My favorite dpns are actually from a thrift store. My mom, who's not a knitter, found a set of 8 dpns for 50¢ and took a chance that I might want them. They're steel(?), size US 0, and 8" long, with very sharp points and a very short taper, and they don't bend out of shape at all. There are a few spots of discoloration, but they're not noticeable at all when knitting. They might be longer than some people like, but I prefer the length because with the way I hold my needles, the right one touches my forearm and keeps my wrist in line, while the left one extends past my hand, allowing my left wrist to do most of the manipulation. I have no clue what brand they are, or even how old they are, but I'm treating them gently because I want them to last a lifetime. They've stood up to seven pairs of socks so far with no changes, so I have high hopes!
Well done your mom! If they are grey, they’re most likely Sullivans. If they’re Sullivans and silky smooth with a short taper, they’re pre 2000. Have no fear of them getting damaged, I have a couple of dozen sets of various sizes and mine are from the 60’s & 70’s and still perfect. I love the length for the same reasons you do. Don’t try to remove the discolouration as you may damage the slick surface and then your yarn will snag. Some of mine have the grey worn off at the tips but they still slip that yarn beautifully.
Make sure to comment with your favorite dpns or the one you want to buy. Mine are the Knitter's Pride Karbonz - for all projects below 3mm. If you want to see more pictures and macro shots, check out the view on my blog: nimble-needles.com/wool-and-tools/the-best-double-pointed-knitting-needles/
Great video, Norman! I really appreciate the close pictures of the tips (that took a lot of time, I'm sure), and your summary at the end that gives an idea of good uses for the different needles is super helpful. Your point that many small DPNs will eventually bend or break is good to note. When I snap my wood needles, I file down the broken ends (use a pencil sharpener, some sandpaper, or a nail file), and I turn them into two small needles. They come in handy as a cable needle, or for picking up dropped stitches, fixing tension, etc.
That is a marvelous idea! I have some dirt cheap bamboo needles that I could never stand to use because they destroy every yarn that they touch, because they were never finished as they should be. I may just cut them all down to use as extra stitch holders, if not for myself, then to give to another knitter, because they are absolutely useless as they are.
You are way to advanced for me right now, lol I'm just starting, but man I LOVE WATCHING YOU! Lol I love it voice and your sooo full of great knowledge.
Thank you so much for including details like sensory experience; transition smoothness on the needles and the sound of using them. These things can stress me out in my knitting experience and I haven't seen another knitter ever mention it before. This video has helped me so much! Thank you as always for the amazing videos you make, Norman!
I purchased the Knitter’s Pride Karbonz needles after seeing them on your blog and I love them! They are my favorite DPNs for sock knitting. I also like their metal DPNs in larger sizes, they are so smooth to knit on. Time to cast on a new sock…
Never thought I'd switch from bamboo to metal for sock knitting, but my online yarn store had a special on DPNs. I read up on the pros and cons of those on offer, and selected a set of 2.25 KnitPro Zings, just to test drive them. I LOVE them. Colorful, not slippery (though more so than bamboo), nice points (though, as a tight knitter, I do prefer the super-sharp, finger-bleeding point you get on bamboo needles), each size is a different color, and each needle is clearly stamped with its size. When you think about it, our ancestors had centuries of doing needlework with all sorts of woods and other natural materials for needles, but when manmade materials were made available, they switched over and never looked back. Maybe Grandma knew best, after all!
Such a comprehensive review of DPN knitting needles and you brought out some points I never even considered, like the sound a needle makes. I upgraded from bamboo to wooden needles made by KnitPicks. They were a reasonable price, you can get them in different colors. I opted for Sunstruck, which is a light brown natural wood color because I felt that most yarns, particularly dark yarns, would be easier to see the stitches on the needle. The set includes 6 sizes from 2.0mm to 3.25mm and they give you 6 needles for each size, which is nice in case a needle breaks. Thanks for all of your videos, they are all so well done.
Thank you so much! As a new knitter, I didn't know that there was that big of a difference between dpns. I'm really excited to get to the craft store now!
Heh! Well, the difference are, at the end of the day, not thaaaat big. But often, you spend hours and hours with a tool, so even minute details can matter over time.
Thank you for this. I started knitting lace socks recently and I was struggling with my hardwood DPNs. Ordered a set of Hiya Hiya. I’ll wait for them to arrive before starting the 2nd of the pair I’m knitting now.
As a new knitter I am so grateful for these videos! I am currently using knitpro dpn's and I have been looking for a decent set of dpn's so I will definitely be listening to everything in this video to help me form my own decisions. Thank you very much. (Kelly from Auckland, New Zealand)
glad to hear that. and make sure to comment if you have any further questions. I tried to squeeze in as much as possible but well..didn't want it to end up 2hours either :P
I have learned so much watching your videos, thank you! I taught myself to knit on a pair of disposable chopsticks at first so it was fun to see what kind of technology is out there for needles. By the way, when you rubbed the Signature needles together and it made that chirping sound, my soul left my body! If I heard that while I was working I would yeet those needles right out the window, even if they cost me $67. Thank you for the video!
you know, how when you click on something online and then ads keep chasing you all around the internet. This is the advanced knitters version of it. haha. (joking ofc!)
I agree with you that wood needles feel warmer. That is one thing I truly love about them; the elemental feel of the wood. My personal preference for don's are Dreamz by Knitters Pride above size 3 and my Symphonie needles also by Knitters Pride. (I think they're Knitter's Pride. It's been a while since I looked. I apologize if I am wrong.) I agree with you every knitter needs o find what they like in needles, how each needle works with each kind of fiber in etc. It was fun to discover my tastes and preferences. Thank you for another great video. Have a Wonderful Day!
Thanks,,I was shopping online last night for a set of DPN's,even had some in my cart. I ended up not buying anything,and I'm so glad I waited. Now,on to the video~!!😄🥢🧶
@@NimbleNeedles What a wonderful,comprehensive video,thank you~!! Best vid I've seen about needles in general. I've never used dpn's before,they kind of intimidate me lol. But it's time I learned! In general,my favorites are HiyaHiya and I have their interchangeable circular set. But the Lykke......ohhhh.....they are so beautiful,and that's an important part of the knitting experience for me,to the point I'll sacrifice practicality for beauty. Same with the sound a needle makes...... As for the one set with the little hole in the tip,could that possibly be for threading a lifeline? Again,thanks for this,you did a great job~and I'm so glad I never hit the "buy now" button last night!😂
My very first set was an Addi Premium 3mm. I knitted a hat with them as my very first project ever. Later I used them for socks and gloves. They were a bit finicky with the fingers but I was like, hey, you're a poor uni student, you knit with what you have. Nowadays I rarely knit with DPNs, I just hate that I have to change needles every now and then xD So I knit with those small sock-circulars you've mentioned in the end of your video. Very big thank you for this video! I was always quite much worried when I bent one of my needles, so you got my peace of mind back. Also thank you for encouraging us to write comments - there are some good tips down here, too!
yeah, that was my intention because hey..I can only share my experience and that's always going to be a bit slanted no matter how objective I try to be. Loving all the comments so far.
I'm a huge fan of Zing DPNs, with their color coding, and I feel the join between tip and shaft is smoother than it is on Karbonz. For some projects and yarns I still want wood or bamboo. Dreamz are beautiful and a pleasure to work with, but I have to say I love the ChiaoGoo Patina fixed circular needle that actually SWIVELS on the cord! Such a fantastic feature for such a reasonable price, especially for a tight knitter like me. My only other needles that swivel like that are my Tulip bamboo interchangeables from Japan, and that set was expensive. I'm on the lookout now for anyone making circular needles that swivel on their cords, because that was a genius idea. Thanks for the very good overview.
I have two "brands" of dpns: a chinese stainless steel 8" set that I got on the cheep through Amazon. I got these because I was having little fun using either interchangeable or fixed circulars for sock (I'm new to knitting beyond the occasional wash cloth -- never had a garment slipped my straight needles). So my first two pairs of socks were on these 8" ss dpns, in worsted weight because it turns out that knitting with thin yarn is 10x more difficult for me than doing crochet lace work in #30 cotton thread. Talk about humbling. Unfortunately, on the cheep meant a size range that could not accomadate my expanding skill set in knitting. In the mean time, I bought Addi interchangeable circulars in the rocket² which I love and added some fixed curculars in sizes down to 2mm, because it seems no one makes interchangeables below a 3mm. I also bought chiaogoo fixed circulars in the 2mm - 3mm/3.5 m. Range. But I missed working socks on dpns and after much consideration of price, material and glide, I bought the sock dpns by Knit Picks , 4" Mossic Wood Set and I really like them. They grip the yarn best for working in the round. They're short enough to more easily juggle. And they are not like the bamboo that I do not care for (a friend gifted me her used set of Lykke's and the cables are stiff and the bamboo is too grippy.) So, I've set upon my present favorites of the various styles of needles. I don't even use the straight needles I have because circulars are very versitile and can be used for flat work. So to sum it up, I love my 2mm - 3.5mm Knit Picks wooden mosaics dpns. The price was right and the size is perfect for my small hands. If I end up needing to knit socks for Paul Bunyan or the cyclops, I've got my 8" stainless steel needles. 😅
I appreciate your videos and teaching style so much. I started knitting my first hat and have been fighting to get the circular needles to work on the decrease. After watching this video and your very helpful how to knit with dpns, I am confident that I will be able to finish this project without further frustration. Your teaching style is so clear and honest - Thank You So Much!!!!
I know this video has been out awhile but as a knitting beginner I still found it very informative. I learned the hard way how brittle the Lykke needles can be when I tried to knit a prototype sock (my first sock project!) on 3.25mm needles. I was about half way through when my needle broke! You can imagine the wave of panic!!! When you get into a flow with a project and have it stopped abruptly by something like a broken needle…..the wait to get new needles was abysmal 😂 My local yarn store told me that Lykke has some kind of warranty-they’ll replace your needle if it breaks, apparently. Personally I think I would never find the time to ship out a broken needle and wait to receive a new one. I’m too impatient…>___> I recently started my first hat on a pair of chiao goo bamboo needles. I will say I have noticed they seem to knit more slowly than the driftwood needles…Not my favorite. I am intrigued by the Karbonz needles. They were certainly highly regarded by the staff at my local yarn store. I really am partial to non-synthetic materials, however the vetted durability makes them tempting. Thank you for making this detailed review, and I look forward to watching your other review videos!
