Hunker down for winter with a new fox amigurumi!
Best knitting needles
KnitPro Ginger Deluxe Interchangeable Needle Tips Set
Clover Takumi interchangeable knitting needles
Clover’s gorgeous Takumi bamboo needles are also available as an interchangeable set. Smooth but not too slippery or slick, they’re a great choice for Fair Isle knitters who are looking for a bit of grip to their needles.
The set includes 12 needle tip sizes, from 3.25mm to 10mm, plus five cables ranging from 41cm-100cm, all contained in a handy wallet case.
How to choose interchangeable knitting needles
There are a few things you need to consider when buying a set of interchangeable knitting needles:
1. What are the needle tips like?
Before buying your needles, think about what you like to knit, and what kind of needles might suit those projects. Are you a speedy sweater knitter who loves slick metal needles? Or do you prefer grippy wood for a bit more control of those stitches? How about shorter tips for socks and hats? Or would longer ones be easier on your wrists?
Consider the sharpness and tapering of the tips too. Would you like super-sharp, lace-friendly tips, or something a bit blunter and less likely to split your yarn?
If the answer to any (or all) of these questions is “it depends…”, that’s ok! Interchangeable knitting needles are all about mixing and matching, so look for a brand such as KnitPro that offers a wide variety of compatible ranges, and you can create your own perfect collection.
Check too whether the needle sizes are printed or lasered onto the needle, as sizes can often rub off, leaving your needle unidentifiable without a gauge. And look out for the tiny holes that enable you to thread a knitting lifeline through your needle so you can rip back easily, should you need to.
2. What are the joins like?
For interchangeable fans, this is a biggie! There’s nothing more frustrating than needle tips that frequently unscrew themselves, or have noticeable joins with the cable that snag the yarn.
Many interchangeable needles use a screw fitting to attach the tips to the cables, which may require an extra tool for tightening, while others (notably Addi) attach with a simple push and click action.
Generally speaking, higher-end needles tend to have smoother joins, but personal preference also comes into it, and your knitting style too. One knitter may find a particular brand often unscrews or snags as they knit, while another can have no problems with the same needles.
We recommend reading plenty of reviews to see how your planned purchase performs, and if you have a knitting friend who already owns a set, asking if you can give them a test knit.
3. What are the cables like?
It’s easy to overlook the cables when buying an interchangeable knitting needle set, but they’re a crucial part of the knitting experience and can vary a lot between brands. Some will be more flexible than others, some will twist and kink more, and some may be all-round unruly!
You can tame your cables by soaking them in hot water for 30 minutes or so before use, but a simpler solution is a memory-free cable that’s easier to control as you knit. A cable with a swivel function that enables it to rotate freely at the join is also a bonus.
Make sure you find out whether the cables can be joined to each other via a connector. This can be very useful when you find yourself running out of cable space in the middle of a project (especially if you’re already using your longest cable!), or if you have multiple projects on the go and need to recreate a particular cable length.
4. Are spares available?
Accidents happen and needles get lost or broken, so it’s worth checking whether there are spares available for your chosen set.
You may also find there are needle sizes at the top or bottom end of the size range that aren’t included and would be useful to have. Plus buying a big set of interchangeable needles can be a major investment, so you may prefer to build up your collection over time instead.
Many brands sell the needle tips, cables and connectors individually, so you can mix and match them to suit your needs. Look out for smaller starter kits too, which enable you to try out a brand before investing in a larger set.
It’s worth investing in interchangeable knitting needles
While some of these interchangeable knitting needle sets may cost a bit, in the long term it’s well worth the investment.
Being able to switch needles to different sizes means you won’t have to keep buying new fixed circular needles for different projects. The fact that most of these sets come in a convenient case also means it’s far easier to keep your tools organised too.
Get your knitting supplies in order
Do you often find that the needles you’re looking for seem to have gone missing? Find that your scissors have gone walk-about? Then check out our pick of the best knitting bags and keep your supplies in a sensible place.
