Does anyone else prefer aluminum needles?

General Knitting
21

I love old aluminum needles - though I prefer Boye to Bates! Something about the old-school buttons… apart from the comforting aesthetic, the buttons hold knitting on the needles much better than the new style ends on the Bates. I prefer knitting my sweaters on Boye aluminums over knitting them on circs.

I also love wooden needles - birch dpns and long straights. I became a fan of the Brittany line thanks to a fellow historical reenactor.

My latest source of joy has been circs - my love for Addis has given way to love for Options, because they not only perform well, they take up less space! That being said, I have three projects on Boye needles, and only two on circs! Circs serve me well for shawls.

22

I have a Boyle’s master set and just got some Addi’s for a song. I will use nothing but metal.

23

I learned to knit on the inexpensive Boye aluminums. For awhile there I thougth they were great but with time the colored plating wore away and they began to make that ‘fingernails-on-a-chalkboard’ sound. shudder. I find now that I can use them for only a few projects then I’d need a new pair to avoid that sound.

I have a set of knitpicks harmony interchangeables on the way so I hope I’ll like them better. Aluminum was good to start with but with time drove me nuts. Maybe there are better brands that don’t wear away though.