Monica Knits

The needles I select, depend on the type of garment or project I am working on. See also: "Knitting with Circular Needles" and "Knitting Needle Size Cross-Reference Chart."

Socks. When Knitting socks I usually use 2 different needle sizes, although sometimes I also use a straight needle for casting on. For fingering weight yarn I use the following needles:
2-3/4 mm straight (1) needle for casting on (optional)
2.5 mm circular needles (2 pair 24" long) for sock body & instep
2.25 or 2.5 mm DPNs for cuff ribbing (4 needles)
2.0 mm circular needles (2 pair 24" long) for heel and toe.

I used to knit the cuff with DPNs because it produced a finer stitch and cleaner join (in the round), when I first began knitting with two circular needles. With circular needles, the first few rows can be more awkward to knit. If the entire sock, or leg warmer has a rib pattern, then I use circular needles for the entire length for consistent stitch size. When I use 2.25 mm DPNs, the gauge is smaller than with 2.0 mm circular needles. I prefer using nickel-plated, circular needles for socks because the projects are more portable, the knitting is faster and there are fewer intersections to manage, which also cuts down on the time it takes to knit a pair of socks. (2 intersections with 2 circular needles, versus 3 when using 4 DPNs).

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