An in-depth and non-sponsored review of the four big interchangeable knitting needle set brands
I am sure you have considered buying an interchangeable knitting needle set. Maybe you already own one. It’s certainly one of the most important knitting tools, and the advantages are many: Instead of buying a new pair of needles for every new project, you can use the very same set every time and adjust the needle size and cord length according to your preferences and the requirements of the pattern. One needle set may give you up to 500 different combinations.
There are four major players for metal needles on the market: ChiaoGoo, addi, Hiya Hiya, and KnitPro (formerly known as Knitter’s Pride in the U.S.). But which interchangeable needles are the best? For my newsletter subscribers, I wanted to find out!
Note: I earn a small commission for purchases made through links in this article.
I bought a big lace set from all four of them and compared them for you. I’ll show you all the major differences in terms of quality, sizing, the system, cords, knitting speed & ease, and of course, the price. There are also wood, plastic, and carbon interchangeable needle sets, but as these materials are so drastically different, I won’t be looking at them in this guide (but you can check out my full ChiaoGoo knitting needle review for that or my review of the super-durable Karbonz needles, or the AddiClick sets).
Here are the direct shopping links to all four sets I am reviewing here:
- ChiaoGoo Twist Red Lace Interchangeable Set
- Hiya Hiya 5 Inch Sharp Limited Edition Deluxe (and here’s the small set I initially bought
)
- addi Knitting Needles Click Mixed Set (here is a link to the Standard Rocket (Long) Lace Tips)
- KnitPro Nova Platina
)I bought them all on Amazon as I personally found the best bargains there. (Note: Due to ongoing availability problems, I could only buy a new small HiyaHiya set for this review)
I also won’t be comparing any of the cheaper brands (etc.) because I had such bad experiences with these needles in the past. Any maker will be able to assure you that their tools are one of the most important aspects of their trade and quality shows.
My dad always told me, “buy cheap stuff, and you’ll buy twice”. While there are certainly exceptions, I found that adage to be remarkably close to the truth. The last thing you want is a broken needle/cable on a live project.
Anyways, let’s dive right into it, eh?
PS: If you are just starting out, you might read my guide to the best knitting needles for beginners first. I also have a full review of the best double-pointed knitting needles.
The Interchangeable-Systems
Let’s take a look at the general system at the very beginning. The general principle behind all four sets is the same. You get separate cables and needles and can combine them at will. The interchangeable knitting needle sets by KnitPro, HiyaHiya and ChiaoGoo work with screws to connect the cables to the needles, while addi uses a click-system.
All four of them are fairly easy to use. In the case of KnitPro, HiyaHiya, and ChiaoGoo, you insert a little pin into a little hole in the cable, then you screw the needle onto the cable and use the pin to really screw it tight. The ChiaoGoo pin is maybe a tiny bit more durable, but the difference is marginal at best. To detach the cables, you insert the pin again and unscrew the needles. Pretty straightforward and simple.
With ChiaoGoo and HiyaHiya, you screw the needles into the cable socket, while KnitPro has the screws on the cable – but I don’t think that is a difference that matters. It’s probably more of a patent thing. It does mean, however, that the KnitPro needles can get crooked around the screw, while the same can happen to the cables of the other two brands. HiyaHiya is especially prone to that, as there is a super-thin shell above the screws.
The addi Click system is a bit more complicated. There’s a little indentation on the needles as a marker, where you need to insert the cable, press it into the needle, and turn it around counter-clockwise. To detach, you have to press the cable into the needle (you’ll hear a little click), and then you can unscrew it again. addi provides you with a little rubber patch you can use so your fingers don’t slip. I really love that detail, as the pins from the other two brands help you to hold onto the cable, but the needles still can slip away (they are metal, after all).
HiyaHiya interchangeable knitting needles do have screws at the other end as well, but you get a rubber patch as well. In addition, you get quite a lot of extenders. I really love the concept of their needle extenders. You can easily turn a 5″ needle into a 6″ needle, etc. So, how cool is that? (These adapters are only part of the large sets and not the small sets, but can be bought separately). Their regular cable adaptors don’t have a hole for the pins, though – unlike the ChiaoGoo adapters.
And then, of course, there are the cable stoppers. You can use them to put a work in progress on hold, while you use the needles for a different project. The KnitPro stoppers are pure plastic and a bit flimsy (but do the job), HiyaHiya offers somewhat cute-ish panda stoppers (were not part of my small set, sorry), while the ChiaoGoo stoppers are very solid and the best of the lot.
Addi only provides a largish cable extender; instead, you can use it as a makeshift stopper as well. So, actually, that is kind of smart, though the extender is a bit too long to use for actual cable extending in my opinion. (Note: Cable extenders for KnitPro and ChiaoGoo can be bought separately but are usually not part of the small sets.)
But let’s take a closer look at the two most important factors:
How smooth is the join
If you have ever knit with circular needles, then you know that the join between cables and needles is a critical thing. If it’s too pronounced, then your stitches may get stuck, and it will be quite hard to knit smoothly. And worse yet, if there’s a gap, they can get stuck in between.
ChiaoGoo is the clear winner in this field. The join is almost seamless. KnitPro is less precise, though it’s a fraction of a millimeter that is missing. HiyHiya is probably around the same, but maybe a tiny bit more noticeable than KP (but both look a bit “sloppy” under magnification).
Addi, on the other hand, has quite a big step, but it’s somewhat tapered, so it works remarkably well in action and never runs the risk of the yarn getting trapped in between the gap. Tight knitters WILL notice it, however, as they push stitches from the cable onto the needle. I’d definitely say the other three brands are better in that regard. It does have to be noticed, however, that KnitPro offers the overall smoothest transition between the main part of the needle and the cable. The other brands all have multiple sections where the needles get wider bit by bit.
How tight is the join
There’s nothing worse than your knitting needles coming undone while you are knitting. In all fairness, I do have to say that addi owns that field. Both my ChiaoGoo, HiyaHiya, and my KnitPro cables have come undone in the past. Usually, I noticed it before the point of no return because stitches have gotten caught in the gap. Still, there’s no denying how annoying that is, especially as it’s hard to rescue this situation mid-row. I blame it on the fact that these systems make it very hard to really screw it tight.
Addi, on the other hand, is pretty damn tight. BUT with some yarns, the stitches get caught at the tapered join all the time, so you end up pushing against the needle, which eventually can release the click mechanism. This is actually worse than a partially unscrewed join.
I do have to say that KnitPro does have the strongest connection, though. I am always having “problems” unscrewing them – that never happens to me with ChiaoGoo. But that’s actually quite noteworthy, because the easier they unscrew, the easier it can happen accidentally. HiyaHiya usually is pretty damn tight as well, though weirdly enough, some needles have a problem with their screws.
In a nutshell: None of the systems is perfect in that regard, and if you want perfect security, you have to get fixed circular needles. But – as experienced knitters will tell you – even they sometimes break after heavy use at the seam between cable and needle. For now, I guess that is something knitters have to live with.
The Needles
Just as important as the general interchangeable system are the needles themselves. Again, there are quite some differences between the four brands and they are easily visible to the naked eye. All brands offer 4″ and 5″ sets – I picked the larger version because I rarely use circular needles for knitting in the round (I always knit with double-pointed needles). Also, as a man, my hands are a bit bigger, so the extra inch is a bit more comfortable to hold.
HiyaHiya is the shortest of the lot (but they do offer needle extenders ), KnitPro is in the middle, and addi has the longest needles. The difference is only a couple of millimeters, but those can make quite a big difference depending on the size of your hand.
KnitPro has the shortest tapered tip, the longest end, and the best transitions without “kinks”. I always felt this allowed for pretty seamless and fast knitting, as your project will easily slide along. That being said, if you frequently knit with big needle sizes (like these 5.5/6.0 mm needles), the longer tapered end ChiaoGoo and addi offers can be a nice advantage for lace patterns.
HiyaHiya has by far the sharpest points of the lot. So, as a pure lace needle, this would probably be my favorite. If you push on your needle tips a lot, then be aware that HiyaHiya will be a poor choice. These needles hurt quite a bit when you do that (there are simple ways to move stitches forward without pushing the tips).
In terms of speed, I think KnitPro is the winner (though addi is pretty damn fast as well). Since I picked the laciest option of all three brands, I think that observation matters a lot. For projects with a tighter gauge, the transition between needles and cable could be a bit smoother, though.
Addi, being the longest off the lot, could be a nice option for men with bigger hands.
