Howdy!! I have picked up knitting again after a hiatus and what was an unaffordable luxury years ago is now attainable and I’d like to get myself a set of interchangeable needles. BUT…there are SO many more now than there was way back when!
I knit mostly scarves and cowls. Sometimes hats. Never garments.
I tend toward fingerling or worsted yarn…so I use smaller to medium size needles a lot.
I love metal needles. I particularly love the Addi needles I have. I’d like to buy them from the shop here but which ones?
I don’t know how to do magic loop but I suppose I could learn,…most of the cables seem kinda long with the sets.
Which ones do you like??
Thanks so much!
Welcome back!!
I tend toward fingerling or worsted yarn…so I use smaller to medium size needles a lot.
That’s a large span of weights so you’ll need a variety of needles. Fingering usually uses anywhere from 0-2 unless you’re making a loose lacy shawl or scarf design in which case you could be using up to 5 or 6. Worsted weight usually uses 7-8, but can also go either way. So a set is probably your best bet.
I love metal needles. I particularly love the Addi needles I have. I’d like to buy them from the shop here but which ones?
I prefer metal, but do use wood for some things. Addi makes good needles, but I do use wood and like them, too. If you aren’t sure you could get one of the Knitter’s Pride Comby sets. They have a a variety of needle materials you can experiment with and then add to your collection when you choose what you want in a set. Unfortunately, they don’t have a lot of choices in sets right now in KH and I don’t know if they are going to keep selling them. They are sold in other places on the internet though.
I don’t know how to do magic loop but I suppose I could learn,…most of the cables seem kinda long with the sets.
You will also need a variety of cable sizes. For knitting a scarf 24-32 inch are usually fine and sets always come with those. Most sets cannot make 16" size for hats. I recommend learning magic loop anyway. With 16" you need to switch to a different method for the decrease part and that’s a pain. With magic loop you can start and finish on the same needles. That’s all I use anymore.
I use my original Knit Picks Options metal needle set and Knitter’s Pride Dreamz in wood. I also have several singles of other needles, but 99.9% of the time it’s the needles in the sets. I do know some people who use Addi’s who love them and a few who don’t. My experience with them was the cords bent when doing magic loop and I found that annoying.
Hope this helps!
Jan
I have the Knit Picks interchangeables as well as the pink Addi set. I tend to use the Knit Picks the most , using the smaller size 6 and under for shawls, gloves, socks. and cowls. Most of the yarns I use are sock weight, DK weight and worsted. I live in FL so we don’t use the bulky yarns here that much, they just look a little out of place here.
Thanks!
I’ve been doing some looking and I’d like a set that has needles that start pretty small and most don’t. But this set does:
http://shop.knittinghelp.com/knitting-needles/interchangeable-needle-sets/chiaogoo-twist-red-lace-complete-interchangeable-knitting-needle-set/
Does anyone have experience with these? Or another set of metal needles that start at a smaller size?
Holy cow, now I’m even seining that there are different lengths of needles! I’m excited about this as some of the needles are way too short for me and give me a cramp. I’m thinking about these too??
Thanks for any information on your experiences!!!
I’ve been doing some looking and I’d like a set that has needles that start pretty small and most don’t. But this set does:
ChiaoGoo TWIST Red Lace Complete Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set - KnittingHelp.com Shop
Does anyone have experience with these? Or another set of metal needles that start at a smaller size?
Yep, most start at 4. I have smaller needles I just bought separate fixed cables when I need them. I have quite a few now. I haven’t used Chiagoo, but again I know people who like them and people who don’t. Personally I’d buy a single and try it out myself.
Holy cow, now I’m even seining that there are different lengths of needles! I’m excited about this as some of the needles are way too short for me and give me a cramp. I’m thinking about these too??
Amazon.com: HiyaHiya Interchangeable 4 inch (10cm) Sharp Steel Knitting Needle Set Small Tip Sizes (US 2-8) HISSTINKIT4SM
I have some Hiya Hiya I like, but they are single fixed cables. I haven’t measured, but I think they are longer. Not sure. I don’t like knitting with short needles either. Hard on the hands.
Price wise those are pretty typical I think. The reason I’ve suggested singles to try is that’s a lot of money to find out you don’t like them… 
I"ll look at single needles, that’s a good idea. I actually have a pattern I want to start and I need a SUPER long cable for it so I’ll start there.
I just can’t believe all the variety out there now! When I was last knitting the Denise interchangeables were pretty new and that was maybe about it?? I think the Addi’s came out just as I was getting busy with my Etsy shop and then I had to kind of drop knitting for a while. Little kids and a busy Etsy shop don’t leave a lot of down time. 
Thanks for the advice! Have a great day!
Nova Platina’s are my #1 choice in needles. They’re really smooth and well made. Their fixed circulars are up to 47" long from size US 0 to US 19.
