When it comes to knitting, you often need some interchangeable needles for the more complicated and challenging crafts. You can’t always knit on straight needles, and interchangeable needles are a great alternative to staright and circular needles.

When you want to knit in the round, you need interchangeable needles. Almost every clothing project requires them, so when you move on from blankets and scarves, it’s going to be necessary to learn how to use interchangeable knitting needles.

We’re going to look at the best sets of interchangeable knitting needles you can buy in 2022, and talk about what makes them great options.

Best Interchangeable Knitting Needle Sets

1. LAYOER Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set

Product Highlights

In a super compact and handy travel case, this set has thirteen pairs of compact interchangeable knitting needles that go from US sizes 2-15. They are perfect for every project you might be working on.

It includes four steel cables for joining the needles, two cable keys, two couplers, and a point gripper, as well as some stitch holders.

Features

• Thirteen pairs of needles for a range of project sizes
• Ergonomic hook design for comfortable knitting, reducing achiness in the hands
• Memory-free cables make knitting flexible and easy for every project
• Cable keys to ensure a good fit
• Weighs 2.2 ounces

What We Like About The LAYOER Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set

This is a great set if you want everything – the cable keys, the couplers, a great range of needle sizes, point grippers, and stitch holders. If you’re just getting started with knitting or knitting in the round, this is a superb choice because it gives you everything you could need.

The hook design should minimize any soreness as your muscles get used to the new activity, and you have some of the more unusual needle sizes to work with. This is a comprehensive set, meaning you won’t have to buy extra needles.

The case is also lovely and light for traveling with, so it’s perfect for tucking into a bag when you’re on the go.

What We Don’t Like About The LAYOER Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set

Some of the plastic pockets that are designed to hold the accessories seem like they may not hold up well. They are a little flimsy, and while it’s nice to have clear plastic so you can see what’s inside, they don’t add much to the aesthetics of the set.

Although the sizes have been etched or printed on the needles, they are quite faint and hard to read. This means you’ll have to spend time looking for the correct needle, and as they are all the same color, there’s no grab and go aspect to using them.

PROS	CONS
Beautiful, swish-looking gold needles	Plastic divisions in this case may not hold up to use
Handy carry case	No needle gauge
Plenty of needle sizes	Sizes on the needles are hard to read
All the accessories you could need
Lightweight for traveling

2. ChiaoGoo Knitting Needles

Product Highlights

This very smart-looking set of interchangeable knitting needles contains a good range of sizes, including 2-10, 10.5, 11, 13, and 15. The handy travel bag keeps everything organized and has a super simple drawstring closure.

With six cable lengths (three small, three large), two cable connectors, four end stoppers, and two tightening keys, you should have all the accessories you need for your projects. The set also has a needle gauge and twenty-four stitch markers.

The accessories are neatly sectioned into a zippered front pocket, keeping the main case clutter-free so you can find your needles with ease.

Features

• Thirteen pairs of needles
• A needle gauge so you never realize mid-project you’re using the wrong size
• Six cable lengths so you can have several needles on the go at once
• Cable keys to ensure a good fit
• Plenty of accessories to make projects run smoothly
• Weighs 10.4 ounces

What We Like About The ChiaoGoo Knitting Needles

Again, this set is generous in the number of needles it includes as it gives you thirteen sizes to choose from. That’s great for varied projects, and ensures that you never find out you need a size you don’t have. 

The size two and three needles are particularly useful if you want to do some small-scale knitting, and these are rarely included in such sets.

The simple, pretty case is simple but yet stylish, and also well-designed. Say goodbye to the clutter of accessories in the main case with that useful zip pocket.

The flexible cables are also of excellent quality because they bend but don’t twist, making it easy to knit in the round. You may even find that the needles are interchangeable with cables from other companies, so you can lengthen or shorten your knitting projects as needed.

Having six different cables is also a big plus, as most sets only come with two or three cables.

