ChiaoGoo Forté 2.0 review - another overpriced fail? 

Please always remember: We all knit with a different style, our hands have different sizes (and there might be other physical differences/limitations), we prefer different yarns & projects, and our general preferences might differ on top of that. As a result, needles I like might be ill-suited for you and vice versa. Needles that are well in your budget might not be in mine. So, when we as a knitting community talk about knitting needles, we should always comment from a place of personal preference and never generalize personal likes as absolutes.

I am blown away by this price. Outrageously expensive.

Thanks Norman! I didn't know about the controversy around this set but recently got an email from my local yarn shop that they are taking preorders for it, and in my local currency after the exchange rate and everything it's $550! I was absolutely shocked! For $550 it better do my knitting for me, weave in all the ends automatically, and magically block the finished objects :,)

I love that you’re not sponsored by Chiaogoo or anyone so can give us an honest unbiased review. Thank you ❤

I really love my Knitter’s Pride needles with Lantern Moon swivel cords. It’s the perfect combo for me. I don’t see anything in the forte set that tempts me to change. Even if I could afford it, I’d rather spend the money on yarn.

I can totally respect the fact that different needles exist at different price points, but $375 for a set is just a little mind boggling! I think the case it comes in is lovely, but not worth $200 more than other sets.

Really appreciate you spending the time and money😮 to show these needles. I really enjoy my original Chiaogoo interchangable needles and after seeing your review, I can see I do not need the Forté needles. Great video as always!😊

I bought one of the original Forte sets sight unseen. I am so disappointed in it and I was thrilled to see you review this set though you did have the 2.0 set. The snagging while you are knitting killed all of my joy knitting. I don’t use them at all. I bought them convinced that their reputation meant they would be the highest quality. Lesson learned! I wish I had purchased $300.00 worth of yarn and just stuck with my fixed red lace Chiaogoo needles instead.

What a thorough and intelligent analysis. I agree with your assessment of this fine, yet very expensive knitting needles. Thank you for taking the time to share such a clear and detailed analysis. it is greatly appreciated!!

I checked on the wood they are manufactured from, African black wood, it is a listed wood, endangered. When I posed this question on a retailers page they quickly stated its from reclaimed wood and deleted my question shortly after. So do we believe manufacturers in China are strictly using reclaimed African black wood to mass produce knitting needles?

Never seen any needle set worth that price. Thank you for sharing your expert & honest reviews! ❤

I just found 9 sizes of Chiagoo fixed circular knitting needles still packaged in the thrift store and got them all for 9 us dollars. I was so ecstatic. I am always on the search for knitting supplies at thrift stores. I would never pay over 200 for knitting needles. At least right now. One time I found a knitting needle case full of these really nice wooden Straight needles and some dpns. I got them all for 15 dollars at the thrift store.

Thank you Norman! As a relatively new knitter I'm always excited to learn more about new products, as well as the already established kits. I really, really appreciate your honest reviews. I learn so much from them, and it's easy when you're new at something to be willing to sink a lot of money into it with the hope that it will make you better and I appreciate you cutting through the marketing hype and give us the honest answers. I always look forward to your content.

Thanks so much for this! I love my regular Chiaogoo Twist (metal) interchangeable set, which I bought on sale many years ago for $100. Getting it was a big deal on my then-student budget, but it was easily the best investment I’ve ever made in my knitting. What a shame that the same company is now selling something for almost 4 times the price, but which lacks sufficient care and attention to detail.

I have had the Twist red lace set 11 years and love it. I bought the shorter tips and cables in smaller needle sizes to get 16” needles. All fit in the fabric case well. It was expensive when I bought it, a treat, that is well used.

Let's just talk about that wonderfully exclusive sweater that you are wearing today! YES!

After I'd been knitting for awhile and decided to invest in a set of interchangeable needles. I purchased the Knitter's Pride Kindness set and have been really pleased with them. I thought they were a really good value and the cables are similar to Chao Goo's. Even with their reputation I just think $375.00 is just out of the reach of a lot of us hobby knitters.

