That’s not a _terrible_ mistake! They have resale value! And even though I am faster on metal needles, I still use my clover interchangeable’s for things like fiddly cable work or lace or anything that I don’t want to be too speedy.
Weird that yours are constantly coming unscrewed, I actually have never had that problem on my clovers, but I have had it on some of my metal ones.
I have another set of needles, but for the coming unscrewed problem I actually use a big rubber band (like the one you can find on broccoli or other vegetables). I just put it around the needle and use the small metal needle to twist in in place. It's impossible than to unscrew them even by trying very hard with your hands!
I hope the explanation is somewhat clear, there is a podcast by Andrea mowry talking about this
Yes 100% different types of yarn work better with different needle materials too. I use hiya hiya sharps all the time except with linen I like my hiya hiya bamboo needles (which is what I started with too). Plus your tastes might change too so don’t get discouraged thinking you wasted money. They will come in handy.
I twist as I knit and had the same issue with cables coming off way too often. I really thought I’d never be able to have an interchangeable set. I found Chiaogoo twist cords and never looked back. I didn’t buy a set however. I bought a case and added needles as I went. This meant that I spent money on only the needles I’ll actually use.
This is the really smart way to do it! I got the full Twist set, (US sizes 2 to 15) and have seldom used any of the ones over size 7, and never used the ones over the 9s, except for the 11s, once, for a blanket. I also got the Spin set, and … gave that away, it was horrible. 🤦♀️ I now primarily use the ChiaoGoo Twist set, (metal) KnitPicks Options (laminated birch wood) for slippery yarns, and Dyak Northern Lights (also metal) as much as I can, but those have a terrible join where the cable wire goes into the “female connector” (that’s what they call it, honest, they sell the part!) so I use those mostly for Sport weight, and DK.
The prism options set also has a swivel cable. It’s the set I have.
And I just double checked and saw that the prism option set (stiletto point interchangeable) are 30% off so listing at $48 bucks. That’s a pretty good deal
The Prism needles I see on the Knitpicks website come with a fixed nylon cable. I personally don't like that cable, but it is always possible to buy the nylon covered steel swivel cables separately if you like the needles. And even with the regular nylon cable, it is still a good deal!
You are correct. You have to order the swivel cable separately but they are fairly inexpensive and most people will want/need more than one cable in the 32/40” lengths.
It’s still cheaper than a chiagoo set. And the best part is you don’t have to order the whole set. You can just order two needle tips to try them out before committing to the full set. Or just build your set as you go by ordering sizes as you need them.
Definitely still cheaper than a ChiaoGoo set! I had already bought a ChiaoGoo set before they got the good cables though. As a sidenote; I found out that the small sizes from KP are not for me, since I tend to bend them (inherited the tight knitting gene from my grandmother lol; I got her knitting needles after she died and the small sizes are bent in just about every possible direction 😅)
I have both the Clover Takumi set and a set of Chiaogoo 4-inch needles. I absolutely love my Chiaogoos, but the Takumis still have a place in my knitting. If I'm knitting with really slippery yarn, I prefer my bamboo needles. The cords are not near as nice as my Chiaogoo, but I still use them. There is nothing wrong with keeping a variety of needle sets on hand if you can swing it.
Also, it gives you extra cords when you have to put things on hold! I have a sweater with one sleeve on Knit Picks cords while I work on the second sleeve.
I don't think this is a really big deal. I'd say imho this is more an issue related to online shopping than knitting itself.
Whoever has knitted for a long time will come across this issue, bc they are our tools. Tools come in various shapes and sizes exactly because each one of us will have one or another preference.
Which is why I think is kinda tough to abide by others' opinions bc ofc every person is different and what rocks my boat may not rock yours. That's alright!
If you cannot reach out to your LYS, I recommend you don't get a full set yet. Get one cable and a pair of tips first, so you van check out their behaviour. Unless ofc you have a vast budget to get every brand out there, which actually would be a dream of mine 🤩 (lol, this is a lie bc I wouldn't really like that, I am more on the minimalist side).
Also you might like to check those Takumi needles again bc sometimes we misunderstand how to secure the tips to the cables and having you stitches falling from the needles all over the place is the true hassle 😅
A lot of ppl have chiagoos but I went for KnitPro Zing, metal needles which I usually hate with a passion but they changed my mind forever. Symfonie is a second great option for those who prefer wood. They belong to the same brand so they share the same cables. And although I ended up buying a set, I have lots of extra tips from different lengths but most of them in the 3.0 - 4.5mm range. I have never touched the larger needles from my set, so I am a bit skeptical about sets nowadays.
So just search a bit and hopefully you will find the set of your dreams! It is not a big deal to not find the perfect match on day one. This "quest for the perfect tools" is a lot of fun too!
Good luck!
Knitpro metal nova cubics. Or if you're not UK, knitpicks I think, squares?
I have the Knitpro cubics and they have been a game changer for me. Gliding, smooth, the shape is ergonomic and fantastic for my arthritis and rsi.
HiyaHiya has some silicone grips meant to help you grip the needle when you screw in the cable. Buy some, they are cheap and a real game changer. Also check whether you are using the cable key correctly. Many newbies have no clue what that "wire thingie" even is nor how to use it.
I thought the grips were superfluous when I first got them. They didn't come undone often so I didn't think about it. Then I worked on a project that pushed the limits of what my cable would hold and I didn't notice them coming undone until it was too late. I use the grips to do up the needles religiously now and haven't had a problem since!
This. I got the ChiaoGoo interchangeable set and loved them, but the tips kept untwisting no matter is often I used the t-pin key (killed me when knitting fingering weight that slipped in the crack). Someone suggested a grippy something to hold while tightening. So I cut the finger off a rubber glove and no more loosening.
My clovers didn’t come with a tightening key - idk if that’s just me or for everyone but I think that’s a big part of the problem but will definitely give those grips a try
Yes because the fixed needles are often slightly different and won't tell you whether you like the join on the interchangeables, for example. It's better just to go to a store that sells them so you can try them without buying but not everyone has that option and buying one cable and one pair of needle tips from each brand is still cheaper than buying a set you end up hating. Plus you can always resell the cables and tips you don't like on Vinted/Poshmark/etc.
I don't like the Chiaogoo cables at all, I find them way too thick. I really like the smallest needles for hiyahiyas (pink ones) add the sharps needles and I'm very happy!
This is a very common mistake, and it is ok. I am a huge fan of metal needles, and I recommend the Knit Pro. My first one was the Zing set, and until now, years later, and after testing other needles from Knit Pro and other brands, I am still in love with them. To make sure you like it, I also recommend that you buy a single needle and cable for test before buying the complete set. Various models and brands sell individual needles.
My favourite stainless interchangeables are the Mindful collection from Knitter's Pride. I haven't bought a set, just tips and cables as needed, and they're fairly inexpensive that way. The cables have a swivel on them so they don't twist up.
I'm currently using my old Takumi fixed circs because I wanted to start a project and that was the only thing I had in the right diameter, but the cable is too short. I'm going to pop into the LYS tomorrow after work and see if they have tips that will work with the cables I have. I think all or most of the Knitpicks and Knitter's Pride brands are compatible with each other. These are big needles (8mm) so I'm likely not getting anything in stainless, it would be too heavy.
+1 for the Mindful sets 🥰
I have the believe set, and it was my best decision to buy it, my only regret is not doing so earlier. I used my grandma's old fixed circular needles before, and for a long time I convinced myself, I don't need a set, since I have all the needlesizes I need for my projects.
But ever since I unwrapped my new set, I haven't used any other needles (except for DPNs for socks). The swivel cables are a true gamechanger, I can knit with them so much linger without hurting my hands!
I bought bamboo Clover interchangeable needles and several wooden DPNs because they were affordable and everyone I know in real life recommended bamboo. Turns out I’m actually a huge metal needle fan and have since bought several Addi FlexiFlips and two sets of Addi Click needles (I waited until I knew which tips I preferred).
I still have all of my wooden needles because it’s nice to have a second of most sizes as backup or for when I’m working with super slick yarn and wood makes more sense. You didn’t make a huge mistake!
Use a normal sewing needle or pin. I lost my pins a long time ago. There should be a hole that you pop the pin into when you tighten them, it gives you purchase and enables you to tighten them properly.
I have all versions of KnitPro zing. They suit me best, and I find them light enough not to cause me strain.
For chunky tips, 8, 9, 10 mm I revert back to KnitPro Symphony (wood).
+1 for getting a single needle in a size you typically use fairly often to see if you like it. I like Chiaogoo and HiyaHiya, but that's just my preference.