My favourites at the moment are a set of 4 sizes in one pack....Susan Bates, if I remember correctly. The other favourite is a set of 5 mis-matched odd ones that I put together in an emergency. They're not even the same length!! As for the brand? Not a clue. Best needles I ever used!!❤❤❤
I have a really old set of Susan Bates aluminum US size 7 DPNs and what I love about them is they are 7" long, perfect for sleeves. They may be cheaper but they're still really good.
Thank you for this video. The Karbonz are by far my favorite. I am a fast knitter and these are perfect for me. I love the points and the yarn glides easily while knitting. I highly recommend them. I am like you and have a huge assortment of various brands but always come back to the Karbonz for knitting socks.
Hello Norman I love all your videos and how perfect your stitches are, to me you one of the best knitters on RUclips. I love to knit with dpn and I am having hard time to find the larger sizes, because I knit my hat using double pointed needles, I did found one set, it is made with alloy steel, and I am concerned about how heavy they may be, or rust on the metal. Thank you so much for sharing your experience
they shouldn't rust. I mean, without a name I can't tell. 100 year ago needles still did rust but not these days anymore - at least not to my knowledge. And even if they are not hollow they probably still will not be all that heavy.
Thanks for such a great video. This was really helpful, because I really need some new double pointed needles. Right now I am still using the cheap Boye and Clover aluminum needles I picked up at the local big box craft store. Most of the time I'm a Chiaogoo fan girl, but I knit so many lace and cable stitches in my socks, I think I might prefer the sharper tips of the Hiya-Hiya needles. Thanks so much for giving all the positive and negative qualities of all the needles!
My DPNs are mostly from a thrift store…they’re old but in perfect condition. It was an exciting find which cost me 50 cents a pair. I bought every size I could find!
I just started knitting, I’m working on my first pair of socks and you have made knitting so approachable and easy to understand. As a crocheter of 20+ years I never thought I’d be a knitter. Thank you so much for all your lovely videos! One thing, you mentioned that all bamboo needles are basically the same, I have Takumi and Chiaogoo dpns and the Chiaogoo are much sharper but with a shorter taper than the takumi. They're both cheap enough for people to try both, but I definitely prefer the chiaogoo already and I JUST started. So, I agree that everyone has to try them and see what they like! I had no idea there were so many types
Definitely, there are differences.but I feel that most bamboo needles are like neighbors, while the rest is world's apart. Then again, maybe that's just my own bias as I typically can't stand bamboo, haha
@@NimbleNeedles I just bought my first set of Karbonz thanks to your video and it's the first non-bamboo and non-aluminum needle I've used and omg. I see what you mean. Totally worlds apart. I love them so much!
This was an in-depth review of a large variety of DPNs available on the market. Thanks for the detailed review, showing a large variety of needles and also listing the pros and cons of the various materials and brands. At 24:12, who else was expecting a video on how to knit with raw eggs? 😂😂😂😂😂😂 Another great video, Norman.
Thank you Norman! I have the Chiagoo set and the Knitters Pride Zing DPN set and love them both. I also have a box of Susan Bates needles that started me on my DPN mitten knitting journey WAY back in the day...and I still reach for those when I knit mittens. SOOO many choices these days.
Excellent segment! I've tried a number of different needles...spent a lot of money. Today, I use wooden needles...some are square/cube shape. Speed is not my strong suit, but accuracy to be best of my ability is important to me. I wish to tell you that I donated all of my unused/new needles, to incl crochet hooks, to my local yarn store. The owner, who also volunteers as a knitting/crochet instructor at nursing homes, hand them out along with donated yarn to fixed income residences who are interested in learning/relearning the craft. My money is not wasted! Thanks so much for this great segment!
@@NimbleNeedles Morning, Norman! I understand! My opinion...and maybe this will help. If you were to gift me or I were to purchase something from you, I would bear the cost of shipment. We would need an understanding of USA to Germany/Germany to USA currency/exchange. If we were to just swap needles, we both would share the shipment cost. This was an example...however, you have followers worldwide. This understanding would be applicable for all. I hope this helps!
@@darlenefarmer5921 yeah...but lots of stuff I have lying around here is maybe..i dunno 10 USD worth...so if the shipping costs are 15 USD that kind of makes very little sense :)
@@NimbleNeedles Ok...was just offering my thoughts...I've only shipped in the U.S...paying for shipping. Do not know the shipping in foreign countries or international shipping.
I'm really loving the Knitter's Pride Cubics. For circular needles (I know that's not what this video is about) I really like addi's Rocket 2 [squared].
What a great run-down! Those Prym needles with the funky tips weren't on my radar, but I might have to pick up a pair just to see how they feel. I don't buy anything from KnitPicks/KnittersPride/KnitPro anymore because I've found the production quality to be substandard. My go-to needles are Takumi Clover bamboo needles, but I re-point them with a bit of fine sandpaper as soon as I buy them because the stock tips are irritatingly dull -- but that's the benefit of bamboo needles, you can turn them into custom tips, and they're inexpensive. I wish Susan Bates still made nylon needles, and I love finding them at tag sales and in thrift stores, because they're lightweight, almost silent (Addis are loud by comparison), and have a nice sharp-but-not-too-sharp tip.
I find that interesting to hear because I quite honestly never had any serious issues with them..but maybe there really is a difference between the European and American market.
I guess the closest to vintage DPNs are steel needles of any brand. In Estonian shops such needles are usually the ones made by Pony. Sometimes you need to use some sanding paper to smoothen and clean their tips from metal residue :) Most frequently I use and buy Zing and Karbonz by KnitPro, or Colibri and Lace needles by Addi.
I was getting excited about the Carbonz needles until I watched your video and realized the metal tips are not stainless steel but cheap coated metal. I prefer to stick with SS or wood. I’ve met too many old timer knitters that used aluminum needles and now suffer with arthritic hands. I appreciate your reviews.
just to make sure you understand - coating a tip is more expensive than stainless steel - so it is by no means cheap. Besides there is stainless steal underneath. I totally understand that you may not like it but I would be hesitant to think of it as cheap :)
I have purchased most of my double points from thrift shops (resale shops), so I have been able to try many different types. I like Brittany wooden needles and appreciate that they come in long lengths and large sizes. I do a lot of charity knitting of slippers made with inexpensive acrylic worsted weight yarn held double, and the long wooden needles are helpful for me. I am currently knitting on large plastic Susan Bates DPNs from a thrift store, and they are just perfect for the job and were very, very cheap! Great video!
Hi, dear! The more I listened to you the more I was thrilled: you spoke as if you were my mouth in your thoughts of Chiaogoo and HiyaHiya. The Colibri I like, too, but I always have to look which side I need. To see this I'd prefer to get Colibris which have the fine long sharp tips at both sides. But they end up being aluminium so I only got 2 sets and it's enough. Addi made by steel I like a lot. KP are so much, I like Karbons if found a perfect set but often I had to return them and order another set. The little cinc must be perfect cause it disturbs sometimes, but mostly not. Although I mostly knit with cabled needles I sometimes like to knit with DPNs again just to have a difference in knitting which I like. Nova platina I nearly love, but the tips aren't so long that I liked them so much, I prefer KP Synfonies and HiyaHiya ar well, depending on what I want in hand and for my project.I'm always impressed how smooth they are AND Iove the possibility to sharpen the tips if I have to (rough pars or I stuck of them too hard>my fault< and to trim them as I want. HiyaHiya I use most of the time and I end up with KP Synfonies over&over again. At the end I stay using my HiyaHiya - and Chiaogoo interchangeables cause with theese I never have to look for any ladder. I knit without ladders but I don't want to care 4 times a round to prevent ladders. Don't know why but with magic loop I never have to although twice a round I use another needle. Don't know why, how often I try to find it out. Signatures: aluminium is aluminium, they're so expensive and I hate the ongoing high sound of the needles all around if aluminium, I don't know why! They in my eyes aren't worth it, sorry. Light, long taper, slicky, but I smell the aluminium while knitting and my hands feel…not so good as they do with wooden needles and , of course, with the for me wonderful surgerysteel of HiyaHiya and Chiaogoo. They're my favs, tog.with synfonies sometimes. Btw: I use, with a light dremeled adapter, the S and Minicables of Chiaogoo for HiyaHiya, too. I never miss the swirl around cause the cables are so slim and care themselves that nothing winds wrong direction. This for me is better than the turn around - cables of HH, cause with soft and small , tiny yarn it hangs at the connection cable-joint sometimes. That's hard if you can't go on or back after having knit half a soft lace shawl or triangl of 1,70m width and suddenly you must cut the yarn, ribb off some and then hard must come to the right row you must go on. Using these cables I've to use a lifeline, if I use CG-cables for HH as well as with CG I never have to cause the yarn never hangs. That's more than only DPN, it tells you why I most of the time don't use DPN's since I bought the dramful sets of CG and the interchangeable hogks, too, with the HiyaHiya to mix like I want. Sometimes I use wat my left hand a CG and to hve a sharp, sharp sharp tip at the right hand I use a HiyaHiya needle for some seldom special projects. I knit since 44 years and am a teacher in knitting, but only for small groups up to 4 pple. Often it's one and then it's so sweet intensive and familiar. I don't live from that, I was a nurse, now ret. cause disabled and in wheelchair since ca 6 years. Thanks for your wonderful video! Be blessed!
