I still consider myself somewhat of a recent knitter and while I’ve tried a few materials I’ve not quite settled on any particularly. I got the cheapest set of interchangeable needles I could get locally (KnitPro Trendz) which is acrylic and I already had to buy a spare because I broke one needle when I accidentally sat on it 😂
Now that I’m realizing knitting in the round is kinda my thing (as I’ve not touched a regular needle since getting said set) I’m wondering if it’d be worth to upgrade and if a change in material would improve my knitting experience at all?
I’d love to read any input and/or recommendations from more experienced knitters :)
I have KnitPro, Lantern Moon and Chiaogoo sets available locally.
I have the knitpicks square wood and I love them. Also the swirly color wood ones (I think those are also knit picks but I bought them 15 year ago) but they seem slicker. Have tried some of the Karbonz and I knit too fast for them, they are super slick tips, but they don’t break. I’ve accidentally sat on the wood ones and snapped them. :(
I’ve seen some sets of square needles, do they feel too differently to round? :o
I currently have the KnitPicks nickel-plated ones, and they’re fine, but the wires definitely have memory. I’d like to upgrade to Chiaogoo, but I want the set and it’s a steep price tag when I already have something that’s fine.
I’ve been knitting for a long time (20 years), and I’m also an English style knitter slash thrower so I’m not a super fast knitter, and I hate using anything except metal anymore. Wood and bamboo are too sticky for me, even when they’re very smooth, and the tips wear down or start to snag eventually — or at least my cheap ones did. Not a fan of plastic either personally, and it feels like people who really get into the hobby stray away from them, but I don’t really know why. Like I can’t really articulate why I don’t like plastic; I just…don’t.
I don’t have interchangeable, but I do have a couple 16" Chiaogoo needles and I love them. I imagine the interchangeables use the same cable. Like one of the other responders, I can only use steel needles rather than bamboo or wood. I use Chiaogoo DPNs as well. I want the interchangeable set but it’s expensive, and I haven’t been able to convince myself that I’ll use all of the sizes.
I have a set of the smaller gauge chiaogoo twist interchangables and I love them! The metal is smooth, the shape is good for me (pretty sharp and pointy), and the red cables do not kink. I pretty much only use those and hiyahiya metal double points these days.
I have friends who swear by the knitters pride/knit pro karbons, but they feel a little sticky to me. I get the same feeling from wood and bamboo needles. I knit continental. Not sure if that makes a difference.
Do you have a chance to try out the needles before you buy, or just buy a single circular as a test? I think it depends on your knitting style and the fibers you like to use.
Ooh that’s a great idea as I can get fixed circulars. I’ve read good things about the Karbonz in the smallest sizes. I currently use a US 1 (2.25mm) wood fixed circular for knitting socks and it’s ok, but I feel the tip is a bit blunt, not pointy enough to really get into the yarn.
