Today I’m sharing my finished Fire Pit Mitts, a little swatch for my future Frankensweater, and my rambling thoughts on why I prefer fixed circulars. Enjoy! ❤
Your knitting needle storage system gave me major anxiety! 😂 Seems chaotic to me. I much prefer the “contrived” system of an orderly storage method. Putting my needles on a cable is just part of the process for me, like swatching.
I found the needle conversation hilarious! Had me chuckling. I’m an interchangeable person. I love the organization of them. I always return my needles and cables right back into their spot when I’m done knitting that piece. My dad had all his tools on his pegboard with the shape of them outlined with a black marker. Too funny! Thank you!,😅😂🤣
I don’t knit. Never have not interested. I do crochet and do love crocheting very relaxing. I am now addicted to your podcast and midweek rambles. Love your love for knitting and this just keeps me company when crocheting and gives me so much inspiration. So thank you!
Same here! Except, I started knitting thanks to this podcast. I grew up crocheting (since I was 9), but the inspiration I gain from this podcast has pushed me into the world of knitting clothes. I don't think I could ever go back.
Love my chiaogoo interchangeables and my Lykke interchangeables. I’ve organized the cables in a three ring binder, in pockets by size. The tips are in the case. I have circulars hanging similar to yours.
I love my interchangeable sets not because of any love of order, but the opposite, honestly. I started with a single common set, knitter’s pride/knitpicks bamboo mosaic interchangeable. And as I’ve taken on new projects, and realized which sizes I might have running at the same time, I’ve been able to add individual needle tips at far less expense, different lengths (2 1/2 to 5 inches), metal and bamboo, that are interchangeable. My issue is that at any given point I might start a project and not know what size cord or tip I need, if my gauge doesn’t match, the ability to just swap it out mid-project is just honestly so much easier than having to wait to get another fixed circular at a different length of the same size to arrive. I have no yarn stores within 45 minutes, so the ability to just order a less expensive interchangeable tip, or a different length or type of cord, that are still compatible with my system, gives me the flexibility that I need with less cost for any individual single piece addition. On a sidenote, I’m a librarian, and our library is about to add a circulating collection of different interchangeable knitting and Tunisian crochet hooks from a wide variety of brands, including the ergonomics options, because I have learned from the experience of building my own collection that it’d be great for crafters to be able try some of these out before investing anywhere between $60-$170 for an interchangeable set they/I may not like.
That's such a great idea about a library of needles! How long would you have the check out period for though? Some projects take much longer than 3 weeks, lol. And I'm the same - I love not having to buy something to start a project and knowing that I have something on hand that will work. I live far from yarn stores as well and I don't have Amazon Prime, so it's a longer wait and a bigger imposition to get a new needle each time.
@@showandtellmeg We’re building the collection from the ground up, including reaching out to the major companies and request donations, so some of that, including borrowing periods are TBD. It looks like a lot of the major manufacturers (Addi, Chiaogoo, Knitter’s Pride/KnitPro, Knit Picks, and Clover) have donated to knitting groups, church groups, senior centers, Girl Scout troops, etc. that do charity knitting, according to their websites. But they make it a little more difficult to know who you’re supposed to send that request to. They’ve also sent them to some RU-vidrs I follow, if they agreed to do a comparison and true opinion, so they’re clearly open to the idea at large. In terms of the circulation periods, it’s TBD as we develop the collection, along with common and less common power and hand tools (drill, bits, levels, stud-fingers, voltage meters, etc). Our community doesn’t even have a hardware store anymore. No lie, some libraries actually have circulating collections of yard games for reunions or large family get-togethers, homeschool support science kits, and/or even things like snowshoes, cake pans, or sawhorses, that you can check out with your library card. It’s a new way of serving the needs in our community, beyond books, DVDs, and magazines, that we’re really excited about!
At the end of the day, every crafter has the “organizational situation” that makes their heart happy 😊. Thanks for giving us a peak at your “situation” and a place we can all share our “situations” and possibly get some new ideas.
That’s what can be hard for a newcomer. I think that’s how I learned I preferred a curated set over interchangeables. I a size I use a lot then if I want to try something new I can try that size before I buy other sizes.