Thx for your very elaborate comment and for sharing your experience and your story. I am sure other knitters will find it invaluable! PS: I too have mixed feelings about the Signature needle arts dpns. I like the way they knit..but the sound puts me off like nothing else. lol
@@NimbleNeedles Yes, I get nervous and disturbed. Knitting is for me: to be free, 100% with me, no need, just a good break and same time making a beloved fabric. This I need so much, my pain is on a high level daily + I don't want to give up a thing that helps me and is fun, too. Love all the young pupils who ask for help in the last year. So many…perhaps cause of lockdown… I help where I can. Thank you to find my answer helpful. Grooms my soul. :)
i dunno...everywhere and nowhere I guess. I'm all over the place. My relatives live in Upstate New York, my reading preferences made me read exclusively in English from a very young age, friends, work all that :P
Thanks for such a comprehensive review! While I’m not new to knitting with DPN’s, I’m not very experienced either. I mostly use them for finishing the top of hats. When I first started buying nicer needles I bought a lot of Knitters Pride Nova Platina because they are so slick and smooth. I bought a bunch of their dpns in bigger sizes and didn’t really find a use for them. Now that I am knitting socks I definitely prefer the bamboo or wood because of the drag and my inexperience. I have much more control. But like you said at the end of the video, I won’t count them out and will try them again when I feel ready. I also like the shorter ones too. I have a few sets in the Dreamz. Now onto you video on how to knit with dpns! Thanks for another great tutorial!
Hi Norman , I haven’t worked on dpns for awhile but things come back very quickly. Love the video so simple to follow. I always use bamboo to do first two rows because to be honest I’m clumsy when it comes to the first two rows. Than I switch to my hiya hiya. My German grandmother always yelled at me to tighten on the first two stitches so thanks for the reminder. Thank you again
My default for small circumferences in the round is two circulars or magic loop. That being said, I bought a sent of the Knitter's Pride Zing DPNs. The sock set of six sizes from 00 to 3 cost me about $35. I tried knitting a toe up sock in these and quickly returned to my default. I started a new pair of self-striping socks. My two circulars are the Hiya Hiya and chiaogoo in size 1.5. The HiyaHiya is dangerously sharp, and the knitting is just round and round stockinette. I injured myself too many times. I switched over to the Zing DPNs. I’m really pleased. Yes, the tip is weird, but the taper is fine. I won’t be losing any blood with them, and my stitches stay put on the brushed aluminum. I wanted to go into my anti-Signature rant here, but it’s more appropriate for an interchangeable post.
I love Zing . Started with them first socks. Love to use them and they are light but small sizes bend easy. Bought the long needles and short needles in a beautyfull case. Even with the short ones there are also 3 cables and stoppers in the casing. Addi trio love to use them for socks. Knit pro wood ones I started with Tunesian Crochet of them and i have the needles I most use and cables I can use even on the Zing ones. Addi has click on but the weight is large. For long projects prefere light ones.
Would you please review wooden interchangeable needles; I have been researching but haven't come to a definitive decision yet and your opinion would be welcome.
I know this is an older video but I felt the need to comment. I'm pretty forgiving when it comes to larger diameter needles. I'll use whatever I have of those. Not that I use larger DPNs much. But for smaller diameter needles, as in less than 3mm, I prefer metal needles. I like them slick and sharp too for fast knitting, but what seems to matter more to me is the length of the needles. My favourite set has been a slippery metal vintage set that are 5 inches long, just over 12cm. Like most old sets they came as a set of four, which was fine despite liking the 5 needles sets these days and wishing I had one more. Using a substitute just doesn't sit comfortably used with the rest. I have only had access to 20cm needles so far with the same smooth flow and tip, which I've found awkwardly long for me to slip around on, but 2.25mm seems harder to find. The 15cm length needles I tried had those horrible sawn off tips that you fairly described as squared off. Plus I still found them a little bit long compared to my vintage set. Unfortunately I've now gone and lost one and only have 3. Likely I dropped or left behind my working needle somewhere while I was out. Do you think I can find a similar set? Not yet. I just want a set of the one size. Would you have any type in mind that I might like to search out that have a slippery short length with good tips?
Hmmm...not really..I mean, there are some 4inch products on the market..but those are typically not coated steel. Only knitters pride comes to mind. They even have 4 inch needle tips
Thank You, Norman for your videos. I hardly ever watch youtube and never comment, but.......... I've been knitting for close to 50 years; I dye some of my sock yarn and usually have 25 pairs of socks going at a time - knitting two of the same in a row is creatively boring to me, so I'm spacing the second sock out a bit....... My fastest needles are still the heavy steel needles I inherited from both of my German Grandmothers, but I'm fine with any metal needles, as long as they're 2,5mm or smaller. However, I have recently tried 20cm double pointed needles from Temu (darf ich das hier sagen?) for about $1.25 per set of 5. I was skeptical, but very surprised on how well they're holding up - they actually are quite fast and my go-to needles now. This might be a good option for novice knitters who want to try metal dpns but not spend a fortune. So, unless you're after that extra millisecond of speed, I venture to say that it's your skill and experience more than what needles you use (except of course, bamboo, which are not really an option under 3mm). And as far as bent needles go - I own several, and they're still OK to knit with unless they look like a pretzel......
hm....here's the thing. I was considering to review some needles from Temu and I actually think some of them will be quite good. After all, ChiaoGoo and HiyaHiya are produced in China as well. So why would there be a difference, really. That being said, the company as a whole has...very dubious business practises...so i would never ever recommend them here in public. They literally send me an email daily asking me to promote their products - despite me saying no.
Norman, my husband says I have a crush on you, silly man, I DO watch and rewatch. I learned knitting socks it’s hard to describe each one’s wants or needs. I love DPNs but I prefer the shorter DPNs I knit too tight so I snap the bamboo ones , I am hoping to learn from this video. Thank you for being you and sharing with me.
My first knitting needles were made by Me. So, it was very comfortable to handle. But, now I have so many in steel, plastic and wood. And a very interesting on made of Buffalo bone. Tha were a gift.
I have a preference for a certain brand of crochet hooks. So I went with the same for knitting needles. I had no idea there were different lengths of dpns. And I see why sharpness is needed, when working in tight small spaces. I am getting started and only have the basics. Someday......🙂
I love to knit with old-fashioned/vintage needles. Zephr and Aero (coated aluminium), traditional gansey needles (for knitting Gansey jumpers) in 1.5 and 1.75 mm...and my most favourite (a gift from a friend): a case of DPNs from the 1930's in sizes 1.0/1.25/1.35/1.50/1.75/2.0/2.25/2.5 mm. 😊
Oh wow..some historic knitting needles. Am kinda jealous. Have been looking for a nice set for ages..but difficult to come by (at least if you prefer them not all rusted up :P)
@@NimbleNeedles, my friend bought them in a local antique store. No rust on them at all (they don't rust), even the leather case is in a very good condition. Similar in shape to the Addi's Colibri- one end is sharper (not as sharp as modern needles) the other one is blunt. I knit with my own hand-spun wool and they are perfect for the job.
@@jvnd2785 well...occasionally I see some antique needles on ebay...but they often are all..well motley? dunno if it'S rust...but well. You spin yourself? wow..i never found the time to that as well >.
@@NimbleNeedles, most discoloured metal needles should be fine to restore...so it may be worth to try and get some. Vinegar/oil combo and fine sandpaper should do the trick :-) I am a spinner first and a knitter second. I do spinning as part of my business, tablet weaving and rigid heddle weaving for large pieces but really wanted to learn how to make socks some years ago. Now I cannot stop spinning and knitting 😂 I really like how portable knitting is (I mostly knit while commuting/walking).
I loved the drift wood needles. I don't know how they might be when worked with, but how amazing it must be to see them when you open your tool box and there they are, all pretty and ..wood-like. 🙀
I have the Lykke interchangeable needles and as a beginner I LOVED them because they are actually a bit grippy so your yarn doesn’t slide around so much. But now I am better at knitting I find myself preferring metal because I want to knit faster aha and like to be able to slide my stitches around easier. They’re beautiful though😭 I still don’t have any dpns and idk if maybe the grippiness would be good for beginning to knit with dpns…
Norman, this a wonderful video. In my many, many decades, I have tried all the needles you show here and some more. There are a few things I disagree with you about, all pertaining to sensation while knitting. ChiaoGoo needles are terribly heavy, enough that even size 2,5mm hurt my wrists. The tip on the Karbons has a transition that is quite noticeable, as does the band on Lykke. I have come to use only HyiaHyias and Zings.
@@stephaniepickert3474 Thank you. I still watch reruns of Keeping Up Appearances. We all strive to fit in, to be valued and she epitomizes, for me, that yearning. Plus she makes me laugh!
I really like listening to your explanations, you talk with so much care and knowledge, thank you. When I first bought the colourful hollow colibri sets of 5 they were lovely but they do bend quite quickly. The lovely steel tipped karbonz are amazing. I went down to a 2.25 when knitting regia 4 ply socks and they are super as they are indestructible and bamboo small needles break so quickly. I still use bamboo but may eventually go over to karbonz in 3mm and 3.5 (when Santa comes) for socks and baby clothes.
Hi I am a new subscriber, so glad I found your videos. I think this is the best review I've seen regarding double pointed needles. I love that you give all the pros and cons, everyone has their own personal preferences, so this is soooo helpful. : ) Thank you
I read about the Signature Needle Arts needles have microscopic ridges that slightly grip the yarn, that produces the sound. I have a number of them including the discontinued smaller one. One good thing, is you can buy one to replace a missing one.
I learned to knit in the round with aluminum dpns from the craft store, and then I upgraded my most used sizes to Knitterspride Zing. I really like how easy the stitches are to pick up and glide on. The Zing's and the aluminum ones are both slippery. I also like to use the bamboo dpns because they aren't as slippery.
Thanks for all the information on dpns. I prefer hardwood. I have arthritis and they work best for me. I like my knit picks mosaics, but would like to find a smoother one.
Great review..I love everything Prym...the shape doesn't seem to matter because your yarn is over it anyway..its that little tip and your needles stay put.😁
Prym’s everything are my current favorites, too. The “bulb” near the tip of the needle makes knitting so easy. What a marvelous and strange looking invention ! 🤣
That's my view of it as well. I mean..all these cubic products etc... I am always wondering: why? I mean...the yarn makes it "round" anyway..but the tips and the weight of a needle are very important.
