Circular Needle/What's The Bend For?

#1

I’m wondering why some circular needles have a bend (maybe a 35-45 degree angle) between the tips and the cable. Anybody know what purpose it serves? It doesn’t really seem to help me or hinder me, just wondering why some have it (like Boyes and Susan Bates) and some don’t (like Knit Pick Classics or Addi Turbos).

Anyone have a preference for one type over the other? Dumb question, really, we all have an opinion about our favorite needles, don’t we.

Since I read Silver’s tip about hot water/cold water to tame the Boye cables, I’m loving my old Boyes that I used to despise. I’m thinking seriously about putting my KP Options and Denises on the for sale section and spending that money on more ‘stuff’.

#2

I suspect the bend is to conform to the hand better, but after knitting with straights for umteen years, I don’t find it makes much of a difference either way. :shrug:

#3

Imagine if those bends pointed away from you a bit more sharply, the cable part would bend suddenly back towards you, putting unnecessary stress on the cable. If they’re straight there’s less stress, and if they point back toward you less still. At least that’s what I think.
The fact that the needles twist in your hands when picked up loosely, until the bends are toward your lap, shows that’s the easiest/lowest energy way for the needles to be, right?
Sarah

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#4

no pressure, but I’d be happy to take the KPO off your hands JoeE! :wink:

#5

I’m like you, I really haven’t found preferance one way or another. I guess they’re like that so they’re more comftorable to hold. But, honestly, I’ve never really noticed it :oops:

#6

I like the bend, I’m not sure why it matters, but it does to me. The funny thing is that I use dpn’s a lot too and they are the exact same length as or even a bit longer than the straight portion of the circular needle and that doesn’t bother me, but knitting on the Addis without the bend drives me nuts.I just finished ribbing for a sweater and needed a 2.5mm circ so I used the Addis there, but I’m glad I’m done with that and can return to the Prym with it’s little bend for the body of the sweater.

Kaidy

#7

I get frozen shoulder/shoulder pain from the bent ones. Something about the angle it puts my wrist in. I switch back to the straight ones and I’m fine!

#8

I think less pressure or hand pain is what they are supposed to be for, but I don’t care for them. Also dislike Boyes intensely. Glad you do and glad there are lots of choices! :wink:

#9

Some of my old Option cables are bent where it hits metal, a slight bend would avoid that.

#10

" redwitch
Feb '07

Imagine if those bends pointed away from you a bit more sharply, the cable part would bend suddenly back towards you, putting unnecessary stress on the cable. If they’re straight there’s less stress, and if they point back toward you less still. At least that’s what I think.
The fact that the needles twist in your hands when picked up loosely, until the bends are toward your lap, shows that’s the easiest/lowest energy way for the needles to be, right?
Sarah"

Ding Ding! Winner, take the rest of the day off, with pay.