Straight needles are used for flat knitting. They have a knob on one end, which keeps the stitches from falling off the needle. The knob should be light enough to keep the needle balanced. Needle shafts come in a range of lengths from 7.5 to 14 inches. Choose a length that will accommodate all your stitches but not so long so that it feels unwieldy. The shorter length straight needles are easiest for beginners to use.