Thank you so much for taking one for the team. ❤. That is a whole lot of cash for prestige purposes only. I only use wooden needles to slow myself down and knit cotton or silk. So, lace knitting or cotton. I don’t knit cotton very often so I wouldn’t be interested in a whole set of needles like that. I am grateful so see how you judge the needles. That is most helpful. 😊

I'm very happy that the algorithm suggested this review to me. I was planning to buy this set, although I already have a full set of chiaogoo needles, including minis and shorties. You convinced me that I would rather spend that money on yarns instead of buying another set just because it's LOOKS so nice.

Some perspective here: For $375 USD, I could make THREE Round Trips between home (Nashville) and New York City for $248USD (total). I’d take my Knitters Pride interchangeables with me and be perfectly happy…and I’d have $127 left over to buy some yarn. 😊

After watch your review. Norman, the only way I could justify buying an expensive set of ChiaoGoo needles is if they were all carbon, no wood, with lace tips and includes all sizes say up to 8mm and both red and silver cables ! Maybe someday in the near future the company will work out all the kinks and make us truly happy to spend nearly 400$...Thanks for the honest and thorough review of this product...Love your sweater❣

I'm totally happy with the interchangeable set I already have. I'm not looking for another, but it is interesting to see this new one.

Thank you for taking the time to review these. You are fair and unbiased. The points you raised are useful to decide when deciding on which needles to use in a project and whether to invest in yet another style or pair. Well done those local yarn shops who stock a good variety and allow their patrons to test knit with them.

This is a great review, Norman. I especially appreciate your thoroughness and attention to detail. I believe I’ll stick with my regular Chiaogoo And lantern moons sets. Thanks, you are a star!

Was really wanting to purchase this set. Took your advice and will keep my regular Chicagoo

Another great video as always! Thank you for your unbiased opinion on this set and for going through all the testing, even on two different yarn weights. This set was a bit out of my price range but as a fan of ChiaoGoo, I was interested in hearing about how they functioned and whether they were worth the lofty price tag. Thank you again, Norman!

❤ Excellent and thorough review of the 2.0 I bought the original Forte set and I am very happy with it. They do seem to work well for me personally. I did have one 4 mm needle break and they replaced it immediately. I sent them a picture via email. The replacement needle came in the mail right away but it was not packaged as safely as it should have been and that surprised me. I find the tips an excellent taper and to me they are sleek and fast and my yarn is not catching with my Forte (but it does a lot on their bamboo set). I have arthritis in my hands and the first day I started using them I used them for hours with no hand or wrist pain. All the best, Joyce

The square tips hurt my fingertips. That's what I've noticed. Mine are a different brand, but with similar squarish tips. I really don't like them, compared to the more traditional, rounded tips. I'm a tight knitter too, and enjoy complicated patterns. Another problem I have with the interchangeable cables, is that no matter how well I think I have tightened the connecting screw, mine always becomes loose at some point and that's when the yarn REALLY gets caught. And it's such a pain to try to tighten the screw while the stitches are covering it. But I can't get them out of the way before I can tighten the screw first! 😵‍💫

Thank you for taking the time to check these needles out. I am very happy with my Knitters Pride. Great video. ❤

wow, fantastic review! just recently found your channel and absolutely appreciate your incredible thoroughness. I do like the Chiagoo fixed circulars, but all in all, you have saved me time and money!!

Really enjoyed the frank review. I'm coming back to knitting after a 'few' decades of being way too busy to find time to knit, and all the needles I have are straight. So, this review was really interesting to me. Thank you.

Thank you 🙏 You are saving us money 💰 & bringing us joy with every stitch you make!! Love your videos ❤

What a good and complete review! I appreciate your honesty! 🥰

Thank you Norman..you are so thorough and your opinion is definitely valued! ❤

Ouch on the price! As always your reviews and information are detailed, very informative and there is always something new that I learn about needles/knitting in general. Thank you so much for taking the time to do the reviews.