@@prismspectrum1600 the bulb keeps yarn from splitting but the needle shape keeps them from slipping.The bulb is small and your stitches will still come off the end like any other..I don't knit on my needle tips but try a set..I like them.
Hiya Hiya with the blunter tip is amazing! Definitely my favorites. I’m knitting with Signature right as I watch this and they are nice but the stiletto tip is almost too sharp for me. Loved this video!
yeah...those tips are sharp and I feel with some projects its just perfect and with some..i mean if you have a dk yarn or other heavily plied yarns..then you tend to split the yarn constantly and that drives me insanse ^^
I love knitting, it's my favorite hobby. Unfortunately, I have been struggling with pain in my hands and joints all my life. There are better and worse days. For me, slippery needles and actually carbon prym ones with a tear-shaped tip are good for me. I would like them to produce metal needles with a tip shaped like carbon prym. Still, my favorites are chiaogoo and lykke, followed by carbon prym.
I never knew about carbon as a needle material. I love to knit socks so I'm going to buy a pair of circular carbon needles. Thanks for informing about these types of needle
Ah, are you the consumer reports for knitting needles. I just finished the sets video and had to split it into two sections. I decided to learn how to knit socks and have wandered into the world of small needle sizes.
I typically use Pony bamboo needles. I like how they feel in the hand, they're pretty readily available in the UK, and I'm definitely a little prone to dropping stitches.
Right now, I’m thinking about getting a set of the Knitter’s Pride DPN set (maybe ginger). I like hardwood needles but bamboo are to slow and metal is too slick for me. I find the hardwood needles the best for me. May test a set of the Karbonz out, they look interesting to me. Thanks for the great video!!
Thank you for this video! I'm a new knitter and fell in love with Lana Grossa's brass needles and was looking for similar ones. Knit Pro Karbonz and Nova seem like the right fit for me! :)
I use needles for 3 weight yarn and less. I have an issue with the small needles bending especially since I knit tightly. My favourite size needles are 3.5mm and less. I hate plastic needles. I just don’t like the feeling in my hands. I do like hard wood needles. I have an issue with the needles where the rod and tip are in 2 different materials or pieces. I knit with small needles and yarn. I will watch this video again to decide which ones would fit my needs/budget best. I appreciate that you include the most expensive items in your video even though it is not likely I could buy them - I enjoy hearing about them. Thank you. I tried the DpJ with the bendable centers. I hate them. They cramped up my fingers terribly. Very uncomfortable.
Thank you for a very comprehensive assessment of various brands of and materials in DPNs. My favorites are Signature (#1) for starting my TAAT cuff-down sock before transferring to ML. Next favorite are Karbonz (#4-8). Bamboos are generally the worst for me unless I am working with a slippery yarn. I am not a fan of the small size Lykke DPNs.
I love the Chiaogoos precisely because of the slight resistance; I much prefer metal needles but I'm a pretty loose knitter so I always lose one (or more!) at some point using chrome-plated DPNs like Nova Platina. Wood and bamboo and I don't get along unless I'm knitting with silk or linen. I like the Chiaogoo tips as I rarely knit complex lace on DPNs so the taper and point don't bother me/if anything are a bonus compared to some others. I also quite like the Karbonz but I have gotten burned once with the join between the body and tip separating in the middle of the project and without a spare needle to rotate in. I also wish they were just a HAIR sharper, but I love how light they are. I've never found 1.25 or 1.0mm DPNs I like, though, and I do a lot of bead/beaded knitting so I have use for them. I don't like carbon fiber tips on the Karbonz and my tiny Addi DPNs are SO LONG and actually rather blunt. I can't recall if my Addis bottom out at 1.25 or 1.0mm but I've definitely used the 1.0 Karbonz.
yeah, i too fish those karbonz tips were a bit sharper. But...at the end of the day i churned through so many metal needles that I decided to live with it. It's always a bit of a compromise, I guess. And those 1mm karbonz...well...yeah they are a tough product but as you said..dont have a lot of choices. Chiaogoo has fixed circulars that are somewhat nice.
My favourite knitting needles for knitting socks are the crasy Trios and my favourite circular knitting needles are from KnitPro and i am either using some metal needles and I think they are working really good
If wonder if the little hole in the KP Royale needles is for dragging a lifeline through your knitting? Thank you for this review, Norman. I learned a lot! My go-to DPNs seem to be ChiaoGoo or Takumi bamboo needles.
no...that was my initial thought as well but it doesn't go all the way through! Besides....i am not sure how practical a lifetime hole for knitting in the round would be..you'd have to reinsert it with every needle switch.
My go to needles tend to be knitters pride zings for fairly plain to lightly patterned socks. If I've got yarn that I'm fighting a little (slippy, splitty, etc) then I switch to knitpicks sunstruck (similar to dreamz). Then chiaogoo for more involved patterning, although I just got some addi flexi flips and I'm putting them through their paces now too.
All my favourite DPNs are vintage ones from my mother or the ones I bought at the second hand store. I can't seem to find any brand similar to them and I'm really sad about it.
Many years ago, I bought several sets of dpns from a German company called Susanne's. They are made of ebony, and they have the perfect combination of length, friction, flex, and tip shape for me. I like my needles to be longer, with a bit of grip and points that are not too sharp. Anyway, a few of my 2.5 mm needles have broken, and I don't think Susanne's are made any more. Fortunately, I bought 2 6-needle sets of the 2.5 size, so I still have plenty, but it will be sad when more of them break.
@@NimbleNeedles I was afraid of that. The needles were made from leftover ebony wood used to make pianos. The needles were rather expensive - about US $15 for a set, not US$65!!! Worth the expense to me. I am sorry they are no longer made.
![The secrets to getting gauge and knitting perfect swatches [5 common mistakes]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/ntK-ICmol2E/mqdefault.jpg)
![Hiya hiya knitting needle review - Are these the sharpest needles? [2023]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/BIMSAZa2N9I/mqdefault.jpg)
My favorite dpns are actually from a thrift store. My mom, who's not a knitter, found a set of 8 dpns for 50¢ and took a chance that I might want them. They're steel(?), size US 0, and 8" long, with very sharp points and a very short taper, and they don't bend out of shape at all. There are a few spots of discoloration, but they're not noticeable at all when knitting. They might be longer than some people like, but I prefer the length because with the way I hold my needles, the right one touches my forearm and keeps my wrist in line, while the left one extends past my hand, allowing my left wrist to do most of the manipulation. I have no clue what brand they are, or even how old they are, but I'm treating them gently because I want them to last a lifetime. They've stood up to seven pairs of socks so far with no changes, so I have high hopes!
Well done your mom! If they are grey, they’re most likely Sullivans. If they’re Sullivans and silky smooth with a short taper, they’re pre 2000. Have no fear of them getting damaged, I have a couple of dozen sets of various sizes and mine are from the 60’s & 70’s and still perfect. I love the length for the same reasons you do. Don’t try to remove the discolouration as you may damage the slick surface and then your yarn will snag. Some of mine have the grey worn off at the tips but they still slip that yarn beautifully.
Make sure to comment with your favorite dpns or the one you want to buy. Mine are the Knitter's Pride Karbonz - for all projects below 3mm. If you want to see more pictures and macro shots, check out the view on my blog: nimble-needles.com/wool-and-tools/the-best-double-pointed-knitting-needles/
I loved this detailed explanation of the DPN's.
@@MagnificentMurphy glad to hear that!
I prefer knitters pride and the lykke
Great video, Norman! I really appreciate the close pictures of the tips (that took a lot of time, I'm sure), and your summary at the end that gives an idea of good uses for the different needles is super helpful. Your point that many small DPNs will eventually bend or break is good to note. When I snap my wood needles, I file down the broken ends (use a pencil sharpener, some sandpaper, or a nail file), and I turn them into two small needles. They come in handy as a cable needle, or for picking up dropped stitches, fixing tension, etc.
that's an excellent tip, Mae. I was thinking of including that..a lot of ppl use those nail polishing thingies to remove splints as well.
That is a marvelous idea! I have some dirt cheap bamboo needles that I could never stand to use because they destroy every yarn that they touch, because they were never finished as they should be. I may just cut them all down to use as extra stitch holders, if not for myself, then to give to another knitter, because they are absolutely useless as they are.
You are way to advanced for me right now, lol I'm just starting, but man I LOVE WATCHING YOU! Lol I love it voice and your sooo full of great knowledge.
Heh! Well, no worries. I always try to mix in stuff more suitable for beginners as well. But glad you love watching me anyway!
Thank you so much for including details like sensory experience; transition smoothness on the needles and the sound of using them. These things can stress me out in my knitting experience and I haven't seen another knitter ever mention it before. This video has helped me so much! Thank you as always for the amazing videos you make, Norman!
same here, so I guess that is why I mentioned it!
I purchased the Knitter’s Pride Karbonz needles after seeing them on your blog and I love them! They are my favorite DPNs for sock knitting. I also like their metal DPNs in larger sizes, they are so smooth to knit on. Time to cast on a new sock…
same here. It's the dpns I have been waiting for all my life...okay..the tips could be a bit sharper but that's criticizing on a very high level.
Never thought I'd switch from bamboo to metal for sock knitting, but my online yarn store had a special on DPNs. I read up on the pros and cons of those on offer, and selected a set of 2.25 KnitPro Zings, just to test drive them. I LOVE them.
Colorful, not slippery (though more so than bamboo), nice points (though, as a tight knitter, I do prefer the super-sharp, finger-bleeding point you get on bamboo needles), each size is a different color, and each needle is clearly stamped with its size.
When you think about it, our ancestors had centuries of doing needlework with all sorts of woods and other natural materials for needles, but when manmade materials were made available, they switched over and never looked back. Maybe Grandma knew best, after all!
