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Knitters, what's your favorite brand of needles?  

post #1 of 34
6/28/08 at 5:59pm
Thread Starter 
I have a starter collection and am just curious what's out there and what's good. I do have a couple pairs of addi turbos and really like them. someone recommended lantern moons to me...but they're kind of pricey. Of course from shopping at big box stores I have some clovers and susan bates too.
post #2 of 34
6/28/08 at 6:08pm
Knitpicks metal options are my favorite by far. I have a couple of addis, but they aren't pointy enough for me. I only use metal needles, though, so I don't have any input on other materials.
post #3 of 34
6/28/08 at 6:23pm
I love the Knit Picks Harmony needles! They are so fabulous! :

That being said, I haven't actually tried the Knit Picks Options.
post #4 of 34
6/28/08 at 7:03pm
another vote for Knitpicks Options. I, too, like them better than my Addis. Pointy tips=good.

peace, Beth
post #5 of 34
6/28/08 at 11:49pm
Clover bamboos!!!!!!!!!!!
post #6 of 34
6/28/08 at 11:52pm
I like my Clover bamboos, too, but I am too clumsy to do very well with metal needles (they slip out too easy for me) and I can't have too pointy, as I push the tip of my needle with my fingers.... Jeez, pretty picky, aren't I?
post #7 of 34
6/29/08 at 1:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by gingerstar View Post
I like my Clover bamboos, too, but I am too clumsy to do very well with metal needles (they slip out too easy for me) and I can't have too pointy, as I push the tip of my needle with my fingers.... Jeez, pretty picky, aren't I?
I agree! I like the Clover bamboo needles, though I don't have much experience with anything else besides a few pairs of aluminum needles I have. I also push on the end with my finger, and soemtimes end up really sore.
post #8 of 34
6/29/08 at 1:33am
Another vote for Knitpicks needles!!! :
post #9 of 34
6/29/08 at 2:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Silvercrest79 View Post
Another vote for Knitpicks needles!!! :
Me too! Addis come in a close second for me, but moneywise, Knitpicks are far and away my preference.
post #10 of 34
6/29/08 at 8:20am
Haven't tried Knitpicks yet.

Brittany (socks), Clover (general) and Addi Natura (sweaters & lace) are my faves.
post #11 of 34
6/29/08 at 8:39am
When I was first learning to knit, I used the needles from the big box stores -- Clover Bamboo and Susan Bates plastic and aluminum. I liked those needles and they worked for me.

A couple years ago, when I first discovered MDC, the evil enablers on this board introduced me to Knitpicks. : I got a set of the Options needles and have never looked back.

As has already been mentioned, I loved the pointiness -- I was struggling to knit with cotton before and was about to give up, but when I got the Options set, I realized the problem was my previous needles were too blunt. In addition, I love how flexible the needles are. The cords are literally flexible, and do not do the annoying curling up thing that my cheaper circular needles used to do. But the whole set is literally flexible in terms of how you can use them. The other day, I needed to make some i-cord, but didn't have double pointed needles in the right size. I realized that I could use the Options needles, unscrewed from the cord, instead of using a traditional double pointed needle.

The other thing I really love about the Knitpicks Options needles is the compactness of storing them and their portability. I bought the binder and plastic sleeves that Knitpicks sells. All my needles are in one place, and the binder is small enough for the entire set to slip into my knitting bag.

I do not do much small diameter knitting in the round, but I'm going to do the round baby blanket that someone posted on here recently. The pattern starts on double pointed needles, then switches to circulars. I'm going to learn magic loop, so I can start with one set of needles and not have to switch part way through the project.

Because the knitpick options needles are so smooth and pointy, my knitting speed picked up when I started using them. It did take a little getting used to and I was dropping stitches fairly regularly when I first got them. I think I got the needles at the perfect time in terms of my knitting learning curve. I was proficient enough that I was beginning to be frustrated with my other needles.

