Already have the yarn and just need the right needles? You are in the right place. Stitch Haven carries knitting needles, interchangeable sets, cables, and the small notions that make projects go smoothly, along with staff who knit and are happy to help you choose.
Knitters from Westport, Norwalk, Weston, Fairfield, and the rest of Fairfield County visit our shop to hold needles in their hands before buying, compare materials, and get a second opinion on sizes and cable lengths.
ChiaoGoo Lace circulars pair sharp, polished stainless steel tips with a flexible, memory-free cable. The pointed tips make lace, cables, and decreases easier, and the smooth joins keep stitches moving without snagging.
TWIST interchangeable tips and cables let you build the circular you need from parts: swap a cable length for a hat, sweater body, or blanket, or change sizes mid-project without buying a whole new needle. A smart route for knitters building a lasting toolkit.
Lykke Driftwood needles are made from birch with a warm grey finish and a gentle grip. Choose circulars for most projects, double-pointed needles for sleeves, socks, and hat crowns, or straights for scarves, washcloths, and classic flat knitting.
The small tools matter. CocoKnits markers hold your place in repeats, Clover tapestry needles make weaving in ends tidy, and a Knitters Pride needle gauge identifies those unlabeled needles in the bottom of your project bag.
Good needles last for years with a little care. Store circulars loosely coiled or straightened rather than tightly wound, and relax a stubborn cable by dipping it briefly in warm water. Keep wooden needles out of hot cars and direct sun so they do not dry out, and wipe metal tips clean if they pick up residue from hand lotion or dyed yarn.
For interchangeable systems, tighten tips with the key before you start each session so the join does not loosen mid-row and snag your stitches. A labeled case or pouch saves time hunting for the right size, and a needle gauge settles any doubt about mystery needles inherited from a friend or relative.
Needle material changes how knitting feels. Stainless steel tips, like ChiaoGoo, are fast and slick, ideal for lace, grippy wool, and knitters who like speed. Wood, like Lykke Driftwood, is warmer in the hand and has a little friction, which keeps slippery alpaca, silk, and linen from sliding off and gives beginners more control.
If your hands get tired or your stitches feel tight, switching material can make a surprising difference. Come try both in the shop before deciding.
Circular needles are the most versatile. They work flat for scarves and blankets and in the round for hats and sweaters, and they keep the weight of a big project in your lap instead of on your wrists. Cable length matters: shorter cables suit hats, longer cables suit sweater bodies, and long cables support magic loop for small circumferences.
Double-pointed needles handle small tubes such as sleeves, socks, and the top of a hat. Straight needles remain comfortable for flat knitting and for many new knitters learning their first stitches.
Not sure which style to buy first? A circular needle in the size your pattern suggests is a useful starting point. A 24 inch circular handles many flat pieces and some cowls, while a 16 inch circular commonly suits adult hats. Magic loop usually needs a longer, flexible cable, often 32 or 40 inches. Check your pattern and project circumference before choosing a length, and add other cables as your projects call for them.
Your yarn label suggests a needle size, and your pattern lists the size used to reach its gauge. Treat both as a starting point. Knit a swatch, measure it, and go up a size if you have too many stitches per inch or down a size if you have too few. A needle gauge makes this easy, especially for older needles without markings.
Bring your yarn in and we will help you choose a starting size. If you still need yarn, our yarn guide walks through fibers and weights.
A good kit grows over time. Start with a circular needle or two in the sizes you use most, a handful of stitch markers, a tapestry needle, small scissors, and a tape measure. As your projects expand, an interchangeable system like ChiaoGoo TWIST can cover many sizes and lengths. Locking markers double as row counters and help mark mistakes you want to fix later.
The right tools help, but practice and good guidance help more. Our beginner classes introduce casting on, knit and purl, and reading patterns. Weekly groups give you a place to work alongside others, and private lessons focus entirely on your project and questions.
Stitch Haven is at 420 Post Road West in Westport, close to the Norwalk border and across from Whole Foods. It is an easy stop for knitters in Westport, Norwalk, Weston, Wilton, Fairfield, and throughout Fairfield County. If you crochet too, we also carry hooks and crochet notions.
You can browse current inventory online before you visit, and if you need a specific needle size or cable length, call or email and we will check for you.
Our recent catalog includes ChiaoGoo Lace circular needles, ChiaoGoo TWIST interchangeable tips and cables, and Lykke Driftwood circulars, double-pointed needles, and straight needles. Sizes and lengths rotate, so browse our online store or call for a specific size.
Metal tips like ChiaoGoo are slick and pointed, which helps with lace, grippy wool, and speed. Wood needles like Lykke Driftwood have a little more grip, which keeps slippery yarn, alpaca, and beginner stitches from sliding off. Many knitters keep both.
Absolutely. Bring the yarn label or the pattern and we will help you choose a size, a cable length for your project, and whether straights, circulars, or double-pointed needles suit the piece. We can also check the size of unmarked needles you already own.
Stitch markers, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, a needle gauge, a tape measure, and small scissors cover most projects. We carry CocoKnits markers, Clover tapestry needles, and Knitters Pride needle gauges in our recent catalog.
Yes. Our classes, weekly groups, and private lessons are built for exactly that, and staff are glad to take a quick look while you shop when the store is not too busy.
Need a specific needle size, cable length, or notion? Call or email and we will check what is in the shop, or stop in to compare needles in person.
We are close to the Norwalk border in Westport, across from Whole Foods. Hours, directions, and parking notes are on our store information page.
See store hours and directions