Such a comprehensive review of DPN knitting needles and you brought out some points I never even considered, like the sound a needle makes. I upgraded from bamboo to wooden needles made by KnitPicks. They were a reasonable price, you can get them in different colors. I opted for Sunstruck, which is a light brown natural wood color because I felt that most yarns, particularly dark yarns, would be easier to see the stitches on the needle. The set includes 6 sizes from 2.0mm to 3.25mm and they give you 6 needles for each size, which is nice in case a needle breaks. Thanks for all of your videos, they are all so well done.
yeah, for people like me, noise is a very important part and the reason why some needles just gross me out!
Thank you so much! As a new knitter, I didn't know that there was that big of a difference between dpns. I'm really excited to get to the craft store now!
Heh! Well, the difference are, at the end of the day, not thaaaat big. But often, you spend hours and hours with a tool, so even minute details can matter over time.
Thank you for this. I started knitting lace socks recently and I was struggling with my hardwood DPNs. Ordered a set of Hiya Hiya. I’ll wait for them to arrive before starting the 2nd of the pair I’m knitting now.
As a new knitter I am so grateful for these videos! I am currently using knitpro dpn's and I have been looking for a decent set of dpn's so I will definitely be listening to everything in this video to help me form my own decisions. Thank you very much. (Kelly from Auckland, New Zealand)
glad to hear that. and make sure to comment if you have any further questions. I tried to squeeze in as much as possible but well..didn't want it to end up 2hours either :P
It's like you knew I needed to find some decent double pointed needles.
I got spies everywhere...haha..joking of course. Happy to hear my video came at the right time!
@@NimbleNeedles it certainly did!
@@kneedeepinstitchespodcast9942 O, yes, just right and amazing!
Thanks for your honesty. It is always a pleasure to get your take on knitting and the equipment to be used.
Any time! Happy to hear you like my videos and my honesty!
I have learned so much watching your videos, thank you! I taught myself to knit on a pair of disposable chopsticks at first so it was fun to see what kind of technology is out there for needles. By the way, when you rubbed the Signature needles together and it made that chirping sound, my soul left my body! If I heard that while I was working I would yeet those needles right out the window, even if they cost me $67. Thank you for the video!
I'm hyper sensitive myself. So, some needles are not for me either 😅
havent watched your video yet but just a few hours ago i was browsing DPNs lmao great timing because i love your videos!
you know, how when you click on something online and then ads keep chasing you all around the internet. This is the advanced knitters version of it. haha. (joking ofc!)
I agree with you that wood needles feel warmer. That is one thing I truly love about them; the elemental feel of the wood. My personal preference for don's are Dreamz by Knitters Pride above size 3 and my Symphonie needles also by Knitters Pride. (I think they're Knitter's Pride. It's been a while since I looked. I apologize if I am wrong.) I agree with you every knitter needs o find what they like in needles, how each needle works with each kind of fiber in etc. It was fun to discover my tastes and preferences. Thank you for another great video. Have a Wonderful Day!
have a wonderful day as well jill. And I concur...there's something special about knitting with wood. Tho..usually too slow for my tastes :(
Thanks,,I was shopping online last night for a set of DPN's,even had some in my cart. I ended up not buying anything,and I'm so glad I waited. Now,on to the video~!!😄🥢🧶
oh wow. what a great coincidence! hope this video will be able to help you a bit along!
@@NimbleNeedles What a wonderful,comprehensive video,thank you~!! Best vid I've seen about needles in general. I've never used dpn's before,they kind of intimidate me lol. But it's time I learned!
In general,my favorites are HiyaHiya and I have their interchangeable circular set. But the Lykke......ohhhh.....they are so beautiful,and that's an important part of the knitting experience for me,to the point I'll sacrifice practicality for beauty. Same with the sound a needle makes......
As for the one set with the little hole in the tip,could that possibly be for threading a lifeline?
Again,thanks for this,you did a great job~and I'm so glad I never hit the "buy now" button last night!😂
@@vivienneclarke2421 oh i feel you. I kind of want to surround myself with beautiful objects as well. Knitting is a bit like a ceremony for me, lol.
@@vivienneclarke2421 no...not a lifeline hole. It doesn'T go all the way through ;-)
@@NimbleNeedles Me too~!!😄
For sock knitting I love my 6 inch Zings. Thanks for sharing the other options with us.
Thanks for watching!
My very first set was an Addi Premium 3mm. I knitted a hat with them as my very first project ever. Later I used them for socks and gloves. They were a bit finicky with the fingers but I was like, hey, you're a poor uni student, you knit with what you have. Nowadays I rarely knit with DPNs, I just hate that I have to change needles every now and then xD So I knit with those small sock-circulars you've mentioned in the end of your video.
Very big thank you for this video! I was always quite much worried when I bent one of my needles, so you got my peace of mind back. Also thank you for encouraging us to write comments - there are some good tips down here, too!
yeah, that was my intention because hey..I can only share my experience and that's always going to be a bit slanted no matter how objective I try to be. Loving all the comments so far.
I'm a huge fan of Zing DPNs, with their color coding, and I feel the join between tip and shaft is smoother than it is on Karbonz. For some projects and yarns I still want wood or bamboo. Dreamz are beautiful and a pleasure to work with, but I have to say I love the ChiaoGoo Patina fixed circular needle that actually SWIVELS on the cord! Such a fantastic feature for such a reasonable price, especially for a tight knitter like me. My only other needles that swivel like that are my Tulip bamboo interchangeables from Japan, and that set was expensive. I'm on the lookout now for anyone making circular needles that swivel on their cords, because that was a genius idea. Thanks for the very good overview.
the Knitters Pride needles also offer swivel cords. The mindfull cords or the latern moon both have swivel.
Clove Takumi also makes bamboo fixed circular needles that swivel :)
I have two "brands" of dpns: a chinese stainless steel 8" set that I got on the cheep through Amazon. I got these because I was having little fun using either interchangeable or fixed circulars for sock (I'm new to knitting beyond the occasional wash cloth -- never had a garment slipped my straight needles). So my first two pairs of socks were on these 8" ss dpns, in worsted weight because it turns out that knitting with thin yarn is 10x more difficult for me than doing crochet lace work in #30 cotton thread. Talk about humbling. Unfortunately, on the cheep meant a size range that could not accomadate my expanding skill set in knitting. In the mean time, I bought Addi interchangeable circulars in the rocket² which I love and added some fixed curculars in sizes down to 2mm, because it seems no one makes interchangeables below a 3mm. I also bought chiaogoo fixed circulars in the 2mm - 3mm/3.5 m. Range. But I missed working socks on dpns and after much consideration of price, material and glide, I bought the sock dpns by Knit Picks , 4" Mossic Wood Set and I really like them. They grip the yarn best for working in the round. They're short enough to more easily juggle. And they are not like the bamboo that I do not care for (a friend gifted me her used set of Lykke's and the cables are stiff and the bamboo is too grippy.) So, I've set upon my present favorites of the various styles of needles. I don't even use the straight needles I have because circulars are very versitile and can be used for flat work.
So to sum it up, I love my 2mm - 3.5mm Knit Picks wooden mosaics dpns. The price was right and the size is perfect for my small hands. If I end up needing to knit socks for Paul Bunyan or the cyclops, I've got my 8" stainless steel needles. 😅
I appreciate your videos and teaching style so much. I started knitting my first hat and have been fighting to get the circular needles to work on the decrease. After watching this video and your very helpful how to knit with dpns, I am confident that I will be able to finish this project without further frustration. Your teaching style is so clear and honest - Thank You So Much!!!!
awww...thank you so much Ani!
I know this video has been out awhile but as a knitting beginner I still found it very informative. I learned the hard way how brittle the Lykke needles can be when I tried to knit a prototype sock (my first sock project!) on 3.25mm needles. I was about half way through when my needle broke! You can imagine the wave of panic!!!
When you get into a flow with a project and have it stopped abruptly by something like a broken needle…..the wait to get new needles was abysmal 😂 My local yarn store told me that Lykke has some kind of warranty-they’ll replace your needle if it breaks, apparently. Personally I think I would never find the time to ship out a broken needle and wait to receive a new one. I’m too impatient…>___>
I recently started my first hat on a pair of chiao goo bamboo needles. I will say I have noticed they seem to knit more slowly than the driftwood needles…Not my favorite.
I am intrigued by the Karbonz needles. They were certainly highly regarded by the staff at my local yarn store. I really am partial to non-synthetic materials, however the vetted durability makes them tempting. Thank you for making this detailed review, and I look forward to watching your other review videos!
do try them out, please. I reaaaly like the Karbonz and they feel very similar to the hardwood needles.
My favourites at the moment are a set of 4 sizes in one pack....Susan Bates, if I remember correctly. The other favourite is a set of 5 mis-matched odd ones that I put together in an emergency. They're not even the same length!! As for the brand? Not a clue. Best needles I ever used!!❤❤❤
I have a really old set of Susan Bates aluminum US size 7 DPNs and what I love about them is they are 7" long, perfect for sleeves. They may be cheaper but they're still really good.
Thank you for this video. The Karbonz are by far my favorite. I am a fast knitter and these are perfect for me. I love the points and the yarn glides easily while knitting. I highly recommend them. I am like you and have a huge assortment of various brands but always come back to the Karbonz for knitting socks.
same here. Thx for sharing your favorites with the community!
Hello Norman
I love all your videos and how perfect your stitches are, to me you one of the best knitters on RUclips.
I love to knit with dpn and I am having hard time to find the larger sizes, because I knit my hat using double pointed needles, I did found one set, it is made with alloy steel, and I am concerned about how heavy they may be, or rust on the metal.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience
they shouldn't rust. I mean, without a name I can't tell. 100 year ago needles still did rust but not these days anymore - at least not to my knowledge. And even if they are not hollow they probably still will not be all that heavy.
Thanks for such a great video. This was really helpful, because I really need some new double pointed needles. Right now I am still using the cheap Boye and Clover aluminum needles I picked up at the local big box craft store. Most of the time I'm a Chiaogoo fan girl, but I knit so many lace and cable stitches in my socks, I think I might prefer the sharper tips of the Hiya-Hiya needles. Thanks so much for giving all the positive and negative qualities of all the needles!
Glad you found my video helpful. And yeah..for an outright lace knitter, I would recommend the hiyahiya. I love them for lace work.