I'm so glad you did this review, Norman. I was looking at this set and given most of my knitting is lace or sock weight yarn, this sounds like a nightmare. Back to testing my single interchangeables until I find the "perfect" brand.

Your reviews are awesome Norman. Thank you

Well done Norman. As usual, you explain clearly what and why you feel about each part; from the beautiful packaging to the 'catch' and balance that with your point of view regarding price vs quality. Thank you.

I found this entire video so interesting ... and I was seriously debating about the purchase. After watching, I am pleased with my current ChiaGoo interchangeable set which I have accumulated one at a time. I won't move forward with this special purchase after all . THANK YOU! I very much appreciate your balanced and thoughtful review!

Thank you so much for reviewing that set of needles. I love my metal ChiaoGoo needles, but I don't think I'll be dreaming about this luxury set.

Thanks Norman for a great review!!

oh Norman. I love your videos. I absolutely trust you! Thanks so much.

I think this was a very fair and honest review. Thank you for sharing! I'll stick with my Knit Pro needles. They've always been good to me. 😊

Another fabulous video, Norman. This was so helpful as I love the regular Ciaogoo needles and the cable that doesn't twist. At the price asked I don't think I would have purchased this set, but it is wonderful to see these and have your review which was helpful learning things about any interchangeable knitting needle set. Thank you. 😊

Different hand sizes, knitting styles and tensions will always result in different subjective experiences when using knitting needles. I did own a pair of Lantern Moon needles, but I found the lettering on the wood disappeared quite quickly, so I had to use a needle gauge to ensure I had the right tips. The tips did wear down while I used them, and the wood at the tip dented - the tips themselves didn't break, splinter or crack, but the shaft itself didn't hold its shape as I would have linked. I also found that my yarn was consistently catching on the joins, and on the swivel to metal transition on the cables. I ended up replacing them with a ChiaoGoo bamboo set, which I've been pleased with since. Whatever needles you end up using, happy knitting!

Wow so glad to hear your fair and accurate review of these sets.

I have to say that I love my lantern moon needles - and even the fabric case. Thank you for your always honest reviews.

Perfect and detailed review. Thank you!

Thank you very much for your time and your expertise. Much appreciated.

Thank you for the detailed review. I appreciate your insight.

Thank you for this very comprehensive review. Much appreciated. 😊

$375!!?? I just gave away my entire interchangeable Chiaogoo set because I don’t like the needles. I’m an Addi and Knitters Pride Zing type of knitter. To each their own, but nothing in that set is calling my name. Thank you for your review.

Thanks for your review as I've seen tons of ads for these. I didn't know of the issues with the original version. Thought it was ironic given forte means 'strength'.

I loved the review. Very informative. Thank you

I'm SO GLAD you're talking about these. These and their Red Lace set is always so highly recommended. I see these sets often on second hand sites but the price is still exorbitant although less than the original.

I was fascinated by the 'security' pins, then I realized they are just what North Americans call 'safety' pins. lol I appreciate your thorough discussion, Norman, as always you are full of accurate information and interesting opinions. The part I question is that the set is half carbon and half wood. Most knitters express a preference for a certain needle medium and don't like to knit with any thing else. So I'm not sure too many people will be satisfied with this mixed bag. Otherwise, I can see your criticisms of the leather pouch; just looking at it, I see a lot of wasted space on one side to make room for the accessories on the other side. I am a 'knitter of moderate means' - it took me 2 years to have enough money to buy my full set of stainless steel Chiagoos (12 sizes), but I absolutely love them. I enjoy the smoothness and accuracy of the steel tips and the non-kinkiness of the cables, so I don't see any justification for paying so much more for this mixed bag set of Fortes; and certainly I could NEVER afford them. Oh AND I did buy a set of 3 mm tips and a 50 inch cable to do TAAT socks. (Yes, I like all that extra cable, and it's great for magic loop hats, or wide blankets as well.)

