Nickel-Plated Options Interchangeable Needles

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Terry Dorminey on May 21, 2008 at 2:22am

My Susan Bates Silvalumes were always my favorite needles until I found the Options. Now I have a basket full sitting on a shelf while I use the Options, mostly the nickel, for everything.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Susan the Blue Lake Knitter on May 21, 2008 at 7:06pm

I'm knitting the top down (raglan sleeves) Hoodie from Son of Stitch n Bitch for my husband. I've knitted the entire body and am now more than half way finished with my first sleeve. I'm using Options Nickel plated for the project. I have checked the connections every now and then, but have no disconnects. When I got to the raglan sleeves, the pattern said to use waste yarn to hold the top of the sleeve until the body had been knitted. Being the Options lover than I am, I used a set of Options cables to hold the sleeve (using the little purple caps to keep the yarn in place). When I finished the body of the sweater, I just transferred the needle tips to the cables holding the sleeves, and started knitting. Another plus: As I started the decreases on the sleeve, I didn't have to switch to dpns as instructed -- using the Magic Loop method, I have just kept knitting... and I'll be able to complete each sleeve using nothing more than the Options Interchangeable needles. I've only used one other type of interchangeable needles (not Susan Bates), but my experience with Options is so good that I doubt that I buy any other knitting needle the rest of my life. These guys are as close to perfect as possible. Again, thanks Knit Picks for taking of your knitting family.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Judy on May 29, 2008 at 1:49pm

I have all of the tips and several of the cords. So far I have had no problems. I have always used Addi Turbos,but since the Options came out I now use them. They are great and cost about 1/3 of what the Addis cost. I use them for lace and all other knitting.
Judy

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Leana on July 14, 2008 at 2:12pm

I just found a great new thing I can do with my Options needles!
I tend to knit tightly. That's just the way it is.
I recently made my first turned heel sock- a Christmas stocking done with using the Magic Loop technique. I use the KnitPicks Options Needles (which I love). As each row came around, I found myself swearing (ok, not really, but mentally) as I forced the stitches back onto the left needle.

It occurred to me that the size of the left needle isn't all that important to the gauge of the knitting. After I finished up the sock, I cast on about forty stitches in the round and started experimenting. I knitted a couple of inches with both left and right needles at size 13 and then switched the left needle end to be size 11. Much easier to get the stitches back onto the left hand needle. Another couple of inches and I changed to yet another smaller size.

I ended up with size 13 on the right and size 4 on the left (size 4 is the smallest tip that KnitPicks sells), there was a slight difference in the gauge, but if I hadn't been looking for it, I wouldn't have noticed. It was less of a variation than I sometimes get just knitting from one time to the next.

From now on, I'll be using the "mis-matched" needles, in what ever size I need to get gauge.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Terry Dorminey on July 21, 2008 at 1:01pm

I also have been "mismatching" sizes for some time. It makes the knitting easier in a tight multiple-stitch decrease or cables, and can help out tremendously in achieving correct rows-per-inch gauge without affecting stitches-per-inch gauge.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by pacasha on July 15, 2008 at 4:42pm

i love my options and have never had a problem with them! however, i wish i could get smaller needle sizes and a 16 or 20 inch cable. that would solve all of my problems!

thank you for creating such a great product!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by MTAnnie on July 15, 2008 at 4:53pm

I like my Knit Picks Options so much that when I flew to DC about a month ago, I almost took my Addi's instead, just in case Security decided to take my needles. They can take my Addi's (and I do like them too, but Options have the wonderful cable that Addi's don't) but don't mess with my Options!
I know, the security website says knitting needles are okay for travel now, but one could still be at the whim of individual agents (and whatever security risks might be present on any given day).
I am sure I had an ulterior motive subconsciously as well, "Take my Addi's, I need a reason (excuse) to shop some more at Knit Picks". :o)
Annie

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by cindel on July 20, 2008 at 12:09pm

I'm interested in the interchangeable circular needles but I'd LOVE to see them with 16" and 18" cables. I make hats and I need the smaller cables. Do you think they'll be available anytime soon?

Thanks!!!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Knit Picks Admin on July 21, 2008 at 8:01am

The interchangeable needle tips are too long for a 16" cable to work correctly - you wouldn't be able to get the tips to come together comfortably. Because of this, Knit Picks carries fixed circular needles with 16" cables and shorter needle tips in sizes from US 0 to US 11. You can see the full selection right here.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by trixhilda@sbcglobal.net on July 21, 2008 at 8:00pm

If you try using arubber band or the rubber lining that you can use on your shelves alittle piece of that will help use the pin supplied and the rubber to tighten the needles abit more but not to tight so that you do not strip the threads. this should solve your problem. good luck

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by strawbie on August 29, 2008 at 7:59am

I am wondering if there are any plans to make a sharper set of Options to use for fine lace work? (and tiny ones, too...down to 0000 would be fantastic). I loooove my Options, but they're not sharp enough for the piece I'm working on right now and I am getting really frustrated. I am using J&S Shetland Supreme 1 ply and sz.2 needles. In the meantime, any ideas on how to make the tips sharper? I've heard you can file them down, but I'm chicken to do that to my beautiful needles.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Knit Picks Admin on September 5, 2008 at 9:33am

I don't know if I would file down my metal needles, I'd be afraid that I'd mess them up! We aren't currently developing sharper or smaller needles, but I will bring up your request during our new product meeting. In the meantime, have you tried Hiya Hiya needles? They go down to a 000000 size. The only place where I've seen people successfully altering interchangeable needles is here: http://fleeglesblog.blogspot.com/2006/12/cable-reassignment-surgery...
This person took her needle set to a gunsmith.

▶ Reply to This

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• 6
• 7
• 8