I started knitting using straight needles (my grandmother's, in fact), and bought a bunch of dpns, but after discovering circular needles and the magic loop method, I hardly use them anymore. Short circulars are not as fiddly as dpns in my opinion, and even if you hate short circulars, the magic loop technique is still superior to dpns, easier to get an even tension too, as there are only two points in the work where the knitting separates, as opposed to three/four when you use dpns.
I prefer circular needles over straight needles, which includes double points. If you’re going to knit a hat, just grab a second circular split the hat in half and keep knitting to the end. It eliminates the need of double pointed needles. You could also do magic loop and do the whole head that way then you won’t need a second circular or again, no double pointed needles.
I prefer circular needles because they’re incredibly versatile and more comfortable to use, especially for longer knitting sessions. The weight of the project rests on the cord rather than my hands, which reduces strain and fatigue. I can use them for both knitting flat pieces and working in the round, which means I don’t have to constantly switch tools between projects. Plus, with techniques like Magic Loop, I can easily handle small-circumference projects like socks or sleeves without juggling multiple needles. Overall, circular needles make my knitting more streamlined, efficient, and enjoyable.
chekccard