Aluminum, a staple material for all sorts of knitting needles, a pair of aluminum straight knitting needles may be the first pair of needles you learned to knit on.
Smooth and slippery, perfect for fast knitting and intricate designs and finer yarn but also cold, inflexible, and for some people, uncomfortable to use for long periods.
Here is a review of the best available, and the pros and cons of using these needles for knitting.
Table Of Contents
- Aluminum Knitting Needles Set
- Knitter’s Pride Zing Deluxe Interchangeable Knitting Set
- Needlemaster 40-Piece Interchangeable Aluminum Knitting Set
- Knitter’s Pride SmartStix Interchangeable Knitting Set
- Aluminum Circular Needles
- Knitter’s Pride Zing Circular Needles
- Addi Turbo Rockets
- Aluminum Double Pointed Needles
- addi FlipStix Double Point Needles
- Knitter’s Pride Zing Double Point Needles
- Aluminum Straight Knitting Needles
- Boye 10-Inch Aluminum Single Point Knitting Needles
- Susan Bates Silvalume Knitting Needles
- Your Questions Answered
Aluminum Knitting Needles Set
Knitter’s Pride Zing Deluxe Interchangeable Knitting Set
An interchangeable circular set from Knitter’s Pride line Zing is smooth, flawlessly tapered needles, with a good length of 4.5″ for the needle tips.
Featuring a different color for each size, there’s an excellent selection of larger sizes for various projects.
Features
- Sizes Included – US Sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10.5 and 11 (3.5, 3.75, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5 & 8.0mm)
- Cord Lengths Included – x1 24″, x2 32″, x1 40″
- Needle Tips Are 4.5″ Long
- Notions Included – 8 End caps, 4 Cord keys & 1 pair of Cord connectors
Pros
- Smooth
- Lightweight
- Durable and strong
- Snagless joins
- Easy connection system
- Good customer service
- Fast shipping
Cons
- Slightly expensive but very worth it
Needlemaster 40-Piece Interchangeable Aluminum Knitting Set
Made by the brand Boye, this affordable set has a large selection of sizes, and cable lengths. All of the needle tips are in lovely colors and smooth aluminum.
Features
- Sizes Included – US Sizes 2 – 15
- Cord Lengths Included – 20″, 24″, 29″, 36″
- Needle Tips Are 4″ Long
- Notions Included – Carry case and end stoppers
Pros
- Each different size is a separate color for easy identification
- You can make both straight needles and circular needles with this kit
- Affordable
- Smooth and slick
- Not too sharp, not to blunt
Cons
- Doesn’t include some of the smaller sizes for knitting socks and other finer projects
- Some found the joins snagged the yarn
- The cables are a bit stiff and have a bit of memory
Knitter’s Pride SmartStix Interchangeable Knitting Set
The SmartStix range from Knitters Pride is characterized by a unique feature of being both a knitting needle and a ruler in one! Smooth, functional, and easy to use.
These make measuring your gauge, knitted items, and checking the yarn weight much easier.
Features
- Sizes Included – US 4 (3.5mm) – Chrysolite, US 5 (3.75mm) – Amethyst, US 6 (4.0mm) – Sapphire, US 7(4.5mm) – Iolite, US 8 (5.0mm) – Ruby, US 9 (5.5mm ) – Sienna, US 10 (6.0mm) – Purple Velvet, US 10.5 (6.5mm) – Coral, US 11 (8.0mm) – Emerald
- Cord Lengths Included – x1 24″, x2 32″, x1 40″
- Needle Tips Are 4″ Long
- Notions Included – 8 End caps + 4 Cord keys + 1 Set of cord connectors
Pros
- Comes in a durable white and silver faux leather case
- Smooth
- The needle design is very functional
- Each size is a different color & the sizes are laser etched on the side
- Lightweight and durable
- Surprisingly comfortable to use
- Fast delivery
Cons
- Expensive
- Cold and inflexible
- Not suitable for beginners
- Some found the connection system difficult to use
Aluminum Circular Needles
Knitter’s Pride Zing Circular Needles
The circular needles available in the Zing range have the same smoothness, durability and lightweight feel you can expect from the interchangeables.
Features
- Sizes Available – This listing is for 8 US, but many more sizes are available in their shop
- Cord Lengths Available – 9 inch, 12 inch, 16 inch, 24 inch, 32 inch, & 40 inch
- Needle Tips Are 4″ Long
Pros
- Each size is a different color and sizes are laser etched on each one
- Smooth and lightweight
- Lovely choice of colors
- Fast shipping
- Excellent customer service
- Snagless joins
- Affordable
Cons
- Some found the size wore off after lots of use
- Some cord lengths are subject to availability
Addi Turbo Rockets
With the quality of the addi turbo design and the sharp rockets tip, they make a great choice for lace knitting and working more intricate designs or finer yarn.