And to make it easy on you, I will continue the tradition of evil enabling. : Here's the link to the Knitpicks Options Needles.
post #12 of 34
6/29/08 at 9:29am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by gingerstar View Post
I like my Clover bamboos, too, but I am too clumsy to do very well with metal needles (they slip out too easy for me) and I can't have too pointy, as I push the tip of my needle with my fingers.... Jeez, pretty picky, aren't I?
Oh thanks! I'm so glad I started this thread...I never even considered how I knit...I'm a bit of a finger poker too since I'm such a novice. Maybe I'm not ready for pointy knitpicks yet. Sometimes I get sore just from my clovers and addi.
I like my clover bamboos too...very inexpensive and I can get them on sale at JA's.
post #13 of 34
6/29/08 at 12:13pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sabrinat View Post
Oh thanks! I'm so glad I started this thread...I never even considered how I knit...I'm a bit of a finger poker too since I'm such a novice. Maybe I'm not ready for pointy knitpicks yet. Sometimes I get sore just from my clovers and addi.
I like my clover bamboos too...very inexpensive and I can get them on sale at JA's.
Now I feel better - I almost didn't submit my post, when I saw what I wrote, I thought, you goofy girl! But if it helped, I am glad!!

greenegirl, thanks for the enabling! As I improve, I know what needles I will get!
post #14 of 34
6/29/08 at 12:23pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gingerstar View Post
I like my Clover bamboos, too, but I am too clumsy to do very well with metal needles (they slip out too easy for me) and I can't have too pointy, as I push the tip of my needle with my fingers.... Jeez, pretty picky, aren't I?
That's one of the reasons I love them! I always stab myself with my quicksilvers and my fingertips start to hurt.
post #15 of 34
6/29/08 at 2:49pm
I have a pretty ecclectic set, just because I'm not very good about planning ahead when I need to buy needles (when inspiration hits, it's usually a mad dash to the LYS if it's open, a big box store if it's not... .

That said, I love, love, love my Brittany birch needles. But I only have the one set, as they're pricey.

Clover bamboo is pretty much my staple, and my collection of Susan Bates Quicksilver from my early knitting days. Both have served me quite well, and I still enjoy knitting with them.

But yes, KnitPicks Options is on my list!
post #16 of 34
6/29/08 at 5:44pm
Another for Clover bamboo needles. I don't like the sound of metal needles.
post #17 of 34
6/29/08 at 6:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by gingerstar View Post
I like my Clover bamboos, too, but I am too clumsy to do very well with metal needles (they slip out too easy for me) and I can't have too pointy, as I push the tip of my needle with my fingers.... Jeez, pretty picky, aren't I?
You know what? I almost didn't get the Harmony set because I really *thought* I loved the clovers, and I hate metal needles because they do slip out for me, and I was a bit of a pusher, so I worried about that too.

You know what I found out after I got them?

I found out that the "pushing" was happening for me because the clovers were so darn grabby with my yarn and I couldn't slide it off. The Harmony set isn't as slippery as the Options, so I still have a bit of drag (I think. I haven't tried the Options!) My fingertip is totally intact as I'm not pushing now that the yarn slides off.

I love the Harmony set. It was perfect for where I was with knitting. I even found out that cotton isn't horrible to knit with on this set!

ETA: I also learned to Magic Loop because of this set and not wanting to fork out more $$ for Harmony DPNs! Love the ML too!
post #18 of 34
6/29/08 at 9:33pm
If I had a do-over I'd skip everything wood I bought at first. I tried addi turbos and really liked them. Because I couldn't afford to really get more addi's I thought I'd settle for the Knitpicks options. Turns out I strongly prefer the options to all other needles. I love that I have the right sizes to do most projects. I love that they are metal and the tips are sharp. They are a great deal.
post #19 of 34
6/29/08 at 9:44pm
I wish I could replace all of mine with Addi Turbos. Love those things.
post #20 of 34
6/30/08 at 1:23am
Sometimes my needle preference depends on the kind of yarn I am using. ie....

Cotton has BAD drag on bamboo/wood needles but slides nicely on KP options.
Wool tends to be a tad bit slippery on options but once you learn how far to keep the yarn from the tip with the options you are good to go.
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