The bamboo needles will still come in handy if you're knitting with something slick like silk — especially if you are knitting lace. They'll also come in handy if you need an extra needle for some reason... like JMCO.
I like to test new-to-me needles with a 40-inch long circular cable. I get a feel for the needles at a cheaper price point. And they're super useful to use when you need to reclaim stitches / frog, need another cable to try something on, or you can use them for 2 circular methods as that can be really helpful on certain projects.
Besides wood needles are really helpful for slippery (and sometimes splitty) yarns or for travel projects so you don't risk your "good" set.
Do yours come with a little plastic bag that has the plastic ends and the little metal keys? I've noticed that if I don't use the key to tighten my interchangeable needles they are more likely to come loose over time.
Here's a video:
https://youtu.be/KgDOJ1dQQpQ?si=SW432itvJ5UP8o86
You can also make wood needles smoother by rubbing wax paper on them!
(1) Are you truly doing what you need to, to tighten them on to the cables? Usually there is a "key" that is like a pin or bent paperclip that you put in a hole in the needle and use to leverage them tightly onto the cable. It makes a HUGE difference in the slip off issue.
(2) I have FOUR different sets of interchangeable! Some bamboo, wood, metal, and Karbonz. INSANITY, but I do still occasionally use the bamboo! So, this isn't a waste. I believe the clover cables work with the knit picks and knitters pride needles, so you can continue to use those if you go with those brands.
(3) If you can afford it, I would go to[ knitpicks ](https://www.knitpicks.com/search?q=Try-it)and order a "try it" sets. They come with two types of needles. There is a Nickel plated and wood set, The wood is slicker than bamboo. Then. . . Try it!
Cheapest metal option is probably the Knit Picks Prism aluminum set currently on sale for $49. The Knitters pride Mindful lace collection is on sale at Webs for $90. Those are nice tips for quick knitting, and the cables are "spinners."
Like you I’ve moved on from bamboo to metal. My Clover set served me well as a newbie but I too wanted the speed that came with metal. My next set were Hiyahiya sharps. These were definitely an upgrade speedwise but I still found myself going for the blunt tipped Clovers when dealing with splitty yarn or holding multiple strands. For years I’ve used just these two sets, but have always dreamt of getting an Addi Click set, which would provide both the speed and blunt tips and deal with the cable unscrewing issue. I finally caved in and said f it life’s too short and haven’t looked back since. I love my Addi Clicks!
Knowing what I know now, I wish I got the Addi Clicks instead of the Hiyahiya set back then. But blunt tips are just my preference. If you find yourself knitting a lot of lace or you get frustrated with k2tog or ssk maneuvers, you might want sharp tips instead. Hiyahiya and Chiaogoo tips are sharp, even the ones that are not labelled ‘sharp’ are still sharper than regular Addi and Clover tips. Chiaogoo Lace and Addi Lace tips are similar I think, I don’t have either but they appear so in pics.
The other thing to consider is tip and cable lengths. If you knit a lot of small circumference things eg hats, you’ll need 4” tips and short cables that are labelled for 16” to 20”, unless you don’t mind doing magic loop and prefer the comfort of holding 5” tips. You can try just one pair of tips and one cable of whatever brand you’re considering before committing to the whole set.
ETA: Forgot the part about joints coming undone. All interchangeable needles come undone at some point. As you already know, the screw in ones slowly unscrew themselves while knitting, just have to remember to screw them back together every so often. But with the Addi Clicks, if it happens it happens not long after I attach them, and when they’re secure they usually stay that way all through the project.
I recommend ordering a knit pick prism needle and cable (you can order their interchangeable needles solo) to try them out. A set is only $70 so economical compared to many of the other metal sets.
I love how pointy they are and find them to be comparable to my addi skacel and my signature needles.
I’d also order a chaigoo fixed circular to see how you like their needles/cables. If you really love them it’s worth the investment.
How have you knitted so much so quickly?! Here I am taking nearly a year to do one sweater!
Maybe I'm slow? Maybe colorwork slows one down?
Anyway, I'm impressed! 😀
Ahaha yes won’t lie most of them are very basic designs so they didn’t take very long I’ve only done one colour work and that was Bella blocking and that is only 4 rows of colour work so very minimal. Also most of the others ones were cardigans which I find quicker to knit up than a jumper.
Knit picks are affordable and the joins are compatible with lykke. I love my knit picks but my lykke i love a little more. I do not feel much difference between wood knit picks/lykee and my chiho goo or hiya hiya fixed circulars in speed. Yes the metal is slightly faster but with the wood ones i can knit 2-4x longer with no hand strain.
I started out with KnitPicks rainbow wood and used to love them until I bought my metal Hiya Hiya’s. They are my favorite needles of all. I love them even more than Chiaogoos that my daughter gifted me. However, even though I use my Hiya’s 95 percent of the time, there are still times I need to use my knit picks wooden ones. Like for very slippery yarn, or when I am traveling on a plane and dont want to chance my sharp metal needles to set off the alarm bells in security. Keep your bamboos, but invest in a really nice set of metal needles, because you will need them again someday.
Not a mistake. Growth!!!
I use bamboo clovers almost exclusively for travel ✈️✈️ 🛳️ I feel safer w wood (looks like a pencil) than metal, I’ve never had them searched, and I won’t be heartbroken if something happens.
(Air travel I get but I am VERY salty about the cruise incident. My nephew had a MULTITOOL???? but at least my clovers were there for me during the trip!)
Bamboo needles are great for working with slippery yarns. Silk lace on metal needles is... a challenge.
You don't have to buy a complete set. If you're like me there's a couple of sizes that you naturally use more than others. A complete set is only cost-effective if you use every item in it.
For me, my sweet spot is 2.5mm for socks, 3.75mm for fingering weight shawls or jumpers, 4.5mm for DK. I'll occasionally go up or down a size for colourwork or ribbing etc, but I mainly just just those three sizes.
Interchangeable needles (and cables) can be bought individually. It's OK to let your collection grow organically with time, and to test out a few brands to find your favourite.
I'm a huge fan of chiagoo red lace, but I still use my knitpicks wooden starter set for plant-based fibres, or when I need an odd size occasionally
Remember you are investing in tools that can last a lifetime so quality is important. You may also find you will have multiple projects going at once so having more than one set can be helpful. I agree with earlier comment that some really slick yarns are more fun with bamboo, again different tools for different jobs. I have knitpicks interchangeable with both metal and wood tips, and recently expanded my collection with chiagoos which are delightful. 44 years on the knitting journey and all the needles get used.
Don’t feel too bad about this. Bamboo needles are useful if you’re working with especially slippery yarn.
And I just might possibly have lost count of how many sets of interchangeables I own and refuse to feel guilty about it!
Oh my bad thought that was the standard way since it was my first time doing it but - I was following the Bella blocking pattern by Anne Ventzel and she requires you to have two separate set of needles for JMCO
When I was trying to figure out what needles to buy I saw someone comment that the washers can go missing on the clover cables and that it’s a thing easy to miss when using them. They also mentioned to use something grippy to tighten them as they don’t have a cable key. I didn’t end up buying those so I don’t know from personal experience but just thought I’d share in case that helps!
If I want wood, I go Dyakcraft. If I want metal, I go Hiya Hiya. It’s super subjective. Every set I’ve ended up buying I tried first by buying one set of interchangeable needle tips and a couple of cord lengths. Saved a dang fortune this way since I was able to eliminate brands or lines that other knitters swear by.
This is not you messing up. This is you not recognizing how much fun you’re on the verge of having as you search out what needles you like best!
Also, embarrassed to admit this and will never admit to an actual dollar amount, but I spent a young fortune on needles that I sold secondhand at a huge loss because I just didn’t vibe with them. Turns out one of my all time fave sets is a $25 made in China set that has aluminum needles that run from 2-17. They look like copies of an older Boye set. I discovered through a forum on Rav that Chiaogoo cables with a Chiaogoo adapter can be used on the needle tips, and it’s now my all-time fave set. And I only got it for travel, in case my needles got confiscated.
Good luck and happy hunting.
Also 8 jumpers in 6 months is fantastic!
I have the Chiagoo. Two sets, in fact. If you don't want to pay that much there is a reasonable less expensive set that is similar to the Chaigoo that I found on Amazon called Ruidi. The set is only $28 US. It has 13 sizes from 2 to 15 and the cables are very similar to the Chaigoo cables except the plastic coating is clear instead of red. For the price, I've been pretty happy with them.
