Extra Long Knitting Needles – All Your Questions Answered

By Jodie Morgan

| Updated:

Sometimes the average knitting needles won’t cut it, especially if you’re trying to knit something with many stitches, like the shawl I knitted below. Here’s a review of the best knitting needles extra long, including long straight needles and circular needles with extra long cords.

Extra Long Knitting Needles - Circular Needle with Stainless steel tips and red cable with my knitted Slip Love Knit shawl in blues and red yarns in progress.

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There are long needles, it just takes some searching for the best knitting needle.

I reviewed, fact checked and updated this post on September 1, 2024.

Table Of Contents

Extra Long Interchangeable Needles

Fashoknit Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set

Fashokint Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set
Fashoknit has happy customers for their products.

Made by a small business based in the US, Fashoknit’s interchangeable set comprises several types of wood and bamboo. It has a selection of longer cords than usually included in these kinds of products and items.

Features

  • S3.50mm, 4mm, 4.50mm, 5mm, 5.50mm, 6mm, 6.50mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm
  • Cord Lengths Included – x2 60 cm, x2 80cm & x2 100 cm
  • Needle Tips Are 5″
  • Notions Included – 8 Stoppers & 4 Pins
  • Made From – A mixture of Ebony, Rosewood, Steam Beech Wood & Bamboo

Pros

  • Fast shipping
  • Smooth, snagless connections
  • Made of woods and bamboo that are smooth and warm to the touch
  • This needle set is well made
  • They’re much better suited for projects with large circumferences

Cons

  • Smaller sizes aren’t available.

Want the best yarn for baby blankets? Discover the contenders with my guide.

Extra Long Circular Needles

addi Turbo Circulars – 40.”

addi Turbo Circulars - 40

The quality addi turbo plated circular needles you can expect, but with longer cords for bigger projects. Great for knitting socks two at a time.

Features

  • US 000 (1.5mm), 0 (2mm), 01 (2.5mm), 02 (3mm), 2.25mm, 2.75mm, 3 (3.25mm), 3.75, 4 (3.5mm), 5, 6 (4mm), 7 (4.5mm), 8 (5mm), 9 (5.5mm), 10 (6mm), 10.5 (6.5mm), 10.75 (7mm), 11 (8mm), 13 (9mm), 15 (11mm), 17 (12mm), 19 (15mm), 36 (20mm), 50 (25mm)
  • Cord Lengths Available – 40″ (100cm)
  • Needle Tips Are 5″
  • Made From – Hollow Brass & Plastic for the cords

Pros

  • Smooth
  • Made in Germany
  • Excellent craftsmanship and attention to detail
  • Made of quality materials
  • Snagless joins

Cons

  • Makes a clicking sound when you use them, which might be annoying for some people
  • Not recommended for those with brass sensitivities.
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Addi Circulars

Addi Circular Knitting Needles 200cm Long

Though these don’t have turbo plated tips, they come with the quality you can expect from Addi. Plus super long cords in a wide variety of sizes.

Features

  • Cord Lengths Available – 200cm Only
  • Needle Tips Are 5″
  • Made From – Brass Tips and gold plastic cords

Pros

  • Smooth
  • Snagless joins
  • Extra-long cord for a variety of projects
  • Lifetime warranty

Cons

  • Only available for purchase in the US
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Extra Long Double Pointed Needles

Double Pointed Bamboo Set – 10″

Brilliant Knitting Bamboo Double Pointed Needles
Brilliant Knitting has 5-star customer reviews.

A complete set of double pointed needles made of bamboo available in various lengths, including 10″.

Features

  • US 0-15
  • Total Needle Length – 5″, 6″, 7″, 8″ and 10″
  • Comes In A Pack Of 5 Of Each Size
  • Made From – Bamboo

Pros

  • Smooth
  • Slightly grippy, so the stitches don’t slide off accidentally
  • Durable
  • Slightly flexible
  • Lightweight
  • Inexpensive

Cons

  • Shipping can be expensive if you’re outside the US.

Extra Long Straight Needles

Boye Needles

Boye Knitting Needles - 14 Inches

Inexpensive and a no-frills option for a beginner knitter, Boye products are a good choice for economic needles.

Features

  • Total Needle Length – 14″
  • Made From – Aluminum

Pros

  • They’re hollow and lightweight
  • These  straight knitting needles are smooth
  • Excellent generic needles

Cons

  • Some sizes will be hard to find in this length.
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Extra Long Needles Pin

CLOVER Takumi

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Smooth needles made of bamboo, made in Japan from locally sourced, strong bamboo. These are smooth, slightly grippy, and have a lovely polished finish.

Features

  • Needle Sizes Available – US 0-15
  • Total Needle Length – 14″
  • Made From – Bamboo

Pros

  • These fixed circular knitting needles are smooth
  • Polished finish
  • Stitches glide along easily

Cons

  • Some sizes are subject to availability.

Curtzy Bamboo Set

Curtzy Bamboo Knitting Needles Set

A set of 18 pairs of smooth, lightweight needles made of bamboo. With this collection at one affordable price, you’ll have the right needle for any project. It’s a great gift for a knitting enthusiast.

Features

  • 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 , 10, 10.5, 7mm, 7.5m, 11, 13, 15 & 17

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Affordable
  • Great value

Cons

  • Some found they weren’t of super good quality
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    FAQS About Extra Long Knitting Needles

    How Long Are Knit Needles?

    Here is a list of how long knitting needles are, depending on the type.

