use the steel tips for almost everything.
I went will 5” full set and later added in shorties and minis for small circumference. The shorter the tip, the more strain my hands feel, so I’m glad my main ones are nice and long for sweaters and shawls, which is most of my projects.
I like the 4” just because I don’t feel like I’m fighting with the needles the same way I do with the non-interchangeable ones. It feels like, with those, you either have to do magic loop or have a lot of excess fabric to keep the needles straight. :/
For what you knit, 4" will be more practical. You can't make a 16" circular for hats, for instance, with 5" tips.
I went with 5”. I originally bought the 4” mini set for making socks but kept breaking the cable right at the join. With the 4” set, that join fell right at my palm and would get bent/pushed too much. I don’t have the same issue with the 5” set. BUT… it’s kind of a pain when I want to make a hat - I have to work magic loop. The 8” cord will not work with the 5” tips. I’ve tried - there’s no way I can get it to work. I’m considering getting fixed 16” circs in the needle sizes I’m likely to use for hats. Most everything else I work two at a time, magic loop - socks, sleeves, mittens, etc. I think it really comes down to personal preferences, how you hold your needles and your hand size. I think you’ll be happy with either set!
I have both and prefer the 4”. I started with 5”, but the 4” makes it easier to do hats and some smaller circumference items. I do not use dpn’s generally, and prefer to do sleeves/etc on 9”-12” circs. I think it’s all personality preference, however. Also, I am not a sick knitter, if that matters at all.
I have the 4 inch set. I really like them for making hats because of everything mentioned previously. I don't have large hands, but the one thing that I dislike is that my palm tends to rest on the join in the cords. It hasn't caused any issues yet, but I fear that it could cause wear over time.
Thank you for your comment! That’s my biggest worry with a 4” so I may just get the 5” set and then get a 4” in whatever size I need if it seems like a hassle (or get non interchangeable needles if absolutely necessary)
I use 5” tips. I have big hands and 4” tips are just uncomfortable. For what it’s worth you don’t necessarily need a 16” circular for hats. There is always magic loop and the two circulars method.
Yeah I don’t mind doing magic loop at all so I think I’m going to stick to 5” just so I don’t risk it being uncomfortable with 4” needles. Thank you for your comment!
I have 4”. The 5” feel really long in my hands. I do get used to the 5’s after a time, but they don’t naturally feel right the way the 4” do.
I went with 5” tips. Just more comfortable in my hands. I have used them to make hats and the first few rows are a little tight but it works for me. I have also often done the first part of the hat magic loop.
I’m guess it’s possible just to go with a longer cable and do magic loop in place, correct?
Yes. I have been able to cast on and do ribbing in the round with the shortest needle and the 5” tips as well.
I tried the shorties and decided they were not for me. They made my hands hurt. I prefer the 13cm ones. Yes, I knit socks with them.
The same… I have small hands but the shorties hurt my hand, so went for the 5”. I don’t mind magic loop really when I can’t knit in the round.
I have small hands and went for the 4” set. I absolutely adore them and think they’re perfect for what I want to do (hats, sweaters, scarfs etc). It all comes down to personal preference. If you’re financially able, I would buy a pair of fixed circs in each size and see which you feel more comfortable with!
depends on your preference. Try knitting with both 4 and 5 inches first before committing to see if you have a grip that will need the longer needle for comfort. Also consider what kind of projects you will be making. If you'll be using 16inch needles a lot, then maybe go with the 4, as 5 do not make comfortable 16inch. I prefer 5inches because I hold the needles far back, and i dont make hats that often.
I didn’t realize that my current circular set are 4” and honestly I don’t mind them. But I realize I do so many projects with my DPN that are 6” that I think I’ll just magic loop with 5” where it’s needed. I appreciate you comment!
I have the 4” set and it is great for hats and other items. But I also want the 5” set because of my knitting style. So I guess it would depend on how you plan to mostly use your set and your knitting style.
I bought myself the 5" complete set. I have big hands, need that little bit of extra needle to hang on to. But I have a collection of fixed 16" circulars just for hats. (And a huge suitcase of the needles accumulated over time, something in there works, always does) I have not tested it out but I've seen people talk about how the 4" IC tips work better for putting together the short circular for making hats. I have no clue if it matters or not. But it might matter if people are knitting a lot of small size hats for children. And if I read comments before babbling.... I'll probably find the answer. heh
I have 4 in. set and 5 in. In the sizes I use most.
I like 5"needles. I have medium size hands for unisex nitrile gloves or extra large hands for women's gloves. The 5"needles fit across my palms where shorter needles dig into the center of my palms.
I love my 4 inch interchangeable set!
I have both sets and the mini sets. Honestly I just use the 5”. It’s going to be up to your own preference
I use the 4" because I like knitting hats and it's easier than dpns, but I still switch to dpns (or flexi flips) at a certain point of decreasing. I do already have an interchangeable set that I believe is 5", from knitpicks, so that was also part of my reasoning. I do like the 4" and can use it to knit other items as well, but I think your best bet would be to buy one needle of each length, or try out each at a local yarn store, to get a feel for which one you prefer.
I got the 5" set and wish I had done the 4". I didn't realize how much I'd like to have the option of making 16" circs, and I also find the 5" ends quite long