My DPNs are mostly from a thrift store…they’re old but in perfect condition. It was an exciting find which cost me 50 cents a pair. I bought every size I could find!
ha! lucky girl! nothing beats the feeling of striking a nice bargain!
I just started knitting, I’m working on my first pair of socks and you have made knitting so approachable and easy to understand. As a crocheter of 20+ years I never thought I’d be a knitter. Thank you so much for all your lovely videos!
One thing, you mentioned that all bamboo needles are basically the same, I have Takumi and Chiaogoo dpns and the Chiaogoo are much sharper but with a shorter taper than the takumi. They're both cheap enough for people to try both, but I definitely prefer the chiaogoo already and I JUST started. So, I agree that everyone has to try them and see what they like! I had no idea there were so many types
Definitely, there are differences.but I feel that most bamboo needles are like neighbors, while the rest is world's apart. Then again, maybe that's just my own bias as I typically can't stand bamboo, haha
@@NimbleNeedles I just bought my first set of Karbonz thanks to your video and it's the first non-bamboo and non-aluminum needle I've used and omg. I see what you mean. Totally worlds apart. I love them so much!
This was an in-depth review of a large variety of DPNs available on the market. Thanks for the detailed review, showing a large variety of needles and also listing the pros and cons of the various materials and brands.
At 24:12, who else was expecting a video on how to knit with raw eggs? 😂😂😂😂😂😂
Another great video, Norman.
hahaha...well..i'm not sure that's possible. But i'Ve seen someone knitting with ramen noodles
@@NimbleNeedles I think I saw the same video of the Chinese man whose knitting is out of this world. His posture was something to admire as well.
I love your thorough videos. I keep coming back to your channel when I need info!
Thank you Norman! I have the Chiagoo set and the Knitters Pride Zing DPN set and love them both. I also have a box of Susan Bates needles that started me on my DPN mitten knitting journey WAY back in the day...and I still reach for those when I knit mittens. SOOO many choices these days.
indeed. Back when I started they sold 2 kind of dpns at the craft store and the internet was no thing...now it's like 300 different choices !
Excellent segment! I've tried a number of different needles...spent a lot of money. Today, I use wooden needles...some are square/cube shape. Speed is not my strong suit, but accuracy to be best of my ability is important to me. I wish to tell you that I donated all of my unused/new needles, to incl crochet hooks, to my local yarn store. The owner, who also volunteers as a knitting/crochet instructor at nursing homes, hand them out along with donated yarn to fixed income residences who are interested in learning/relearning the craft. My money is not wasted! Thanks so much for this great segment!
I was thinking of running a giveaway or so with all my unused items as well. But problem are the shipping costs >.
@@NimbleNeedles Morning, Norman! I understand! My opinion...and maybe this will help. If you were to gift me or I were to purchase something from you, I would bear the cost of shipment. We would need an understanding of USA to Germany/Germany to USA currency/exchange. If we were to just swap needles, we both would share the shipment cost. This was an example...however, you have followers worldwide. This understanding would be applicable for all. I hope this helps!
@@darlenefarmer5921 yeah...but lots of stuff I have lying around here is maybe..i dunno 10 USD worth...so if the shipping costs are 15 USD that kind of makes very little sense :)
@@NimbleNeedles Ok...was just offering my thoughts...I've only shipped in the U.S...paying for shipping. Do not know the shipping in foreign countries or international shipping.
I'm really loving the Knitter's Pride Cubics. For circular needles (I know that's not what this video is about) I really like addi's Rocket 2 [squared].
I too like the addi needles a lot..not the biggest fan of the join but the tips are amazing.
I’m still using Aero needles..some were my mothers so they have been in use for over 60 years and are perfect
🥰
I love the Aero crochet hooks❤
There are no better ones.
What a great run-down! Those Prym needles with the funky tips weren't on my radar, but I might have to pick up a pair just to see how they feel. I don't buy anything from KnitPicks/KnittersPride/KnitPro anymore because I've found the production quality to be substandard. My go-to needles are Takumi Clover bamboo needles, but I re-point them with a bit of fine sandpaper as soon as I buy them because the stock tips are irritatingly dull -- but that's the benefit of bamboo needles, you can turn them into custom tips, and they're inexpensive. I wish Susan Bates still made nylon needles, and I love finding them at tag sales and in thrift stores, because they're lightweight, almost silent (Addis are loud by comparison), and have a nice sharp-but-not-too-sharp tip.
I find that interesting to hear because I quite honestly never had any serious issues with them..but maybe there really is a difference between the European and American market.
I guess the closest to vintage DPNs are steel needles of any brand. In Estonian shops such needles are usually the ones made by Pony. Sometimes you need to use some sanding paper to smoothen and clean their tips from metal residue :) Most frequently I use and buy Zing and Karbonz by KnitPro, or Colibri and Lace needles by Addi.
I was getting excited about the Carbonz needles until I watched your video and realized the metal tips are not stainless steel but cheap coated metal. I prefer to stick with SS or wood. I’ve met too many old timer knitters that used aluminum needles and now suffer with arthritic hands. I appreciate your reviews.
just to make sure you understand - coating a tip is more expensive than stainless steel - so it is by no means cheap. Besides there is stainless steal underneath. I totally understand that you may not like it but I would be hesitant to think of it as cheap :)
I have purchased most of my double points from thrift shops (resale shops), so I have been able to try many different types. I like Brittany wooden needles and appreciate that they come in long lengths and large sizes. I do a lot of charity knitting of slippers made with inexpensive acrylic worsted weight yarn held double, and the long wooden needles are helpful for me. I am currently knitting on large plastic Susan Bates DPNs from a thrift store, and they are just perfect for the job and were very, very cheap! Great video!
Hi, dear! The more I listened to you the more I was thrilled: you spoke as if you were my mouth in your thoughts of Chiaogoo and HiyaHiya. The Colibri I like, too, but I always have to look which side I need. To see this I'd prefer to get Colibris which have the fine long sharp tips at both sides. But they end up being aluminium so I only got 2 sets and it's enough. Addi made by steel I like a lot. KP are so much, I like Karbons if found a perfect set but often I had to return them and order another set. The little cinc must be perfect cause it disturbs sometimes, but mostly not. Although I mostly knit with cabled needles I sometimes like to knit with DPNs again just to have a difference in knitting which I like. Nova platina I nearly love, but the tips aren't so long that I liked them so much, I prefer KP Synfonies and HiyaHiya ar well, depending on what I want in hand and for my project.I'm always impressed how smooth they are AND Iove the possibility to sharpen the tips if I have to (rough pars or I stuck of them too hard>my fault< and to trim them as I want. HiyaHiya I use most of the time and I end up with KP Synfonies over&over again. At the end I stay using my HiyaHiya - and Chiaogoo interchangeables cause with theese I never have to look for any ladder. I knit without ladders but I don't want to care 4 times a round to prevent ladders. Don't know why but with magic loop I never have to although twice a round I use another needle. Don't know why, how often I try to find it out. Signatures: aluminium is aluminium, they're so expensive and I hate the ongoing high sound of the needles all around if aluminium, I don't know why! They in my eyes aren't worth it, sorry. Light, long taper, slicky, but I smell the aluminium while knitting and my hands feel…not so good as they do with wooden needles and , of course, with the for me wonderful surgerysteel of HiyaHiya and Chiaogoo. They're my favs, tog.with synfonies sometimes. Btw: I use, with a light dremeled adapter, the S and Minicables of Chiaogoo for HiyaHiya, too. I never miss the swirl around cause the cables are so slim and care themselves that nothing winds wrong direction. This for me is better than the turn around - cables of HH, cause with soft and small , tiny yarn it hangs at the connection cable-joint sometimes. That's hard if you can't go on or back after having knit half a soft lace shawl or triangl of 1,70m width and suddenly you must cut the yarn, ribb off some and then hard must come to the right row you must go on. Using these cables I've to use a lifeline, if I use CG-cables for HH as well as with CG I never have to cause the yarn never hangs. That's more than only DPN, it tells you why I most of the time don't use DPN's since I bought the dramful sets of CG and the interchangeable hogks, too, with the HiyaHiya to mix like I want. Sometimes I use wat my left hand a CG and to hve a sharp, sharp sharp tip at the right hand I use a HiyaHiya needle for some seldom special projects. I knit since 44 years and am a teacher in knitting, but only for small groups up to 4 pple. Often it's one and then it's so sweet intensive and familiar. I don't live from that, I was a nurse, now ret. cause disabled and in wheelchair since ca 6 years. Thanks for your wonderful video! Be blessed!
Thx for your very elaborate comment and for sharing your experience and your story. I am sure other knitters will find it invaluable!
PS: I too have mixed feelings about the Signature needle arts dpns. I like the way they knit..but the sound puts me off like nothing else. lol
@@NimbleNeedles Yes, I get nervous and disturbed. Knitting is for me: to be free, 100% with me, no need, just a good break and same time making a beloved fabric. This I need so much, my pain is on a high level daily + I don't want to give up a thing that helps me and is fun, too. Love all the young pupils who ask for help in the last year. So many…perhaps cause of lockdown… I help where I can. Thank you to find my answer helpful. Grooms my soul. :)
I have a complete set of Knitter’s Pride Dreamz and a several sizes in Zings absolutely love them both ! I love your videos Norman ❤️.
That is awesome! thank you Katherine!
Best explained videos on knitting. Period. Love them all! Thank you, Norman. Where did you learn English so well?
i dunno...everywhere and nowhere I guess. I'm all over the place. My relatives live in Upstate New York, my reading preferences made me read exclusively in English from a very young age, friends, work all that :P
Thanks for such a comprehensive review! While I’m not new to knitting with DPN’s, I’m not very experienced either. I mostly use them for finishing the top of hats. When I first started buying nicer needles I bought a lot of Knitters Pride Nova Platina because they are so slick and smooth. I bought a bunch of their dpns in bigger sizes and didn’t really find a use for them. Now that I am knitting socks I definitely prefer the bamboo or wood because of the drag and my inexperience. I have much more control. But like you said at the end of the video, I won’t count them out and will try them again when I feel ready. I also like the shorter ones too. I have a few sets in the Dreamz. Now onto you video on how to knit with dpns! Thanks for another great tutorial!
yeah..a lot of knitters prefer wooden needles for their socks. And there really is nothing wrong with what!
