If you’re a knitter, then you know that needles are a kind of obsession.  Nickle, aluminum, birch, bamboo, acrylic… the options are endless.  And that’s just for tips.  There’s DPNs (double pointed needles), straights, circulars.  Then there’s fixed circular or interchangeable circulars.  And do you get Denise or Addi interchangeable?  KnitPicks or HiyaHiya?

Once you have all this figured out in a way that works best for you, then you have to figure out where to store all these bad boys.

I have an okay selection of all kinds of needles.  I got a bunch of cheapo aluminum straight needles from my mom when I started knitting.  But those don’t see much use and I keep them packed away, for the most part.  I’ve found that even on projects that call for flat knitting, I prefer to use my circulars.   I have some DPNs for times when you can’t avoid them (Kitchener stitch!), but again, I don’t particularly care to knit on DPNs.  Too fiddly for my tastes.  I have a KnitPicks nickle-plated interchangeable set that Kile got me for my birthday and I do use it fairly often, especially for those flat knitting projects I was mentioning.  I also use them to “magic loop” most small circumference projects that can’t be knit with my 12″ circulars.  This would include things like hats where you decrease down to 4 stitches or so.

But I’d say above and beyond, I love my 16″ and 12″ circulars.  I even have a 9″ that a friend gave to me.  I know there are some people that cannot abide knitting on such a small circumference.  And here I would say it all depends on the needles.  I am loathe to use any other 12″ circulars besides Addi (though I’ve seen the HiyaHiya’s are similarly styled).  The needle tip is short and bent so you’re not as cramped with the knitting.  I’ve found I can just fly though a project with those bad boys.  The only problem is, it can be difficult to find 12″ Addi circulars.  And there are no interchangeable sets that come with cables that small.  (KnitPicks goes down to 24″, HiyaHiya goes down to 16″).  The best place I’ve found so far is on eBay.  Depending on where you look, you can get a really good price.  Which reminds me, I think I need to order a few more.

Plainly put, though, it can be hard to find quality needles at your local craft store.  It’s sad, but true.  If you want something that you’re going to truly enjoy knitting with, you pretty much need to order it online (or pay out the nose at your local yarn shop, and even then, they might not have the sizes you need in stock!).  Best to make peace with this now, before you frustrate yourself!

And, like I said, there’s the question of storage and organization.  I’m still working on this myself.  My interchangeable needles have a neat plastic pouch that they can be contained and organized in, but the rest of my circulars are pretty much operating at a “free for all”.  I’m considering making this case, if I ever have the time.  Or I might find one to buy.

So tell me: what is your solution to needle storage?  And what are your favorite kinds of needles to knit with?