What We Don’t Like About The ChiaoGoo Knitting Needles

The pocket may be considered a drawback, because all your accessories can end up in a jumble, and you don’t have a clear panel to give you a view into the case. You might spend several minutes hunting for an accessory that isn’t even there.

Sometimes you may need to re-tighten the attachment between the needle and the cable, as this is prone to coming loose. This is a fairly minor issue, but if you don’t remember to do it from time to time, you’ll find the cable falls out of the needle.

PROS	CONS
Thirteen needles in a gorgeous case, making this a lovely set to gift or buy for yourself	Accessories aren’t organized
Six cables of various lengths	Needles sometimes come loose from their cables and need to be re-tightened periodically
Several accessories	Heavier than many alternative sets so not quite as good for traveling if weight is an issue
A carry case and a drawstring bag with shoulder straps for super easy transportation
Zip pocket for accessories
Ultra-smooth metal needles with no chance of snagging or growing rough with the use/li>

3. Knitters Pride Dreams Deluxe

Product Highlights

If you’re looking for a simpler kit with some particularly beautiful needles, this could be the one for you. The ends have a beautiful marbled effect and come in an array of colors, making it very easy to always grab the correct needle for your project.

The set has sizes from four to eleven, and also provides a set of markers, four cord keys, eight end caps, and a carrying case. The case isn’t so pretty to look at, but it offers a nice display for the beautiful needles and keeps them organized by size so you can always find the one you need.

Features

• Nine pairs of needles
• Three color-coded cords
• Cable keys
• End caps
• Weighs 1.92 ounces

What We Like About The Knitters Pride Dreams Deluxe

This set is much simpler, containing only the things you need to get started with knitting in the round. It does not have a pile of accessories that you may already have, so you are only paying for things you want.

We also love that although the product is made in India, it comes from a company that pays its workers a living wage and provides them with benefits and child care. You can buy these with a clean conscience about where your money is going.

Everything in the set is interchangeable, too, so you don’t have to spend time trying to find the right cables to link up with the right needles. You can just slot parts together, tighten them with the provided keys, and you’re ready to go.

What We Don’t Like About The Knitters Pride Dreams Deluxe

Unfortunately, rather than etching the sizes on the needles, the company has chosen to print them, and of course this wears off with use. Unless you know the needle sizes by sight, that could be a problem, as there are no markings in the case, either.

You do sometimes need to check that the needles are still connected, as they can work loose while you’re knitting. 

The case also leaves much to be desired, being just flimsy plastic, with little design thought or care. There are no pockets and the needles are held in place by thin, flimsy elastic rather than thick bands that will keep them secure and stand up to extended use.

PROS	CONS
Made by a company paying living wages in India	Sizes are printed on the needles but will wear off with the use
Beautiful needles with a marbled pattern	The case is plastic and unattractive, looking very cheap
Reasonably lightweight for traveling	There are no pockets or slots for accessories to keep them in order

4. Royale Deluxe Interchangeable Needle Set

Product Highlights

With seven needle pairs and a handful of accessories, this kit is nice and compact, so it’s great if you want to travel. The needles included are US sizes 4-10.

It’s aesthetically pleasing, with a rustic case that keeps everything nicely displayed, and colorful needles with a marbling pattern on them.

The set comes with two cords that make sixteen-inch projects, and also includes four end caps and two cord keys for attaching the cords and the needles securely.

Features

• Seven pairs of needles
• Two cords capable of making sixteen-inch projects
• Four end caps
• Two cord keys
• Weighs 0.32 ounces

What We Like About The Royale Deluxe Interchangeable Needle Set

Although it only has seven pairs of needles and two cords, the Royale Deluxe set made this list of best interchangeable knitting needles because of its lightweight and portability. If you’re on the go a lot and you don’t need too much in the way of flexibility, this is the perfect set for you.

It still has a zip pocket at the back so you can easily add accessories that you need to carry, but you don’t have wasted space or extra weight for items that aren’t needed.