I’ve taught myself Magic Loop and am currently using 9 inch circulars. DPN’s here we come!🤗
Hi Norman , I haven’t worked on dpns for awhile but things come back very quickly. Love the video so simple to follow. I always use bamboo to do first two rows because to be honest I’m clumsy when it comes to the first two rows. Than I switch to my hiya hiya. My German grandmother always yelled at me to tighten on the first two stitches so thanks for the reminder. Thank you again
My default for small circumferences in the round is two circulars or magic loop. That being said, I bought a sent of the Knitter's Pride Zing DPNs. The sock set of six sizes from 00 to 3 cost me about $35. I tried knitting a toe up sock in these and quickly returned to my default. I started a new pair of self-striping socks. My two circulars are the Hiya Hiya and chiaogoo in size 1.5. The HiyaHiya is dangerously sharp, and the knitting is just round and round stockinette. I injured myself too many times. I switched over to the Zing DPNs. I’m really pleased. Yes, the tip is weird, but the taper is fine. I won’t be losing any blood with them, and my stitches stay put on the brushed aluminum. I wanted to go into my anti-Signature rant here, but it’s more appropriate for an interchangeable post.
I love Zing . Started with them first socks. Love to use them and they are light but small sizes bend easy. Bought the long needles and short needles in a beautyfull case. Even with the short ones there are also 3 cables and stoppers in the casing. Addi trio love to use them for socks. Knit pro wood ones I started with Tunesian Crochet of them and i have the needles I most use and cables I can use even on the Zing ones. Addi has click on but the weight is large. For long projects prefere light ones.
Another Masterclass! Thank you !
My pleasure, Angela!
Thank you for this comprehensive video, especially the close ups on the tips and covering warmth, lightness and bendability of each brand. Well done!
Would you please review wooden interchangeable needles; I have been researching but haven't come to a definitive decision yet and your opinion would be welcome.
I don't think I will have the time or funds to do that anytime soon.
@@NimbleNeedlesThat's fine, thanks for responding!
I know this is an older video but I felt the need to comment. I'm pretty forgiving when it comes to larger diameter needles. I'll use whatever I have of those. Not that I use larger DPNs much. But for smaller diameter needles, as in less than 3mm, I prefer metal needles. I like them slick and sharp too for fast knitting, but what seems to matter more to me is the length of the needles.
My favourite set has been a slippery metal vintage set that are 5 inches long, just over 12cm. Like most old sets they came as a set of four, which was fine despite liking the 5 needles sets these days and wishing I had one more. Using a substitute just doesn't sit comfortably used with the rest. I have only had access to 20cm needles so far with the same smooth flow and tip, which I've found awkwardly long for me to slip around on, but 2.25mm seems harder to find. The 15cm length needles I tried had those horrible sawn off tips that you fairly described as squared off. Plus I still found them a little bit long compared to my vintage set.
Unfortunately I've now gone and lost one and only have 3. Likely I dropped or left behind my working needle somewhere while I was out. Do you think I can find a similar set? Not yet. I just want a set of the one size. Would you have any type in mind that I might like to search out that have a slippery short length with good tips?
Hmmm...not really..I mean, there are some 4inch products on the market..but those are typically not coated steel. Only knitters pride comes to mind. They even have 4 inch needle tips
Thank You, Norman for your videos. I hardly ever watch youtube and never comment, but.......... I've been knitting for close to 50 years; I dye some of my sock yarn and usually have 25 pairs of socks going at a time - knitting two of the same in a row is creatively boring to me, so I'm spacing the second sock out a bit....... My fastest needles are still the heavy steel needles I inherited from both of my German Grandmothers, but I'm fine with any metal needles, as long as they're 2,5mm or smaller. However, I have recently tried 20cm double pointed needles from Temu (darf ich das hier sagen?) for about $1.25 per set of 5. I was skeptical, but very surprised on how well they're holding up - they actually are quite fast and my go-to needles now. This might be a good option for novice knitters who want to try metal dpns but not spend a fortune. So, unless you're after that extra millisecond of speed, I venture to say that it's your skill and experience more than what needles you use (except of course, bamboo, which are not really an option under 3mm). And as far as bent needles go - I own several, and they're still OK to knit with unless they look like a pretzel......
hm....here's the thing. I was considering to review some needles from Temu and I actually think some of them will be quite good. After all, ChiaoGoo and HiyaHiya are produced in China as well. So why would there be a difference, really.
That being said, the company as a whole has...very dubious business practises...so i would never ever recommend them here in public. They literally send me an email daily asking me to promote their products - despite me saying no.
Love signature needles - good story - i’ve broken two of their size 1 circulars doing socks. THEY REPLACED BOTH TIMES at no charge to me!❤❤❤❤❤❤
Norman, my husband says I have a crush on you, silly man, I DO watch and rewatch. I learned knitting socks it’s hard to describe each one’s wants or needs. I love DPNs but I prefer the shorter DPNs I knit too tight so I snap the bamboo ones , I am hoping to learn from this video. Thank you for being you and sharing with me.
haha...tell him he can rest assured that I am currently not "on the market" ;-)
My first knitting needles were made by Me. So, it was very comfortable to handle. But, now I have so many in steel, plastic and wood. And a very interesting on made of Buffalo bone. Tha were a gift.
buffalo bone? interesting indeed. but in ages past, needles where often made out of bone - tho typically whale bone or ivory.
@@NimbleNeedles Yes, but these are usually rare. Oh and I forgot to Thank you for your Wonderful episodes they just Marvelous.
Thank You Norman.🥰
시그니처니들아트 고민하고 있었는데 많은 도움이 됐어요.~ 살까말까 정말 고민하고 마지막으로 후기보고 결정해야 겠다고 생각했는데 결정에 확실한 도움이 됐어요~ 고마워요~^&^
I have a preference for a certain brand of crochet hooks. So I went with the same for knitting needles. I had no idea there were different lengths of dpns. And I see why sharpness is needed, when working in tight small spaces. I am getting started and only have the basics. Someday......🙂
Thank you so much Norman for all your detailed videos! I always know I can go to this channel to really learn about knitting.
You are so welcome!
Thank you Norman for another great Guide for purchasing needles.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you that is very helpful!
you are very welcome amy!
I love to knit with old-fashioned/vintage needles. Zephr and Aero (coated aluminium), traditional gansey needles (for knitting Gansey jumpers) in 1.5 and 1.75 mm...and my most favourite (a gift from a friend): a case of DPNs from the 1930's in sizes 1.0/1.25/1.35/1.50/1.75/2.0/2.25/2.5 mm. 😊
Oh wow..some historic knitting needles. Am kinda jealous. Have been looking for a nice set for ages..but difficult to come by (at least if you prefer them not all rusted up :P)
@@NimbleNeedles, my friend bought them in a local antique store. No rust on them at all (they don't rust), even the leather case is in a very good condition. Similar in shape to the Addi's Colibri- one end is sharper (not as sharp as modern needles) the other one is blunt. I knit with my own hand-spun wool and they are perfect for the job.
@@jvnd2785 well...occasionally I see some antique needles on ebay...but they often are all..well motley? dunno if it'S rust...but well. You spin yourself? wow..i never found the time to that as well >.
@@NimbleNeedles, most discoloured metal needles should be fine to restore...so it may be worth to try and get some. Vinegar/oil combo and fine sandpaper should do the trick :-) I am a spinner first and a knitter second. I do spinning as part of my business, tablet weaving and rigid heddle weaving for large pieces but really wanted to learn how to make socks some years ago. Now I cannot stop spinning and knitting 😂 I really like how portable knitting is (I mostly knit while commuting/walking).
@@jvnd2785 just two weeks ago one of my friends got themselves a portable spinning wheel..just saying *smirk*
I loved the drift wood needles. I don't know how they might be when worked with, but how amazing it must be to see them when you open your tool box and there they are, all pretty and ..wood-like. 🙀
I have the Lykke interchangeable needles and as a beginner I LOVED them because they are actually a bit grippy so your yarn doesn’t slide around so much. But now I am better at knitting I find myself preferring metal because I want to knit faster aha and like to be able to slide my stitches around easier. They’re beautiful though😭 I still don’t have any dpns and idk if maybe the grippiness would be good for beginning to knit with dpns…
The driftwood needles are glorious.
Hi I have DPN needless over 20+ years. I like them.
I only ever use knitters pride karbonz and love them 😀
As I said in a previous comment, they are my favorite as well. Just everything I needed.
Norman, this a wonderful video. In my many, many decades, I have tried all the needles you show here and some more. There are a few things I disagree with you about, all pertaining to sensation while knitting. ChiaoGoo needles are terribly heavy, enough that even size 2,5mm hurt my wrists. The tip on the Karbons has a transition that is quite noticeable, as does the band on Lykke. I have come to use only HyiaHyias and Zings.
You are definitely allowed to disagree. Those feelings can vary so much from person to person!
Excellent! Definitely sharing this video with my sock knitting friends. Thank you for doing this .
that would be much appreciated Marlene. Thank you for spreading the word!
The Bouquet residence, lady of the house speaking 😄 Love your photo ❤
@@stephaniepickert3474 Thank you. I still watch reruns of Keeping Up Appearances. We all strive to fit in, to be valued and she epitomizes, for me, that yearning. Plus she makes me laugh!
I really like listening to your explanations, you talk with so much care and knowledge, thank you. When I first bought the colourful hollow colibri sets of 5 they were lovely but they do bend quite quickly. The lovely steel tipped karbonz are amazing. I went down to a 2.25 when knitting regia 4 ply socks and they are super as they are indestructible and bamboo small needles break so quickly. I still use bamboo but may eventually go over to karbonz in 3mm and 3.5 (when Santa comes) for socks and baby clothes.
glad you like my little review and me being so thorough (haha :P).
