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.
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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 Knitting Needles
- Fashoknit Interchangeable Needle
- Extra Long Circulars
- addi Turbo Circulars – 40.”
- Addi Circulars
- Extra Long Double Pointed Needles
- Double Pointed Bamboo Knitting Needles
- Extra Long Straights
- Boye Knitting Needles – 14 Inches
- CLOVER Takumi Knitting Needles
- Curtzy 14 Inch Bamboo Knitting Needles
- FAQS
Extra Long Interchangeable Needles
Fashoknit Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set
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.”
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.
Addi Circulars
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
Extra Long Double Pointed Needles
Double Pointed Bamboo Set – 10″
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
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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CLOVER Takumi
Check Price on AmazonSmooth 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
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
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.
Hi Jodie…is it possible to buy straight single point needles size 3.5mm longer than 40in?? Hate working with circular needles!!! Granny Helen
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
Longest straight needle size 3.5mm??
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.
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
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).
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
What was the name of the person making the long needles please. I’m looking for some to do afghans with.
Hi Chris. I did a bit of research and found this etsy seller does custom orders. https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/765411827/prestige-cherry-round-wooden-knitting Cheers Jodie
Can you please tell me where you got your extra long knitting needles from.im finding it hard searching for them
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
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.
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?
Hi Catharina. Thanks for getting in touch. I have done a quick search for double pointed needles that are 35cm/13 inches and I haven’t found any. I wonder if you could get some custom made through a maker on Etsy? The Little Knitting Co on Etsy has DPNs in 10 inch lengths. https://knitlikegranny.com/recommends/double-pointed-needles-10-inch/
It could be worth asking them if they do custom orders and also have a hunt on Etsy. Cheers Jodie
I am looking for 50cm STRAIGHT, not horrible circular, needles, thinner than 3.5 mm.
Do they exist?
Hi Glenys. I have not found 50cm straights in small diameters. If I do I will be sure to get in touch. Cheers Jodie
Hi I am looking for the correct size knitting needles for extra large chunky yarn, also extra length . Could you help
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
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?
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
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.
Thanks very much for sharing Stephen.
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
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
Thank you for all of the information you give us on this site. I appreciate all that you do.
That’s very kind Colleen. Thank you 🙂