Features
- Sizes Available -US Sizes 000 (1.50mm), 00 (1.75mm), 0 (2.00mm), 1 (2.50mm), 2 (3.00mm), 2.25mm, 2.75mm, 3 (3.25mm), 4 (3.5mm), 5(3.75mm), 6 (4.00mm), 7 (4.50mm), 8 (5.00mm), 9 (5.50mm), 10 (6.00mm), 10.5 (6.50mm), 10.75 (7.00mm), 11 (8.00mm), 13 (9.00mm)
- Cord Lengths Available – 24″
- Needle Tips Are 4″ Long
Pros
- Has a lifetime warranty
- Durable
- Smooth
- Stitches glide along fast and effortlessly
- Excellent quality & craftsmanship
- Made in Germany
Cons
- Some found they smelled odd
- Some found the finish wore off after lots of use
Aluminum Double Pointed Needles
addi FlipStix Double Point Needles
A smooth, slightly gripper surface than other aluminum double pointed needles available to prevent your stitches from sliding off accidentally. Made with great craftsmanship and quality materials.
One tip is more rounded. The other is sharper, perfect for different types of projects without having to have two different sets of dpns.
Features
- Needle Sizes Available – This listing is for 2.25mm only, but plenty of other sizes are available in their shop
- Total Needle Length – 6 or 8″
- Comes In A Pack Of 5
Pros
- Great customer service
- Fast shipping
- Has a smooth finish but slightly gripper than the usual turbo addi finish
- Made in Germany
- Multiple sizes available from the shop
- Smooth
- Durable and inflexible
Cons
- Slightly expensive but worth it
Knitter’s Pride Zing Double Point Needles
The double pointed needles available from the Zing line manufactured by Knitters Pride in India are made of smooth and durable anodized aluminum.
Features
- Needle Sizes Available – This listing is for 2.75mm only, but plenty of other sizes are available in their shop
- Total Needle Length – 6″ or 8″
- Comes In A Pack Of 5
Pros
- Each size is a different color, and the sizing is laser etched onto each needle
- Slippery and smooth but not so much so that your stitches slip off accidentally
- Affordable
- Fast shipping and excellent service from the seller
Cons
- Some found they didn’t last long enough
- Some found the sizing etched onto the needle wore off after a long period of use
Aluminum Straight Knitting Needles
Boye 10-Inch Aluminum Single Point Knitting Needles
Straight needles with an ideal length for a variety of projects without being cumbersome or annoying. Simple, effective, and reasonably priced, these are great no-nonsense tools for any knitter.
Features
- Needle Sizes Available – Larger sizes
- Total Needle Length – 10″
Pros
- Made in Switzerland with great craftsmanship
- Affordable
- Great for beginner knitters
- Not too slippery
Cons
- Some found they didn’t last after lots of use
- Not a very wide variety of size available
Susan Bates Silvalume Knitting Needles
Available in length a tad longer than the above listing, these are affordable, easy to use, and not too slippery.
Features
- Needle Sizes Available – US Size 0 – 2 mm, 1 – 2.25 mm, 2 – 2.75 mm, 3 – 3.25 mm, 4 – 3.5 mm, 5 – 3.75 mm, 6 – 4 mm, 7 – 4.5 mm, 8 – 5 mm, 9 – 5.5 mm, 10 – 6 mm, 10 1/2 – 6.5 mm, 11 – 8 mm, 13 – 9 mm, 15 – 10 mm
- Total Needle Length – 10″ or 14″
Pros
- Lots of sizes available
- Smooth
- Durable
- Fast shipping
- Friendly and accommodating customer service
Cons
- Some found they didn’t last long.
Your Questions Answered
What Is Anodized Aluminum?
Anodized aluminum is aluminum that has been through the process of anodization. It changes the chemical properties of the surface of the metal.
This process increases resistance to corrosion, wear, and scratches and makes it stronger and more durable.
How To Smooth Aluminum Knitting Needles
Put on clean rubber dishwashing gloves and massage the needles a little. Drag each needle between your pinched thumb and forefinger – no water, pull the needles between the pinched, dry glove.
Aluminum Knitting Needles Wax Or Oil
It’s not recommended to use wax or oil on these needles, simply wiping them with a clean microfibre cloth should do the trick. Don’t wet them, as it may damage the surface.
Hopefully, this post gives you everything you need to know about aluminum needles and the best to choose from, you’re sure to find it easy to decide whether using knit needles with this material suits you.
Why do you like or dislike about this kind of metal? Did you learn to knit on this type? I’d be interested to hear your opinion or knitting origins!
Leave me a comment below or contact me here.