A close look at the material & quality of the interchangeable needle tips
All four needles are very light. The 5mm needles were all in the same range. ChiaoGoo & HiyaHiya weigh ~8 grams, while KnitPro is 9, and addi 10 grams. Considering that your yarn/project will be considerably heavier, you will not really notice these needles, even for the bigger sizes.
All four brands produce in stainless steel, though KnitPro needles are chrome plated (they also offer the mindful collection needles in pure stainless steel), and addi uses white bronze to galvanize their needles to perfection, with a thin copper layer in between. And HiyaHiya seems to produce the screws in bronze (?). As a result,
- KnitPro are the slickest,
- Addi the second best,
- while the interchangeable knitting needles from ChiaoGoo have the highest friction, with Hiya Hiya on a similar level (though to me, it feels like they are a bit slicker).
Contrary to what you might read in some forums online, none of the brands use nickel (at least not for these needles). ChiaoGoo uses surgical-grade stainless steel, which is hypoallergenic but still contains Nickel (around ~20%), and, according to their website, the connector pieces contain even more nickel.. If you are super sensitive, I had one reader report that it can be an issue, nevertheless.
In terms of durability, all three brands are on a similar level. The needles are not solid, but hollow. As a result, they can get dented a bit or even get crooked. None of them are truly made for eternity. Addi does offer a lifetime warranty, though (and ChiaoGoo as well, though it’s much harder to contact them). If I had to make a ranking, I would say that the KnitPro needles are the least durable in that regard.
I also noticed a few problems with the coating. Some addi needles had… well…hard to describe…little speckles on their tips. I mean, they are just a fraction of a millimeter big, but funnily enough, it’s something you do notice. 2 needle tips in my set had this problem. I contacted them via e-mail, and they sent a replacement at once. So, that’s definitely nice to know.
The coating of the KnitPro needles tends to change color over time. I felt like mentioning it, even though I doubt it matters.
Knitting ease
It’s a bit harder to capture knitting ease, and I’m afraid my assessment is not entirely objective. I was a bit hesitant to include a paragraph, but then I figured my readers will be smart enough to take my verdict with a grain of salt.
Both HiyaHiya and ChiaoGoo are pure stainless steel. That means, the surface is not totally smooth and has these…well striations, I guess. Depending on the yarn you use, you will notice quite a bit of friction, and whenever the needles touch, they don’t slide across each other effortlessly.
This means knitting feels a bit harder and slower, but in reality, it somehow isn’t (I recorded a video of me knitting with all 4 brands and counted the stitches I could knit in 20 secs). Still, the sharp tips mean you are more likely to split the yarn if you are going fast. That being said, I feel HiyaHiya is a tiny bit smoother and easier to knit than ChiaoGoo.
As I already mentioned, KnitPro and addi coat their needles. This grants fast and effortless knitting. You can really zoom through those stockinette sections of your work like a knitting machine.
When you turn to lace, or you are an English knitter/thrower, then things can look quite different. Here, you might actually enjoy the bonus friction, as it prevents your needles from sliding out of those stitches.
Knitting noises
Some knitters, like me, are hyper-sensitive. Knitting produces sounds, and those largely depend on the needles you are using.
- That’s the reason why I rarely use ChiaoGoo needles. The uncoated stainless steel produces a sort of grinding noise while you knit. There is barely a click when they touch, but the sound as the two needles glide over each other is something that annoys me.
- HiyaHiya is similar, but it’s more of a sliding noise and not so much grinding. They tend to click a bit while you knit.
- With KKnitPro, you only get an audibledull click whenever the needles touch, but it’s not a very loud click (like wooden needles tend to).
- addi is very slick as well, so you only get the typical click-clack knitting sound. The needles seem to be a bit more hollow towards the tip, so the clicking is much clearer.
In a nutshell: For very sensitive knitters, KnitPro is probably the best choice, or you can pick hardwood needles.
The Cables
The second most important part of any interchangeable needle set is the cables. Here, you’ll find quite a few differences as well. While all four brands do offer different cable options, I am only looking at the ones that come along with the set.
KnitPro cable
KP offers a plastic cable. It’s pretty durable, and in all my years of knitting with them, none ever broke. It’s very light but does have a moderate memory effect. This means it often curls up a bit, which can be annoying for certain projects where you end up with a cable that is not the ideal length. It’s also the thickest standard cable by a hair’s breadth and has the smoothest join to the needles.
ChiaoGoo cable
The ChiaoGoo twist red lace cable is the only coated steel wire cable and the heaviest of the lot. It still only weighs a couple of grams, but as we are looking and minor differences between the different interchangeable knitting needle sets to begin with, I felt like mentioning this. On the plus side, this cable has zero memory effect and it basically never curls up.
So, for knitting lace, it works like a charm. For the (traveling) magic loop technique, the cable is sadly not really flexible enough. While it does work, I don’t think it’s ideal here. Here, you might have to buy some spare plastic cables.
Addi cable
The addi offers a very flexible, light, and thin cable. So, perfect for magic loop. It does curl up quite a bit (in fact, most of all four brands), and beginners might struggle a bit with that if they picked too long a cable for their project.
HiyaHiya Cable
The HiyaHiya cables are pretty similar to the addi cables, but even thinner yet. They are also very flexible. There is a strong memory effect, but they are equally well suited for magic loop in my opinion. I always feel the cable is a tiny bit too flimsy, and I do believe HiyaHiya has the worst connection to the cables.
Bending characteristics
So, what happens when you bend the cable too far? Like, when you accidentally step on it or so. That’s a tough question: On the surface, the metal wire of ChiaoGoo may end up with permanent kinks, while addi’s, HiyaHiya, and KnitPro’s cables sort of seem to be more inclined to snap back into their original position, with KP seeming to be the most resilient.
That being said, you can sort of massage the kinks out in all cases. Putting the cables into hot water also helps to straighten them out/ get rid of the memory effect. What I have no way of really testing is how durable the “fixed” kink is in the long run. I would assume it does indeed damage the plastic a lot more structurally, which cannot be fixed, while the metal wire is less prone to break at that point. Then again, if that theory held true, probably the coating would break, which would be equally as bad, I guess. Those, however, are just guesses. In all my years of knitting, a cable never snapped.
What does happen, however, is that the cable snaps out of the hull. This never happened to me, but I found reports online for all major brands.
The Boxing & Content
Let’s talk about the sets as a whole. In all fairness, I have to mention that my KnitPro set is some 10 years old now, and I only bought replacement needles in the meantime. But other than the fancy wooden box, the content is, as far as I can see, still the same:
KnitPro
Typically, 9 needles from US 4 (3.5mm) to US 16 (8.00mm), 4 cables, 8 cable stoppers, 4 cable keys, usually a very simple plastic sleeve, though deluxe editions are available (note: mine has only 8).
ChiaoGoo
Typically, 13 needles from US 2 (2.75 mm) to US 15 (10mm), 6 cables (3 small, 3 large), 4 durable cable stoppers, 2 cable extenders, 2 cable keys, stitch markers, a needle gauge all wrapped in a sewn fabric bag with zippers, and a small compartment on the front for the accessories.
Addi
Typically 8 needles from US 4 (3.5mm) to US 16 (8.00mm), 3 cables, 1 big cable connector, two screwing aids, all in a nice fake leather pochette with a little zipped compartment on the back for the cables.
HiyaHiya
The larger sets usually have 13 pairs of needles from US size 2 to 15, 4 cables, 2 cable connectors, 2 small and 2 big tip adaptors, and between 2 needle stoppers. Much like ChiaoGoo, the HiyaHiya sets usually come in a sewn fabric bag with 2 compartments.
The only set available at the time of doing this test was a smaller lace set, which only came with 8 needles ( 2.75 mm to 5 mm), 4 cables, 2 connectors, 1 pin, 2 rubber patches, and quite a nice needle size card.
So, how do these compare?
In terms of boxing, addi is probably the winner. That bag is durable, looks very high-end, and is very practical on top of that. I like the fact that it works with buttons instead of zippers (which often become clogged), though the rubber band might give you some trouble if you took too many needles out. The other three pouches are pretty flimsy, and I am not sure I would call ChiaoGoo a winner just because it uses some cheap cotton instead of see-through plastic. I like the fact, however, that they print the needle sizes on the different slots.
However, I would like to point out that the addi pouch is faux leather. Some people might not enjoy that, while others might regard this as a pro.