Interchangeable knitter here - I use them for in-the-round and also for flat projects and have several UFO’s. If I need a needle size for a new project, I can buy new tips. I have my old fixed circs put away hidden somewhere. 😊
This is me as well. I own both a wood and a metal set of circulars, and I’ve simply bought extra tips and cables in the sizes that I most commonly use. I’m also the kind of person that likes to keep my notions and yarn stowed away and organized.
And me. I have a couple of fixed circs for knitting socks, but other than that, I like the mix and match of interchangeables. I buy tips and cables as I need them. I don't use straight needles for anything and firmly believe DPNs are an invention of the devil.
I just steal the needle tips from the project that’s using them and put cord stoppers on them! Haha. It’s also great when you need to change needle sizes for a project.
My ChaioGoo needle set is my very favorite most prized knitting possession. It took me many years and other systems to land but I absolutely love my set.
The needle question is so interesting. I love my CG interchangeable set and have even started adding the bamboo tips to the case, bit by bit. I refuse to do magic loop on anything other than a CG red cord. I do have a fixed 2 mm circ that's dedicated to sock knitting, because it seems practical to do that if you're using a particular size constantly. I have a bunch of fixed circs that I love, but I'm not getting rid of the interchangeables. Roxanne Richardson said that the single most useful knitting needle is a 32-inch circular, in every diameter you're likely to need, because it's the right size to knit a sweater in the round and also long enough to do magic loop for smaller things. I thought, if I couldn't afford a bunch of different needles, that was really good advice.
I buy my equipment (as often aa possible) used off Ravelry. I have an old Hiya Hiya 4" interchangeable set I bought used so I'd have just about every needle I need to cast on right away when i commited to being a serious knitter. Then I added some Addi Sock Rockets (1s on a 40" cord then 2s and zeros) to knit socks. I added 9" needles and DPNs because I like small projects. Then bamboos for brioche and slippery yarn. Then used Chiao Goo interchangeables that are 5" tips. I also like Flexi Flips. I do like fixed but I would rather expand my interchangeables. I did get a bunch of 16" fixed bamboos used to make hats at any gauge. We all have our unique horde!
I love that you are a tool person! I am also a tool person: I love my interchangeables, my fixed circulars and all my dpns, but most of all, I love the certainty that I probably already have the needles that I need. ❤
As for knitting needles, I use both methods of organizing them. I have an old knitted scarf on a clothes hanger that I weave the cable needles through, organized by size. And I also have some interchangeable ChiaoGoos that I bought as I needed them and ended up buying the empty ChiaoGoo case to keep them organized. The best thing about having the case is keeping everything in one place, especially the cable connectors, I put them on a light bulb stitch marker and pin right into the case. A lot harder to lose that way!
Your organization method would send me to the asylum! I have 2 Chiaogoo 5” needle sets and one 4” set. I’ve bought several extra cables in 37”, 30”, 20” and 8”, so I can construct any setup I need. I even have 2 50” cables. I keep the cables in labeled clear pouches. I have clear pouches for various sizes of crochet hooks too, and another set of pouches for various sizes of fixed needles. Another set of pouches hold my seldom-used DPNs. The various kinds of pouches are held together with metal rings, and all of this goes into a weekender size soft-sided bag from Atenti. Oh, and I have 2 sets of Chiaogoo’s amazing Mini Twist sock needles in their delightful mesh pouches. I live in two different places, so this whole kit and kaboodle travel with me, all together. Whew! I enjoy your podcasts.
I like interchangeables for projects where I put stitches on hold for long periods - instead of moving things to holders I just take the needles off and put on stoppers. It's nice to be able to move easily between sleeve and sweater body when I get bored!
I love the idea of interchangeable needles but I do tend to have different projects on the go. I'm not a person who tidies her toys away properly after playing. OH how I have tried and tried and would love to be. After, 52 years I have accepted things and I have realised the inside of my mind looks very much like your fixed needle arrangement. I laughed at you having one of the interchangeable needles hung up along with the fixed ones. That is just what I would have done. Thanks for the lovely Monday ramble Tayler :)
Yes….a place for everything and everything in its place! 2 videos/week is a lot and don’t know how you fit everything in. I will definitely miss seeing you during the 2 week off period.
