For beginners, it is recommended to use medium-sized needles, which are usually around 4-5 mm or US size 6 to 8. Wooden needles, such as those made from bamboo, birch, ebony, or rosewood, are a good choice because they have a nice warm feel to them and generally feel very comfortable in your hands. They are also usually very light, which is a real benefit for beginners who usually start with needles in bigger sizes. The wood typically has nice friction, which prevents stitches from falling off and will help you create neat stitches.

The length of the needles should be around 9 inches or 10 inches. For beginners, it is recommended to choose needles that are 2 inches longer than the pattern requires. For example, if you want to create a scarf that is 7 inches wide, then pick up needles that are around 9 inches.

In general, medium-sized needles are the best for beginners, which means you should look for a width size of six (4mm), seven (4.5mm), or eight (5mm) . Larger needles, such as size 11 US (8mm) or larger, are also recommended for beginners.