Hi there folks! Welcome to day 6 of Knitting and Crochet Blogging Week!
Today’s topic is ‘a tool to covet’… so I’m going to talk about my favorite tool: my 9″ circular knitting needle!
Why a 9″?
Most people think I’m crazy when I say that my favorite knitting needle is a 9″ circular. But I can’t help it. I’m in love.
I’ve already chatted about how I like knitting socks… and 9″ circular needles are a fabulous way to knit them! When you knit with other techniques (double point needles, two circulars or magic loop), there’s always a join that creates the potential for laddering (those icky loose stitches) as well as costs you some time maneuvering them around.
With the 9″ circular, there’s none of that! You just knit around and around!
My favorite one is the *Hiya Hiya 9″, because the tips of the needles aren’t too pointy. Clover makes a 9″ needle that’s made from bamboo with pointier tips. It’s just a matter of personal preference which one you choose.
What are the downsides?
I can’t report many… I love not losing a double point needle under an airline seat (oy, what a mess!) and not having to worry about finding multiple needles to get a sock done.
However… the 9″ is small… and too small for a number of people.
The only way to know if a 9″ will work for you is to give one a try.
Another downside is that they haven’t really ‘taken off’ yet, and they can be a bit difficult to find in stores. For example, even though big box stores carry the line of Clover needles, I’ve yet to see the 9″ available with his needle-buddies. Some LYSs carry them, so it’s worth giving your local shop a call to see if they have them!
Give ’em a try!
I’ll be honest, if you have big hands or like a lot of ‘space’ when you knit… the 9″ probably isn’t for you.
But if you like to knit socks, and are tired of losing a double point, getting ladders in your work or having trouble tossing your knitting into your bag and going… then you might love these guys! Try them!
Best,
Stacey
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Thanks for posting this today! I’m sitting here working on your Easy Peasy Socks. I made the first on DPNs and stopped just before the toe decreases. I am currently knitting the second sock on magic loop and measuring against the first so that they are the same size. I’ll work the toes simultaneously. But I keep thinking that all these needles or all this extra plastic cording is getting in my way. I did purchase the Hiya Hiya 9″ circs in size 3 and 5 and will try my next knit socks on them. Considering this is only my 3rd knit project, I think I’m doing well!
Hi i am trying to knit your easy peasy sock on dpn can i use circular needle instead of dpn? I love much longer cord i have 48 inch size 4. I loveto do magic loop method. I have never seen 9 inch circular in my ac moore or joann did they sell them now?
Please let me know. Thanks love your site
Hi Linda- The Easy Peasy Socks refer specifically to using double point needles. I would recommend finding a different pattern that doesn’t reference dpns for using magic loop. There are oodles!
Some JoAnn’s carry 9″ circulars, but not many. You might need to order them online.
Thank you for saying there are “oodles” of patterns for the HiyaHiya US Size 9 – 9″ circular needle.
However, I cannot find one to date specifically for this size needle. if you have one, please share.
Hi Amer-
You can use the 9″ on any sock pattern! There won’t be many specifically written for the size, but once you use it, you’ll realize how many patterns translate 🙂
Aww, they’re so bitty! I can see why 9″ circs are perfect for socks, but not for much else… maybe fingerless mitts?
Great for new born hats.
I think that 9″ circs are one of those things where you either love them or you hate them. I can see the appeal, and I think they could be really useful, but I tried them and HATED them. I have pretty small hands, but they tend to cramp up it I can’t relax them, and the effort of trying to knit on size 0 nine inch needles was just too much for me. I know that a lot of people really like them though, and I think that maybe if I were to get them in a larger size, for mittens or worsted weight socks, they would not hurt my hands as much.
Stacey, how do you avoid hand strain with such tiny needles?
Yeah, you’re right… you love them or hate them! I don’t do anything in particular to avoid cramps… I guess it’s just how my hand bones are configured 🙂
It is because of one of your other posts on the 9″ that spurred me to buy them. I never use anything else to knit my socks. I don’t like two-at-a-time so I never worried about that. Plus, I even use mine for in the round knits that are in the needle size I have. So nice to use a 9in until it fits a 16″ or bigger. No ladders or lose stitches. Ahh….I adore you for this.
So happy to hear the 9″ needles have gotten another fan 🙂
I’m a crocheter, so my comment is about the yarn shown in this post. Would you let me know what the company andname of the yarn shown is?
Thanks so much.
Barbara
bunky749@yahoo.com
I’m a crocheter, so my comment is about the yarn shown in this post. Would you let me know what the company and name of the yarn shown is?
Thanks so much.
Barbara
bunky749@yahoo.com
The yarn is from Wild Hare Fiber Studio, colorway: Grateful Dead
Mmm, I’m really a two-socks-at-a-time kinda gal, so I don’t think ths will work for me. I use a 40″ circular needle and after about an inch of knitting, the wire really doesn’t get in my way any more. But I have to say it looks stinkin’ cute to see that needle completely covered in the sock in progress! 🙂
Hello! I’m a fellow fan of the 9″ circs and actually found your post when I googled 9″ circs double zeros. I do love the shorter needles so much and have them in 1s and 2s. I want to drop down to a double zero get more socks done. They go so fast when one does not have to flip around longer needles or tighten at the end of dpns. I’m preaching to the choir, I know.
I would like to use the 9′ as I am tired of dpn do you have a patternI can use for 9′ needles.