As someone who owns the regular Chiaogoo interchangeable set and all of the equivalents of the notions included in this set…I wish I could just buy the case! I’d love to use it for travel. Thanks for the great and in depth review, Norman!

Great review Norman, thank you!!!

“No, we’re not coming best friends here”… that made me laugh. I appreciate your detailed review. Although the set is beautiful, it’s not something I would purchase. I prefer a needle set in a small case. I have one of Chiagoo’s red lace sets and I love the fabric case, it holds everything it needs to. I have a notions pouch that I put in my project bag with all the stitch markers, tapestry needles and such.

I would not spend that much for these needles when other brands offer basically the same thing at half the price...I guess its a prestige thing. Thank you Norman for another excellent analysis.

I went to the store certain that I was going to buy the chiagoo Forte. When I looked at the set I really didn’t like the cable connections and the tips. So I came home and as I was researching I found your video and I’m so glad you confirmed my reluctance. thank you for such a detailed and informative review 🙏🏼💙

I have been knitting/crocheting for over 40 years and to me, we are being taken advantage of. Granted I have a set of interchangeable needles and hooks and I love them, no more using stitch holders when making a garment, no more carrying around needles that are almost a foot long, There are some very nice advances but I think KnitPro (knitters pride in the US) symfonie are very nice and they cost around £50 for the set, also come in other materials! Other people have other preferences and that is the joy of diversity. To charge over 6 times the price for a set that had to be recalled in the first version, then $75 added to the price for THEIR MISTAKES is being taken advantage of in my book

I love my other CG needle sets, but like you mentioned... I'm not seeing a reason for the higher price with the Forte set. Thank you so much for your review! I'll stick with what I have. ❤ xo

Thanks for the review. I ordered and got mine yesterday. Wish your review was out a week earlier. I will check to see what I think about them later. I really like Lantern moon needles for slippery yarns.

Thank you so much for this honest review. You saved me!

I sincerely love my 1.0 version and the price was a bit high. I switch out my cables when I used certain yarns.

Thorough review. Thank you.

Interesting. Some folk feel that paying more gets you better quality. I have had people on knitting groups show the red cables getting kinks after being used for magic loop for awhile. That would put me off, right away, as would the actual thickness of the cords. Another small problem would be the missing 3mm needles. Add to that the 'accessory' safety pins. Anyone using any sort of safety pin with yarn would much prefer the coilless variety, which are just as easy to find, so the addition of the coiled is just cheap, to me. Being barely able to read the engraved size? Really? For all this money, I wouldn't bother. I'm sure some folk will love them,

Thank you. I had just purchased my bamboo interchangeable Chiaogoo needles and was sad to see these. After watching the video, my FOMO is evaporated. Thank you for the review.

Thank you Norman for such an excellent review. One thing we need to remember is that you are really getting two sets of ChiaoGoo interchangeable needles sets in one set--all in a beautiful leather case. If you purchase the two sets individually (sizes 2-8, and then sizes 9-15), you will be spending close to $300 or more. I love my ChiaoGoo needles but have had the problem with my interchangeables coming unscrewed when in use. I can usually feel when this happens and stop to tighten them, but it's a pain. I have since ordered a few fixed sets that I use frequently. Lovely needles but too pricey!

Thank you so much for a HONEST review! ❤️🙏❤❤❤

Appreciate the review!

Thank you for doing this review. I was really eyeing them😅

I'm so glad I saw this!! I also felt the accessories cost to much and I don't need them anyway. Thank you so much!! I always enjoy your reviews. ❤

Thank you SO much for this review!! I am actually a new knitter, but took the leap since it’s a limited run and everyone around me swore by them. But I dislike the sterile plain severe case and the insipid tools. I didn’t realize just how pricey it is for a set; way above even other xlnt comparables. I will return or sell.

Thank you for your honest review ❤️

I absolutely hate swivel cables. I’m very happy with my far less expensive Chiao Goo red lace set in small, because I seldom knit with needles larger than 5mm. For the occasional bulkier project, I knew I would not enjoy stainless steel scraping around, so I either use my Lantern Moon Ebony, or bamboo.

