I'm told that it's easier to learn circular if you've learned dpn first, but I only know dpn so I'm not sure. I *do* know that I've made about 20 pairs of my own needles from dowels-- I kept needing different sizes, and buying .79 dowel-rods and sanding 'em down was a lot cheaper than paying $4-$6 for a set of dpns. And I could pick the wood-- walnut makes NICE needles.