Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have wanted an interchangeable knitting needle set for a long, long time. There are so many, how could I choose? Every knitter has a particular style and needs. Although I mostly knit Continental style (yarn in the left hand), I do not think that makes a difference for my choice of needle sets. My criteria are discussed below. I referred to a few fixed-length circular needles in various sizes to get a feel for how the tips feel and cable performs. Please refer to the photo above. It shows the difference between one US 7 (Item A) and three US 6 (Items B, C, D) needles, especially with regard to the bluntness or pointiness of the tips. Photo A is an Addi fixed circular needle, size 7. It's tip is the bluntest, and bamboo is "grippy," good for retaining yarn and not letting it slip off. (Bamboo is typically not my choice, but I may use it for slippery yarns such as silk.) Photo B is Knitters Pride (KP) Nova Platina Cubic, fixed circular needle, size 6. I love this but it takes a bit of getting used to. It has a cross-section of a square, so the sides are flat, and supposedly more ergonomic. This is probably my favorite needle and has the sharpest tip of the 3 metal needles I discuss. Photo D is the HiyaHiya fixed circular needle, size 6. It the bluntest of the 3 metal needles I discuss, but still sharper and slicker than any bamboo needle. {Photo C} This ChiaoGoo (CG) set fulfilled every one of my criteria. At the time I purchased it, the price was reduced from $160 to $114. The "Twist" set contains metal needles. ChiaoGoo sells three types of sets: Small, containing 7 sizes - US 2 (2.75mm), US 3 (3.25mm), US 4 (3.55mm) , US 5 (3.75mm), US 6 (4mm), US 7 (4.5mm), US 8 (5mm); Large, containing 6 sizes - US 9 (5.5mm), US 10 (6mm), US 10.5 (6.5mm), US 11 (8mm), US 13 (9mm), and US 15 (10mm); and the Complete set containing 13 sizes overall. The tips are very smooth and fast. They have a longer taper than the HiyaHiya (HH) tips and are slightly sharper, but are not as sharp as the Knitters Pride (KP) Nova Platina Cubics. There are 2 sets of cables, Small and Large. All sets come with cables, connectors, and end stoppers. There is a choice of 4" or 5" tips, and the cables included vary depending upon tip length. All cables are interchangeable with the "Spin" (bamboo) ChiaoGoo tips. I purchased additional cables in 37" length (Small & Large) to cover all lengths I may desire. Although I like knitting with 5" tips best, I selected the 4" tips because I knit hats. These tips combined with the 8" cable, it makes a 16" circular needle and I do not need to purchase a special set just for hats. The case is beautiful black and white fabric with smooth zippers on the main compartment and equipment pocket. Inside the compartments for each needle is labeled and bound off nicely. A red ribbon graces the exterior. My only detraction from CG is that I wish the cords and connectors were color coded, Small vs. Large. They come separate in small zip-top bags which fit in the equipment pocket. I will work on a different way of storing them for my own convenience. Yes, the diameter and connector sizes are different, but it's a small hassle I think I'd like to bypass. Honestly, my first choice would have been a set of interchangeable KP metal Cubics needles. The tips have a long taper and are sharp, good for lace knitting and knitting on the tips of the needles as I do for equal tension. Fast. I also like the ergonomic cubic barrel of the tips. The black cord on the fixed needle I have is a bit stiffer than that of ChiaoGoo or HiyaHiya, but the cords for the interchangeable sets may be different. The needles of the DELUXE set are reported to be 4-5/8 inches each, and the interchangeable cords are color coded by length. BUT, the Deluxe set only included 9 sizes: US 4 (3.55mm) , US 5 (3.75mm), US 6 (4mm), US 7 (4.5mm), US 8 (5mm), and US 9 (5.5mm). Furthermore, I would have to purchase the set of the "specials" to make 16" lengths, and the cables are not interchangeable with the Deluxe set. KP also offers the Symfonie Rose Cubics Interchangeable Circular Deluxe Set which I did not consider. Nor did I consider the Symphonie Dreamz interchangeable set in which each size of needles are color coded, I prefer metal to wood or bamboo. COST swayed my decision. I would have been happy with a set of HH needles but the Limited Edition, 13-size set (including cables, tips, connectors, case, etc.), or individual Small or Large sets, were way more expensive than my CGs (ranging from $155-$180) at the time of writing. True, there was a choice of 4" with which I could make 16" hat-sized cables, or 5" tips. Also, these needles are the least sharp of the 3 metal types I compared in the photo. I hope this narrative helped someone choose their needle set. This is a big investment, but one I think will serve me well and provide lots of enjoyment over my knitting career.