Knitpicks needles

Knitpicks Options needles in metal and Harmony (wood) tips are my first choice in needles.  I’ve used Clover Takumi bamboo, Addi Turbos, Addi Lace, Addi Bamboo, and have a set of Denise Interchangeables.

(The Denise needles—plastic, with more grip—were helpful for one project that slipped off my needles too easily. I used Denise to get the project started and then switched to Knitpicks. Unfortunately, that’s the only time I’ve used Denise because the cables are stiffer than I’d like.)

 I like Knitpicks Options because:

1. They are sharp (both metal tips & Harmony wood tips).

2. The Harmony wood tips are smooth and lightweight.  (The metal tips are noticeably heavier than Addis, however.)

3. The set is versatile. I always have what I need in cables and needles. (I have ordered extras in sizes I use a lot since I always have several projects OTN.)

4. Inserting lifelines is a breeze using the little hole in the join.

5. The cables are thin and flexible.

6. If you use the little metal key-type tool to firmly tighten, the joins stay joined. (I have a friend who always complains that the needles come unscrewed, but she refuses to use the key—ever! I even offered her another key and she said no. You have to be willing to tighten the joins with the little key; it’s easy to do.)

7. Knitpicks customer service is great and the people are very friendly.

8. Their shipping is low. I used to wait until I had $45 of merchandise to buy so I would get free shipping or else I’d go in with other people for an order. But Knitpicks’ shipping is so reasonable that now I just order when I need to. I think it’s usually between $2 and $3.

On a previous blog entry, I wrote that I temporarily switched to Addi Lace needles and then switched back to Knitpicks Harmony. My only problem with Harmony was seeing the dark laceweight yarn on the colorful needles. If the yarn were heavier, I could have felt it more easily and this wouldn’t have been a problem.

A note about Knitpicks: try out your items when you receive them to make sure the needles and cables screw in okay. Once in a while there’s a product defect, but Knitpicks will quickly rectify this by sending out new needles/cables for you. So communicate with them. They are very nice. 

If you are really considering a Knitpicks interchangeable needles kit, you might want to order just one set of needles and cable (a key comes with the cable) and try them out first and see if you like them because we all have our different preferences.