The needles are laminated wood and have polished metal tips, so they should never snag on your yarn. The wood is more comfortable to hold for many people, and gives the needles a beautiful finish.

What We Don’t Like About The Royale Deluxe Interchangeable Needle Set

The tips are not as sharp as they could be, meaning some knitters may find them clumsy to work with and less comfortable. You might find that your yarn snags while using this needle set.

PROS	CONS
Compact set that’s perfect for traveling with	Somewhat blunt tips
Neat case	Rough joins, were making the handle in just one material could have solved this problem
Very light at only 0.32 ounces	A small selection of needles and the cords are only one length
Interchangeable with other knitting products, allowing you to expand the set with ease (although the case does not have space for this so other carry solutions will be needed)

5. Lykke Knitting Needles Interchangeable Set

Product Highlights

For a truly stunning and rustic feel, the Lykke interchangeable knitting needle set does not disappoint. The faux leather looks strong and durable, with a natural wash and sophisticated layout that holds all your needles.

If you are a fan of working at a desk, the case rolls out to provide you with a flat surface on which to organize all your knitting accessories. It also nicely displays the needles so you can easily grab anything you need from the set.

The set includes nine pairs of driftwood needles, with the sizes etched in so they won’t rub off with use. You get a great range of sizes, with US 7-10, 10.5 and 11, and then 13-17. The set also includes five cords, each a different length, and eight stops, four keys, and two connectors.

With neat pockets and divisions in the case, you can keep everything organized and at your fingertips so you maximize the efficiency of your knitting sessions. The case can then be folded up and stowed inside a carry bag with drawstrings and shoulder straps for easy transportation.

Features

• Nine pairs of needles
• Five cords of various lengths
• Eight stops
• Four keys
• Two connectors
• Handy roll-out case that keeps everything displayed
• Weighs 24.44 ounces

What We Like About The Lykke Knitting Needles Interchangeable Set

Aesthetics are a top priority with this beautiful needle set. You can certainly feel the love that has gone into the design here.

The set is also very practical. It has handy pockets, elastics, a snap-close feature, and the ability to stand up on a flat surface so that your needles are nicely displayed and easy to grab whenever you need them.

With the addition of a carry bag that the case fits into, the set still manages to be portable for traveling, even though it has nine pairs of needles and five attachment cords, plus connectors. 

What We Don’t Like About The Lykke Knitting Needles Interchangeable Set

Although the pockets are nicely designed, we aren’t so keen on the flat style with the flap along the top, which doesn’t seem secure. It’s also more difficult to find what you want if you haven’t got it all arranged in elastics. It’s easy for your locking keys to get lost at the bottom, rather than being easy to grab.

If you aren’t working on a flat surface, most of the case becomes superfluous, and if you are, you already have somewhere to put your accessories. This set seems more about the nice look than the practicality.

It is also pretty heavy, perhaps as a result of the fold-out case, which means this isn’t a travel-friendly option.

PROS	CONS
A handy carrying bag that the case slots into so you can put it over your shoulder	The pocket organization may not be the best for storing accessories
Very beautiful rustic design for both the case and the needles	Needles may look dirty if paired with other sets
The sleek layout makes it easy to grab the needles you want every time	No particular practical advantage to the roll-out section of the case, although it does look nice
Needles are etched so the numbers will never wear off them	Much heavier option than most of the other choices

6. Knitter’s Pride Zing Deluxe Interchangeable Needle Set

Product Highlights

These metallic shiny needles are lovely to look at, and you get a set of nine pairs so you can work on multiple different projects, especially as four cords of varying lengths are also included. The needles range from 4-10, 10.5, and 11.

The set comes with a convenient organizer case, eight end caps, four cord keys, and a set of cord connectors to make getting set up nice and easy.

The case has a sturdy zip and a transparent panel so you can check everything is in it at a glance. It’s a very simple option, with no other accessories, so it might be ideal if you already have plenty of knitting bits and pieces and you just want some needles.