The needle debate is pretty funny to me because I am both ways you mention. With paint brushes, I have cups of various ones around my desk just like you and I rifle through them to find what I need. With knitting needles, I have always loved the interchangeable sets. I started out with Knitter's Pride and now I have the small size Chiaogoo set and I love knowing that I Have all the needle sizes and cable lengths I could want or need without having to buy something and wait for it to arrive. If I need to use a needle that is already on another project, I can just put stoppers on the cable I was using in the set and borrow the needles. I also have the cable connectors so I can even steal the cable by putting the project on a different one. So convenient and much more frugal. When a project is done, part of me finishing is me putting the needle and cable back in the case so I always know where they are. I also use DPNS a lot though, and I have sewn my own DPN case to keep them organized. I liked that so much that I even got a longer set and made another case for them and put a tutorial on my blog, lol. So I am a combo of organization and chaos with my craft supplies, but it all breaks down to the fact that I love knowing I have all the supplies on hand to make most anything I want at any given time and I don't have to worry if I have the extra money at that moment to buy another needle to make what I want.
Hmmm....I think we are opposite on needles. I have a few sets of interchangeable and love them. The hanging rack would drive me nuts! My loose circular needles are in a binder in sheet protectors. But then again, I tend to knit one thing at a time, so needing the same size needles isn't a problem. I am looking forward to Frankensweater-ing in January!
I have a few fixed circulars for socks but otherwise I rely heavily on my interchangeables. They’re great when switching to ribbing and for putting large sections of stitches on hold
I love Chiaogoo interchangeable needles but I also have the stationery ones in my favorite sizes. I can't believe it though, I discovered the mindful collection of Knitters Pride and I love them too.
I love my interchangeable set because by nature I am excessively cluttery and struggle with knowing where things go, and interchangeables in a little nice set I bought solve that ennnntire problem for me. It takes up so little space and I will always know where everything is!
My Mom gifted me a set of interchangeable knitting needles. It was a $220 set. I thought it was the most generous gift, and it was, but my brain works like your brain. I want all the needles in one place ready to go.
Found having two sets of chigoo interchangables with plenty of cables in all lengths....helps for wips. I can use stoppers if i need the needles. Just remember to put needle size down on paper and pinned to project or in note book.
My house is tiny and already has far too many knitting related items, that's why I prefer my interchangeable sets (especially chaigoo). The thought of storing fixed needles doesn't interest me, I'd far rather buy extra tips and cords as needed than have a fixed needle collection to manage.
I love, love, love my interchangeables ChiaoGoo knitting needles. I have two of the complete sets. I like to use 2 needles at a time for my projects. Also love, love love your chats. Renee
I keep my needles in their sleeves. The sleeves are in a cookie tin. My supply has grown so much that I need to have a tin for circular and a tin for the double pointed needles. There is a possibility that the crochet hooks may share with the double pointed needles for a while.
I use both. I have a large collection of fixed circulars that I've collected for a long time. I recently bought some interchangeables, and I love them! So, I like the freedom of both options. :)
Glad you are heading towards a schedule that will hopefully be sustainable for you and your fam. I feel like this shows good modeling for a balanced lifestyle. I hope you are met with only support! As for me, I’d much rather have a creator upload less than not at all. Thank you for all you share. I always find something valuable from your videos! Curious, when will the next FFTP restock be? I haven’t caught one yet and wonder if the site is open until the items are sold out or how that works. Anywho, thanks again for working so hard to bring us awesome fiber content!
Yes! I have both fixed and interchangeable circulars, and almost every time I need a needle for a new project, there's always a bunch of steps and confusion when I need to find the right cable length AND tips, when I have multiple projects going at the same time. I am more likely to get started when I have LESS steps and hurdles to get through. This is totally due to my willy nilly ADHD brain. So I also love the idea of mix and match, but it doesn't work with how my brain works either. Interchangeable is nice when I want a specific TYPE of needle (all my interchangeable are wooden) so depending on the yarn I'm knitting with I might go reach for those instead of the metal tip fixed circulars I have. But I usually just purchase a pair of needles at this point and add to my collection. I LOVE the way you have yours organized. I may need to steal your idea!