Best knitting needles
KnitPro Ginger Deluxe Interchangeable Needle Tips Set
Clover Takumi interchangeable knitting needles
Clover’s gorgeous Takumi bamboo needles are also available as an interchangeable set. Smooth but not too slippery or slick, they’re a great choice for Fair Isle knitters who are looking for a bit of grip to their needles.
The set includes 12 needle tip sizes, from 3.25mm to 10mm, plus five cables ranging from 41cm-100cm, all contained in a handy wallet case.
How to choose interchangeable knitting needles
There are a few things you need to consider when buying a set of interchangeable knitting needles:
1. What are the needle tips like?
Before buying your needles, think about what you like to knit, and what kind of needles might suit those projects. Are you a speedy sweater knitter who loves slick metal needles? Or do you prefer grippy wood for a bit more control of those stitches? How about shorter tips for socks and hats? Or would longer ones be easier on your wrists?
Consider the sharpness and tapering of the tips too. Would you like super-sharp, lace-friendly tips, or something a bit blunter and less likely to split your yarn?
If the answer to any (or all) of these questions is “it depends…”, that’s ok! Interchangeable knitting needles are all about mixing and matching, so look for a brand such as KnitPro that offers a wide variety of compatible ranges, and you can create your own perfect collection.
Check too whether the needle sizes are printed or lasered onto the needle, as sizes can often rub off, leaving your needle unidentifiable without a gauge. And look out for the tiny holes that enable you to thread a knitting lifeline through your needle so you can rip back easily, should you need to.
2. What are the joins like?
For interchangeable fans, this is a biggie! There’s nothing more frustrating than needle tips that frequently unscrew themselves, or have noticeable joins with the cable that snag the yarn.
Many interchangeable needles use a screw fitting to attach the tips to the cables, which may require an extra tool for tightening, while others (notably Addi) attach with a simple push and click action.
Generally speaking, higher-end needles tend to have smoother joins, but personal preference also comes into it, and your knitting style too. One knitter may find a particular brand often unscrews or snags as they knit, while another can have no problems with the same needles.
We recommend reading plenty of reviews to see how your planned purchase performs, and if you have a knitting friend who already owns a set, asking if you can give them a test knit.
3. What are the cables like?
It’s easy to overlook the cables when buying an interchangeable knitting needle set, but they’re a crucial part of the knitting experience and can vary a lot between brands. Some will be more flexible than others, some will twist and kink more, and some may be all-round unruly!
You can tame your cables by soaking them in hot water for 30 minutes or so before use, but a simpler solution is a memory-free cable that’s easier to control as you knit. A cable with a swivel function that enables it to rotate freely at the join is also a bonus.
Make sure you find out whether the cables can be joined to each other via a connector. This can be very useful when you find yourself running out of cable space in the middle of a project (especially if you’re already using your longest cable!), or if you have multiple projects on the go and need to recreate a particular cable length.
4. Are spares available?
Accidents happen and needles get lost or broken, so it’s worth checking whether there are spares available for your chosen set.
You may also find there are needle sizes at the top or bottom end of the size range that aren’t included and would be useful to have. Plus buying a big set of interchangeable needles can be a major investment, so you may prefer to build up your collection over time instead.
Many brands sell the needle tips, cables and connectors individually, so you can mix and match them to suit your needs. Look out for smaller starter kits too, which enable you to try out a brand before investing in a larger set.
It’s worth investing in interchangeable knitting needles
While some of these interchangeable knitting needle sets may cost a bit, in the long term it’s well worth the investment.
Being able to switch needles to different sizes means you won’t have to keep buying new fixed circular needles for different projects. The fact that most of these sets come in a convenient case also means it’s far easier to keep your tools organised too.
Get your knitting supplies in order
Do you often find that the needles you’re looking for seem to have gone missing? Find that your scissors have gone walk-about? Then check out our pick of the best knitting bags and keep your supplies in a sensible place.
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