Features

• Nine pairs of needles
• Four cords of varying lengths
• Eight end caps
• Four cord keys
• Cord connectors
• Simple zip-up case
• Weighs 0.32 ounces

What We Like About The Knitter’s Pride Zing Deluxe Interchangeable Needle Set

A simple and super light set, this is suitable for advanced knitters who probably already have all the other equipment that they need. You don’t get anything besides the basics, but that might suit you if your knitting stash is well stocked.

We love the transparent panel that shows off the beautiful needles, and we like that each needle pair is a different color, as this should make it much easier to grab the right needle at the right time.

They are also made of lightweight aluminum, making sure they are easy to handle and minimizing the pressure and wear and tear on your joints. They have a reasonably good grip in spite of being metal.

What We Don’t Like About The Knitter’s Pride Zing Deluxe Interchangeable Needle Set

The needles don’t have very sharp points, which makes them less convenient for small projects and fiddly work. You may find that you split your yarn if you’re trying to work on a scaled-down version of anything, and tight knitters may struggle.

The case looks somewhat basic, although it does have the benefit of being plain and simple. Some people also find that the needles come disconnected during use.

PROS	CONS
Lightweight needles with reasonably good grip	Basic case, but reasonably functional
Simple set without lots of unnecessary accessories	Tips are somewhat blunt on the needles
Beautiful needles with smooth joints
Very light overall product

7. Knit Picks Options Wood Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set

Product Highlights

With nine pairs from size 4 to 11, these laminated birch needles are beautiful and bring a natural vibe to your knitting projects. The set is completed with four purple cables, eight purple end caps, and two tightening keys to creating a great overall aesthetic that is bright and pretty.

The cables are memory-free and snag-free, connecting quickly and easily to the needles so you can get started on your project straight away.

This is a very simple set with a vinyl case that snaps closed and keeps all the needles and accessories tidy inside.

Features

• Nine pairs of needles
• Four cables of varying lengths
• Eight end caps
• Two tightening keys
• Vinyl case
• Weighs 3.2 ounces

What We Like About The Knit Picks Options Wood Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set

A highly flexible set with its cable lengths and nine different needle sizes, this is great for both beginners and intermediate knitters, although you may have to buy some accessories if you don’t have things like stitch markers.

We love the marbled needles available at a slightly higher price. These needles are just gorgeous and well worth the extra money if you care about aesthetics. 

The tips aren’t the sharpest, but the needles are very comfortable to hold and slide easily in the hands, and the joints are smooth. You can choose your needle material, with wood or metal options.

What We Don’t Like About The Knit Picks Options Wood Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set

Over time, the ultra-smooth coating on the wooden needles may wear down. The needles are still very usable but might lose a bit of their “glide” feeling, which is frustrating if you are a dedicated knitter.

With the somewhat blunt tips, they can be tricky to knit with for tight knitters. The sizes are etched on, but the print is very small, making it hard to read.

PROS	CONS
Choice of metal or wood material	Blunt tips unsuitable for some projects
Range of needles and themed accessories so you know exactly what belongs with the kit	Coating starts to wear after a lot of use
Smooth “glide” sensation when using the needles	Sizes are very small and not easy to read
	Unappealing vinyl case

How Do I Know What Cord Size I Need?

You should find the cord sizes for each product listed in the product information, and the knitting pattern you are following will say what size is required for the product. 

Remember, long cords are frustrating to work with for short projects, but a short cord cannot be used to create something large, so make sure you have different options available.

You May Also Like: Best Addi Interchangeable Needles

Conclusion

If you’re looking for top quality and careful design, your best option is the ChiaoGoo knitting needles.

These are high quality, and you get a full range of needle sizes, including some tiny ones. You can certainly buy these separately if you want to opt for another set, but they won’t have a neat position in your case and may not fit your connectors.

The ChiaoGoo set also includes the carry case, a zip pocket for your accessories, and needles and cables that are of superb quality.