That being said, ChiaoGoo clearly offers the broadest range of knitting needles. HiyaHiya is pretty similar, and one could say their needle extenders make it even more versatile (though CG offers them as well), but their small system only goes down to 2mm, while CG goes down to US OOO / 1.5mm. You can buy smaller and bigger needles for KnitPro and addi as well. But it does have to be mentioned that none of them go down to 2.75 mm / US 2 needles or lower.
You also get the most cables in the ChiaoGoo set, while addi sadly only adds 3 cables. So, if you have a lot of different works in progress, you might have to buy some spares.
The stitch markers and the needle gauge ChiaoGoo throws into their sets are a nice touch, but both look fairly flimsy. Kind of like cheap promotional items made in China, which, I guess, they are. The larger HiyaHiya sets usually come with similar gimmicks.
On a more critical note: The fact that KnitPro doesn’t include any cable extenders is pretty weak. Addi has at least one, but it’s fairly largeish and I’m not the biggest fan. ChiaoGoo, on the other hand, only included two screwing pins – these things are tiny and do get lost …like…a lot.
Personally, I feel the HiyaHiya pouches and accessories are the least neutral. Not everyone likes pandas (whaaat? :P), and the embroidered cases might not be to everyone’s taste either. While only minor, this could be a consideration if the set is intended as a gift. Also, my small set didn’t have cable stoppers and only one screwing pin. I felt that was pretty weak.
I also really don’t like the fact that both ChiaoGoo and HiyaHiya work with two different cable sizes. The smaller needle sizes need a different cable (where the screw is smaller) than the bigger needles. For example, with addi, the same cable works on a 3.5mm needle and an 8 mm needle. With CG or HH, you need a different cable, different cable extenders, and different cable stoppers, etc. I feel this contradicts the whole versatility idea behind an interchangeable knitting needle set.
Listen, I totally understand why you would need a different cable below 3mm. But CG makes the cut at 5.5 mm. A lot of knitters never touch those 2.00 mm or even 1.50 mm needles anyway, so I wouldn’t call getting a different set of cables and accessories for those a disadvantage. But 4.00 mm is quite a common size for a lot of projects – and so is 6.00 mm for blankets and sweaters.
Both offer needle adaptors to make those small cables work for the bigger sizes. But a) this means buying these adaptors, b) it doesn’t work the other way round (from big to small), and c) this means another join (read: weak link) in your needles.
Price
To put everything into perspective, we need to talk about the price. For that, I checked out the current average list price on Amazon. In parentheses, I also added the average price per needle, as some sets are indeed larger than others.
- ChiaoGoo Big 5″ Twist Red lace set: $155-165 (price per needle: ~$12.3)
- HiyaHiya big 5″ needle gift set: $153-164.49 (price per needle: ~$12.21)
- Addi Long Lace tips: $105-129 (price per needle: ~$14.63)
- KnitPro Nova Platina Deluxe: 69.18 (price per needle: $7.69)
Addi offers quality made in Germany, but you clearly pay for it. I do have to say, that the needles are quite a bit cheaper here in Germany (so it probably has to do with import tariffs). ChiaoGoo and HiyaHiya are basically the same price, while KnitPro clearly is the most affordable option of them all.
Bottom Line: Which interchangeable needle set is the best?
I personally believe in buying the best tools available for your craft. But if you are not a pure lace knitter and need extra sharp points, I am not sure you can justify almost twice the cost. The KnitPro needles are, on a fundamental level, very similar to ChiaoGoo. Sure, there is a slight difference when it comes to the joins. The cables, on the other hand, are a matter of preference, and so is having a galvanized needle or a pure stainless steel needle (almost no grip vs a bit of grip).
I think ChiaoGoo and HiyaHiya can be a great option for lace knitters and makers who favor very small needle sizes and like the extra variability. Here, I think it depends on the projects you prefer: The wire cables are nice for flat projects, while the very flexible plastic cables are better for knitting in the round.
Getting a 4″ HiyaHiya set and working with the needle extenders might offer you the greatest variability if you are knitting projects with diverse needle requirements (small circumference circular projects, big lace shawls, etc).
ChiaoGoo is probably the best set to invest for knitters who like to knit with very small needle sizes and durable cables (though I personally do prefer the fixed carbon needles by KnitPro, but that’s a different story as these tiny sizes are not available as an interchangeable set; the big ones are).
Addi is a great choice for people who are sick of screws, like to change between lace and round tips, and generally like a highly finished product. Admittedly, not everyone likes click-mechanism.
Knitter’s Prois a great budget option that is still almost up to all the other brands in terms of quality and durability. I do believe that the Nova Platina is the fastest knitting needle around, though the round-tipped addi sets are a very close second.
Here are the shopping links for all four sets one more time for your convenience:
- ChiaoGoo Twist Red Lace Interchangeable Set
- Hiya Hiya 5 Inch Sharp Limited Edition Deluxe
- addi Knitting Needles Click Mixed Set (here a link to the Standard Rocket (Long) Lace Tips)
- KnitPro Nova Platina
Are interchangeable knitting needle sets worth it?
Last, but not least, I want to talk about whether it is worth investing in an interchangeable needle set or not. Even if you take the cheapest option, it is still a lot of money. So, if you are still feeling unsure, you should consider starting with a smaller set or simply buying singles. One cable, one interchangeable needle, and try things out. If you like it, buy the whole set. As the singles are compatible, you really didn’t waste money. Still, here are a few things to consider:
PROs
- You almost always have the right needle size for a project at home. No need to go shopping for new needles in case you want to start a new project with new yarn.
- If something breaks, you can easily exchange parts instead of throwing the whole needle away.
- Often cheaper than buying single needles.
- You can attach two different needle sizes to a cable for interesting new possibilities. That way, you can combat having a different gauge with knits and purls. Or use a round tip for extra fast knitting in the return row, and a sharp tip for the right side with all the complicated stitches.
- Cables and cable stoppers allow you to put a WIP on hold easily, letting you use the needles for a different project.
- You can attach different needle lengths (4″ and 5″) at different stages of your project.
- With the magic loop technique, you are also set for most circular projects with a very small diameter.
Cons
- These sets ARE expensive. So, only worth it for intermediate knitters who really make use of the full possibilities of a set. If you only ever knit with 3mm / US 3 needles, you really don’t need the full set.
- The joins are less durable than fixed circular needles. Not much, but they do break more often.
- Not ideal for projects with a very small diameter (like socks) where even 4″ is too long (unless you do magic loop, of course; or buy one of the mini tips).
- Very few small needle sizes are available. And those that are, are not the most durable.
- Your knitting preferences may change over time, and then you are stuck with a big set you don’t need.
Reading tip: The best ergonomic knitting needles
So, that was my guide to the best interchangeable knitting needle sets. Make sure to ask your questions in the comments below!
i have been using Knitters Pride Nova Cubics needles for several years, being the interchangeables, double points, and single points.
the square shape of the needles make them easier to hold and i do not get hand cramps when knitting lace (which i do mostly).
thank you for this very comprehensive review … it is a great contribution!
best regards,
margaret lerner
Hey Margaret,
yeah, I heard that a lot of knitters love the cubics. I personally feel they distract me a bit, but as I faced tendonitis only recently, maybe I should give it one more try.
For dpns, my favorite ones are the Karbonz because they don’t get crooked all the time 😉
Hi Norman!
Thanks for such a thorough review! I was all set to love a new set of KP Novas, but I’m seeing many reviews saying the coating comes off really quickly. Your set is 10+ yrs old so may have been made differently, but did you have any trouble with lost coating in either your Nova or Addi sets? Does it change the texture of the tips in any real way? Like you, I can’t stand the grinding texture of the Chiaogoos and love the slick feel of the Novas, but I’m concerned about the coating. I wish they simply made highly polished stainless tips to solve this problem – haha!
Well, the coating will eventually come off. That’s unpreventable. It’s only a couple of atoms thick.
I personally don’t mind. It’s a tool and the idea that tools last forever is, if you ask me, just an illussion. Knifes will become dull, etc. I rather prefer the coating while it lasts and exchange things when I feel it’s not useable anymore.
Do you know where to get the wooden box for the interchangeable needles?
Sorry, I can’t. This was the old deluxe set by knitter’s pride that has been discontinued a decade ago or so.
Hi Norman,
I enjoyed reading your comparisons of interchangeable needle sets. I switched from Knit Picks interchangeables to ChiaoGoo about a year and a half ago. I found that the cables on my old set had too much memory. I’m happy with the ChiaoGoo set, but found that – like you mentioned – the joins sometimes come undone. I had the most problems on small diameter projects. Silicone potholders are my superpower for tightening those joins.