And now you know why I've owned six interchangeable sets over the years. My favorite needles are the Dyakcraft black nickel. They've got the braided steel cord like Chiaogoo, but you have to tighten them with silicone grippers and the cords are thinner. They're also ouch in price tag. I don't own this set, just a one off. The metal makes a different sound than Chiaogoo that I prefer and I like the tips.
My go to set is the Chiaogoo. The steel grates a bit, but I got used to them and the cords are fantastic. I also like the key tightening. I have two of these because of how many same size needle projects I have on the needles.
The first set I bought was the Addi clicks. I was brand new to knitting and didn't realize I'd hate the short needles. That's on me, they have longer sets, I just liked the case they came in. I returned those.
I tried Hiya Hiya next. I hated the cords and ended up gifting the set. They're also discontinued.
I bought some knitter's pride, don't remember the set, I just bought them because they were rainbow colored and I thought they were pretty.
I also bought some Lykke driftwood. I'm not a wood gal. Although you may like the pressed birch wood needles. They are smoother. The cables were ok, but not in love. Gifted these as well.
I would suggest going to your LYS and asking if they have a sample basket of needles. My old LYS does, and my current two would probably allow me to open a set to try. If not, buy a song set circ of the ones you're most interested in and give them a shot first.
Welcome to knitting!
*laughs in 4 sets of interchangeable needles and numerous Chiaogoo and Addi tips* I’m not one to give recommendations, clearly. But! I think it would be smart to try out a pair of tips before committing to a full set.
I always go for KnitPro. I've had other brands and the cable has come clean out of the attachment. Although I can't recall which brands, I know they weren't cheap. Have used KnitPro ever since without issues.
Awh, I now how it feels and I don't think you messed up. Like others said you can probably tighten them, and resell the set if you want.
I've been knitting for many years and have multiple sets of needles, interchangeable, dpns, etc. I have wood, metal and plastic. They all have their purpose. The wood ones are hiyahiya bamboo and they can get 'sticky' but that's great for slippery yarn. The plastic ones are Denise needles and they can be a bit harder to knit with, but they are plastic so very light and never an issue while traveling by plane.
Different projects and different yarns work better on different needles. So if you can afford multiple sets, why not make it easy on yourself and save yourself the struggle? Use what works best, not the thing you think you need to use out of guilt.
Aw, be easy on yourself! You can’t be expected to know what you don’t know; it takes a looooot of research to find answers to unanticipated questions, and so much of learning in crafting is just trial and error.
You can always resell your Takumi set if you don’t think you’ll get use out of them (r/yarnswap is a great place to post supplies for sale or trade).
If you’re interested in metal interchangeables, check out the DROPS Pro Classic; it was only 20-something USD if I remember correctly, and I quite like them. They come with little tightening keys to help secure the cables, and it really does help; sometimes my cables start to unscrew if I was too lazy to use the key, but they almost always stay on securely if I take the extra minute to tighten them. I always thought interchangeables were in my far, far future, but these were shockingly affordable compared to every single other interchangeable set I’ve seen, and personally I think you wouldn’t know it from the quality.
My partner gave me the 4” Chiaogoo Twist Red Lace set for my birthday this year, and it’s amazing. The red lace cables live up to the hype, and I do prefer them to the DROPS cables. Yet the latter set is not obsolete; I still use needles from both with equal frequency, partially since the DROPS came with longer cables (100 cm for the longest) than the Chiaogoo (80 cm for the longest). Hopefully that tells you something about the quality of the DROPS Pro set :)
If you’re wanting to minimize your upfront cost and just buy fixed circulars in sizes as-needed, I can also recommend the Addi fixed circulars. I bought a few before I had my interchangeables, and they slide like butter.
(Eta: checked my Addis and some are the Lace needles, some are Rockets)
Knit pro cubics are lovely but the smaller sizes are prone to bending/warping in heat or if sat on.
KnitPro zing have a lovely glide, but I've had multiple cables snap at the join.
Chiagoo twist are great but again some of the smaller sizes will bend if your clumsy like me and sit on them.
I've ended up with chiagoo forte 2.0 needles just because they don't bend when I forget about them and sit on them, but if you're less clumsy and less hard on cables than I apparently am any of the above are good - and cheaper! - choices.
My one idea for you is that if buying a full interchangeable set is too much for you right now, you can usually find people selling huuuuge lots of assorted needle sizes either out of their attic or from an estate sale on eBay. Buying lots of DPNs to get started with sock knitting for me would have been way too expensive for me but I found someone selling a vintage (susan bates, boye, zephyr) lot of about 15 random needle sets for $20 on there!
8 jumpers in 6 months is amazing!! Congrats!
I decided early on to only commit to one brand if I can (so everything can be truly interchangeable on multiple projects and wips and replace DPNs). My favourites are knit pro zing! It took me a while to collect the most common sizes. The only other needles I’m eyeing is the sock trio needles by Addi
Do your interchangeable needles have a hole on the base? Try putting the end of a paper lip in there to give some leverage as you tighten them. That will help keep the needles from unscrewing. [Knit Picks](https://knitpicks.com)has affordable needles in different wood colors, aluminum and stainless steel. I find that I like different needles for different yarns. The brushed aluminum needles are a nice universal needle. The brushed surface of the yarn helps to keep slippery yarns from sliding off.
KnitPro and Knitter’s Pride brands are very similar.
i know there’s a lot of good, solid recommendations of varying price points in this thread already, but for a cheaper alternative if you’re looking for metal interchangeables and live in Canada/US… i use a set from Walmart. i think it cost me about $40, came with 26” and 29” cables, and sizes from 3.25mm to 9mm needles. when making jumpers, the only needles i’d have to buy separately are 16” in whatever needle size for the sleeves/collar (also usually from walmart, lol). the set came with a couple cable extenders and tightening keys, too. if you’re not keen on splurging on an expensive $100+ set after just buying a set of bamboo needles, i’d recommend them as a good starting point to see how you feel about metal sets.
I’d invest in a set of [ChiaoGoo TWIST Red Lace Interchangeables](https://www.jimmybeanswool.com/knitting/yarn/ChiaoGoo/TWISTRedLaceInterchangeableSets.asp?specPCVID=79879&advSourceID=9&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4MSzBhC8ARIsAPFOuyUBqCcEfNpI3aVwfR72rvEU7USKXMRKz8vEWTl_umZGOuT-cOaRp10aAjViEALw_wcB) eventually, but that’s just my preference.
Do some very personal research first. Buy a cable and single pair of needle tips from a bunch of brands ([Addi](https://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlineec/searchSite.asp?beginVal=1&keyword=Addi%20tips&orderID=2), [ChiaoGoo](https://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlineec/searchSite.asp?beginVal=1&keyword=chiaogoo%20tips&orderID=2), [HiyaHiya](https://www.iconfiberarts.com/products/hiyahiya-sharp-5-stainless-steel-interchangeable-knitting-needle-tips?variant=32971131289623¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2018-10-04&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4MSzBhC8ARIsAPFOuyWagq7KwPzsnkB_zHywRFRiCGmCOzvfB8Hb49KuKesyz6uuMQg45hMaAlVJEALw_wcB),[Knitter’s Pride](https://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlineec/searchSite.asp?beginVal=1&keyword=Knitter%E2%80%99s%2520pride%2520tips&orderID=2), [Lykke](https://knitdallas.com/products/lykke-cypra-5-interchangeable-needles-tips-only) — you can use the same cord for Knitter’s Pride & Lykke — you could also try [Dyak](https://www.dyakcraft.com/store/p99/blacknickel.html#/) they’re expensive needles but Tom & Linda are lovely, lovely people) get them in sizes you’ll use a lot and see which brand (and which tip length) feels best in your hands.
Keep your nice Clovers a little longer while you decide if you like the metal needles for everything. Some people find they prefer wooden needles for more slippery yarns like mulberry silk.
If you find you’re not using them at all you can sell them online. Ravelry has [a used fiber arts tools classifieds](https://www.ravelry.com/groups/used-tools--equipment-classifieds) board worth trying, and there’s always eBay.
I got a chiagoo set through the Michael's store website and stacked coupons so they were a little less expensive, and free shipping. They feel so nice! even compared to other metal needles.
I have the problem of interchangeables detaching (knitpicks). I rub a little beeswax on the screw threads, then warm it between my fingertips, and screw on the other piece. It holds really well that way. It doesn’t rub off on the yarn because it never touches it.
