Almost all knitters have favorite needles. I use many different brands, for different reasons. If I could have only one brand of needle, it would be ChiaoGoo. they make double points, fixed circular and interchangeable and probably others but those are the ones I’m familiar with. My opinion on needles is just that . . my opinion. Ask ten knitters about their favorite needles and you may well get ten different answers.
Knitting Needles
The needle with the blue cable is NOT ChiaoGoo. The needle with the red cable is ChiaoGoo. No matter how tightly I scrunch up the ChiaoGoo cable, it never develops a memory and always remains pliable. The blue cable needle is the needle I was using in the socks I recently finished. First, the join/connection between the cable and the needle was horribly rough on one needle. I caught myself holding my breath as I slid that end of the needle through the knitted stitches. I kept telling myself “I’m throwing these needles away as soon as I finish this project.” I think that was the third pair of this brand of needles I have thrown away in the past few months because of horribly snaggy joins. I’ve never had a rough ChiaoGoo join.
Needles
No matter how I lay the ChiaoGoo needles, the cables are cooperative. The blue ones . . no!
There are other brands I like. I love the Addie Click needles for interchangeable because they click together and never come undone. There is a little ridge at the join but it’s smooth (not snaggy) and since I’m a loose knitter, I never have a problem with those. A very tight knitter might have a problem with the Addie Click interchangeable joins.
I find that when I’m digging through needles for the right size, the first thing I’m looking for is a red cord. I love those ChiaoGoo needles and have never had a problem with anything about ChiaoGoo. Of course, I’m not affiliated and this is not a paid advertisement – just sharing a product I love.
justquiltin says
I’m with you on the ChiaoGoo – my most favorite. Alas last night I had to toss one. It had a little wire poke through the red cable. Mostly likely my fault – I think it got stuck in a drawer and when I pulled it out I gouged the coating – so sad. But I have already ordered a replacement. I have some of the blue cable kind and I agree – I like them less. And, since I knit on the bus so my needles go out in the cold in my bag – the ChiaoGoo cables aren’t affected by the cold – the other kinds don’t like the cold weather (but then neither do I!) 🙂
Nancy says
Give the unruly needles a short bath in slightly boiling water, and the cable will relax and stay that way.
Judy Laquidara says
Not all cables relax in hot water. I tried that twice in Louisiana because I didn’t have other needles with me. Also, they have a rough join that was snagging on my yarn. These cables were fine when they were new but after having been used on 3 or 4 projects, this is what they looked like.
Mary says
I’m pitching most of my blue cables. They are terrible. And I have given them hot water baths and it hasn’t solved my problem. I also love ChiaoGoo
Judy Laquidara says
Yes, I tried that in Louisiana too . . out of desperation because I didn’t have other needles with me and you’re right, they did not relax. Mine are already in the trash and it feels good to be rid of them. I thought of saving them for sometime when I might need them but decided they were not worth keeping.
Frieda Z says
I like my ChiaoGoo needles. I have lots of different brands. Definitely don’t ever need to buy new ones. Why is the needle bent on this pair. I mostly have interchangeable needles and was just wondering.
Judy Laquidara says
That’s the type they are. I like the bent ones for doing lacework but they’re not always easy to find.
Karen Sutton says
ChiaoGoos are my favorites too. I also have their bamboo interchangeables which have a more flexible cord that works with the metal needles as well.
Judy Laquidara says
I don’t think I’ve seen the bamboo interchangeables but may have to look for them! 🙂
Quilting Tizzy says
I love them also. I use the lifeline hole in mine all the time. It saves me so much time.
Joyce says
I don’t have any ChiaoGoos circulars, but I do love my Addi Clicks. I’ve always preferred straights, but there are some projects that really are easier on circulars. I have the KnitPicks interchangeables, but I’m not crazy about any interchangeables that screw together. No matter what I do, they come unscrewed, and it can be a mess to get it all back together, especially when you are working with lace weight yarn!
Susan says
I have never seen that brand in my area. But have you ever tried Signature needles. A friend loves them but I haven’t tried them yet. Waiting for more input before I order them.
Judy Laquidara says
I do have Signatures but I prefer the ChiaoGoo. If you want to try them, Amazon has them.
Susan S says
I have Knitpick interchangeables… you tighten them with a little tool and mine have never come loose. I also have bamboo interchangeables but I don’t like that the length of the bamboo portion. After a while my hands hurt from hanging on to them so tight because they’re shorter. I like the longer Knitpick. I don’t use metal needles anymore either, because they feel cold all the time and that makes my hands hurt too! Wow, I guess I should give up knitting because it hurts. NOT!! Guess you were right, to each her own! 🙂
Susan S says
Guess I didn’t proofread well… I don’t like that the bamboo portion (the needle) is so short.
Judee says
On the needles with the yarn catch.. Id check with the manufacturer’s customer service and see if they will replace them. Thats a defect in workmanship.