anyone still prefer flat needles over circular or just me?

[glomper]

Just wondering, do any of you actually like using "flat" needles. I didn't know that they were even called that until I started using this forum. Here in NZ you don't see many people knitting anymore though I am sure plenty do in the privacy of their own homes and when I was little I used to see women using "flat" needles.

Probably 95% of knitting patterns in the knitting shops here are for "flat" needles and although there are circular needles available there isn't the range of makes and types here that you have overseas.

I have tried circular needles but don't find them any faster or better than "Flat" ones. The only benefit that I can see is you can sit and knit in a confined space without worrying about poking someone. Have also heard that circular needles are better for holding weight of work on larger projects. I have a problem with carpal tunnel syndrome and find that both types of needles help or hurt different parts of the hand/wrist.

Anyway just wondered if any of you like using regualr/flat needles too.
:thinking:

[Jan in CA]

I think most people new to knitting prefer straight needles over circular, but that is usually because they are nervous or worried about using circs. I know I was. Once I tried it though there is no going back. Circs are lighter, the needle is shorter so you don't get poked and you can knit SEAMLESS things! I have used straights since I learned to use circs, but they felt awkward and bulky to me. :rollseyes:

[Debbie]

I like to knit in the round, but still prefer my straights for flat knitting.

[HeatherFeather]

I prefer my circulars, but feel "back to my roots" sort of if I have bamboo straights, that are SHORT...not long ones...I have MUCH less fatigue with the circulars than with the straight needles.

[Ingrid]

If I'm making something small, I still pull out my straights. I've also found that straights can work better if you have lots of colors hanging off the back--less opportunity for getting tangled on the cord.

I generally prefer circs for all the reasons stated above, and for carrying knitting around, I never have to worry about forgetting a needle or dropping one at an inopportune time.

I've also had to switch to straights once because the point on the circs wasn't sharp enough for the stitch I was doing.

[HeatherFeather]

just buy them alll, and be happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ekgheiy]

I agree - buy them all. You can't have too much knitting stuff, ... right? :D

[Cristy]

I tend to mostly knit w/ circs now although it causes a lot of confusion for others...last night at our SNB my dad decided to stop by the coffee shop to see what we do and he understood the crochet hook and the flat needles but non-knitters just can't wrap their minds around circs and always want to know what I'm doing...

[cozy]

I love my straights, but when I'm knitting something in the round, I like the fact that with circulars, there's no seams to sew. Still, when I think of "Knitting," I think straights, or "flats" as you call them.

[LM Needle Fanatic]

I prefer straight needles. I'd rather work in pieces and seam. I think maybe the afghan I did on circulars turned me off of them...holding the whole thing in my lap (in the summer) and knitting (and sweating). ( about it now)