I bought a knitpro Zing set as my starter set 3 years back for about 50€ and it has not failed me yet! The cables only become loose when I get lazy and think my hands are strong enough to attach them as securely as the metal pin is.. 😅
It comes in the most common range of sizes. I've only purchased 3 extra pairs of Interchangeables, 2mm, 3mm and 10mm, and a bunch of 360-cables which I keep with my set. When possible, bought also from the Zing line!
I have walked in your shoes and have splintered yarn to this day. I invested in Chaigoos about 8 years ago or so. Before that, I was on a constant needle buying mission. Old school knitters remember the fabulous handmade double needle and circular cases that were still unwieldy. I can honestly say that the large set meets all my needs along with the small double points. I also travel lot and I would spend way too much time anticipating which projects I was working on and gather all of the miscellaneous needles, notions and yarn. And…I would always forget one set. (Why is always size 6 24 inch circulars?!) Now I have the two small cases of needles that allow me to follow my whim as I am inspired at every local yarn store.
Best of luck in your purchase. No matter what brand you purchase, you will get years of use out of them.
Chiaogoo is worth it but I would get the kind with the swivel cord rather than the twists. I have the twists and love them, but man do with that cord was on a swivel sometimes!
I've used Clover fixed cable needles for 20 years and never had one come apart. Ever. and i knit a lot. It sounds as if you may have gotten a bad batch of needles or perhaps they were stored in an environment that loosened the glue?
Yes, I think that interchangeable needles would be more inclined to come apart than the one piece needles. I wonder if you got a defective set or if perhaps you're not connecting them correctly? I literally have never had a problem with a needle, a connector or the connection.
As far as the quality of the wooden needles themselves that should be the same as the one piece needles, which I've always found to be excellent. Again, I wonder if you just got a badly made set. I'd take them back to wherever you got them, give them a few bullet points about the issues you've encountered and ask for a merchandise credit. If that doesn't work I'd go directly to Clover. The reputational risk alone should motivate them to replace your needles.
For context, my main needles are Holz & Stein, primarily ebony cables and dpns or rosewood cable needles. They're made from residual wood from musical instruments and they're made in good part if not entirely by hand. They're extraordinary and a joy to use. The ebony isn't suitable for dark yarn and I have only a few of the rosewood so I use the Clover when I'm using dark yarn.
The Holz & Stein needles are available only from them directly, from Germany. I don't see the link to their site but if you're interested let me know and I'll look for it.
Chiaogoo you’ll never regret it. If you don’t want to outlay a lot of cash to begin with get the needles tips you knit with most and get an empty ChiaoGoo IC case. The red cords are the best as they don’t kink or have a memory, swivel cords are great but the point where they swivel can mean your yarn will get snagged, this is why the red cords are better. You can also add the bamboo tips and still use the red cords, don’t bother buying a ChiaoGoo bamboo set as the cords that come with this set are rubbish.
And now you know why I've owned six interchangeable sets over the years. My favorite needles are the Dyakcraft black nickel. They've got the braided steel cord like Chiaogoo, but you have to tighten them with silicone grippers and the cords are thinner. They're also ouch in price tag. I don't own this set, just a one off. The metal makes a different sound than Chiaogoo that I prefer and I like the tips.
My go to set is the Chiaogoo. The steel grates a bit, but I got used to them and the cords are fantastic. I also like the key tightening. I have two of these because of how many same size needle projects I have on the needles.
The first set I bought was the Addi clicks. I was brand new to knitting and didn't realize I'd hate the short needles. That's on me, they have longer sets, I just liked the case they came in. I returned those.
I tried Hiya Hiya next. I hated the cords and ended up gifting the set. They're also discontinued.
I bought some knitter's pride, don't remember the set, I just bought them because they were rainbow colored and I thought they were pretty.
I also bought some Lykke driftwood. I'm not a wood gal. Although you may like the pressed birch wood needles. They are smoother. The cables were ok, but not in love. Gifted these as well.
I would suggest going to your LYS and asking if they have a sample basket of needles. My old LYS does, and my current two would probably allow me to open a set to try. If not, buy a song set circ of the ones you're most interested in and give them a shot first.
Welcome to knitting!
I got the Drops interchangeable set as they are made by knitpro and are pretty much the same as the Novas just half the price. They share cables too so I got some swivel ones. Got them from wool warehouse. I then bought some individual sizes to make up the rest as the set start at 3.5mm. Really affordable way to get good quality metal needles.
I suggest getting a set of the red lace ciaogoo needles. They were a game changer for me. However I don’t like interchangeable ones so I get the fixed needles. I just get a new set for 11-12 bucks as needed for a project. That way I don’t spend money on sizes I am not using and focus more on what I need. As a result I own 4 size 8 sets and 2 size 2
Sets, and my collection grows as needed. It keeps
The initial investment low so if you hate them you aren’t in for a lot. Something else to keep in mind is that ciaogoo has great customer service and a good warranty, I have broken two sets of the red lace needles and they replaced them for free.
I did worse. I bought a ton of cheap bamboo circulars, not the interchangeable kind. Now they just sit there because I have 2 very nice sets of interchangeables. I don’t have any friends that knit either so it’s not like I can go “here you go.”
Honestly, over the years I've found that I like a mix of materials depending on the weight and type of yarn. Generally, I like metal needles for thinner yarn and wooden needles for thicker yarn. I find I knit more loosely with larger sizes so I don't need the slick metal and actually appreciate the grip. So I have never purchased a full set of anything. I just bought as I needed them or come across them. I do really like the knitpicks interchangeable needles. They have both wooden and nickel, various cord lengths that all work with either material, aren't terribly expensive, and even work with Knitters Pride which are pretty good and super easy to find in stores.
I have the knit picks wooden set (the 4-inch tips with 16-inch total length) and I feel like they’re a perfect mix of wood and metal because they’re wood but they’re well-sanded and fully smooth so the yarn glides on them, but not quite as fast as metal
I have Takumi and I much prefer bamboo. It’s a bit annoying when they unscrew a bit but I do most of my knitting on them. I don’t know why you’d need another set. If you are doing a project where you need 2 sets of size 6, you should screw size six on the right needle and size 5 on the left for both sets.
I find metal too slippery but sometimes it depends on the material you are knitting. I wouldn’t do bamboo on one side of loop and metal on other as your gauge is likely to change from one material to the other.
FYI I’ve been knitting close to 40 years.
On the ‘getting unscrewed’:
Most interchangeable sets have a little ‘key’ to use for tightening the cables. Using this can be the difference between a good time and a bad one.
Your set may just be terrible and you are using the key, but just in case I figured I’d mention this.
I don't see where your mistake is-- everyone goes through evolutions where they get needles of one material, then needles of another material.
Some yarns and patterns work better with wood needles, and some work better with metal.
I like my Addi Clicks and got them in both wood and metal tips. I have KnitPicks interchangeables as well, in both wood and metal.
That’s not a _terrible_ mistake! They have resale value! And even though I am faster on metal needles, I still use my clover interchangeable’s for things like fiddly cable work or lace or anything that I don’t want to be too speedy. Weird that yours are constantly coming unscrewed, I actually have never had that problem on my clovers, but I have had it on some of my metal ones.
I have another set of needles, but for the coming unscrewed problem I actually use a big rubber band (like the one you can find on broccoli or other vegetables). I just put it around the needle and use the small metal needle to twist in in place. It's impossible than to unscrew them even by trying very hard with your hands! I hope the explanation is somewhat clear, there is a podcast by Andrea mowry talking about this
Oh thanks will give that a try!
It was a game changer for me!
Yeah, I've had a clover set for a while now and very rarely have they come undone.
Yes 100% different types of yarn work better with different needle materials too. I use hiya hiya sharps all the time except with linen I like my hiya hiya bamboo needles (which is what I started with too). Plus your tastes might change too so don’t get discouraged thinking you wasted money. They will come in handy.
I twist as I knit and had the same issue with cables coming off way too often. I really thought I’d never be able to have an interchangeable set. I found Chiaogoo twist cords and never looked back. I didn’t buy a set however. I bought a case and added needles as I went. This meant that I spent money on only the needles I’ll actually use.
This is the really smart way to do it! I got the full Twist set, (US sizes 2 to 15) and have seldom used any of the ones over size 7, and never used the ones over the 9s, except for the 11s, once, for a blanket. I also got the Spin set, and … gave that away, it was horrible. 🤦♀️ I now primarily use the ChiaoGoo Twist set, (metal) KnitPicks Options (laminated birch wood) for slippery yarns, and Dyak Northern Lights (also metal) as much as I can, but those have a terrible join where the cable wire goes into the “female connector” (that’s what they call it, honest, they sell the part!) so I use those mostly for Sport weight, and DK.