I usually knit socks using Magic Loop and found no problems there. For socks, I use the “mini” set which has (I bet you can guess!) a third size of cables.
Bought those on Amazon.
ttps://amzn.to/310fvgR
I’m going to bookmark your notes in case I decide to try another brand. Thanks for the information!
Hey Lucille,
thank you for sharing your experiences! I’m sure others will find these invaluable.
And yeah – i am torn as well. I wish there were coated sharp-tipped needles with a memory free plastic cable that used the addi click system, but without the big step at the join that were available in 2.00 mm and all use the same cable 😉
(hey brands, if you are reading this, you’d have your first customer here!)
And I’d be your second customer. But until then, I’m very happy with my ChiaoGoo sets. Yes, they sometimes come slightly unscrewed, but it’s rare. Like I said: second customer!
Don’t you want to design the perfekt interchangeably knitting set for size 1(or 2)- 4, and then produce it in Europe (bypass the USA, Russia etc). It might not become a millionaire buisness, but nothing wrong with smaller stabil manufactures or buisnesses.
I can read, see and hear, that your knittingstyle is quite like my own, so I can really use your detailed and very solid, thorough, geeky reviews.
Im so happy to have found your block and channels.
Heh. Maybe one day
I’ve found that coiling up a cable with too much twist in a cup of boiling water for 30 seconds, then holding it straight and taut while it cools relaxes the annoying extra twist. Hope this helps!
Hey Angela,
great tip. Thx for sharing. I think I forgot to mention it in the post (but I think I said it in the video).
Though I do have to point out that almost soft/flexible plastic always contains softeners and frequently exposing them to strong heat, will eventually make them brittle and increases the chance of them snapping.
Hi Norman,
Great comprehensive review! I was especially interested because I have the KP Platina set and have wondered how much difference there is between it and the other brands. I’m mostly happy with them–tips are sharp enough, love the slickness, no problems with the cables (memory or anything else). Occasionally the tips come loose; I’ll try using rubber or silicone to get a good grip on the needle for tightening in the future. My one complaint (on both circulars and straights from KP) has been quality control on the tips… several needles have had “burrs” on the very tip, so the working needle will scratch the other needles. It’s unpleasant to feel and also leaves actual marks on the surface that over time mars the smoothness. For that reason, I’ve bought all my KP needles through WEBS because they have a no-questions-asked replacement policy for all KP needles bought through them (and I have used that more than once!) As long as they are smooth, though, they’ve been a real pleasure to use. I am glad to read your review which helps me get over wondering if “the grass is greener” with other brands.
I also like being able to switch to their Cubics tips when I need to. I’ve had both carpal-tunnel and tendonitis problems in the past. I know now as soon as symptoms appear to start doing appropriate exercises again and switch to Cubics until pain and discomfort are gone.
Hey Alleigh,
great to hear from you! Yes, those rubber patches are nice but easy to come by and I don’t think that would be a reason to buy addi or hiya hiya.
As for needle quality – I have yet to see a set that came without flaws. That’s hardly exclusive to KP, though I feel as they are the cheapest it’s easier to excuse than when you pay 150USD for a set.
Hi, Norman. Nice comparison article. I have only used the other brands of interchangeable needles for a few minutes at a fiber event, just to try them out (not counting a truly vintage Boye set I learned on), so I can’t speak to them, but I do have some remarks on the ChiaoGoo interchangeables.
I’ve been using ChiaoGoo sets for almost 6 years. I have the full 5″ Twist set, just like the set you reviewed here, and the full 5″ Spin set with bamboo needles and nylon cables (with no metal core). And now that I’m knitting socks more, I am planning to buy one of their Minis sets going down to size 000; I have bought a couple of Minis tips and cables separately to try it out and they’re awesome. I have also bought one Shorties combo (includes one 3-inch pair and one 2-inch pair of needles plus one 5-inch and one 6-inch X-flex cable; this allows one to make small-diameter circs of lengths 9″ through 12″) and I may eventually pick up a full set, but I want the Mini set more right now. 🙂
I actually got the Spin set first because somebody online had said, speculating as you did, that the red metal-core cables probably wouldn’t work for magic loop. But I rather hated the thin nylon cable in practice (though I have friends that swear by it; as you say we all have our preferences). I mentioned it to a local yarn store owner and she laughed and suggested I buy a 40-inch fixed Twist circular to see how I liked the red cable. It was definitely not a problem! I got the full Twist set a few months later and never looked back. I think ChaioGoo’s red cables are PERFECT for magic loop, which is almost all the knitting I do lately. I’ve never had a problem so long as the cables are sufficiently long.
I also like the fact that the steel needles aren’t coated because I don’t have to worry about a coating coming off over time (which has happened with some of my straight needles), and though I can see that it might bother some folks, I actually like that tactile feel/sound of bare needle on needle; it allows me to know I’m not splitting my yarn even when I’m knitting in the near dark while we watch a movie. Regarding tightening, ChiaoGoo does sell a silicon gripper to aid in tightening, but their Minis also have holes in both the cable end and the needle so you can use two wrenches/T-pins to tighten each join very tightly. I don’t think I’ve had a cable come loose since a couple months after I bought my first set, at which point I learned to take care to tighten them well.
Probably the biggest down side for me with ChiaoGoo are the cases (though I’m not bothered by “cheap” cotton, lol). The quilted case is actually quite lovely and nicely protective, but I don’t love that there’s not a better way to store the cables in each case, preferably a tight mesh or clear vinyl pocket or zippered envelope sort of thing. I also would love to sort my needles by cable size rather than set/material (Spin/bamboo vs Twist/steel) so I am working on designing and sewing my own modular case, so I can group all my CG needles, cables, ends, and extenders by cable size–mini, small, and large–plus have a separate place for my CG odds-and-ends: the cable adapters, fixed circulars, and DPNs I’ve purchased ala carte. I’m thinking about picking up a Tunisian crochet hook or two also, since I obviously don’t have enough toys or crafts, lol.
If somebody took away all my ChiaoGoos and handed me a gift certificate for the replacement of my choice, cost no object, I’d buy the same sets all over again, with the possible exception of the bamboo Spin set. I can’t remember when I last used the nylon cables (other than as stitch holders on a hibernating project), and I rarely use the bamboo needles, but then again sometimes you want a less slippery needle, so even those are useful.
Thanks again,
Joy
Hey Joy,
thank you so much for your detailed review! I’m sure a lot of other knitters will find your insights super helpful.
As for the twist cables. I don’t do a lot of magic loop to begin with, but I just can’T seem to make it work with them in a way I feel “yes, these cables were made for it”. But I’m glad you like them so much. And, like you already quotes me, we are all different and so we all need different tools. It’s wonderful that there are so many brands out there catering to different needs of different knitters, isn’t it?
One thing I’d like to add, however, is that the coating has never come off for any of my needles? hmm….interesting to hear that it does happen, though.
Hi Joy,
You have said exactly what was running through my mind, as I read this review! I have even bought the fabric and designed my custom case. Great Minds thinking alike 🙂
I started with a Knitpro set that I collected peice by peice as I needed them.
Finding that, after 10 years, the needles kept coming loose on the sizes I used most and the wooden needles kept breaking, I was heartily sick of dealing with the local knit store manager when returning Knitpro products with a lifetime guarantee.
I was lucky enough to have a knitting group that was full of friends who let me borrow a needle or two to use for a project, so I could “interview” many brands from all over the world.
My plus and minus columns suggested the ChiaoGoo’s and I was delighted!
As is Joy!
Thank you Norman for your lovely blog. I was just trying to refresh my memory of an I-cord cast off and I found all this fabulousness just there for the asking 🙂
I have bookmarked you so I can easily find you again, Norman.
Susie
Did KP change the way they make needles? It at least used to be that the Nova needles had nickel plating so those of us w/ allergies learned to avoid them. (I believe chrome requires a nickel underplating?) Also thought addi was nickel coated brass – did that change, too?
Yeah, addi changed their coating a couple of ways and now it is white brass so no nickel and copper underplating (which is more expensive, I guess).
Hi, I am late to the party but just want to thank you for the comprehensive review. I have used one set of KP symphony interchangeable with two cables for lots of knitting. I love the feel of KP symphony but want to try lace knitting. I have just taken a leap of faith and bought a CG set (red twist S). My initial venture into circular was via one of the (no-name) bamboo sets bought online. Their lack of durability soon became an issue but I was hooked on circular knitting.
