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Permalink Reply by Blue Lake Knitter on April 20, 2008 at 7:05pm

I have had very few problems with the Options Interchangeable needles after using them for over six months. I am currently working on a baby blanket that has taken several weeks (I made the mistake of making it 48 inches wide, so to get a nice size it needs to be about 48 inches long). I check the points every view rows, and have not had to tighten the needles even once. I have never had the yarn get caught in the connection joint. I think the trick is to make sure the connection is secure before you start.

These interchangeable needles are the best on the market.

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Permalink Reply by haleasdollclothes on April 4, 2008 at 11:42am

I design and knit doll clothes and I love the smaller fixed circular needles. I've been using 24", but the vinyl catches on the front of my clothing, and the metal is a little too long. It makes it just a little difficult to handle clothing knit from the neck down. I've just ordered the 16" size fixed circulars and I can't wait to get them because I know they will work great! I know I will have them for years, too.

BTW, my favorite yarn to use with these needles is Palette and Merino Fingering.

Kathy Dickinson
Halea's Doll Clothes
http://www.thedollauction.com

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Permalink Reply by MaryAnn on April 9, 2008 at 3:49pm

I like to do long tail cast on's with a size 2 straight needle for my socks. For me that is 60 sts. Then I drop down to sz 1 dp needles and go onward from there. However, I'm finding that sometimes I wind up with the beginning of the sock looking rippled. That, to me, looks like a messy sock. This is not a big problem for me with the wool socks. But it is with the summer weight socks. I noticed in the catalog that there are no straight needles in this sz available. Only in a circular. I think it would be do-able for me. But, if I could, I'd like to find a set of straights for this purpose? Am I wishing fro something that does not exist? Or should I work on my cast on skills? Any suggestions?
Mary Knits

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Permalink Reply by Blue Lake Knitter on April 20, 2008 at 7:11pm

I never decrease my needle size. I usually cast on using circulars in the size appropriate to the yarn, and am sure to cross over the first and last stitches (to prevent a dip at that point in the top), and start knitting.

I no longer use dpns, because the circulars are far too easy. The Magic Loop spoiled me! Normal straight needles are fine, if that is what you are comfortable with, but using the circulars works for me.

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Permalink Reply by nancyh on May 17, 2008 at 10:45am

I haven't tried circulars but I have used dpns as straights. You just have to watch that stitches don't fall off the back.

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Permalink Reply by rjsams on April 11, 2008 at 10:57am

I purchased a set of your Harmony Wood sock needles in January, and I have been praising them to everyone who will listen. I even wrote a favorable review of them in my guild's newsletter. Well, I'm sorry to say I'm going to have to print a retraction. One of my needle tips is delaminating at the end, making it unusable. I called customer service in all confidence that this defect would be corrected. I'm told only that you include six needles per size in the set because you expect quality defects in the needles, so I should just be satisfied that there was an extra. I thought the extra needle was for a mishap, like my breaking the needle. I didn't realize the extra was to cover for your quality control issues.

I think those who purchase these needles should be made aware that the extra is not for the convenience of the knitter, but the extra is included because Knitpicks knows that a certain number of the needles are defective, and includes the extra so customer service doesn't have to be bothered by replacement requests.

I'm very disappointed in Knitpicks because of this. I have been a fan, but I'll buy Brittany's from now on--they've never delaminated or had quality problems, and Brittany replaces needles even if I do something to cause the break.

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Permalink Reply by Customer Service on April 11, 2008 at 11:58am

I am very sorry to hear that you have had a problem with your Harmony DPN's. We will be happy to replace your defective needle. You are correct, the extra needle is included in case of an accident and one of the needles break. I believe there was a misunderstanding on the part of our operator and I will make sure the issue is clarified.

If there is anything else we can do for you, please let us know. You can contact us by phone at
1-800-574-1323 or email us at customerservice@knitpicks.com.

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Permalink Reply by jlwalker97 on April 21, 2008 at 10:22pm

I just got some of the Ni-plated fixed circulars and I must say that I love them. They are so light and flexible. They make socks go much faster. They are lighter than Addi Turbos. The problem for me is that I want US2 in 40'' and they wont be available until 5/30/08. Which is a real bummer, but I guess that gives me time to save up for more yarn.

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Permalink Reply by Lindy-Lou on April 22, 2008 at 4:55pm

Hello, I need some advice, please. I have never knitted socks, so I downloaded the free pattern moc croc socks and bought knit picks dpns in a size 1 and the sock yarn that was recommended with the pattern. And here's my problem---I'm embarrassed to admit this, as I have been a knitter forever---but I'm having a terrible time trying to cast on with the tiny needles and the soft beautiful yarn! I have tried using one needle for the 60 stitches and then tried to move the stitches among the four needles---no luck. I have tried casting on each needle. No luck. And even when I have actually gotten all the stitches on all the needles, they all fall off when I try to knit the first row! Maybe I need to start with sock pattern that uses bigger needles. Can anyone suggest such a pattern? Thanks!
Linda

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Permalink Reply by Blue Lake Knitter on April 22, 2008 at 6:42pm

I'm not the greatest sock knitter in the world, but I've had some success. I'll offer two opinions, then you can take your choice.

1. The BEST solution is to use the Magic Loop method for socks. Juggling all those dpns is a pain. I knit about 10 pair of socks before I decided to try it, now I won't ever go back. I keep a few dpns around for special applications, but not for knitting an entire pair of socks.

2. Using the dpns on socks, always caste on using the long tailed caste on. It works best. For a sock with sixty stitches, I recommend filling up a dpn with caste ons, then take a few off the back end of the needle onto the second needle. Continue in this way until you have all sixty stitches cast on. Also, you will need to caste on pretty tight to make the stitches stay on the needles until you get a good start. Final tip: Once you get all the stitches on the needles and you are ready to knit, take the last stitch on the last dpn and put it on the first dpn, and the first stich off the first dpn and put it on the last dpn. This makes the stitches hold together better, prevents ladders (to a degree), and makes the top of the socks even all around (no dips at the beginning of the sock).

Hope this helps. It did for me.

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Permalink Reply by Lindy-Lou on April 22, 2008 at 6:49pm

Thank you so much for your advice! I have heard about the Magic Loop method, and after I "win the fight" with this dpn pattern, I'll try it for my next pair of socks. I'm determined to do this one, and I'm going to try your suggestions. I will not be defeated by a pair of socks! LOL.
Again, thanks.
Linda

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Permalink Reply by Blue Lake Knitter on April 22, 2008 at 7:09pm

You are very welcomed. I'm not sure which "suggested" yarn you used. If it was the Essential, well, that is a yarn that I have never used. Also, I noticed that for the Essential, that they recommended size 1-3, of whatever size obtained gauge. I have found that sometimes when they recommend one size, that I can actually use one size larger.

My first pair of socks was pure drudgery, but aftef that I wasn't afraid of any thing. I want to add that I think everyone should learn usihng dpns. It makes you a little slower, and once you have mastered this, there are no barriers.

I'm afraid to say this, but after my first 2-3 pair of socks, I have developed my own methodology, and I adapt all new socks to this SOP. All of this moving X stitches to each needle, is ridiculous. Once you get the top knit and you are ready for the heel, it really doesn't matter which side of the sock you put the heel on. Just make sure you get all the parts in the right place. Good luck. And keep me posted.

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