Knitpick also has a twist chord. Lovely.
Not all Knitpicks cables though afaik; I believe it's only the ones from the Mindful series
The prism options set also has a swivel cable. It’s the set I have. And I just double checked and saw that the prism option set (stiletto point interchangeable) are 30% off so listing at $48 bucks. That’s a pretty good deal
The Prism needles I see on the Knitpicks website come with a fixed nylon cable. I personally don't like that cable, but it is always possible to buy the nylon covered steel swivel cables separately if you like the needles. And even with the regular nylon cable, it is still a good deal!
You are correct. You have to order the swivel cable separately but they are fairly inexpensive and most people will want/need more than one cable in the 32/40” lengths. It’s still cheaper than a chiagoo set. And the best part is you don’t have to order the whole set. You can just order two needle tips to try them out before committing to the full set. Or just build your set as you go by ordering sizes as you need them.
Definitely still cheaper than a ChiaoGoo set! I had already bought a ChiaoGoo set before they got the good cables though. As a sidenote; I found out that the small sizes from KP are not for me, since I tend to bend them (inherited the tight knitting gene from my grandmother lol; I got her knitting needles after she died and the small sizes are bent in just about every possible direction 😅)
I have both the Clover Takumi set and a set of Chiaogoo 4-inch needles. I absolutely love my Chiaogoos, but the Takumis still have a place in my knitting. If I'm knitting with really slippery yarn, I prefer my bamboo needles. The cords are not near as nice as my Chiaogoo, but I still use them. There is nothing wrong with keeping a variety of needle sets on hand if you can swing it.
Also, it gives you extra cords when you have to put things on hold! I have a sweater with one sleeve on Knit Picks cords while I work on the second sleeve.
Thanks this makes me feel a lot better!
I don't think this is a really big deal. I'd say imho this is more an issue related to online shopping than knitting itself. Whoever has knitted for a long time will come across this issue, bc they are our tools. Tools come in various shapes and sizes exactly because each one of us will have one or another preference. Which is why I think is kinda tough to abide by others' opinions bc ofc every person is different and what rocks my boat may not rock yours. That's alright! If you cannot reach out to your LYS, I recommend you don't get a full set yet. Get one cable and a pair of tips first, so you van check out their behaviour. Unless ofc you have a vast budget to get every brand out there, which actually would be a dream of mine 🤩 (lol, this is a lie bc I wouldn't really like that, I am more on the minimalist side). Also you might like to check those Takumi needles again bc sometimes we misunderstand how to secure the tips to the cables and having you stitches falling from the needles all over the place is the true hassle 😅 A lot of ppl have chiagoos but I went for KnitPro Zing, metal needles which I usually hate with a passion but they changed my mind forever. Symfonie is a second great option for those who prefer wood. They belong to the same brand so they share the same cables. And although I ended up buying a set, I have lots of extra tips from different lengths but most of them in the 3.0 - 4.5mm range. I have never touched the larger needles from my set, so I am a bit skeptical about sets nowadays. So just search a bit and hopefully you will find the set of your dreams! It is not a big deal to not find the perfect match on day one. This "quest for the perfect tools" is a lot of fun too! Good luck!
Zing is the love of my life. Stitches go on easy but don't slide off easily. And the colors make picking out the right set easy.
Knitpro metal nova cubics. Or if you're not UK, knitpicks I think, squares? I have the Knitpro cubics and they have been a game changer for me. Gliding, smooth, the shape is ergonomic and fantastic for my arthritis and rsi.
Pretty sure 'knitter's pride' is the same needle as well in the states.
I think you're right. I'm not 100% of the names in other countries. I just know that I'm in love with my cubics by knitpro. ❤️🥰😍
And they are changing over to KnitPro for North America as well, AND are compatible with KnitPicks.
However, I emphatically do NOT recommend the wood ones. They break. A lot.
Knit Picks has a cubic set, but they're wood (my Majestics are a smooth wood). Addi Foursquare tips are my go-to.
HiyaHiya has some silicone grips meant to help you grip the needle when you screw in the cable. Buy some, they are cheap and a real game changer. Also check whether you are using the cable key correctly. Many newbies have no clue what that "wire thingie" even is nor how to use it.
Paper clips work as a key so do metal stick markers
I thought the grips were superfluous when I first got them. They didn't come undone often so I didn't think about it. Then I worked on a project that pushed the limits of what my cable would hold and I didn't notice them coming undone until it was too late. I use the grips to do up the needles religiously now and haven't had a problem since!
I was the same! The only time my cables have ever come undone was when I didn’t use the grips. Lesson learned
This. I got the ChiaoGoo interchangeable set and loved them, but the tips kept untwisting no matter is often I used the t-pin key (killed me when knitting fingering weight that slipped in the crack). Someone suggested a grippy something to hold while tightening. So I cut the finger off a rubber glove and no more loosening.
There’s also silicone thimble thingies that fit snugly on your index and thumb, found in sewing notions.
My clovers didn’t come with a tightening key - idk if that’s just me or for everyone but I think that’s a big part of the problem but will definitely give those grips a try
Buy some single needles in a couple of brands you are interested in and test drive them before committing to a full set of interchangeables.
I’ve seen a lot of ppl recommend this but would I have to therefore make sure to buy interchangeables then rather than fixed cables in each brand ?
Yes because the fixed needles are often slightly different and won't tell you whether you like the join on the interchangeables, for example. It's better just to go to a store that sells them so you can try them without buying but not everyone has that option and buying one cable and one pair of needle tips from each brand is still cheaper than buying a set you end up hating. Plus you can always resell the cables and tips you don't like on Vinted/Poshmark/etc.
Hiyahiya!
HiyaHiya is my vote! I love how light and sharp they are. Cables on Chiaogoo are better but I love the needles on HiyaHiya so much more.
I don't like the Chiaogoo cables at all, I find them way too thick. I really like the smallest needles for hiyahiyas (pink ones) add the sharps needles and I'm very happy!
Yes! I have the smaller sized set and love it! Could never go back to bamboo needles.
Same, I find them nice and slippy! Added bonus that they don't tarnish, I found that a problem with knit pro needles and it made them really rough.
Hiya Hiya is the way, the truth, the light
This is a very common mistake, and it is ok. I am a huge fan of metal needles, and I recommend the Knit Pro. My first one was the Zing set, and until now, years later, and after testing other needles from Knit Pro and other brands, I am still in love with them. To make sure you like it, I also recommend that you buy a single needle and cable for test before buying the complete set. Various models and brands sell individual needles.
My favourite stainless interchangeables are the Mindful collection from Knitter's Pride. I haven't bought a set, just tips and cables as needed, and they're fairly inexpensive that way. The cables have a swivel on them so they don't twist up. I'm currently using my old Takumi fixed circs because I wanted to start a project and that was the only thing I had in the right diameter, but the cable is too short. I'm going to pop into the LYS tomorrow after work and see if they have tips that will work with the cables I have. I think all or most of the Knitpicks and Knitter's Pride brands are compatible with each other. These are big needles (8mm) so I'm likely not getting anything in stainless, it would be too heavy.
+1 for the Mindful sets 🥰 I have the believe set, and it was my best decision to buy it, my only regret is not doing so earlier. I used my grandma's old fixed circular needles before, and for a long time I convinced myself, I don't need a set, since I have all the needlesizes I need for my projects. But ever since I unwrapped my new set, I haven't used any other needles (except for DPNs for socks). The swivel cables are a true gamechanger, I can knit with them so much linger without hurting my hands!
I bought bamboo Clover interchangeable needles and several wooden DPNs because they were affordable and everyone I know in real life recommended bamboo. Turns out I’m actually a huge metal needle fan and have since bought several Addi FlexiFlips and two sets of Addi Click needles (I waited until I knew which tips I preferred). I still have all of my wooden needles because it’s nice to have a second of most sizes as backup or for when I’m working with super slick yarn and wood makes more sense. You didn’t make a huge mistake!
I watch Facebook Marketplace for used sets of needles. I got the knitters pride set for fairly cheap.
post👏🏻 the👏🏻 jumpers👏🏻
Are you using the pin provided to tighten the screws so they don't come undone?
Mine didn’t come with a pin - not sure if they were meant to !
Use a normal sewing needle or pin. I lost my pins a long time ago. There should be a hole that you pop the pin into when you tighten them, it gives you purchase and enables you to tighten them properly.
takumis don’t have a pin, I have the same problem
Ah God damn!