Hi Barb-
You can use 9″ needles on any pattern you’d like. As I’ve mentioned in other comments, there aren’t many patterns *specifically* for 9″ needles because they haven’t gained as much popularity as other methods- but that shouldn’t stop you from using them!
I couldn’t agree with you more “LOVE the 9” I always have 2 or three on the go depending on which colourway will make me the happiest at that time;0)
hi, stacey…
i have been looking for a sock pattern that is knit on the 9″ circular needle. have not had any luck so far — am i missing something?
thanks in advance, s.
Hi Sandra-
There are very few patterns specifically written for a 9″, but once you’ve knit a sock before, it’s pretty easy to get how it goes!
Do you cast on toe-up for these little guys? Or start with another method and then switch over? It’s the getting started piece I am curious to hear more about. And probably the heel. 🙂 I’vs only done socks toe up, two at a time on one loooong circular, magic loop style. Thanks!
I usually do a cuff-down sock, but I’ve done a toe-up as well. In any case, you will need to do the toe on two 9″ circulars or double points.
The heel doesn’t require any special techniques 🙂
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Could you use 2 of the 9″ circulars for making hexipuffs? (From the beekeepers quilt)
You could! What a great idea!
Those who don’t love knitting socks on the 9″ circular…please don’t give up too quickly! Yes, the first couple of rounds can be awkward, but once you have four or five rounds completed, you have something to “grab hold of” and it’s much more comfortable.
Added to the convenience of carrying, and the lack of “ladders”, I’m a believer!
If your local yarn shop or big box store doesn’t carry the 9″ (or order it for you) there are lots of places online.
Thanks for chiming in, Mary!
What sock pattern are you using?
I must give the 9″ a go!! thank u
I’m using the Basic Sock pattern by Churchmouse Yarns.
I also LOVE the 9″ circular and have all sizes in twos…I use the basic sock pattern cuff down provided by the HiYa HiYa company. There is a tutorial on You Tube provided by Springers Yarn Nook which sells these needles and you can knit along with the 8 videos for each step of making your sock..wonderful for a new beginner.
Well, I knitted my third sock this tome on a 9 inch by Kollage. I love it. It was easy and no whole. I even contoured to my foot. Try the 9 Indy you will love, too.
So…I’m a major two at a time, toe up, magic loop addict, but I just thought I’d try something different, and I’m doing the 9″ circ, one at a time (these socks are so NOT going to match – my ADD is absurd, lol). You mention nothing special for the heel, but do you use a stitch holder? I’m just starting mine, so I’m getting to the heel, but not there yet, and I’m having a hard time envisioning it. I’m sure it will come to me when I get there, but….
Nope, no stitch holder! I just leave the unworked stitches on the needle.
do you know of any mitten patterns for the 9″ circs
Thank you for your review. I just made a pair of socks using double pointed needles. Yes on ladders, pulled the wrong needle and lost all my stitches, hard to find a comfortable way to hold the needles when knitting. I will definitely try the 9 inch circular.
I have an interchangeable set of circulars. Can I use my long tip with the nine inch cord? Or does it have to be a short tip?
Bought the 9″ from ChiaoGoo, and I love them. Took me a little practice to get used to them, but they are absolutely wonderful. In the process of finishing my first pair of socks. With the DPNs I seemed to have suffered from second sock syndrome.
Working on argyle socks with 9” needles. A little difficult to get the feel of them, but I’m really liking them and am adapting to them. I am pretty sure I love them.
I want to make a pair of mittens on 9 inch DPN needles. This will be my first project using 9 inch needles. Does this 9 inch have short needles ? I am confused if the stitches will fit on this needles ? I have made mittens with two needles and sew the sides . Never used circular needles. I need some advice.
Read further down in the post where Stacey talks about who might not like them. If you like a lot of “room” while you stitch, you might want to go with a longer size.
I want to knit some fingerless gloves using these 9″ circulars. But I can’t find a pattern anywhere! I’m not quite creative enough to come up with my own, but do you have any ideas? Seems to me they’d work out just fine. I don’t need a thumb gusset; just a space or “hole” where the thumb would go through.
Hi Jane,
Did you ever find out how to do this? I would love to know as well!
Thanks,
Aparna
,
I’m looking desperately for a pattern for a short sock on 9in circulars …. somebody help .,.. haha
What do you think the minimum stitch count would be on a 9 in circ size four using dk yarn. I am starting a project that starts with 8 stitches and grows outward until you have 200 stitches. I am not comfortable with dpn at all and want to switch as quickly as possible.
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Can you Please suggest a video for me?
Can you knit fingerless mitts with 9 inch circs? I am worried that the stitches would be too tight.
I love them too. Can’t stop making socks now🧶
Hi Stacey I have been a fan of 9 ” circular needles for a very long time. I used to be able to buy them at a “five and dime store”. $5.00 each no matter what size. When my house burned down, I lost all of my supplies. Trying to replace them now days but 9″ circulars are hard to find. When I asked at our local stores, the clerk would look at me like I lost my last marble.
Thanks for sharing.
Paula
Hi Stacey
I forgot to mention I use the 9″ circulars for any round work, mittens, socks, or hats. Love them.
Paula
I would love to know how you do the toe in the lead off picture. I don’t even need an actual pattern: just a good description. (I dream up enough of my own, but that one just doesn’t jump out at me.) I too am a long-time lover of short circs. Honestly? My favorite are the old, as in no longer available plastic Clover needles. They had no cable, just a flat piece of plastic between the needle sections. There was never a loose cable, or a rough place to slide the stitches along! I miss those needles, even though they came in limited sizes.