I love the idea of using different sized tips to knit with, I will try that.
Happy creating
Hey Debra,
thank you for adding your feedback to my post. And yeah…adding with different sizes tips has a lot of fun applications 🙂
Hi Norman,
Just found your blog/site today and have been bouncing all over it soaking up info like a sponge! So grateful for your detailed review of these sets. I have been torn over whether or not to invest in one for myself and have spent many times pouring over these sets in knitting magazines wondering how I figure out the differences between them. Now I feel I can make a knowledgeable choice when I do decide on one.
Looking forward to all I can learn from you about knitting!
Patty
Hey Patty,
welcome to my blog and happy to hear I was able to help you along on your knitting journey. Feel free to comment again in case you got any questions 🙂
Hey Norman!
So enjoyed this as well as your top ten knitting books! Would love your thoughts on comparing addi lace as the points and coating seem unique – a “to the point” post, where yarn and needles interact? Also, want to give a shout out to Maggie Righetti as an influential knitting author, to me at least.
-M
Hey Melissa,
happy to hear that & for your lovely feedback. The addi coating is indeed quite special but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a meaningful difference between them and Knitter’S Pride. They are both super slick and fast.
The difference between vs ChiaoGoo is major however and the main reason I am not using the latter.
Dyakcraft hands down…
Hello, I enjoy reading through your article post. I
like to write a little comment to support you.
Knitters Pride now has wire cables that spin. I love them. They were made for the Mindfulness needle sets, but they work for their other needles. Right now I’m trying to decide if I should get an Addi set or continue adding to the Nova Cubics set. I find Addi Rocket Squares needles to be very comfortable. But I’m worried about the join in the Click set. And I really like spin cords. But KPs cubics aren’t as comfortable. I wish I could custom design my own set.
Yeah, i know. So far those are sadly not yet available here in Europe.
Thank you Norman for all the valuable information you provide for us. I have been knitting for many years and yet I have learned so many tips from you. I just found your site today and I am devouring everything.
I love this comparison. Living in South Africa our choices are VERY limited. I can get Knitting Pro, so all of my needles are either a local brand ( Elle, which are very hard and stiff cables, no interchangeable and sometimes boiling water doesn’t even help straighten them)i am fortunate enough to have access to supplies from the UK and sometime ago i ordered a really cheap set under £10 pounds for the set of 6 or 7 pairs. All steel and fixed. they are fast becoming my favourite set and i always travel with them. the cable settles down immediately. the needles are very pointed and sharp which makes for really nice knitting. they are super easy to find and come packed in a green pouch or sometimes even individually wrapped. highly recommend these as a spare set. if you are all like me who has at least 3 sets of every size. But i love your blog and i really appreciate all the tips you share with us.
The Knitter’s Pride cables also work with Lykke tips!
And speaking of their cables, check out the new Mindful cables. The construction is the same as the CG cables, and I find them close to the same, except for their connectors. They’re green instead of red, have inch marks, and you have a choice of swivel or non-swivel joins. Oh, and if you’re buying the cables separately, they cost less.
I love the cables, and am really happy that they work with so many different tips!
Oh, and the Mindful needles are very close to the same as the CG red lace.
Yeah, thank you for these aditions. I didn’t add the set yet because currently, it is only available in the US and not elsewhere, but I have it from a trusted source that they will shortly become (like July or so) in Europe and beonyd.
Hi, I need help deciding on a set! I’m an avid crocheter, and do a lot of different things including amigurumi. My kids bought my the Harry Potter knitting magic book for Christmas. Hint hint, gifts for them! So I’m learning to knit with you! I think the KP set is best for me, but how does the Dreamz compare to the platina? I will need sized 3.5 – 5 I believe for the beginner, easy patterns.
Some patterns just say 4mm needles. Does that mean straight? Can you use the interchangeable set instead of straight needles? I’ll also need a few sets of 4 of dsns sizes 3.5 – 5 I think. I like KP Dreamz there too. What do you think? For anything smaller it sounds like I should invest in karbons? Later as I get better. Are there any other needles or anything you’d recommend?
I can only speak from my personal experiences here. Dreamz are wood = warmer, more friction. Platina are metal = colder, slicker, faster to knit with.
You can knit anything on circular needles you could knit on straight needles (but not vice versa!). Plus they will me lighter and easier to handle.
Do you have an opinion on the lifeline feature that Chiagoo and HiyaHiya have?
I rarely use lifelines. So I am actually not using this feature. all big brands have lifeline holes and i personally think addi has the smartest solution.
What a GREAT thorough review. Your dedication to the craft is amazing.
Great information in your review! One remaining question I have is about interchangeability of cables and needle tips. I have vintage Boye interchangeable kits, both the small set and the large set. The needle tips are still fine after probably over 40 years, but the cables are thick and have become even less flexible over time. I also have mini and small twist Chiaogoo sets, and have found that the small cable connectors (which have male threads on both ends) will fit the small Boye needle tip set. However, the large Chiaogoo cable connectors (connectors must be used rather than just the cable because the Boye tips have female threads) do not fit the large Boye needle tips. SO questions for you: 1) do you know if there is a thin flexible cable that will fit the large vintage Boye needle tips; 2) do you know what the technical description of the vintage Boye threads is (i.e. metric, SAE or what; 1/8″ 1 mm or what; and thread spacing); and finally, since I have seen an adapter that will connect vintage and newer Boye cables, do you know of a thin flexible cable that will fit the large newer Boye threads………………………………… All this to avoid spending so much money to buy the large Chiaogoo set since that would duplicate the needle tips I already have. Thanks for any help you can provide….
Sadly, jean, i cannot help you there. but maybe someone else reading this can.
Boyle needles were never sold here in Germany so I have literally no knowledge about them.
Hello, I enjoy reading all of your post. I like to write a little comment to support you.
I have been knitting for many years and yet I have learned many tips from you. I found your site today and I’m swallowing everything !!
Really made me more enthusiastic about learning knitting.
Thanks for your detailed observations on interchangeables. I have all 4 brands plus others and find ChiaoGoo my fav. I travel a lot & ChiaoGoo has the most organized and compact sets/cases for my needs. Their sock/mini sets have super thin cables and with adapter sold separately let you use these super flexible cables with their longer needles for magic loop.
Addis were my first set purchase and I suppose because of that they remain my favorite – I also have several other sets mentioned in your blog.
I have just received my purchase of LYKKE copper needles so will be trying them out – cannot wait they are very impressive.
I enjoyed your blog very much and found it covered all aspects of style and costs – a very welcome read. It gave comprehensive information without being pushy leaving the reader to make their own mind up.
Thank you
Karen
Karen,
I’m Keisha I was wondering your view on the Lykke copper needles. How is it to knit with them?
I recently purchased the Lykke copper and love them – both the look and the feel. It is also very convenient that they are Very compatible with the Knitters Pride.
I have had an Addie set for many years and find them smooth, but have sometimes had them come apart.
Hello,
What is the surface of the Lykke Copper like? I like the smoothness of Addi but they only go down to 3.5mm. Also do you have the 5inch or 3.5inch? Do you like them? They look so pretty but they’ve got to work well too! 😄
Thanks heaps
I am delighted to have stumbled onto your website. My current favorite needles are the Addi Rocket2 squares. I have most of their fixed circulars but you can’t beat the interchangeables for travel. I am a “senior” knitter who has wrist and elbow problems when I knit too long. The ergonomics of square needles work for me. These squares are better than KP wood squares for me because they don’t break and are smoother. Due to where I live I generally stick to fingering or sport weight yarns which may color my needle choice.
Heartfelt thanks, Norman, for posting a comprehensive comparison. I thought I was being overly sensitive to certain features on knitting needles but your research supported my perception. I hope someone does something nice for you in return for the good energy you put into providing this information to knitters.
Blessed be!
Harlene
Proverbs 31:13 “She seeks wool and flax and her hands work willingly.”
Is there a reason you haven’t included KnitPro? Is there a reason for that?
KnitPro and Knitter’s Pride are the exact same brand – they just picked a different name for the Europen/American market 🙂
I am not new to circular knitting needles. Started with the KnitPro set, thought they were great but the tip was so sharp it kept digging into my finger as I knitted. Last year my daughter bought me Addi Click steel set, wow this set was fantastic and the cord was amazing did not keep curling, the click join takes a bit of getting used to, but once you get your head round how to do it right, love it. You can just zip along when knitting, and Im a loose knitter.The con, it sometimes get stuck on the join with the cable sometimes, and they need to also do smaller sizes that you can add to the set. Do love the needles.