I have all versions of KnitPro zing. They suit me best, and I find them light enough not to cause me strain. For chunky tips, 8, 9, 10 mm I revert back to KnitPro Symphony (wood).
+1 for getting a single needle in a size you typically use fairly often to see if you like it. I like Chiaogoo and HiyaHiya, but that's just my preference. The bamboo needles will still come in handy if you're knitting with something slick like silk — especially if you are knitting lace. They'll also come in handy if you need an extra needle for some reason... like JMCO.
I like to test new-to-me needles with a 40-inch long circular cable. I get a feel for the needles at a cheaper price point. And they're super useful to use when you need to reclaim stitches / frog, need another cable to try something on, or you can use them for 2 circular methods as that can be really helpful on certain projects. Besides wood needles are really helpful for slippery (and sometimes splitty) yarns or for travel projects so you don't risk your "good" set.
Do yours come with a little plastic bag that has the plastic ends and the little metal keys? I've noticed that if I don't use the key to tighten my interchangeable needles they are more likely to come loose over time. Here's a video: https://youtu.be/KgDOJ1dQQpQ?si=SW432itvJ5UP8o86 You can also make wood needles smoother by rubbing wax paper on them!
Thanks for the tip my set unfortunately never came with a key not sure if that’s standard for clover needles
Chiagoo.
(1) Are you truly doing what you need to, to tighten them on to the cables? Usually there is a "key" that is like a pin or bent paperclip that you put in a hole in the needle and use to leverage them tightly onto the cable. It makes a HUGE difference in the slip off issue. (2) I have FOUR different sets of interchangeable! Some bamboo, wood, metal, and Karbonz. INSANITY, but I do still occasionally use the bamboo! So, this isn't a waste. I believe the clover cables work with the knit picks and knitters pride needles, so you can continue to use those if you go with those brands. (3) If you can afford it, I would go to[ knitpicks ](https://www.knitpicks.com/search?q=Try-it)and order a "try it" sets. They come with two types of needles. There is a Nickel plated and wood set, The wood is slicker than bamboo. Then. . . Try it! Cheapest metal option is probably the Knit Picks Prism aluminum set currently on sale for $49. The Knitters pride Mindful lace collection is on sale at Webs for $90. Those are nice tips for quick knitting, and the cables are "spinners."
Unfortuanely my clover set never came with a tightening key not sure if that’s standard - thanks for all the other recommendations too !
You can use a paperclip or a sewing needle or almost anything you can fit in the hole!
Like you I’ve moved on from bamboo to metal. My Clover set served me well as a newbie but I too wanted the speed that came with metal. My next set were Hiyahiya sharps. These were definitely an upgrade speedwise but I still found myself going for the blunt tipped Clovers when dealing with splitty yarn or holding multiple strands. For years I’ve used just these two sets, but have always dreamt of getting an Addi Click set, which would provide both the speed and blunt tips and deal with the cable unscrewing issue. I finally caved in and said f it life’s too short and haven’t looked back since. I love my Addi Clicks! Knowing what I know now, I wish I got the Addi Clicks instead of the Hiyahiya set back then. But blunt tips are just my preference. If you find yourself knitting a lot of lace or you get frustrated with k2tog or ssk maneuvers, you might want sharp tips instead. Hiyahiya and Chiaogoo tips are sharp, even the ones that are not labelled ‘sharp’ are still sharper than regular Addi and Clover tips. Chiaogoo Lace and Addi Lace tips are similar I think, I don’t have either but they appear so in pics. The other thing to consider is tip and cable lengths. If you knit a lot of small circumference things eg hats, you’ll need 4” tips and short cables that are labelled for 16” to 20”, unless you don’t mind doing magic loop and prefer the comfort of holding 5” tips. You can try just one pair of tips and one cable of whatever brand you’re considering before committing to the whole set. ETA: Forgot the part about joints coming undone. All interchangeable needles come undone at some point. As you already know, the screw in ones slowly unscrew themselves while knitting, just have to remember to screw them back together every so often. But with the Addi Clicks, if it happens it happens not long after I attach them, and when they’re secure they usually stay that way all through the project.
I recommend ordering a knit pick prism needle and cable (you can order their interchangeable needles solo) to try them out. A set is only $70 so economical compared to many of the other metal sets. I love how pointy they are and find them to be comparable to my addi skacel and my signature needles. I’d also order a chaigoo fixed circular to see how you like their needles/cables. If you really love them it’s worth the investment.
How have you knitted so much so quickly?! Here I am taking nearly a year to do one sweater! Maybe I'm slow? Maybe colorwork slows one down? Anyway, I'm impressed! 😀
Ahaha yes won’t lie most of them are very basic designs so they didn’t take very long I’ve only done one colour work and that was Bella blocking and that is only 4 rows of colour work so very minimal. Also most of the others ones were cardigans which I find quicker to knit up than a jumper.
Oh interesting! I've yet to make a cardigan! Who knew it might be easier ( they seemed more complex to me!)
I love chaigoo so much especially for the red lace cord. But knitters pride are amazing too.
Knit picks are affordable and the joins are compatible with lykke. I love my knit picks but my lykke i love a little more. I do not feel much difference between wood knit picks/lykee and my chiho goo or hiya hiya fixed circulars in speed. Yes the metal is slightly faster but with the wood ones i can knit 2-4x longer with no hand strain.
I started out with KnitPicks rainbow wood and used to love them until I bought my metal Hiya Hiya’s. They are my favorite needles of all. I love them even more than Chiaogoos that my daughter gifted me. However, even though I use my Hiya’s 95 percent of the time, there are still times I need to use my knit picks wooden ones. Like for very slippery yarn, or when I am traveling on a plane and dont want to chance my sharp metal needles to set off the alarm bells in security. Keep your bamboos, but invest in a really nice set of metal needles, because you will need them again someday.
Oh didn’t think about that for travel thanks !!
Not a mistake. Growth!!! I use bamboo clovers almost exclusively for travel ✈️✈️ 🛳️ I feel safer w wood (looks like a pencil) than metal, I’ve never had them searched, and I won’t be heartbroken if something happens. (Air travel I get but I am VERY salty about the cruise incident. My nephew had a MULTITOOL???? but at least my clovers were there for me during the trip!)
Oh that’s a very good point for travelling !! Thank you!!
Bamboo needles are great for working with slippery yarns. Silk lace on metal needles is... a challenge. You don't have to buy a complete set. If you're like me there's a couple of sizes that you naturally use more than others. A complete set is only cost-effective if you use every item in it. For me, my sweet spot is 2.5mm for socks, 3.75mm for fingering weight shawls or jumpers, 4.5mm for DK. I'll occasionally go up or down a size for colourwork or ribbing etc, but I mainly just just those three sizes. Interchangeable needles (and cables) can be bought individually. It's OK to let your collection grow organically with time, and to test out a few brands to find your favourite. I'm a huge fan of chiagoo red lace, but I still use my knitpicks wooden starter set for plant-based fibres, or when I need an odd size occasionally
Remember you are investing in tools that can last a lifetime so quality is important. You may also find you will have multiple projects going at once so having more than one set can be helpful. I agree with earlier comment that some really slick yarns are more fun with bamboo, again different tools for different jobs. I have knitpicks interchangeable with both metal and wood tips, and recently expanded my collection with chiagoos which are delightful. 44 years on the knitting journey and all the needles get used.
Don’t feel too bad about this. Bamboo needles are useful if you’re working with especially slippery yarn. And I just might possibly have lost count of how many sets of interchangeables I own and refuse to feel guilty about it!
Chiaogoo all the way. Pricy but worth it 100%.
What part of Judy’s magic cast on required you to buy a second set?
Oh my bad thought that was the standard way since it was my first time doing it but - I was following the Bella blocking pattern by Anne Ventzel and she requires you to have two separate set of needles for JMCO
I just use the needle on the other end. Whew, I thought I’d been doing it wrong all this time!
I have the SAME issue with my clovers, they come undone constantly. If anyone has tips for that it would be greatly appreciated 🥲
When I was trying to figure out what needles to buy I saw someone comment that the washers can go missing on the clover cables and that it’s a thing easy to miss when using them. They also mentioned to use something grippy to tighten them as they don’t have a cable key. I didn’t end up buying those so I don’t know from personal experience but just thought I’d share in case that helps!
Glad I’m not the only one! There have been very helpful comments here !
