I'm thinking about starting a bigger project and I'm torn between investing in circular needles or sticking with the straight ones I already have. I saw that circular needles are way more expensive, but I'm not sure if they really make a difference in the final result.
What's the size of the project you're thinking of making? If it's something big like a sweater or blanket, circular needles make a HUGE difference - they distribute the weight of the work much better, don't strain your wrists, and it's way more comfortable to knit for hours. With straight needles, after a certain point it gets tiring because you've got everything hanging from the needles. Now, if it's a small project like a scarf or whatever, the straight needles you already have work perfectly fine. It's worth investing in some good quality circular needles if you're planning to do this regularly - it's not something you're just going to use once.
It really depends on the size, but I don't agree it's just a comfort thing - circular needles actually affect how your work turns out. With large projects, straight needles force you to cram hundreds of stitches into a tight space, which creates uneven tension and can distort the fabric, while circulars distribute everything better and leave your stitches more relaxed. The price is higher, that's true, but if you're going to knit regularly, it's worth it; try borrowing from someone first before you invest, so you can see if the difference actually shows in your case.
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