Thanks so much for this – it’s fascinating how many aspects of the design can impact the knitting experience. My existing set broke where the flex joins the connection point, so impossible to reconnect. As a result decided to invest in a good quality system, and your review really helped to identify the ones that are. Often with what you see online it is impossible to determine the actual quality and when it arrives it is definitely not fit for purpose. Thanks again
I recently found your YouTube channel, and am delighted by how much information you share, and absolutely love the motivational pep talks that you pepper in.
Thank you so much for your clear, concise, and thoughtful reviews!
I am just starting out.
what size circular needle would you suggest for beginners?
thanks
that will really depend a bit on the size of your hands/body. But generally speaking, I would say a 4-5mm needle is the easiest and best to learn. Get smaller, and you can’t see the stitches, and bigger means your hands learn the wrong motions because of the heavy and unwieldy needles. A medium cord 60cm is probably best (except you want a huge project)
I found this comparison trying to decide on what to upgrade to as my wooden sets wear out. Another thing I was looking at is if they are interchangeable with a Tunisian crochet set as well. I’ve decided on Chiagoo, after reading your summary. I like several of the points that may annoy others about them. I wish they made steel crochet hooks though. Only wood right now.
Thank you for this very thorough review – so good! – and for your excellent site. I understand why you didn’t include Signature needles, which most knitters haven’t even heard of. (They don’t do much marketing). But as a lifelong, committed knitter, I finally bought some years ago and haven’t looked back. Ridiculously expensive. (Seriously – get ready to gasp. Several times more expensive than other needles.) And they are not truly interchangeable, as each needle size has its own cable size (which is available in multiple lengths.) But if you’ve knit with them once, you’ll probably do like I did and over the years acquire a complete set. They come in multiple tip styles (from very pointy to rounded) and sizes (4″, 5″, 6″). The cables are like magic – so flexible. They have a lifetime guarantee, great customer service and occasional sales (but only 10% off needles.) They are made of high quality aluminum that is both slippery and grippy – don’t know how to explain it, but that’s my experience. They are now the only needles I use. So given how much I knit and how much I love knitting with them, they are worth the steep price. (This sounds like a paid promo, but it’s not. And I’m not wealthy. These are just worth it to me.)
yeah, they are just too pricey to include here and I don’t want to make new knitters believe they could solve their knitting issues with buying expensive needles.
I do have to say that the tips of the signature needls are downright divine and so is the knitting speed. Alas, I rarely knit with needles above 3mm, so aluminum is really not a good choice. Plus they make a horrible loud noise. So, they are not for me personally.
Thank you so much for all the work you do on this blog and on YouTube. I recent found you via your YouTube channel, and it’s been amazing to see so many tips and tricks.
I’ve always knitted on a budget, which has always meant using the lowest entry grade equipment, and so I’ve been fighting with the cheapest bamboo circular needles (that I already had) for my first ever sweater project. Now that I could afford it, I’ve just gone out today and purchased a single KnitPro cable and 4mm KnitPro Nova needle pair to try out, changed my sweater over to them, and it’s honestly blown my mind. I had no idea how much of a fight I had been having with that original needle. I think I may have an addition to my Christmas list this year to make the rest of my knitting life easier, and it’s all down to your recommendations and amazing content. So, thank you Norman 🙂
Hi Norman,
Love this review and all the emphasis on inclusion re: material and noise considerations, what a wonderful website you have created. Thank you!
Fantastically helpful review, as are all your YouTube videos that I’ve seen; thank you so much. I know you don’t personally use lifelines, Norman, but here’s (as far as I know?) a thought for those who do – why doesn’t one of the knitting needle manufacturers invent a very narrow, preferably flat (rather than rounded) cable that could be used as a lifeline? Then, if you do have to rip back to it, you would be able to screw a needle onto it and knit straight off your lifeline back to your usual cable/needle? I sometimes do that anyway, if the yarn I am using is big enough (not often!), and it is such a lifesaver! I’m always trying to find a really thin cable that can be left in the work without driving me crazy as I knit on normally, but that I can then rip back to and see my stitches easily – I use this mainly for brioche, where it’s really hard to see the yarn over stitches on a bit of scrap yarn or dental floss.
Hi Norman, love all your knitting information. I’m a long-time knitter, 50+ years. I had the old boye set, HATE THE SCREWS! I eventually bought the Addi basic long, the Addi long lace and the Addi short lace. I am so happy with these purchases. So if you dislike fiddling with screwing the needles onto the cable, Addi is the way to go. These sets are really not too expensive if you calculate how much each fixed cable knitting is. They are about the same. The cases are easily portable.
A couple tips: when I bought these sets, the red rubber patch to help click the needles wasn’t included. I cut one-inch squares of rubber bicycle innertubes. Works perfect. I also use hair ties on the ends of my needles while traveling. They don’t fall off like other end stoppers
Thanks again for all the helpful information. Your instructions for CDI (center double increase) was perfect!
Cindy
Hello Norman,
Do you think swivel cords rather than standard cords would fix the issue of accidently unscrewing?
I noticed Knitters Pride (Knitpro here) now do a swivel cord.
Thanks 😊
Well, for some people I certainly tink it does. I mean, I guess it depends on how you handle those needles. for me, it rarely happens, but hey..i think there are so many choices out there you could certainly give it a try!
Out of curiosity, at what price point do you consider that an interchangeable needle set to belong to the “cheap” category?
Well, while this is always highly subjective and will depend on your personal living circumstances and possibly country, I would say below 70ish USD
Thank you so very much for this extensive and thoughtful review! I am a novice knitter and selected the Knitters Pride Nova as my first set. So far I am very pleased with it and in turn, this helps me gain confidence in my beginner knitting. Your description of it perfectly reflects my experience.
Thank you for your in depth review. You do such a terrific job in all of your videos!
I was wondering if you have tried Lykke needles? (Because I quickly “knit through” the thin chrome plating on my KP set, I am very interested in the Lykke copper needles set.)
I haven’t tried the copper needles yet, Nancy. So can’t give you any thoughts. Since Lykke needles are produced by KP, I am not sure if you will see a lot of a difference.
Ciao Norman,
Vielen Dank für diesen wertvollen Beitrag. Ich stricke sehr viel, ich stricke sehr gerne und habe schon seit längerem mit einem solchen Set geliebäugelt. Aber eigentlich gibt es für mich, außer der Tatsache, dass man immer jede Nadelstärke dabei hat und es einfach weniger Platz wegnimmt, keinerlei Vorteile zu den normalen Rundstricknadeln. Und die würde ich wegen eines Sets ja nicht wegwerfen, das Platzargument wäre damit hinfällig. Ich stricke mittlerweile seit über 40 Jahren und habe massenhaft Nadeln. Sogar noch viele Rundstricknadeln von meiner Oma, die immerhin auch seit Ende der 90er nicht mehr unter uns weilt. Jede Stärke, jede Kabellänge ist vorhanden, ich fürchte sogar mehrfach, und alle tun ihren Job.
Dein Beitrag hat mir also geholfen, mich von diesem Nice-to-have zu verabschieden. Außerdem wäre nichts schlimmer, als dass in einem Fairisle-Projekt von Marie Wallin eine Verbindung aufgeht.
Saluti della Toscana
Emilia
Hi Norman,
I keep buying all different interchangeable needle tips. I like to try different ranges. I have to have all the sizes in a range. I have to have all the pretty colours, and the shiny ones, and wooden ones…
OK. I have a problem. Well two problems: one, some kind of hoarding issue; and the other, organisation.
You may be able to help with the organisation.
Are you able to recommend a good case to organise all my precious needle tips? … and cables….
well, i do love the bodolina cases a lot. but not really using them for tips but for full circulars and dpns
Good day Norman, hope you are well! Thank you for sharing your knowledge via your blogs and tutorials. As a beginner knitter I have learned a lot from you. I was just curious if you know of any reputable acrylic circular needles sets? I realized that they’re not as common, but as a newbie I like the feel of the acrylic; it’s not too slick as metal and they do not have too much friction as wood. I found the KnitPro Trendz set online but read too many bad reviews about them breaking. Just wanted to know if you had any suggestions. Thanks!
