I’ve recently returned to wood needles because they’re more “relaxing” to me–I fret with the slipperiness of metal ones. I have been using Addi bamboo and like them, but I am a tight knitter and it’s almost impossible for me to do k2tog because I can’t get the needle through both loops. I’ve never used the Harmony circulars and wondered if someone could give me some info on them–I’m considering them because they’re sharper pointed than the Addi’s. Is the gauge comparable between them or do I need to do another swatch–I’m right on the money with the Addi’s. I’ve never used interchangeable needles–are they as smooth at the linking point? Any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated–and if you’re a big fan of either one, please “sell” me on them. Thanks so much–you’ve always been so helpful and I always know I can get great advice from all of you.
I have the metal Knitpicks needles and the Addi set, as well as individual circs of each. The only Harmony I have are dpns, and to be honest, I find them to be almost as slick as metal.
I prefer the Addis–I’ve had several occasions when the KP needle cable pulled out of the connector. This doesn’t seem possible with the Addi set. There is a big difference in price, though. I’ve always been an Addi fan–I’ve never had one break.
However, the KPs are definitely pointier if that’s what you’re looking for.
I have the knitpicks and have been less than impressed. I’ve had to send bits back for replacement way too often. I have also heard that the Addis can tarnish and pit. My personal choice after trying the other two is Boye Interchangeable, they have a nice sharp point, about like knitpicks, maybe sharper, but not much. People have complained about the cables being stiff, I don’t mind them and for magic loop I used the "hack’ from Craftsters.
http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?topic=360820.0
and that works really well. There is a person selling the finished ‘hack’ cables at an etsy shop on Ravelry for a reasonable price. I did the ‘hack’ myself and it was fun and easy.
I don’t have a “joanne’s or Michaels near me but have heard you can get them reasonably with their discount coupon. It works out to about 30 or 40 dollars or so I’ve been told.
Another thing to think about is the length of the needles you like to work with. I have a problem with short ( 4”) needles as my hand pushes on the cable where it joins the needle and I have broken one of my knitpicks at this join. I was able to fix it myself but when I bought the Boye needles I got the older set with the metal that bends at that point. Now the needles just fit my hand as if made for me. Other people have complained about the bend in the cables as a problem for them when joining two or more cables together for larger projects. I simply use the ‘hack’ cables and have no complaint. The older set, with the bend, comes in a brown case and the newer one (without the bend) comes in a red case. I now have one of each and love them.
I have been thinking of offering a new set of Denise in trade for an older (Brown) set of Boye for my daughter, she really likes my sets and I’m not giving them up. 
I bought the Denise and tried them once and tried to take them back but the yarn shop was going out of business and wouldn’t take them.
Hope you find just the right fit for you. Can you visit a local yarn shop and just sit and try some? That might be the best idea.
I have used Addi, Harmony and Option circular needles, and for me by far the Harmony and Option win. I only had one cable pull out of the metal screw, KnitPicks replaced the cable, and the joins are nice and smooth, no snagging or hanging up. Also, I find their cables to be much more flexible than Addis. I am also a tight knitter and the sharp points on both the Harmony and Option needles are great for any weight yarn I have used. I have a tiny nick in one of my Harmony needles which did catch the yarn, changed over to the Options and have yet to phone KnitPicks but I feel certain they will replace that size needle. They are very easy to deal with, by the way. I am a true believer, it seems.
I recently splurged on the set of KnitPicks nickel interchangeables and am also disappointed. Fortunately (for me) the first needles I needed for a project were the #10 and one of them had a rough tip. I emailed KP and they replaced it and didn’t even ask me to return the bad needle. Then I was knitting along on my (seemingly never-ending) afghan and one of the cables pulled apart! I was able to pick up all the stitches with minimum hassle but still! Again, they replaced the cable (and didn’t ask that I send back the broken cable), and in fact sent a pack of 2 cables to replace the one but still. Then another cable that hadn’t even been used yet pulled apart! I was able to put it back together but who knows how long that will last. I do like the KP nickel needles themselves; they’re less pointy than the Harmony needles (less splitting the acrylic yarn I’m using) but I sure do wish the cables were put together better.