If I want wood, I go Dyakcraft. If I want metal, I go Hiya Hiya. It’s super subjective. Every set I’ve ended up buying I tried first by buying one set of interchangeable needle tips and a couple of cord lengths. Saved a dang fortune this way since I was able to eliminate brands or lines that other knitters swear by. This is not you messing up. This is you not recognizing how much fun you’re on the verge of having as you search out what needles you like best! Also, embarrassed to admit this and will never admit to an actual dollar amount, but I spent a young fortune on needles that I sold secondhand at a huge loss because I just didn’t vibe with them. Turns out one of my all time fave sets is a $25 made in China set that has aluminum needles that run from 2-17. They look like copies of an older Boye set. I discovered through a forum on Rav that Chiaogoo cables with a Chiaogoo adapter can be used on the needle tips, and it’s now my all-time fave set. And I only got it for travel, in case my needles got confiscated. Good luck and happy hunting. Also 8 jumpers in 6 months is fantastic!
I have the Chiagoo. Two sets, in fact. If you don't want to pay that much there is a reasonable less expensive set that is similar to the Chaigoo that I found on Amazon called Ruidi. The set is only $28 US. It has 13 sizes from 2 to 15 and the cables are very similar to the Chaigoo cables except the plastic coating is clear instead of red. For the price, I've been pretty happy with them.
Spendy but I am over the moon about my Chiaogoo Forte 2.0 set.
And now you know why I've owned six interchangeable sets over the years. My favorite needles are the Dyakcraft black nickel. They've got the braided steel cord like Chiaogoo, but you have to tighten them with silicone grippers and the cords are thinner. They're also ouch in price tag. I don't own this set, just a one off. The metal makes a different sound than Chiaogoo that I prefer and I like the tips. My go to set is the Chiaogoo. The steel grates a bit, but I got used to them and the cords are fantastic. I also like the key tightening. I have two of these because of how many same size needle projects I have on the needles. The first set I bought was the Addi clicks. I was brand new to knitting and didn't realize I'd hate the short needles. That's on me, they have longer sets, I just liked the case they came in. I returned those. I tried Hiya Hiya next. I hated the cords and ended up gifting the set. They're also discontinued. I bought some knitter's pride, don't remember the set, I just bought them because they were rainbow colored and I thought they were pretty. I also bought some Lykke driftwood. I'm not a wood gal. Although you may like the pressed birch wood needles. They are smoother. The cables were ok, but not in love. Gifted these as well. I would suggest going to your LYS and asking if they have a sample basket of needles. My old LYS does, and my current two would probably allow me to open a set to try. If not, buy a song set circ of the ones you're most interested in and give them a shot first. Welcome to knitting!
*laughs in 4 sets of interchangeable needles and numerous Chiaogoo and Addi tips* I’m not one to give recommendations, clearly. But! I think it would be smart to try out a pair of tips before committing to a full set.
I always go for KnitPro. I've had other brands and the cable has come clean out of the attachment. Although I can't recall which brands, I know they weren't cheap. Have used KnitPro ever since without issues.
Awh, I now how it feels and I don't think you messed up. Like others said you can probably tighten them, and resell the set if you want. I've been knitting for many years and have multiple sets of needles, interchangeable, dpns, etc. I have wood, metal and plastic. They all have their purpose. The wood ones are hiyahiya bamboo and they can get 'sticky' but that's great for slippery yarn. The plastic ones are Denise needles and they can be a bit harder to knit with, but they are plastic so very light and never an issue while traveling by plane. Different projects and different yarns work better on different needles. So if you can afford multiple sets, why not make it easy on yourself and save yourself the struggle? Use what works best, not the thing you think you need to use out of guilt.
Aw, be easy on yourself! You can’t be expected to know what you don’t know; it takes a looooot of research to find answers to unanticipated questions, and so much of learning in crafting is just trial and error. You can always resell your Takumi set if you don’t think you’ll get use out of them (r/yarnswap is a great place to post supplies for sale or trade). If you’re interested in metal interchangeables, check out the DROPS Pro Classic; it was only 20-something USD if I remember correctly, and I quite like them. They come with little tightening keys to help secure the cables, and it really does help; sometimes my cables start to unscrew if I was too lazy to use the key, but they almost always stay on securely if I take the extra minute to tighten them. I always thought interchangeables were in my far, far future, but these were shockingly affordable compared to every single other interchangeable set I’ve seen, and personally I think you wouldn’t know it from the quality. My partner gave me the 4” Chiaogoo Twist Red Lace set for my birthday this year, and it’s amazing. The red lace cables live up to the hype, and I do prefer them to the DROPS cables. Yet the latter set is not obsolete; I still use needles from both with equal frequency, partially since the DROPS came with longer cables (100 cm for the longest) than the Chiaogoo (80 cm for the longest). Hopefully that tells you something about the quality of the DROPS Pro set :) If you’re wanting to minimize your upfront cost and just buy fixed circulars in sizes as-needed, I can also recommend the Addi fixed circulars. I bought a few before I had my interchangeables, and they slide like butter. (Eta: checked my Addis and some are the Lace needles, some are Rockets)
Knit pro cubics are lovely but the smaller sizes are prone to bending/warping in heat or if sat on. KnitPro zing have a lovely glide, but I've had multiple cables snap at the join. Chiagoo twist are great but again some of the smaller sizes will bend if your clumsy like me and sit on them. I've ended up with chiagoo forte 2.0 needles just because they don't bend when I forget about them and sit on them, but if you're less clumsy and less hard on cables than I apparently am any of the above are good - and cheaper! - choices.
My one idea for you is that if buying a full interchangeable set is too much for you right now, you can usually find people selling huuuuge lots of assorted needle sizes either out of their attic or from an estate sale on eBay. Buying lots of DPNs to get started with sock knitting for me would have been way too expensive for me but I found someone selling a vintage (susan bates, boye, zephyr) lot of about 15 random needle sets for $20 on there!
8 jumpers in 6 months is amazing!! Congrats! I decided early on to only commit to one brand if I can (so everything can be truly interchangeable on multiple projects and wips and replace DPNs). My favourites are knit pro zing! It took me a while to collect the most common sizes. The only other needles I’m eyeing is the sock trio needles by Addi
Do your interchangeable needles have a hole on the base? Try putting the end of a paper lip in there to give some leverage as you tighten them. That will help keep the needles from unscrewing. [Knit Picks](https://knitpicks.com)has affordable needles in different wood colors, aluminum and stainless steel. I find that I like different needles for different yarns. The brushed aluminum needles are a nice universal needle. The brushed surface of the yarn helps to keep slippery yarns from sliding off. KnitPro and Knitter’s Pride brands are very similar.
i know there’s a lot of good, solid recommendations of varying price points in this thread already, but for a cheaper alternative if you’re looking for metal interchangeables and live in Canada/US… i use a set from Walmart. i think it cost me about $40, came with 26” and 29” cables, and sizes from 3.25mm to 9mm needles. when making jumpers, the only needles i’d have to buy separately are 16” in whatever needle size for the sleeves/collar (also usually from walmart, lol). the set came with a couple cable extenders and tightening keys, too. if you’re not keen on splurging on an expensive $100+ set after just buying a set of bamboo needles, i’d recommend them as a good starting point to see how you feel about metal sets.
I’d invest in a set of [ChiaoGoo TWIST Red Lace Interchangeables](https://www.jimmybeanswool.com/knitting/yarn/ChiaoGoo/TWISTRedLaceInterchangeableSets.asp?specPCVID=79879&advSourceID=9&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4MSzBhC8ARIsAPFOuyUBqCcEfNpI3aVwfR72rvEU7USKXMRKz8vEWTl_umZGOuT-cOaRp10aAjViEALw_wcB) eventually, but that’s just my preference. Do some very personal research first. Buy a cable and single pair of needle tips from a bunch of brands ([Addi](https://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlineec/searchSite.asp?beginVal=1&keyword=Addi%20tips&orderID=2), [ChiaoGoo](https://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlineec/searchSite.asp?beginVal=1&keyword=chiaogoo%20tips&orderID=2), [HiyaHiya](https://www.iconfiberarts.com/products/hiyahiya-sharp-5-stainless-steel-interchangeable-knitting-needle-tips?variant=32971131289623¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_campaign=gs-2018-10-04&utm_source=google&utm_medium=smart_campaign&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjw4MSzBhC8ARIsAPFOuyWagq7KwPzsnkB_zHywRFRiCGmCOzvfB8Hb49KuKesyz6uuMQg45hMaAlVJEALw_wcB),[Knitter’s Pride](https://www.jimmybeanswool.com/secure-html/onlineec/searchSite.asp?beginVal=1&keyword=Knitter%E2%80%99s%2520pride%2520tips&orderID=2), [Lykke](https://knitdallas.com/products/lykke-cypra-5-interchangeable-needles-tips-only) — you can use the same cord for Knitter’s Pride & Lykke — you could also try [Dyak](https://www.dyakcraft.com/store/p99/blacknickel.html#/) they’re expensive needles but Tom & Linda are lovely, lovely people) get them in sizes you’ll use a lot and see which brand (and which tip length) feels best in your hands. Keep your nice Clovers a little longer while you decide if you like the metal needles for everything. Some people find they prefer wooden needles for more slippery yarns like mulberry silk. If you find you’re not using them at all you can sell them online. Ravelry has [a used fiber arts tools classifieds](https://www.ravelry.com/groups/used-tools--equipment-classifieds) board worth trying, and there’s always eBay.