I enjoy my Knitters Pride interchangeable set because it is very portable. I can purchase extra needle tips for my most used sizes. I like having everything in one case, especially when traveling.
Really appreciated your feedback on interchangeable needles! I bought the really expensive Chiagoo Forte sometime ago and initially thought wow this is great and all I need, but, absolutely not! The whole hunting for a cable, often not finding the size, making sure they are tight enough and also the for this set the fragility of the needles and also the cables that have deteriorated. I have since been just buying ready-set circular needles as I want, trying different types, and indeed I have many duplicates which are fine. I have gone from that zip-up packaging to an Ikea pinboard with them out on display. They provide me with inspiration and enjoyment whenever I see them and oh boy it's so much easier!
I keep my cables in a dollar store photo album each page labelled for a different length. One for smaller connectors and one for larger. It takes seconds to find the right cable.
I’ve not found multiple projects a problem with interchangeable needles, and I prefer them because I have limited space😅. Most sets come with the stoppers that you can screw onto the ends so you can easily swap out the needles and use them on a different project. They also come with the little tags with the number you put on your project so you don’t forget what needles you were using. Having said that do what works for you and your creative brain 😊
I totally get the "lagging" of two at a time socks! That's how I learned to knit socks but I've found knitting them on separate needles and doing them section by section is my favorite way to do it. Less chance of second sock syndrome when part of it is already finished. 😉
I love both interchangeable and fixed circulars. I have many fixed circulars and I purchased a few interchangeable sets. It depends on the project I’m working on.
I completely agree that the choice of needles depends on the project! For instance, I do socks on 2 circulars (2aat) - fixed. But when I do a shawl, especially one that increases stitches, I prefer an interchangeable so that I can add cable length. I will also use an interchangeable when I'm just going round and round because I like to use a smaller tip on the "from" side. It makes the stitches come off more easily and also makes the entering with the "to" point easier. (And I personally feel that 2aat socks are faster overall because I'm only turning once for each TWO halves of sock instead of once for each half. So less total time repositioning.)
I store everything in little pouches and boxes in a drawer. I have different puches for different types of needles (1 for short DPN, 1 for long DPN, 1 for fixed cable needles etc.). Also, I have always a good excuse to sew a new pouch if I need one ^^ I extend my collection as I go by what I need. Right now, this is the best option while knitting on a budget and living in a small place. But I really prefer to go with interchangeables and collecting these over time. I feel more flexible with them and feel like I have to buy tools more infrequently.
Can't wait to see that Frankensweater, love the yarn choices! I exclusively use fixed Addi Turbos, and I have at least 3 of each size. I keep them organized in a zip up day planner binder, with little zip-lock style pouches for each size. I always have AT LEAST 3 projects going at a time, and there's no way I could deal with a set of interchangeables!
I love seeing content creators modeling good self-care. The crafting-verse so needs that. p.s. ❤ your fire pit mitts. Eyeing them for a future cast-on. OH! Needles: as a newbie knitter, it seemed that interchangeables were the be all and end all. Now that i have some experience under my belt, i like having a set so i know i can cast anything on at any time BUT will switch the project over to a set of fixed circulars as soon as possible. A point driven home when i was in the final stretch of a cowl and my interchangeables came undone. 😮 Thank goodness for a LYS and their help!
I happened upon a set of interchangeable circulars in the michael's clearance section for $40 and it is one of the best knitting purchases that I have made. I use it all the time. I get super overwhelmed when I have more than a handful of projects going, so the only issue I've run into with needing the needles when they are in use is when my sister borrows them for a project and takes forever to return them. XD
As a new knitter I started with a set of interchangeable from knitpro's mindful collection (metal needles with swivel cords) as I already had a set of interchangeable tunisian crochet hooks and wanted some better cables. Having knitted my first sweater and started on the second I wouldn't swap to fixed for anything. Interchangable needles allow you to put sleeves on hold on a cable and all you need to do to start knitting is screw on the needles. Likewise, want to try on your sweater quickly? Just unscrew 1 needle and screw on an extension cord, try on for fit and replace back. Knitting stokinette flat and have a different gauge in purl vs knit e.g. when doing short rows? Swap one side of the needles for a different size to accomodate.
