The fastest places to find knitting needles today

You can buy knitting needles at craft stores, yarn shops, general retailers, and online sellers — and the best choice depends on whether you need them right now or can wait for shipping. Local yarn shops usually stock the widest range of needle sizes and materials, and staff can help you pick the right size for your project. Big-box retailers like Walmart and Target carry basic needle sets in their craft sections, though selection is smaller. If you know exactly what you want and don't mind waiting a few days, online options like Amazon, Etsy, and specialty sites often have lower prices and more variety.

The trade-off is straightforward: local shops cost more but you walk out with needles today and get informed information; big-box stores are cheaper and convenient if you're already shopping there; online is cheapest but requires planning ahead. Your choice also depends on what kind of needles you need — bamboo, metal, circular, straight, or a specific size — since not every store stocks every type.

Key Takeaways

  • Local yarn shops have the most needle variety and staff who can help you choose the right size and material for your project.
  • Craft chains like Michaels and Joann carry basic needle sets and often run sales or coupons that lower the price.
  • General retailers like Walmart and Target stock needles in their craft aisles but have limited selection and mostly beginner sets.
  • Online retailers offer the lowest prices and widest selection but require you to order several days in advance.
  • Thrift stores and secondhand markets sometimes have used needles at very low cost, though selection is unpredictable.

Local yarn shops and what to expect

A dedicated yarn shop is the best place to start if you want informed help and the largest selection. Staff can measure your hand, watch how you hold needles, and recommend sizes and materials that match your knitting style. They stock straight needles, circular needles, double-pointed needles, and interchangeable needle sets in bamboo, metal, wood, and plastic. Prices are higher than big-box stores — a pair of bamboo needles might cost $8 to $15 instead of $4 to $6 — but you get what you pay for in quality and guidance.

To find a yarn shop near you, search "yarn shop near me" or "local knitting needles" in Google Maps. Call ahead if you're looking for a specific size or material, since smaller shops may not stock every option. Many yarn shops also sell yarn, patterns, and books, so you can pick up everything for a new project in one trip. If you're new to knitting, ask the staff about needle material — bamboo grips yarn better and is forgiving for beginners, while metal needles are faster but require more control.

Craft store chains and their needle selection

Michaels and Joann are the largest craft chains in the United States and both carry knitting needles in their stores and online. Michaels stocks basic needle sets, individual pairs, and some specialty needles, usually in the knitting aisle near yarn. Joann has a larger knitting section overall and carries more needle types, including interchangeable sets. Both stores run frequent sales — Michaels often has 40% to 50% off coupons for single items, and Joann runs weekly deals on needles and yarn.

The downside is that selection is smaller than a yarn shop, and staff may not know much about needles. You'll find beginner sets and common sizes easily, but if you need size 000 needles or specialty materials, you may strike out. Check the store's website before you go — both Michaels and Joann let you search inventory by location, so you can confirm they have what you need in stock. If you have a coupon, bring it or load it to your app before checkout.

General retailers like Walmart and Target

Walmart and Target carry basic knitting needle sets in their craft sections, usually near yarn and embroidery supplies. Prices are the lowest of any physical store — a beginner set of straight needles costs $3 to $5. However, selection is very limited: you'll find common sizes in metal or plastic, but not specialty needles, interchangeable sets, or unusual materials. These stores are best if you need needles today and don't mind a basic set, or if you're already shopping there and want to grab supplies on the way out.

Call ahead or check the store's website to confirm they have needles in stock, since smaller locations may not carry them. If you need something specific — like size 1 needles or bamboo material — you'll likely need to go to a craft store or yarn shop instead. Target's website sometimes shows in-store inventory, which saves a trip if the needles you want aren't available.

Online retailers and shipping times

Amazon, Etsy, and specialty knitting sites like KnitPicks and Webs offer the widest selection and lowest prices, but you have to order several days ahead. Amazon Prime members get two-day shipping on many needle sets, which is faster than standard shipping but still slower than buying in a store. Etsy connects you to independent sellers and small businesses, so you can find handmade or specialty needles that big retailers don't stock. KnitPicks and Webs are knitting-specific retailers that carry every needle type and size you could want.

Prices online are usually 20% to 40% lower than local shops because sellers don't have the overhead of a physical location. A pair of bamboo needles that costs $12 at a yarn shop might cost $7 online. The catch is that you need to know what size and material you want before you order — you don't get to hold the needles or ask a staff member for information. Read reviews carefully, especially on Etsy, since quality varies by maker. If you're ordering from a small seller, check their shipping time; some take a week or more to pack and ship.

Thrift stores and secondhand options

Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army sometimes stock used knitting needles for $0.50 to $2 per pair. The selection is completely unpredictable — you might find a treasure or nothing at all — but if you're patient and visit regularly, you can build a needle collection very cheaply. Needles hold up well over time, so used needles work just as well as new ones as long as they're not bent or cracked. Check the tips carefully to make sure they're sharp and smooth.

Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist also have used needles listed by local sellers. You can often negotiate the price, and you can pick up the same day. The risk is that you can't inspect needles closely in photos, so ask the seller for detailed pictures of the tips and any damage. Buying secondhand is best if you're on a tight budget or want to try knitting without spending much money.

What to know before you buy

Before you head out or order online, know what size needles you need. Needle sizes range from 000 (tiny, for lace) to 50 (thick, for chunky yarn), and the size must match your yarn weight. Your pattern will tell you what size to use. If you don't have a pattern yet, think about what you want to make — a scarf, hat, or blanket — and what yarn weight feels right in your hand.

Also decide what material you prefer. Bamboo needles grip yarn and are forgiving for beginners; metal needles are smooth and fast but require more control; wood needles are warm and beautiful but more expensive; plastic needles are cheap but can feel flimsy. Straight needles work for flat projects like scarves, while circular needles are better for hats, socks, and larger projects. If you're not sure, a yarn shop staff member can help you choose in person, which is worth the extra cost if you're new to knitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to buy needles in person or can I order them online?

You can do either. Buy in person if you need needles today, want to feel them before you buy, or are new and want informed information. Order online if you know exactly what you want, don't mind waiting a few days, and want to save money. Many knitters do both — they buy basics online and visit a yarn shop when they need help choosing.

What's the difference between straight needles and circular needles?

Straight needles are two separate needles connected by a point; you hold one in each hand and work back and forth. Circular needles are two needle tips connected by a cable; you hold them together and work in a circle. Circular needles work for any project, but straight needles are simpler for beginners and better for flat projects like scarves. Most knitters eventually use both.

Are expensive needles worth the cost?

It depends on how much you knit. Expensive needles (bamboo, high-quality wood, or premium metal) feel better in your hands and last longer, so they're worth it if you knit regularly. Cheap plastic needles work fine for trying out the hobby, but they can feel rough and slow you down. Start with a mid-range set and upgrade once you know you enjoy knitting.

Can I use old needles I found, or do they need to be new?

Old needles work fine as long as the tips are sharp and smooth and the needles aren't bent or cracked. Check them carefully — run your finger along the tip and shaft to feel for rough spots or damage. Thrift stores and secondhand markets are full of perfectly good used needles at low cost.

What if the store doesn't have the size I need?

Ask if they can order it for you — many craft stores and yarn shops will special-order needles that aren't in stock. If you need needles quickly, order online from a retailer that ships fast, or buy a different size and adjust your pattern. You can also ask a yarn shop staff member if a slightly different size will work for your project.