I was very interested in finding out if they resolved some of the issues with this new edition. Thank you for saving me money. I love my interchangeable .

Thank you for the review Norman.

Btw, really appreciated your review. It seemed like such an expensive set and I was curious if it was really that much better than my “regular” ChiaoGoo interchangeable set. You made me feel much better ;) 😊

Thank you, so much for the honest review. I think I will keep using the set I have, at that price!!!!!

Hello. I wanted to thank you for previous video where you were creating a latch tool for creating cord. I just made 5 of them with spare needles from my knitting machine and polymer clay, they are perfect. I am going to give away to all my knitting friends

Great review, Thank you and fortunately I brought the first set at a reduced price and had some store credit to lower cost even further! My 2.75 snapped as I joined the cable and I cried! Chiagoo replaced the one needle with a carbon as in new set, after knitting with 1 of each type needle to make a pair I enjoy both for fingering yarn and notice no difference ...swivels cords thats another story!

Thank you so much for your review. I appreciate you being so nitpicky about it, because you should! these are very expensive needles. It don't think that they are worth the price even if they are nice needles.

First, THANK YOU for such an in depth review!!! The price is ridiculous but I also think that Furls prices are just as ridiculous for their hooks. Buying a complete set of hooks depending on which ones you buy can easily run you the same amount of money if not more and that's JUST hooks. I would never buy a Furls because that tapered, long neck would make me crazy. I love in-line hooks. At least with this set you have a case and accessories as well. When this set first came out, I was intrigued. I might've actually splurged on them as I love ChiaoGoo and want all their stuff but they sold out (didn't know they actually stopped production) before I could seriously consider buying. After a few reviews, I decided that if anything, I'd only buy the swivel cords (since they can be used with all their needles) as the normal interchangeable sets were fine. You can never have enough cords in various sizes and I didn't NEED fancy wood or carbon. With this set, I do love that you can read the sizing on the needles way better, something I hope becomes standard with their other needles. I already wear glasses because I can't read tiny words and the struggle is real for the normal needles as the etching is very faint. I agree on the different size cable connections. It is odd that they ends aren't the same for the small and the large when you're paying that much for the set or either of their regular interchangeable sets. Of course the minis need smaller connections. I'm very happy that you compared other needle brands as well. You now have me rethinking buying their swivel cords because the Lantern Moon cords definitely function better. Even though these are your personal impressions, they are still extremely insightful and probably speak to what we're all thinking on some level. If you're going to pay that much, the company HAS to do better. Unless I find a set in a yard sale or thrift store, I'll be sticking with their normal sets.

Thanks so much for this review. I love love love my Signature needles, but they are no longer making them, so I will be looking for a comparable replacement at some point (I've stocked up, so I'm all good for now). My must-haves are a flexible swivel cord and the pointiest of pointy tips. The search continues!

US$375.00 - Canadian dollars is over $500! No thank you!

I have the twist complete interchangeable set that I bought 5 years ago & never regretted it. I have also bought additional fixed circular so that I can have several projects going at once. I agree that this new product seems less than ideal than the original product based on reviews. I have added some bits & parts for the interchangeable set. I love lace knitting & everything else & stainless steel is the only way for me.

I’m so glad you did this review. It was very helpful to see the needles up close. I was tempted to buy them and thought the case was nice. I think it resembled a Thread and Maple case, but after seeing the case up close it does not even come close to the quality of their cases. No way I’m buying them for that price now. I think I will get some Addi Clicks and start saving for a Thread and Maple case

Thank you for the honest and unsponsored review. My heart goes out to you, and I am astounded that Chiagoo has presented such average tools at this price. I would like to add that I personally don't mind blowing my budget on high quality items as long-term investments, but this is basically an outrage. I hope you can get your money back if you don't want to keep the set.