It's probably more expensive this way, but when I learned to knit, my partner got me the Clover Takumi interchangeable set and now I have decided to transition to Chiaogoo interchangeables. Instead of buying a pack, I've been buying cables and needles as I go with multiples of different sizes of needles and sizes/lengths of cables so I'm not limited by that. I also like that I can twist stitch holders and take the needles off the cables if I need to, and it's very simple for me to increase cable length if I'm knitting something like a raglan by using a cable connector with the longer cable to slide on the project and then slide the short cable off! Like I said, building my set by hand has probably cost more money but I don't have needles I won't use! Also I do use fixed 9" circulars for any small circumference knitting I may do and I don't feel the need to get the shorties for that. I also bought a different needle case though (twig and horn) so I'm not limited 100% by the space in a set's case
I never bought a whole set of interchangables, but I bought several cables and tips, because there are many sizes I don't use - so that I have several of the size that I need - but also I can take the tips off of a WIP in order to use them somewhere else, without taking the cable out. I am really happy with that solution, also because I have fallen out of love with my knitpicks wooden needles, because the wood isn't very good quality, so midway through, I have opted to buy other tips (current fave is the carbon needles), and they still fit everything else I have for the set. I have tons of cables - most of them 40'' and I like that I can add an extra cable to sweater knits to try on as I go. But I also have a lot of fixed needles - because I knit *a lot* on 2.5mm which I can't get in knitpicks interchangables, and also I inherrited a lot of (knitpicks) needles from my mom - fixed as well as interchangable.
I am interchangeable all the way! I have my two interchangeable sets - one clover set that I bought when I first got serious about knitting, and the chaigoo red minis. Now I add chiagoo tips and cords piece meal as needed (if my other interchangeables are already in use). Hot tip - the chiagoo shorty needles will fit the mini cables so you can use them on a longer cable if you don’t mind knitting a large project with a shorter needle tip.
I have three interchangeable sets that are interchangeable with each other. I love being able to unscrew one needle and screw on another when it's time to change sizes. I love being able to attach another cord to make a long cord for trying on. It's just so convenient. I keep them in the cases they came in (Two lantern moon sets and one knitters pride gratitude shorties - they all work together) The only time I like to use fixed needles is for magic loop for small circumference items like gloves. And that is because I love the cords from Lantern Moon for everything else but they're not quite flexible enough for magic loop.
I love my chaigoo interchangeable set. It absolutely works for me. I keep about three or four projects going at a time so it’s not hard to track where needles are. It’s easy enough to pop the stoppers on a cord and borrow the needles for something. It’s worth it’s weight in gold to be able to add a cable and be able to try something on while I’m working. I’ve added a few extra needles to the kit, and cables in sizes I need, like giant shawl knitting!
Reminds me of a video I saw... "What type of clutterbug type are you" or something similar... I recognize myself in your cratf "organization", I always tend to organize in a way that I can see all my things - tools, material, etc. For some people it seems messy, but this is the way my creativity is at it's best... Not so feng shui / minimalist looking!! 😄
As someone who has to travel (by bike) a lot with my knitting, an interchangeable set with some supplementation is magical. Now I have alle the tips and cables I possibly need in one small case. Honestly, sometimes I just look at them all organised and it makes me happy. A hanger would make me a bit nervous and would be a recipe for disappearing needles. I wholeheartedly recommend the ginger series from Knitpro, it’s the ideal combination between grippy and smooth. My mom has the metal ones (lots of dropped stitches) and I started with the bamboo (yarn catching, slow knitting). I also like adjusting my cable size, so that’s my recommendation.
