[Alison]

So, all my friends seem to want itty bitty bamboo needles for their socks. I just don't feel the bamboo love, I guess, I find they grip the yarn and I get hand and finger cramps trying to force it along the needles. I've tried and tried, but it's metal sock needles for me. Or plastic, I don't mind plastic. I just need something smooth and slick. What does everyone else use?

And how many do you use? I find knitting with sets of 4 dpns is absolutely impossible for me--the yarn feels like it's under strain and all the time at the corners. I always use sets of 5. Does everyone use three? That's what I keep seeing pictured on people's blogs. Is that the normal US way? I know most of the needles that I see for sale up here (in Canada), the Clovers and Addis and Crystal Palaces and so on, all come in sets of 5. People who use sets of 4, do you find that you get ladders where you switch from one needle to the next?

Just wondering. Am I the only person who doesn't like bamboo sock needles?

 

[Trishy]

If I use wood needles I use Brittany birch. They are my absolute favorite. For metal I am really liking the new Knitpicks circulars. I am making my first pair with a set of 32" #3 needles using the magic loop method to make 2 socks at once. Despite the fact that the join broke, I have enjoyed working with them very much.

 

[PikkuMyy]

I'm currently also using Brittany birch needles - a set of 5 #3s. (US 3).

I have bamboo, which I prefer actually but they are 7" long and I prefer to use 5" long for socks. Otherwise I feel like I'm knitting with a spider crab!

I have tried the two circ method for other items and when I get a bit of money I'm going to get some addis in small sizes for socks. I can't wait!

 

[Leilalu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PikkuMyy I'm currently also using Brittany birch needles - a set of 5 #3s. (US 3). I have bamboo, which I prefer actually but they are 7" long and I prefer to use 5" long for socks. Otherwise I feel like I'm knitting with a spider crab! I have tried the two circ method for other items and when I get a bit of money I'm going to get some addis in small sizes for socks. I can't wait!

See, I have tried the 2 circ method and could not get the hang of it!I think I may go into my LYS soon, when I am set to make my next pair of socks(for dh) and get a free demonstration. The owner offered to show me.
I do love my birch 5 inch needles though. In a 1 1/2 size. I have to use 5. BUT, when I get to the foot I like to just use 3. And mark the end of the round. Then I switch back to 5 at the toe.

Ijust love small needles. Soemhting about it. Tehy are a pain, but I do love them. Anything larger than 5 inch for socks and I feel like I am wrestling with it the whole time.

 

[Alison]

I don't really like the points on addi circulars. They're too short and blunt for my liking, I like a long tapered point.

The knitpicks needles look really nice on their site. I'm not shopping for needles or yarn right now (DH just got laid off, so we have no idea how long we'll be on one income) but if I was, the knitpicks needles would be very tempting!

I have tried two circs for socks, and find that I prefer dpns. And despite having a demonstration of magic loop by an absolutely amazing knitting instructor, I still haven't got the hang of it! I'm dpns all the way, I think.

 

[kdmama33]

I'd have to agree with the PP and say that the 5" Brittany birch DPNs are my fave sock needles. I really dislike longer DPNs, especially for small projects. As Leila said, anything longer and I feel like I'm wrestling an octopus.

I have yet to try the two circ and magic loop methods for socks. Must learn those soon.

 

[egoldber]

I only do socks with Magic Loop and I prefer Addis for the smooth join.