This website sells several different brands of interchangeables, Denise, Hiya Hiya, and KA, but I sure don’t like the idea of shelling out more big bucks for another set!
http://patchworkfrog.com/index.html
You could always buy a single pair to try it out to see how you like it. I have the Knit Picks Harmony and I have had no problems with them, though I haven’t used them that often yet.
I have had the KP Harmony needles since they first came out. I love them. I have had no problems with the tips or cables coming apart but understand that some people do. People also have problems with the Addis ( I for one.) Knit Picks is a whole lot easier to get replacements for broken parts. You can also fix the cable yourself with gorilla glue.
I love the Harmony tips. They are slightly more grabby than the nickel tips and just as pointy. I knit mostly lace and the sharp points are important to me. I find the Addi and Addi lace needles to not be as pointy. The cables on the Knit Picks are like butter. The joins are smooth - if they are not smooth there is something wrong and they need to be replaced. As long as you tighten them with the tool or a paper clip they stay together.
You can also get size 3 (and 2 I think) tips if you order from a European supplier and get the Knit Pro brand.
I love the KP Harmony circulars! I think you will, too.
That said…another circular needle that is HOT HOT HOT are the Signature Needles. They’re not interchangeables. Yarn Harlot has called Signature needles the Ferrari of knitting needles.
I prefer the ‘stiletto’ tip. They’re now available in sizes 3-8, with choice of 3 tips, several cable lengths, stalks of varying lengths…all your choice…to create the perfect needle. They are a special type of metal, non-slippery…but the tips are pure silvery finish.
Anyway, visit their website www.signatureneedlearts.com for more information. They also sell straights and dpn’s.
Signature needles make short work out of decreases such as K3Tog tbl, or any other decrease challenge. They are like a hot knife thru butter. I love mine! I have US 5/6/7/8, all with stiletto tips, 5" stalk, 24" total length. The stalks swivel, too, thereby reducing wrist stress.
I have the interchangeable Harmony Wood circular needles. I use them for everything, straight and circular knitting, and love them. I’ve saved a lot of money with the set because I don’t have to buy a set of straights, double points, and circulars. They have a small metal connector purchased separately that allows me to connect more than one cable if I knit sweaters or blankets where I need a longer length. The sharp points make it easier to do things like k2 togethers, psso’s, and bind off’s. I have some Addi circulars gathering dust in a knitting bag somewhere. I hate them. The needles are good, but the cables stink. I think the cables are too thin and I spend more time trying to unkink them than I do knitting. Yes, I know I can hold them over steam and uncurl them, but for the exhorbitant price I paid for them I shouldn’t have to. I find that I don’t have to do that with the Knitpicks cables. KP cables are thicker and have a memory. They retain their shape, even after I’ve had them coiled up inside the package for a while without using them. My wood needles have a lacquered coating that makes them slick like metal, but they also keep the stitches on the needles from slipping off. I feel that I have more control with the KP Harmony wood and my tension is more even.
They come with a tightening key. I haven’t had any trouble with them coming loose. Sometimes yarns catch on the joins, but it’s usually with something like mohair, which is hard to frog and knit with anyway.
The drawback is that they don’t have sizes printed or engraved on the needles. You have to use a knitting gauge ruler with the size holes in it to determine sizes if you mix the needles up. They start at a size 4. You have to buy individual circulars for anything smaller than that. It suits me just fine because I don’t have the patience to knit with a size 0, 2, or 3 needle.
I too have had a KP cable to come out. I tried to put it back with a type of super glue but it always sets before I can get the cable all the way in. Then I ahve to contend with the yarn snagging on the join since the cable didn’t on all the way in.
However, KP’s Options are great even if I have to deal with a loose cable from time to time. Their customer service, prompt mailing, and resonable cost makes them my favorite, not to mention that they work great and I am able to knit very fast with them.