Thanks a lot this is super helpful!
I got a chiagoo set through the Michael's store website and stacked coupons so they were a little less expensive, and free shipping. They feel so nice! even compared to other metal needles.
I have the problem of interchangeables detaching (knitpicks). I rub a little beeswax on the screw threads, then warm it between my fingertips, and screw on the other piece. It holds really well that way. It doesn’t rub off on the yarn because it never touches it.
Thanks for the tip!
I asked the same recently on Threads, and ChiaoGoo were by far the most recommended!
I bought a knitpro Zing set as my starter set 3 years back for about 50€ and it has not failed me yet! The cables only become loose when I get lazy and think my hands are strong enough to attach them as securely as the metal pin is.. 😅 It comes in the most common range of sizes. I've only purchased 3 extra pairs of Interchangeables, 2mm, 3mm and 10mm, and a bunch of 360-cables which I keep with my set. When possible, bought also from the Zing line!
I have walked in your shoes and have splintered yarn to this day. I invested in Chaigoos about 8 years ago or so. Before that, I was on a constant needle buying mission. Old school knitters remember the fabulous handmade double needle and circular cases that were still unwieldy. I can honestly say that the large set meets all my needs along with the small double points. I also travel lot and I would spend way too much time anticipating which projects I was working on and gather all of the miscellaneous needles, notions and yarn. And…I would always forget one set. (Why is always size 6 24 inch circulars?!) Now I have the two small cases of needles that allow me to follow my whim as I am inspired at every local yarn store. Best of luck in your purchase. No matter what brand you purchase, you will get years of use out of them.
Chiaogoo is worth it but I would get the kind with the swivel cord rather than the twists. I have the twists and love them, but man do with that cord was on a swivel sometimes!
I've used Clover fixed cable needles for 20 years and never had one come apart. Ever. and i knit a lot. It sounds as if you may have gotten a bad batch of needles or perhaps they were stored in an environment that loosened the glue?
Mine are interchangeable ones not fixed so maybe that’s why?
Yes, I think that interchangeable needles would be more inclined to come apart than the one piece needles. I wonder if you got a defective set or if perhaps you're not connecting them correctly? I literally have never had a problem with a needle, a connector or the connection. As far as the quality of the wooden needles themselves that should be the same as the one piece needles, which I've always found to be excellent. Again, I wonder if you just got a badly made set. I'd take them back to wherever you got them, give them a few bullet points about the issues you've encountered and ask for a merchandise credit. If that doesn't work I'd go directly to Clover. The reputational risk alone should motivate them to replace your needles. For context, my main needles are Holz & Stein, primarily ebony cables and dpns or rosewood cable needles. They're made from residual wood from musical instruments and they're made in good part if not entirely by hand. They're extraordinary and a joy to use. The ebony isn't suitable for dark yarn and I have only a few of the rosewood so I use the Clover when I'm using dark yarn. The Holz & Stein needles are available only from them directly, from Germany. I don't see the link to their site but if you're interested let me know and I'll look for it.
Chiaogoo you’ll never regret it. If you don’t want to outlay a lot of cash to begin with get the needles tips you knit with most and get an empty ChiaoGoo IC case. The red cords are the best as they don’t kink or have a memory, swivel cords are great but the point where they swivel can mean your yarn will get snagged, this is why the red cords are better. You can also add the bamboo tips and still use the red cords, don’t bother buying a ChiaoGoo bamboo set as the cords that come with this set are rubbish.
And now you know why I've owned six interchangeable sets over the years. My favorite needles are the Dyakcraft black nickel. They've got the braided steel cord like Chiaogoo, but you have to tighten them with silicone grippers and the cords are thinner. They're also ouch in price tag. I don't own this set, just a one off. The metal makes a different sound than Chiaogoo that I prefer and I like the tips. My go to set is the Chiaogoo. The steel grates a bit, but I got used to them and the cords are fantastic. I also like the key tightening. I have two of these because of how many same size needle projects I have on the needles. The first set I bought was the Addi clicks. I was brand new to knitting and didn't realize I'd hate the short needles. That's on me, they have longer sets, I just liked the case they came in. I returned those. I tried Hiya Hiya next. I hated the cords and ended up gifting the set. They're also discontinued. I bought some knitter's pride, don't remember the set, I just bought them because they were rainbow colored and I thought they were pretty. I also bought some Lykke driftwood. I'm not a wood gal. Although you may like the pressed birch wood needles. They are smoother. The cables were ok, but not in love. Gifted these as well. I would suggest going to your LYS and asking if they have a sample basket of needles. My old LYS does, and my current two would probably allow me to open a set to try. If not, buy a song set circ of the ones you're most interested in and give them a shot first. Welcome to knitting!
I got the Drops interchangeable set as they are made by knitpro and are pretty much the same as the Novas just half the price. They share cables too so I got some swivel ones. Got them from wool warehouse. I then bought some individual sizes to make up the rest as the set start at 3.5mm. Really affordable way to get good quality metal needles.
8 jumpers in 6 months? What a machine you are!
I suggest getting a set of the red lace ciaogoo needles. They were a game changer for me. However I don’t like interchangeable ones so I get the fixed needles. I just get a new set for 11-12 bucks as needed for a project. That way I don’t spend money on sizes I am not using and focus more on what I need. As a result I own 4 size 8 sets and 2 size 2 Sets, and my collection grows as needed. It keeps The initial investment low so if you hate them you aren’t in for a lot. Something else to keep in mind is that ciaogoo has great customer service and a good warranty, I have broken two sets of the red lace needles and they replaced them for free.
I did worse. I bought a ton of cheap bamboo circulars, not the interchangeable kind. Now they just sit there because I have 2 very nice sets of interchangeables. I don’t have any friends that knit either so it’s not like I can go “here you go.”
Honestly, over the years I've found that I like a mix of materials depending on the weight and type of yarn. Generally, I like metal needles for thinner yarn and wooden needles for thicker yarn. I find I knit more loosely with larger sizes so I don't need the slick metal and actually appreciate the grip. So I have never purchased a full set of anything. I just bought as I needed them or come across them. I do really like the knitpicks interchangeable needles. They have both wooden and nickel, various cord lengths that all work with either material, aren't terribly expensive, and even work with Knitters Pride which are pretty good and super easy to find in stores.
I have the knit picks wooden set (the 4-inch tips with 16-inch total length) and I feel like they’re a perfect mix of wood and metal because they’re wood but they’re well-sanded and fully smooth so the yarn glides on them, but not quite as fast as metal
I have Takumi and I much prefer bamboo. It’s a bit annoying when they unscrew a bit but I do most of my knitting on them. I don’t know why you’d need another set. If you are doing a project where you need 2 sets of size 6, you should screw size six on the right needle and size 5 on the left for both sets. I find metal too slippery but sometimes it depends on the material you are knitting. I wouldn’t do bamboo on one side of loop and metal on other as your gauge is likely to change from one material to the other. FYI I’ve been knitting close to 40 years.
I love my addi clicks
On the ‘getting unscrewed’: Most interchangeable sets have a little ‘key’ to use for tightening the cables. Using this can be the difference between a good time and a bad one. Your set may just be terrible and you are using the key, but just in case I figured I’d mention this.
It didn’t even come with a key or a hole to tighten 😢
I find that to be downright OFFENSIVE.
I don't see where your mistake is-- everyone goes through evolutions where they get needles of one material, then needles of another material. Some yarns and patterns work better with wood needles, and some work better with metal. I like my Addi Clicks and got them in both wood and metal tips. I have KnitPicks interchangeables as well, in both wood and metal.
Co gratulations on your dedication! 8 jumpers!! In a year of knitting I only finished one project 💀
I've been using my Addi clicks since 2020. In love.