No Michelle,
I don’t knit with these kind of needles and have no recent experience with them either. I am sorry to disappoint you there.
Hello Norman,
Have you tried the new Chiagoo Forte needle set yet?
You do a really good job with your teachings and experience.
Thank you.
Therese
I haven’t but they are pretty hard to come by. Since the price point is quite high and they have swivel cables (which I hate because they always catch the yarn) i am not sure I will get them even if I have the chance.
Thanks so much for the comprehensive look at these sets. I just found you on YouTube last month and you have already helped me with lifted increases of KLL and KLR in my current sock.
I mostly knit magic-loop, toe-up, two-at-a-time socks and I have bought a lot of individual needle sizes over the years. I have not yet invested in an interchangeable set for lace except for the Addi set I mention below. I do have two sets of the bigger needles and do like my cloverleaf bamboo set the best the other was the cheapest on the market decades ago. I like bamboo magic loop needles the best for socks; I tend to like bamboo needles because of their grip, my loose tension, and the fact that stitches rarely fall off the needles.
I bought the Addi because so many sock knitters raved about them. But I totally agree with you that the Addi curl up and so I cannot recommend them because they get in the way too much for me. I even tried putting them in hot water but they still curl. I bought a 40″ small set to use with socks and the curling is annoying to the point that I don’t use them as much for socks. I am using them for a Zick Zack scarf and they still are curling but I can hold down the extra length. I find that the metal needles work fine for this scarf.
Hello Norman,
Thank you for this review – it was so helpful as there is just so much out there. I started to knit at 4 years old when my father taught me with a child’s knitting set that he had bought me for Christmas (this was unusal in 1962 in Canada, but my mother passed away just after I was born, and my father raised me alone). So as of today (Christmas Day, 2022), I have been knitting for 60 years! I have a lot of knitting needles etc collected over the years – but some are so old and recently I could not find a size I really needed. I had wanted an interchangeable set for some time – and decided this was the time to get one. Based on your review and others that I read, I have chosen the Knitters Pride Nova Platina set. I very much look forward to using them. I have watched your videos and subscribed to your YouTube channel – I very much like your positive attitude and your patterns – I will check out more on your Ravelry Page as well. Thank you again and I hope you have had a very Merry Christmas. Best Wishes for 2023!
This was such a detailed and helpful review. It definitely gave me a lot to think about in terms of the criteria I’d been setting for buying a set.
I’d also love to see you try out one of the Lykke Crafts sets one day and give your thoughts on them too. (If you’ve done it already I apologise but I couldn’t find it in Google.)
Dear Norman, you are by far the most inspirational designer, knitter that I have ever encountered over my 75 yrs of knitting. I still get excited over all the amazing articles, blogs, videos, etc, etc you provide, nearly always free, and done in absolute detail and so very interesting. I can certainly understand your need to take time away from all the planning and preparing you do for us very grateful followers.
By the way, at the age of 81, I found Portuguese knitting, and just love it, and also interchangeable needles, HiyaHiya and ChiaGoo’s. I don’t think I could go back to my English style anymore!
Knitting has been my companion for many years, and it is wonderful to still get excited when I get your newsletters etc.
Take care and thank you Norman, you are such an amazing guy, keep, up the good work.
Cheers, Gwen
Thank you very much for this truly independent, practical and helpful review. Just what I needed to read.
Hi Norman, if you did cover this in your SOOO very helpful and extensive comparison (thank you!) I apologize but I am wondering if there is a comparison based on guage and if they affect it in any way. I currently for years have used KP wooden set (forget what called but they are pretty :)) and find overall almost always I have to go down a needle size and am toying with your suggestion in another video with going down more on one side… Anyway do you have any advice on this topic for these 4 metal ones?
it certainly affects gauge..but it will be different for everyone…so that’s nothing I can reasonably compare
I personally when I knit always go down a size or two because I knit tight so it really just depends on the tension you tend to exert on your yarn and knitting needles. For me my stitches tend to slip off my metal needles so I knit tight and go down a size.
How is the Knitters Pride Ginger dpn set?
Hello Norman, what is your favorite knitting needle set? This article was very helpful to me.
I don’t have a favorite..only a favorite for certain types of projects.
Hello Norman,
I discovered your blog a few days ago when I wanted to revise Magic Loop knitting. I found your blog and was very impressed with the clarity of it. I have to admit, I prefer text tutorials to video, as I find them much clearer.
I have been knitting for around 54 years, having taught myself from Mary Thomas’s Knitting Patterns, a marvelous book which gives resources for designing motifs far more than any other book I have come across, as it describes the way various kinds of stitch are created, from knit and purl. through cables, to lace and faggot stitch. This book was published in 1934, her subsequent book, Mary Thomas’s Knitting Book, which I got at a later date was published in 1938, and tells about the history of knitting, gives many cast on techniques and information on designing garments.
Anyway, about this article, I discovered Knitpro (Knitter’s Pride) interchangable needles a few years ago and love them. I use the Nova tips which I am still building a collection of. Yes, they do undo occasionally, however, for the ease of knitting with them, that is a small price to pay.
Incidentally, I learned about the method for joining circular knitting from your blog. It’s rather ironic that I thought of a method like this (it may have been the same, I can’t remember now) but never tried it! Fool!!
I intend to look at past posts and see if I can find anything else useful.
Just a quick tip. I find my KPs unscrew frequently, maybe three times in an evening’s knitting, but when it happened in my break at work, I discovered that a straightened paperclip will act just fine as a pin. This was a real project saver.
Anne|I
Thanks for the review of these needles….wished I would have found your channel before I bought my first set. I first bought Chiagoos Twist red lace combination set…it has both the small 4” and the 5 or is it 6”…either way I have the full set…had to buy some of the tiny ones for the lacier projects I’ve done. I love my Chiagoos yeah they came unscrewed a few times but not where it caused me some issues. I also use Knitters Pride from time to time. I like KP wood ones I have…I think it is the Dreamz set…or the symphony…can’t remember so long ago. I actually now prefer the KP over Chiagoos but I use my wood US7 from KP most of the time. I have done the magic loop several times trying to learn the 2 at a time socks, from Knit Freedom Lait Gat videos she is very good..I learned continental knitting from her. I like the friction the KP wood ones give me when knitting small diameter projects. You mentioned the Nova Platina and I wonder what the difference between that and the dreamz is. Anyway just had to chime in here and say that I still do like my Chiagoos but as of lately I prefer my KP needles 🙂
NORMAN…Thank you for all you do!
Currently I’m using KP The Mindful Collection 4-inch. I would like to purchase
ChiaoGoo Twist Red Lace 4-Inch Small 7500-S Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles. Please advise me if they would be appropriate for me -since I only use DK yarn with small stitches (sizes 3 to 5) to knit pull over sweaters in the round. Are these needles my best choice for knitting primarily stockinette stitches?
That’s nothing I can answer for you really. They can be great. I think the key advantage for most are the wire coated cables. If you knit in the round without magic loop, I doubt you will benefit a lot from the cords.
However, the transition is very neat so if you had problems with the yarn catching so far, that might be a pro.
Hi Norman,
Just found your blog, great tutorials. I treated myself to a Knit Pro Symfonie set a few years ago after trying their standard and double pointed symfonie needles.
My set came with a few cable connectors, and I find the connection system works well. The only problem that I had was one of the cables coming loose from it’s metal end, and I have to say that I resorted to superglue to fix it.
Otherwise I’ve had no problems. I’ve used them for knitting socks, blankets and clothing, and I prefer the wooden needles to metal due to noise and friction.
Thanks for the detailed review, it’s good to know what else is out there.
I have the KP Nova Deluxe set and have found it very useful. The only problem I have with it sometimes is the slickness of the needles. My hands are often very dry, and both the needles and the yarn slide all over the place. I switch to bamboo straight needles when it’s too bad so things don’t get greasy. Otherwise, they’re very nice to use. I lucked out when I was first starting to knit – I found the set at Goodwill for $25. Thanks for the in-depth review; I’ve been wondering what the differences were. Keep on nimbling!
Hi Norman,
I just read your review of interchangeable knitting needles and was most interested in the comments about the Knitter’s Pride needles. I recently bought the Mindful Collection set. It’s a beautiful set but I have an issue with the cable. The transition point between the cable and the small metal piece it is attached to ( the one with holes) is not smooth. I am using these needles to make a shawl using fingering yarn. The yarn gets stuck at this point and I have to pause to push the yarn up to the needle. Additionally, I can’t push several stitches through because the first stitch gets caught and the others get caught behind it. I’m sure this is damaging the yarn in some small way.