I’m so glad you feel the way you do about interchangeable needles. I too have many projects going at once, so I never could see how a interchangeable set would benefit me and my knitting. I’m knitting a sweater and cowl and they both use size 5 needles, then size 8s for hats. If I only had interchangeable it would slow me down, not that I’m fast. I like collecting my needles in multiples in sizes that I use most. Thus I have lots of size 8s, size 6s and DPN 2s. Also, I’m going to jump on the Frankensweater KAL bandwagon sounds like cup of tea for the winter. Thanks for my Sunday evening listening experience.💕. Iris 21:33
16:07 Funny enough, with my paint brushes, I am a “all in a jar” kind of gal, but with my knitting needles I am an interchangeable kind of gal. I am constantly shuffling projects on different cords, different needles, adding stoppers/joins in my cables to suit. I do have a collection of fixed needles as well, and those all live in their original plastic sleeves! Those are mostly sock needles accumulated from the years of trying to figure out what I like best, and a couple Addi Turbos for sweater knitting when I’ve been in the mood for “faster” feeling knits on metal needles. But truth be told, both my sweaters are on my Clover bamboo interchangeables right now!
I use interchangeable needles. But like you I have many pairs of the sizes i use most often rather than a “set” I have a nice leather notebook with zipper pockets pages for the different cable lengths and slotted pencil holder “pages” for the needle tips. It’s portable and I take it with me whenever i travel for work LOL
Thank you for your insights into interchangeable vs fixed. Also, it’s a fantastic idea to pace yourself with 8 weeks on and two weeks off. That’s the type of schedule we used with homeschooling our kids. It did a lot to keep us from burnout. I always look forward to your videos. Have a wonderful day.😊
I have 4 interchangeable sets after initially buying a bunch of fixed circular needles. I'm pretty covered for every situation, even multiple projects with the same size needle. :)
Thank you for sharing about your CG interchangeables and fixed needles. I have an old set of interchangeables--Denise brand Interchangeable Knitting Needles with plastic needles and plastic-coated cables. They're about 30 years old. They come in handy when adjust needle sizes between ribbing and the body, for example. I'm hoping to acquire a set of CG interchangeables in the near future.
Thank you for sharing that you are just as disheveled as I am.😂 I have a small Chiagoo set that I only use for traveling. I always take my projects with me when traveling anywhere, but never know what I may find. So, my little set goes along for the just in case and takes up less space than trying to take my craft room as my husband says.😮
I have and use both interchangeable (Chiaogoo) and fixed circulars ( mostly Hiya Hiya). I don’t like magic loop so choose my cable length based on project. Because a significant amount of my annual knitting is small items for charity I keep a small charity project in my knitting bag at all times along with the fixed needles that project requires. This is for my mindless, away from home knitting. I use my interchangeable needles for my bigger, more complicated projects that tend to stay at home. I initially bought individual Chiaogoo interchangeable needles in the sizes I use most (5-7). Once I decided I liked them , then I invested in the set. It works especially well for me for items where I want to use two circular needles rather than dpns. I don’t think it depends only on your organizational style but, at least for me, it depends on the projects I knit and where I knit them. I stopped counting all my uncompleted projects as wips. I now have 1-2 wips that are actually in progress (and have needles with them) , and everything else is a UFO and on stitch holders.
I also use a hanging system for my circulars, and it is the best, easiest, least fiddly system I’ve ever used. Mine is made from fabric, each size has a separate section going down the strip. I can easily see all the 6s and decide which one I want by tip and length, and pull it out without any fuss or tangling. 🎉
Just jumped down the magic loop rabbit hole (been circular knitting for some time) but hadn't mastered magic loop; decided to try it with your fire pit mitts and OMG, i absolutely got it and knocked out a pair in two days! fantastic pattern so much fun, learned a heap and they are beautiful ... thanks for inspiring me with a great pattern. Happy holidays!
I have interchangeable and fixed needles - and it depends on what I’m making and the yarn I’m using as to which I choose for a project. With rustic/woolley yarn I sometimes find that having a smaller needle size in my left hand makes stitches less tight, or using a wood and metal needle on the same circular project moves my yarn more easily. I can deal with storage but sometimes I need interchangeables for a specific project.