    • Straight Needles – 9, 10, 12, 14″, 16″
    • Circular Needles – Needle Tips – 3, 3.5, 4 & 5″ – Cords -9, 16, 24, 32, 40″, 60″, 80″
    • Double Pointed Needles – 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 & 12″

    How Long Should My Knitter Needles Be?

    How long your knitting needles should be depends on the size of the project. Look at the pattern to see what it recommends. A 10 inch straight needle is a good starting point for most projects for beginners.

    How Long Should My Circular Needles Be?

    It depends on how many stitches of wool you need to have on the circular cable. Too short a cable could mean you can’t fit all the stitches.

    When knitting in the round, have the right length in a circular needle is important. A needle length too long means the end stitch and the beginning stitch can’t be joined without over stretching the stitches. Refer to the pattern you’re using.

    What Are The Longest Knitter Needles?

    The longest knitting needles are 19 inches/50cm for straight needles. The longest length in a circular knitting needle is 80 inches/200cm.

    Conclusion

    Hopefully, this post helped you find the best extra long knitting needles. Though sometimes hard to find, if you’re knitting a large project, spending a bit of time looking for the right length makes a real difference.

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    About The Author

    Jodie Morgan From Knit Like Granny

    Jodie Morgan (Author & Founder)

    jodie@knitlikegranny.com | Lives In: Regional Australia

    Author: Jodie Morgan is a passionate knitter and blogger with 40+ years of experience currently living in regional Australia. Taught by her mother and wonderful grandmother “Mama”, she fell in love with crafting from a young age. When she’s not knitting, you’ll find her enjoying a cup of coffee with cream, or sharing helpful resources and tips with the online knitting community. Get to know Jodie and the team on our meet the team page.

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    Comments

    1. Hi Jodie…is it possible to buy straight single point needles size 3.5mm longer than 40in?? Hate working with circular needles!!! Granny Helen

      Reply
      • Hi Helen. Thanks for getting in touch. You’ve written 40 inch length. I’m checking, did you mean longer than 14 inches in a size 3.5mm?

        I’ve done a quick search for 3.5mm in 16 inch Straight needles but they only seem to be the larger mm sizes. If I find anything, I will let you know.

        Cheers Jodie

        Reply
    2. I’m disappointed. When I saw “Extra Long [Straight] Knitting Needles” I thought you were going to include information about truly extra long needles. 14 inch is a standard size. I want really long needles for knitting afghans but not the ridiculously fat ones, which are all I can find. I am knitting an afghan, not a fishing net. All I can find is a set of 6, which does include the 40CM (when did knitting all convert to metric?). I was hoping to find just the size 13s that I need. Sigh.

      Reply
      • Hi Flo. It seems extra long knitting needles in the length and size you want is proving difficult. Very frustrating to be sure. I wonder if it might be an idea to get in touch with a maker on Etsy for example who works with wood and see if you could have needles you desire custom made? If I am able to find anything in 16 inches in size 13 I will let you know. Cheers Jodie

        Reply
        • Thanks. I did find some on Etsy, made in Argentina, that are 50mm (not cm as my earlier note incorrectly stated) which is even longer than I asked about. The needles are reasonable–about $15 a pair, but shipping is $6.50. I may still buy them just for the pleasure of not having to deal with circular needles (which come undone when the afghan gets really heavy).

          Reply
          • Hi Flo. That’s great to hear. Would you please share the link on Etsy as I am sure it would help other readers. Cheers Jodie

            Reply
      • Can you please tell me where you got your extra long knitting needles from.im finding it hard searching for them

        Reply
      • Just wondering if you have looked at Knit Pro.
        They have the longest single pointed needles I have seen.
        Though my old/old needles are longer.
        Those used for by Irish Cottage needles (Lever knitting) were longer

        Reply
        • Hi Julia, thanks so much for sharing your knowledge about long needles. I’ve replied to your comment too about longer tips for circular needles.

          Reply
    3. Hi Jodi. I love knitting socks but I knit the European way with four needles and long. The most comfortable length would be 35 cm but I can’t find any. Can you help me?

      Reply
      • Hi Irene. Can you tell me what yarn your’re using? Also the yarn label will have a suggestion of the needle size either US or mm. You might want to consider circular needles rather than straights. Cheers Jodie

        Reply
    4. I am looking for longer length needles (50cm or 60cm in length) in size 5.5mm.
      I knit Aran cardigans and knit the fronts and back together but I really do not like using circulars as I cannot get my tension right.
      Any idea where I could get 50cm or 60cm x 5.5mm straight needles?

      Reply
      • Hi Sylvia. I’ve done some research and haven’t found any straight knitting needles in 50cm/60cm in 5.5mm options available online. If I do find something, I’ll be sure to let you know. Cheers Jodie

        Reply
    5. Hi all

      If you mean the longest size in length possible. There are sizes up to 300cm but the sizes available are only 2mm, 2.5mm and 3mm. For regular/most used sizes it is difficult to find beyond 150cm/60 inches in length.

      A way round would be to used interchangeable needles and join the cables together to make much longer lengths.

      I hope this helps.

      Reply
    6. I am desperately trying to find out which circular knitting needles have the longest length pins.
      As a Lever knitter I am used to long needles.
      I am presently trying to improve my knitting on circular needles but find the short little 5″ pins slow me down and make things difficult.
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Hi Julia, I can appreciate how knitting with 5 inch length tips on a cable (circular needle) is proving difficult after working with single points! I’ll do some research and let you know if I find any longer tips. Cheers Jodie

        Reply

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