My favourite dpns are the KnitPro Zings but I love knitting the super small sizes and like you said; there's no way around the Karbonz there.
I totally agree!
Hi I am a new subscriber, so glad I found your videos. I think this is the best review I've seen regarding double pointed needles. I love that you give all the pros and cons, everyone has their own personal preferences, so this is soooo helpful. : ) Thank you
Awesome! Thank you!
Oh how I wish I had seen this review before having bought all of mine! Looking forward to replacing them, thanks to this video!!
Glad I could help Lisa!
I read about the Signature Needle Arts needles have microscopic ridges that slightly grip the yarn, that produces the sound. I have a number of them including the discontinued smaller one. One good thing, is you can buy one to replace a missing one.
well maybe they do that...i dunno...for me it is still highly irrtating even tho I looooove those tips. I feel they are perfection.
I learned to knit in the round with aluminum dpns from the craft store, and then I upgraded my most used sizes to Knitterspride Zing. I really like how easy the stitches are to pick up and glide on. The Zing's and the aluminum ones are both slippery. I also like to use the bamboo dpns because they aren't as slippery.
Same here...learned on aluminum dpns..but grown out of them long ago! :P thx for sharing your preferences with me/us here
I enjoy using my bamboo Takumi DPNs by Clover. They are super affordable, are very smooth, and the tips are just the right sharpness.
Sometimes I sharpen nine with an emery board or some sandpaper. I like the feel. But really, my favs are the KP.
I bought a set of bamboo double pointed needles on ebay (0-10) for less than $15. Work great!!
Thank you for this video. It's really helpful!
I'd like to try the knitter's pride karbonz. And i love the look of the prymm carbone !!
yeah, those certainly look unique! though I personally find them a bit slower to knit and that's why I don't use them anymore :(
Thanks for all the information on dpns. I prefer hardwood. I have arthritis and they work best for me. I like my knit picks mosaics, but would like to find a smoother one.
many do..and nice to hear you found something that works despite your ailment!
Great review..I love everything Prym...the shape doesn't seem to matter because your yarn is over it anyway..its that little tip and your needles stay put.😁
Prym’s everything are my current favorites, too. The “bulb” near the tip of the needle makes knitting so easy. What a marvelous and strange looking invention ! 🤣
That's my view of it as well. I mean..all these cubic products etc... I am always wondering: why? I mean...the yarn makes it "round" anyway..but the tips and the weight of a needle are very important.
G Fitz : Do the Prym “bulb” will help stitches slip less?
@@prismspectrum1600 the bulb keeps yarn from splitting but the needle shape keeps them from slipping.The bulb is small and your stitches will still come off the end like any other..I don't knit on my needle tips but try a set..I like them.
Laurel Stieg : Thank you very much. I am eager to try them. Aw, US Amazon don’t sell dark gray set.
Thank you! I'm learning to knit socks. Your video came out at the right time.
happy to hear that. Have you seen my sock tutorial here on my channel?
@@NimbleNeedles Yes. Great tutorial. Thank you very much!
Hiya Hiya with the blunter tip is amazing! Definitely my favorites. I’m knitting with Signature right as I watch this and they are nice but the stiletto tip is almost too sharp for me. Loved this video!
yeah...those tips are sharp and I feel with some projects its just perfect and with some..i mean if you have a dk yarn or other heavily plied yarns..then you tend to split the yarn constantly and that drives me insanse ^^
My favorite is knit pick. They have best wood DPNs. I still have them
very good in depth review thank you! been looking for some good metal dpns and now i think i've made up my mind thanks to you!
Glad I could help!
I love knitting, it's my favorite hobby. Unfortunately, I have been struggling with pain in my hands and joints all my life. There are better and worse days. For me, slippery needles and actually carbon prym ones with a tear-shaped tip are good for me. I would like them to produce metal needles with a tip shaped like carbon prym. Still, my favorites are chiaogoo and lykke, followed by carbon prym.
I never knew about carbon as a needle material. I love to knit socks so I'm going to buy a pair of circular carbon needles. Thanks for informing about these types of needle
I couldn't live withot them anymore, lol!
Ah, are you the consumer reports for knitting needles. I just finished the sets video and had to split it into two sections. I decided to learn how to knit socks and have wandered into the world of small needle sizes.
heh. Well, I hope i'll find the time to do some more needle reviews next year.
I typically use Pony bamboo needles. I like how they feel in the hand, they're pretty readily available in the UK, and I'm definitely a little prone to dropping stitches.
I ‘grew up’ on Lantern Moon dpn’s for socks so that’s all I’ve used. It might be time to try some others.
Right now, I’m thinking about getting a set of the Knitter’s Pride DPN set (maybe ginger). I like hardwood needles but bamboo are to slow and metal is too slick for me. I find the hardwood needles the best for me. May test a set of the Karbonz out, they look interesting to me. Thanks for the great video!!
The karbonz needles are not very slippery either. So, yeah could be an option. though a lot of the hardwood choices available are quite lovely indeed!
Thank you for this video! I'm a new knitter and fell in love with Lana Grossa's brass needles and was looking for similar ones. Knit Pro Karbonz and Nova seem like the right fit for me! :)
Glad it was helpful Chrys! I too love the karbonz needles
How beautiful are most of those needles!!!😍💗💞💕👏
ha...yeah there are some beauties among them!
Super helpful! Thank you.
glad to hear that Mary! :)
This was perfect for helping me make my decision! Thank you. :)
I use needles for 3 weight yarn and less. I have an issue with the small needles bending especially since I knit tightly. My favourite size needles are 3.5mm and less. I hate plastic needles. I just don’t like the feeling in my hands. I do like hard wood needles. I have an issue with the needles where the rod and tip are in 2 different materials or pieces. I knit with small needles and yarn. I will watch this video again to decide which ones would fit my needs/budget best. I appreciate that you include the most expensive items in your video even though it is not likely I could buy them - I enjoy hearing about them. Thank you.
I tried the DpJ with the bendable centers. I hate them. They cramped up my fingers terribly. Very uncomfortable.
that'S why I like the karbonz needles so much. they never end up crooked.
Thank you for a very comprehensive assessment of various brands of and materials in DPNs. My favorites are Signature (#1) for starting my TAAT cuff-down sock before transferring to ML. Next favorite are Karbonz (#4-8). Bamboos are generally the worst for me unless I am working with a slippery yarn. I am not a fan of the small size Lykke DPNs.
Same here. Think the lykke look awesome but they r not exactly stable in size 2mm 😅
I am with you on your choices. Nothing beats signature for detail work.
I love the Chiaogoos precisely because of the slight resistance; I much prefer metal needles but I'm a pretty loose knitter so I always lose one (or more!) at some point using chrome-plated DPNs like Nova Platina. Wood and bamboo and I don't get along unless I'm knitting with silk or linen. I like the Chiaogoo tips as I rarely knit complex lace on DPNs so the taper and point don't bother me/if anything are a bonus compared to some others.
I also quite like the Karbonz but I have gotten burned once with the join between the body and tip separating in the middle of the project and without a spare needle to rotate in. I also wish they were just a HAIR sharper, but I love how light they are.
I've never found 1.25 or 1.0mm DPNs I like, though, and I do a lot of bead/beaded knitting so I have use for them. I don't like carbon fiber tips on the Karbonz and my tiny Addi DPNs are SO LONG and actually rather blunt. I can't recall if my Addis bottom out at 1.25 or 1.0mm but I've definitely used the 1.0 Karbonz.
yeah, i too fish those karbonz tips were a bit sharper. But...at the end of the day i churned through so many metal needles that I decided to live with it. It's always a bit of a compromise, I guess.
And those 1mm karbonz...well...yeah they are a tough product but as you said..dont have a lot of choices. Chiaogoo has fixed circulars that are somewhat nice.
My favourite knitting needles for knitting socks are the crasy Trios and my favourite circular knitting needles are from KnitPro and i am either using some metal needles and I think they are working really good
I prefer metal needles as well for speed knititng. Just love how the stitches glide through so effortlessly!
If wonder if the little hole in the KP Royale needles is for dragging a lifeline through your knitting? Thank you for this review, Norman. I learned a lot! My go-to DPNs seem to be ChiaoGoo or Takumi bamboo needles.
no...that was my initial thought as well but it doesn't go all the way through! Besides....i am not sure how practical a lifetime hole for knitting in the round would be..you'd have to reinsert it with every needle switch.
My go to needles tend to be knitters pride zings for fairly plain to lightly patterned socks. If I've got yarn that I'm fighting a little (slippy, splitty, etc) then I switch to knitpicks sunstruck (similar to dreamz). Then chiaogoo for more involved patterning, although I just got some addi flexi flips and I'm putting them through their paces now too.
yeah..they got a loooot of different products. couldn't possibly put them all in one video -nor do I own them all :P
All my favourite DPNs are vintage ones from my mother or the ones I bought at the second hand store. I can't seem to find any brand similar to them and I'm really sad about it.
you could upload a picture on ravelry. I am sure people there will be able to idenitfy them!
I love Addi DPNs and circular; second is Knitters Pride! I use these for socks.
Thanks for sharing!!
Many years ago, I bought several sets of dpns from a German company called Susanne's. They are made of ebony, and they have the perfect combination of length, friction, flex, and tip shape for me. I like my needles to be longer, with a bit of grip and points that are not too sharp. Anyway, a few of my 2.5 mm needles have broken, and I don't think Susanne's are made any more. Fortunately, I bought 2 6-needle sets of the 2.5 size, so I still have plenty, but it will be sad when more of them break.
No, I don't think they r. Haven't seen them in any shops here 🤷♂️
@@NimbleNeedles I was afraid of that. The needles were made from leftover ebony wood used to make pianos. The needles were rather expensive - about US $15 for a set, not US$65!!! Worth the expense to me. I am sorry they are no longer made.
@@Zaft_K there is a new brand with ebony needles by a brand called holz + stein
@@NimbleNeedles I will check that out, thank you.
Thanks for the information
My pleasure