I received a set of Chiaogoo interchangeable needles for Christmas from my children. I was soo excited to receive them. Now having watched your podcast, I find myself to be much like you. I love my fixed needles and organize them very similar to you. The interchangeable ones will be used more for when I'm travelling. This way, whatever project strikes my fancy, I can easily cast on...knowing I have the needles with me. Does that make sense? Love your podcasts. and hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas. Enjoy your break.
I've got a bog standard set of metal knitter's pride interchangeables and they are completely indispensable to me because they give me the option of using one size on the left and another on the right because 1) I knit really tightly, so especially when I'm knitting magic loop, the needle that I'm knitting off of (as opposed to the one I'm knitting with, which determines the size of the stitches) needs to be smaller so the tight stitches can fit over it. And 2) when knitting flat stockinette, I've got horrific guttering issues because my gauge for knit and purl is totally different, so I use a smaller needle to purl with. It totally works! And I'm a "roll them up in a case and tuck them away" kind of person because I prefer/need a minimalist esthetic in my home. It's really neat and organised and I love it. I recently bought a second set, this time short needles for small circumferences. Also, I discovered swivel cables, which give me so much more comfort, especially when knitting magic loop. Another benefit is adding in an extra cable to try on the WIP, if the cable I'm working with is too short to do so. Just use an adaptor and bam, twice the length. By now I have all the bits I could ever need, and it saved me a ton of money over buying all the different cable lengths and dpn sets that I would have otherwise used in my "knitting career" so far. Reading back my own comment, it feels like a whole ted talk on interchangeable needles 😂😂 to each their own though ❤ what I love about knitting is that there is no one right way to do it.
I have Frankensteined together a set of interchangeable and some fixed needles for my more common sizes like 4s and 6s. I LOVE the Karbonz needles for the interchangeables; they have the mid shaft stickiness of bamboo with the end tip slide of metal.
I am working on Advent socks with stripey yarn in Tandem and am loving it. I am using Addi Easy Knit 10" circular which has one tip a bit longer and sharper than the other. I have two needles, one for each sock and just go back & forth. I think this will be a game changer for me without the tangles and laddering of magic loop.
Good for you having a plann…. I don’t know where you have been.. I am newly subscribed, I need to keep up. You are right one the needles kind of thing.. I tend to want to finish what I have started…. I don’t like to start and not finish things…. That is just how I roll…. Thanks for all you do for us.
I don’t have a dedicated studio so I am intermediate. I love my fixed bamboo circular needles, but my go to are the ChiaoGoo interchangeable. I bought extra needles and cables for my interchangeable (less $$ than fixed), so I can have 2 of each size. It takes much less time to assemble the needles from the pouch than to dig around for the correct fixed sizes.
I love to make socks, and recently I matched up sock colors with colors for contrast toe/heel/cuff, into kits. I bought up probably 10 needles that are size 1 and 40”. That way I have a working needle with each kit. Way worth it to me!
My needle choice is project dependent. If it will need needle and cable length changes - I go interchangeable - but if it’s going to be one needle the whole way through - fixed. Also - bought a set of KnitPro Mindful Swivel 360 cables at Maryland Sheep and Wool last year - life changing for magic loop!!!
I saw your earlier video on knitting needles and was inspired to get fixed circulars. I’ve had a few sets of interchangeables and never really liked all the hassle of connecting, etc. I sold my interchangeable sets and am very happy with the fixed collection that I have now. I do keep mine hanging through a fabric strip with slats that are labeled. Although I have a few Chiagoo, I mostly have Knitter’s Pride Fixed circular Zings. Love them❤ Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I love my chiaoGoo circular needles, I probably have 5-10 of the ones I use most often, I’m a beginner of projects 😅 when I was crocheting my sister finished my projects that I got bored with. But now that I’m knitting, she can’t finish my projects, so sometimes they take the back burner… some get frogged and some get finished. I’m still figuring out a way to organize them that makes me happy…
I love my interchangeables that I've had for a few years now. They give me so much flexibility, I always have the right needle size and cable length combination! Plus it's easy to change cable size or needle size on the go mid-project. I haven't touched my fixed round needles or old straight needles in forever.