I do love your review videos. So detailed and fair. Thank you for that. I don’t have this new set, but I do have 1.0 and they totally sucked. They did send me a bunch of new cords, a new size 4 to replace the broken one- which came broken- and a new tape measure- after I sent them a scathing email- but these needles were NOT worth the price. Mine were also scratched and scored. The joins - so catchy. Quite frankly, CG knew these needles sucked, they should allow us to send back the 1.0 for replacement with the 2.0, but based on your review, this set doesn’t sound any better. The case is the best part of it. The rest was junk. I say this as a lover of regular Chiaogoo. I seldom write to companies to complain, but these needles (again, the first version) were such a disappointment after so much hype. I love your ending to this. You captured my feelings exactly-. I really don’t understand what I paid for here.

Thanks so very much for your frank review of this set. The case looks fantastic, so I do wish they’d offer separately. My favorite set is the Knitter’s Pride Mindful Collection.

Very thorough review. That price outrageous though! No way! It’s DEF a quality set (the box, the case and the rest), but seriously no way could/would I pay that much. And that catch on the transition from needle to cable would drive me nuts as well!

Thanks for the great review. Even before I saw your review I had no desire to buy this set. Just too expensive for me. Now I'm even more happy I did but them. I have a friend who bought a set, I'll be interested to see her reaction after using them for a while. I am not as enamored of chiaogoo needles as others. Perhaps due to arthritis in my hands I prefer wood needles, they are more comfortable for me. I recently purchased the Lantern Moon set so we'll see after I use them. Right now I'm working with black yarn (what was I thinking) and had to switch to metal needles because most of the wood needles are too dark and made it difficult to see the stitches. But again, thanks for the great review, I love your channels and recommend them to my knitting friends. You are a very good teacher.

I just unpacked the Forte 2 set, and I must say that the needles look very good in person. They are smooth, nothing catches, and I love the feel of the carbon and wood material in my hands. Knitpro was a disappointment because their needles snag at the material junction, but these chiaogoo - I must say are perfect. I've already transferred my project to these Forte 2 needles, and they are very comfortable to work with. I will sell my previous set of needles and keep the Forte 2.

I got this set in November 2022 as a birthday present. It is luxirious snd well done. It is easy to enlarge cable by connecting two of them with swift because they spin. Needles are more sharp than chiaogoo twist and it is good for some yarns and projects. ❤❤❤❤

I was thinking of buying them for my soon coming birthday. In my country the cost is 420$ for this set the price is outrageous and as I can see now, not worth buying. However we should remember that there are no perfect needles on the market. They all have pros and cons. It depends on personal preferences. Still, you provided us with a thorough review -thank you for that effort, it's very useful and informative.

So I purchased this set when it was first released because it was so beautiful. I clearly did not need it because I already owned the Chiaogoo complete sets in bamboo and stainless as well as the Seeknit sets. Not trying to excuse Chiaogoo for the manufacturing issues, but at least I can replace them if anything happens to them. I got to try to Forte cords before the set was released so I knew what to expect - I had a cord break on my and that was promptly replaced. Perhaps the set was a waste of money, but I like them.

I've coveted a Chiaogoo set for years and been hesitant. Thank you great review I won't be buying it. Now I know why I've hesitated.

Thanks for the detailed review! I love my ChiaoGoo stainless steel set, so I was interested to see what these looked like. While I LOVE the leather case and all the pockets and accessories, I do not love the slight gaps and defects you pointed out. The reason I splurged on my ChiaoGoo spin set was because I absolutely hate when my yarn snags on the needles. The spin set has SUCH a smooth join, and I am ROUGH on my needles. (I'm a tight knitter, and I've learned to embrace it, no changing me now! LOL) I've had my current set for a few years now, and the join is STILL so smooth. (Let's just say that my Knit Picks set did not last very long; the screw part became misaligned with a noticeable overbite that snagged every stitch. Drove me crazy!) So, while I love that case, I'm going to stick with my spin set. Maybe I'll just indulge in some more cables. I need more for all my WIPs! LOL Thanks again!