I bought additional cords of different lengths but found that these have the same problem. They are called “lace interchangeable needles” but if fingering yarn gets caught then I don’t see how they can be used with lace yarn. As a result, knitting with these is very frustrating, certainly not a calm mindful activity.
Has anyone else mentioned this problem with cords? This was a very expensive set so I’m disappointed. Maybe heavier yarn will not get caught but I have not tried another yarn yet. However, for that price, I would expect I should be able to use any weight yarn. Is this a quality control issue where the producers don’t actually try the cables to ensure that there a smooth connection between the cable and the metal piece so yarn slides easily from the cable onto the needle.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Many thanks
Judy.
You will notice that almost all interchangeable sets will have this problem with fingering or laceweight yarn – especially if it’s a larger project that drags it down.
Actually the Knitters Pride cables are among the better ones in that department.
It doesn’t really have anything to do with quality control but rather dimensions. the cables are all the same size, so the gap is always the same. However, the smaller the yarn you are using, the bigger that is relatively speaking.
Depending on your projects and knitting style, you might notice that some producers handle that part a bit differently but at the end of the day, interchangeable knitting needles will always be inferior to fixed circulars simply because there is one more gap.
Thank you for the in depth review; I found it Googling for compatibility between the different makers.
A post above reports Knitpro/Knitters Pride are with Lykke but do you know about Chiaogoo or Hiya Hiya?
Thanks again
Gin
ChiaoGoo and HiyaHiya don’t offer any whitelabel solutions as far as I know. So these are not really interchangeable.
I have my suspicions that Golden TIp needles might actually be manufacturered by ChiaoGoo..or these use a similar distributer for the stalks. But this is just guesswork.
This was tremendously helpful thank you!
Hello! I ran across these reviews while looking for new tools for my knitting. Thank you for all of the information!
Do you (or anyone else here in the comments) know of any good interchangeable wooden needle sets? I’ve seen Knit Pro mentioned a few times reading through the comments, but it seemed more like people are moving away from them for the metal ones. I’ve been trying to learn how to knit for years (since childhood) and found out last year that my inability came from metal knitting needles. I have some muscle issues that lead to excess tension and something about the metal needles caused me to constantly make my stitches too tight. Wooden needles fixed that issue and I took off right away. I’ve been crocheting for 21 years with metal hooks so the struggle was perplexing until I finally tried something different.
Hi Ashley,
Full disclosure, I prefer the Addi Click needles that were reviewed here because the yarn glides effortlessly over them, which is important to me because I am a tight knitter. I can also knit very quickly with them. With that said, I do have an interchangeable set of Knitter’s Pride Dreamz that are laminated birch. I think they are pretty nice for the price point. Knit Picks also has laminated wood needles at a similar price point. The laminated wood layers make them more durable and lightweight. The laminate also allows the yarn to glide over the needles with some light friction. I also have some solid rosewood double-points that I like because they are very smooth. However, they are slightly heavier, and because I’m kind of a violent knitter…haha…over time, they have small tiny dents in them. This is purely cosmetic at this point. It hasn’t affected the quality of my knitting. However, I don’t use them frequently, so it is hard for me to say if it would be a problem if I used them frequently. I find a lot just comes down to preference.
As I mentioned, I’m an Addi girl, but I also have the ChiaoGoo interchangeable needles. Although highly rated, I am not jazzed on the CG because my yarn does not glide nicely over them. The points are so sharp, and they hurt my fingertips. I also do not like HiyaHiya for the same reasons. My point is, you can look at traditionally, highly-rated needles, but there is no way to really know if you will like them unless you try them. I recommend that you buy single-set of needles for your projects to start and figure out which brands you like the best before buying a set.
Good luck!
Thank you, Norman, for this Very Honest (albeit opinionated, as expected) review.
My very First set of ICs, was Knit Picks (going with affordability over Addi; I hadn’t yet met with Hiya-Hiya, ChiaoGoo, Lantern Moon, or other offshore brands).
I can say that my experience was cagey, straight out of the box, with 3 sizes of the Tips arriving in discombobulated condition. I reached out to KP, who immediately put replacement tips into the mail. Equally frustrating, however, the size 11 – which had Both tips loose – managed to Re-Arrive with a opened cellophane wrapper, inside of a Less-than-ideal book-folded cardboard shipper, with Taping Gaps along those fold-in-flaps, presumably managed to lose 1 of those US#11 Tips, enroute to my house! (Which, sadly, is situated approximately 5 Miles – yes, Only 5 Miles! – from their US_DC facility.) Forcing Me, to yet again, Request Another Replacement for my size 11 Harmony Tips.
Not exactly an auspicious beginning with Interchangeable systems. I’ve been hesitant to expand to other brands, ever since. Despite liking using All 3 brands you’ve reviewed herein.
(CG_RL, HH, A_T/R).
I knit predominantly Lace, but have expanded more recently into Socks and (Colorwork) Sweaters.
Hi Norman, thank you for this and for all your wonderful explanations.
I’ve just bought my first interchangeable needles (Knit Pro Zing) and was utterly baffled at how to use the key to tighten the needles. I twisted the key one way, another, looked under a magnifying glass – nothing made any difference. Reddit had to sort me out in the end.
So please can you add a little explanation that the key isn’t a key at all, it’s just a bit of thin metal that gives you a bit of extra leverage to tighten the screw fitting. Thanks!
Well, understand your concern but I would leave that to the respective manufacturers. And as far as I know, they actually do add a little leaflet to their sets where it explains things. All of them also have a website/youtube channel where things are explained.
I started learning to knit in 2020 and was given $170 as my retirement gift. I used it to buy the ChiaoGoo set. I liked it at first but then the needle connection kept coming undone no matter which cable or needle I was using. I liked the compact option of all the needles and cables in one case but since I stopped using them altogether, I’ve been buying the needles I need with fixed joints. I would love to go back to interchangeable if I knew of a set that has a more reliable connection.
One good thing about the ChiaoGoo set is the customer service. Every time, I had an incident, they reimbursed me for the needle with the issue. I didn’t get all my money back but I did get a lot.
I noticed that KnitPro has a new line called Stelo with a Petite size, and Lyyke’s Flight line also has a Mini size.
I would love to see you review these, and if they are compatible with each other.
Hellooo what is the difference between Nove and Mindful Set so you compared Nova here? I’m asking bc I’m in between Addi Long Basics and Gratitude 🙂 danke schöön
The nova are coated metal (so very slick) while mindful is stainless steel (a big “rougher”). It’s a minor difference but still notcieable.
Hi Norman,
I’d like to start knitting especially to make sweaters and cardigans. Would these work well for those? There’s a lot of talk about lace but correct me if i’m wrong, a heavier yarn is needed for a sweater (dk, worsted and so on). Or would you recommend a different set ? Thank you!
Hey Alex,
you are right…and wrong. So yeah, you probably won’t knit a sweater using 2mm knitting needles. The typical range for most sweaters will be 3.5mm – 6mm.
That being said, these sets also cover that range quite well and I would actually say that an interchangeable knitting needle sets i perfect for sweater knitting. Often, you will have to change needle size when you trnasition from hem, to body…or color and cuff. And then interchangeable tips really come in handy.
However, a lot of these manufacturers offer different kind of sets. And I would look for a set that is strong in this size range (e.g. ChiaoGoo offers small sets that only come with really small sized needles or only really big knitting needles).
So, I recommend looking at a couple of patterns you plan to knit and their recommended needle size and then check what you need.
Also, maybe consider the tips. Most sweater patterns are rather easy in terms of stitches used. Maybe you don’t need the sharpest lace tips and a little bit more rounded tips could be better.
Well, food for thought, I hope!
I would like to thank you greatly for this in-depth review. I bought a cheap KnitPro interchangeable set at the beginning of my knitting journey over 10 years ago, with plastic needles, and it has served me well, and as they have broken I have replaced them with Zings to keep using my existing equipment. I am looking further afield as I am looking for sharper needles for lace knitting and I really appreciate how you have explained every single aspect of these different brands! I think I will test some ChiaGoos before going for the full set!
I wish you had put the needle dimension (US 2 etc) at the start. I had to skip the whole way down to be sure I will never buy an interchangeable set because the number of projects I have that use 2 and 3, and a 16 inch tether at the neck and top of sleeves, makes the price prohibitive for things I never will use.