Double Pointed Needles (DPNs)

Double pointed needles are the traditional tool for small-circumference knitting — sock cuffs, mitten thumbs, hat crowns, and anything too narrow to comfortably fit on a circular needle's cable. Our selection spans wood, metal, and bamboo in 6" and 8" lengths, along with sock-specific sets and a hybrid flexible option.

DPNs are sold in sets of four or five and work by distributing stitches across several needles, with a working needle knitting stitches off one end. Length matters here: 6" needles suit smaller circumferences like sock cuffs and mitten thumbs, while 8" needles give a bit more room for slightly larger projects like hat crowns or sleeves. Material follows the same logic as our other needles — wood and bamboo offer grip that helps control stitches and prevents them from sliding off unexpectedly, while metal is smoother and faster, often preferred once a knitter has more experience keeping tension even across several needles.

This collection also includes a couple of alternatives to traditional DPNs. Flexiflips combine a short flexible cable with a DPN-style point, giving some of a DPN's compactness with a bit more stability, and our ChiaoGoo DPN Sock Set bundles a full range of sizes specifically for sock knitting. If DPNs feel fussy, circular needles using the magic loop technique accomplish the same small-circumference knitting with a single needle instead of several.

Frequently asked questions

What length DPN do I need?

6" needles suit smaller circumferences like sock cuffs and mitten thumbs, while 8" needles give more room for slightly larger projects like hat crowns. Check your pattern's recommendation if you're unsure.

Should I choose wood or metal DPNs?

Wood and bamboo have some grip, which helps keep stitches from sliding off unexpectedly — often preferred by newer DPN knitters. Metal is smoother and faster, which many knitters prefer once they're comfortable managing several needles at once.

What's the difference between DPNs and magic loop?

Magic loop uses a single long circular needle, pulling extra cable through to knit small circumferences, while DPNs use several short needles at once. Both accomplish the same result — it's largely a matter of which technique feels more comfortable to you.