I started knittin a year ago and with time buying needles I needed. I do prefer exchangable needles except for socks where I use fixed needles for magic loop. To store them I bought lately case for my needles and it works well. I wouldn't spend money one full set back then but building it up seems better. Even I have duplicated sizes due to my current work.
This podcast made me think about myself as a crafter and how I approach certain things. I am a combination personality. Some things I need organized like my tool set and the things like my knitting and crocheting are free spirited. I have my own system of organization in my lack of. My sewing and painting supplies are contained and in the container is a mess of stuff. I guess this is me. I like fixed needles and although I purchased a set of interchangeable, I would tell people to find your favorite type of needle before even thinking about buying a whole set. I am coming to learn what are my favorite type of needles and maybe purchased the wrong set. Thank you for touching on this topic and making me see that I don't have to wonder why I am this way but realize, I like many are in fact happy in our craft world around us as is.
I like to make usable swatches. So a flat swatch can be a mug rug, while in the round I'd make it a mug cozy. I also think gloves/mitts, and hats are good in the round and scarves are good flats.
I think the reason I love watching your videos is because I can say “it’s not just me!” I also have a large collection of fixed circulars with several of my favorite sizes, as well as the Chiaogoo set of interchangeables. I usually also have multiple projects going - both knitting and crocheting. I’ve bought extra sets of cables for the interchangeables and I want to get some extra tips too for my favorite sizes.
I love my Chiagoo interchangeable needle set. At first I was a bit frustrated that I didn't have enough needles and cables for multiple projects but soon discovered I could buy additional interchangeable needles and cables on Amazon 😊
Thank you for talking about interchangeable needles. I thought there was something wrong with my thinking, because I always think it seems like it would be easier to buy the ones you need, if that makes sense.
I like to have all my needles contained and out of sight until i need them. Currently i have all my fixed circular needles in the packages I bought them in and then organized by size from small to large. I use the Clover bamboo needles. I don't buy needles unless i need them for a project.
I have 2 sets of the 5 inch and 1 set of the 4 inch Tayler and not many of them are in their little zip bags 😂I have them rolling around in a handmade zip up bag. Not very tidy but they are all together and I generally pick up what size they are 😊 Thankyou for your wonderful podcast and love your mitts. Have a blessed Christmas with your family ❤
I have been looking for a way to store my fixed circulars. I am a brushes in a jar artist, but i also like my unfixed circulars in their case! Jana from Finnish Knitting stories has the answer hanging on her wall behind her RU-vid podcasting chair. I'm having a go making that kind of wall hanging for circulars after the festive. Happy holidays everyone ❤❤❤
Ahhhhh, I got behind due to so many Vlogmas videos. Nice to be back to normal! I agree with what you said about buying sets of needles. I was so excited to get my first set of Chiaogoo needles but of course the first two times I went to use them I needed a size that wasn’t in the set so back to Amazon for size 0 and 1. My crochet hooks are displayed like your pain brushes, I want to be able to see them. That is great that you are going to take two weeks every two months to regroup and all. I hope you and your family had a fabulous Holiday! Merry Christmas! 💚❤️🎄
I am with you on ready to go needles. Have them hanging by size. I use exchangeable needles when I need to take something on cables 😊 the cables are convenient. Love your podcasts and always wait for them.
I have several cases. One chiagoo set identical to yours. I have two other Della Q cases for all my other needles. One for interchangeables and one for fixed needles. I also have the two mini sets of chiagoo. All this lives in a single basket.
I'm more or less with you on interchangeable needle sets. They look great, but as another non-monogamous knitter I have realised that I have a sweet spot between (roughly) 3.5mm and 5.5mm that most of my projects end up using so I have made a fair few, er, emergency purchases of fixed circs to accommodate that despite having more than one interchangeable set!
omgosh, I definitely love to stay organized AND I like to have plenty of choices! My collection is going to be ridiculous within a few years... ha ha (I'm new to knitting) I'm a low-end paintbrushes in cups all over the place + high quality brushes perfectly organized person... I think... ha ha thank you for another lovely video ;-)
