Edit July 2014: maximum numbers have now been added to the table below.
Edit: As knitsnwovens‘ comment points out (thanks for catching my blip!), the table below actually lists the minimum number of stitches that each circ will accommodate, so I’m amending this post.
You know when you run across those notes on little scrap pieces of paper and you say, “Hey, I’ve been looking for that!” And at the time you scribble them down, think, “I’ll remember where I got this!”
Well, I just ran across this one, and with apologies, I do not remember the source. If anyone knows who the original author is, please let me know so I can give credit here (I’m pretty sure it came from a book).
This table lists the minimum (min) and maximum (max) number of sts that will fit different circular needles at the stated gauges. The minimums are the least you should consider for each needle; to avoid stretching the work unnecessarily, it is recommended that more than the absolute minimum number of stitches be worked on any given size needle.
| Gauge sts/in | 16″ [41cm] min / max | 24″ [61cm] min / max | 29″ [74cm] min / max | 36″ [91cm]min / max | 60″ [152cm]min / max |
| 5 | 80 / 160 | 120 / 240 | 145 / 290 | 180 / 360 | 300 / 600 |
| 6 | 100 / 200 | 140 / 280 | 175 / 350 | 215 / 430 | 360 / 720 |
| 7 | 110 / 220 | 170 / 340 | 205 / 410 | 250 / 500 | 420 / 840 |
| 8 | 130 / 260 | 190 / 380 | 230 / 460 | 290 / 580 | 480 / 960 |
| 9 | 140 / 280 | 220 / 440 | 260 / 520 | 325 / 650 | 540 / 1080 |
January 3, 2010 at 9:06 pm
I divided these stitch counts out, and it turns out that it’s giving the number of stitches to equal the size of the circular (all the ones under 16″ are 16″ around…). Are you sure that it isn’t the _minimum_ number of stitches rather than the max? My vague memory is that you can cram up to 4x the width on a circular, but you don’t want to go below the circular size or things get rather stretched out…
January 3, 2010 at 10:40 pm
I believe you are absolutely right — seems that’s true for all of the entries in the table. More reasons to take really good notes! I will amend the post. Thanks!
February 5, 2010 at 5:17 pm
Thank you so much for this info. My favorite circular needles are the 16 inch length. I knit hats for charity and Ships Support and the 16 inch length works the best (IMHO).
October 15, 2014 at 5:18 am
I have 833 stitches on a circular for a baby shawl, and it’s not the biggest one lol
April 6, 2015 at 2:15 pm
Elizabeth what size is your cable that is holding 833 stitches?
July 3, 2015 at 7:11 am
Very nice.how about 9 and12 inch round needles.love using round needles.
July 3, 2015 at 8:54 am
I haven’t knit with needles that small so can’t speak from personal experience for those. If you have some numbers that I can add to the table I’d be most happy to do that🙂
July 3, 2015 at 12:15 pm
On 12inch you can use 40 sts with ease
July 3, 2015 at 2:54 pm
Thank you so much!
February 14, 2016 at 1:12 pm
This is just what I was looking for, but I want to make sure I understand your table correctly. So, if the gauge says 20 stitches, 26 rows to 4″, would mean that I could get a min. of 60 and max. of 140 sts on a 16″ needle?
Thank you.
February 14, 2016 at 2:59 pm
80 and 160, yes. It does depend on the yarn you’re using a bit — wool will tend to squish together more while solid plant-based fibres may max out at a slightly lower number.
March 1, 2016 at 8:32 pm
I have an Afghan that I want to make. It calls for an size eight circular needle, but I only have a 24 inch circular needle. Will this work?? I also have to increase 2 stitches on some rows. Can you help me out with this??
Connie Jeanne
July 21, 2016 at 6:33 am
I would like to know what length circular for 250 stitches using 12 ply with 5.5 mm needle
July 21, 2016 at 11:23 am
I haven’t done a sample for a 12-ply (bulky yarn / approx 14 sts per 4″ (10cm) gauge) but you can use the finished measurement for your piece as a guide. The 250 sts @ 3.5 sts / inch (2.5cm) gauge would yield a piece 71.4″ (181.4cm) wide. So, a 60″ (152cm) circular should do just fine. Hope that helps.