A few weeks ago when I did my needle review, I wasn’t really thrilled my Signature needles. I’ll go ahead and tell you what I don’t like about them first:
- They’re outrageously expensive.
- The cables fit ONE needle. If I have a 32″ cable for a 4.0 mm needle, and a 47″cable; and I have a 4.5 mm needle with a 24″ cable, I can’t interchange those cables. The cables are specific to the needle size so if I want 24″ cables and 47″ cables, I have to buy both for the 4.0 mm needle, and for the 4.5 mm needle.
- I have a really hard time with the cables staying tight on the smaller size needles (3.25 mm and lower). No matter how much I tighten, they want to come undone and the “stem” is very short so just a little bit of untwisting and the cable has separated from the needle.
- The 2.25 mm and 2.75 mm needles come with a clear/white cable and, in my opinion, it is just awful. I’m not the only one who feels that way. I’ve sent some back and they’ve sent me new needles/cables but I’ve just never been happy with those.
Having said that, I had started the brown sweater I’m working on with Signature 3.25 mm needles. I haven’t used my Signatures in a while but when I started knitting with them, I remembered why I paid the price for them. The points are sharp, but not so sharp that they poke holes in my fingers. The stiletto tips are my favorite – very tapered and so easy to use for cables, knit 2 together, etc.
The black cables are so flexible! When I’m knitting with all other circular needles and using magic loop for sleeves, I get “ladders” where there’s a spacing issue at the loop and it’s almost always noticeable.
With the cable being so very flexible, I can snug it up as I’m going from one needle to the other and not end up with any noticeable difference in the stitch spacing.
I definitely have a love/hate relationship with these needles but the love may have just trumped the hate.
I just happened to go over to the Signature website to check on a new 9″ circular needle they were advertising (but I didn’t get it) but I did notice they have a Labor Day Special with free shipping on orders over $50 and and $30 off orders of $300 or more.
If you’re a diehard knitter, haven’t tried Signature needles and want to try them, spend $50 and get free shipping. No affiliation. Nothing in it for me . . just wanted to share in the event someone wanted to try them.
Nelle Coursey says
Those really are expensive! But they do look like they are sharp points.
Karen says
My new favorites are Knitters’ Pride interchangeables. The cables fit all the needles irregardless of needle size. I’ve had no problems with them coming apart. I have a set of Rosewood needles and a set of Karbonz. The Karbonz points are good especially on the small sizes.
Val says
I love my Signature dpns for socks.