The best circular needles?

yelppuppy · 06-23-2009, 03:55 PM

I have the Susan Bates cirular needles and they drive me insane! The part where the cord and the needles connect isn't smooth, so it's a pain to push it back and forth.

I spent hours on google, amazon and ebay, and Addi jumps out. It's so expensive though! Has anyone here used Addi? Is it really smooth? Any other brands that you'd recommend?

Jan in CA · 06-24-2009, 12:48 AM

Uhh... it's all personal preference. Go to the search and type in needles, interchangeable or something like that and you'll get a lot of previous posts.

globaltraveler · 06-24-2009, 01:17 AM

Yes, Addi is wonderful if you like smooth (but not the very smoothest depending upon who you ask) metal needles. If you like slippery wood needles, or not too smooth metal needles, or indeed anything else, you won't like them.

Definitely -- TRY before you buy. No one knits like you, so Jan's tip is key -- it really IS a matter of personal preference. Search the threads on the subject, there's lots.

Ingrid · 06-24-2009, 02:27 AM

If you're looking at Addis, though, they are worth every penny.

ArtLady1981 · 06-24-2009, 08:04 AM

I have taken the smoothest part of an 'emery' board and filed the snaggy parts of a 'join' smooth. It works! Just keep sanding away til the snag is gone. It's worth a try! It worked for me!

And yes, Addi circs are the greatest!
And so are KnitPicks OPTIONS and HARMONY'S.

cftwo · 06-24-2009, 01:40 PM

I like my Addi circulars, too. My Crystal Palace ones have nice tips, but the connections between cord and needle squeeks and drives me bananas. Personal preference, as Jan says. (I also have Susan Bates/Boye circulars and Clover bamboo needles - they're OK, but not in the same class as the Addis.)

sakura-panda · 06-24-2009, 05:49 PM

I have the Knit Picks Harmony Options (and I love them a lot!) and I've been aquiring the nickel plated tips as I think I need them. However, I handled the Addi Clicks at the LYS yesterday and suddenly I'm tempted to get a set.

If only they weren't so expensive!

Choosing needles really is a personal decision -- I don't think there is an overall BEST set, just what is best for each INDIVIDUAL. There are several excellent and detailed threads that discuss the differences, pros and cons of interchangeable needles -- I read all the ones that I could find before I purchased mine and it helped me make the decision.

wednesday · 06-24-2009, 08:40 PM

I love my Knit picks Nickle Option set and find them slicker than my Addis I also think the cord is softer than on the Addis, also the KP are pointier than the regular Addis. I love the fact that you can use both the metal and wood tips with the same cables so if you need to you can order individual sizes in different materials. Addis do come in shorter length than KP and sometimes that is nice too.
I received the KP set as a Christmas present 2 years ago and have added a few needles and cables as well as oredering some of the Harmony DPN's love all of them. I have only added a few Addis and most of those were a gift from my mother she bought them in Germany for me where they are about half the cost.
My advise is to see if you can try different needles before you make the investment. For instance I like the KA Bamboo needles but not the Clover Bamboo so there is a difference, somebody else may like the exact opposite

cresmoon · 06-24-2009, 09:47 PM

This page might help (under the "interchangeable knitting needles" section there's a review of most of the major interchangeable needle sets available today, including an Addi clicks review):

http://www.knittersreview.com/tools.asp

yelppuppy · 06-25-2009, 02:21 AM

I've been browsing a lot of threads since I posted it. Looks like Addi or KnitPick are the most popular ones.

I never considered "interchangeable" type because I thought the connecting part wouldn't be smooth, but i guess that's not a problem on good brands.

I knit very tight and I work with rough and stiff yarns, so I have a feeling that I'll like the smoothest kind I can find. Both KP and Addi sound great. I saw one review saying that KP points are pointier than Addi, which I have no idea if is a good or a bad thing for me.

I won't have a chance to try either of them in person as no stores nearby carry either of them. I'll just have to take the plunge! I'm still debating between interchangeable or fixed. I need at least 3-4 sizes, but they're probably all I need. What a tough choice...