i have a knitting pattern that says to use double ended needles can i get away with just using normal ones?

I agree with all the others; however, you can use a circular needle and it's much easier than handling four double pointed needles. With circular needles you can knit in the round you just need to mark your beginning point.

Check out youtube.com and search for "how to use circular needles" and I'm sure you will find it very helpful.

Unfortunately no, the pattern requires that knit in a circular way which can only be achieved by using double ended needles.

You can knit the item flat but you will have the ugly seam which using dpns avoids.

Add 1 extra stitch to allow for the seam.

Remember that when knitting in the round every row is a right side row. That means that stocking stitch is knitted by knitting every round with no purl rows. When knitting this pattern flat instead of in the round you will work 1 row knit and 1 row purl for stocking stitch as usual.

If your pattern is for something in the round, then you must bite the bullet and buy some. Do you have a link to the pattern, by any chance.

If it isn't for something knitted in the round, why do they want you to use them?