as if we need someone else talking about those knit picks needles, but I was intrigued and decided to try them out. I figured if anything I would have some spare sock needles. I ordered two of their 32″ ‘classic circulars‘ in sizes #0 and #1 (2mm and 2.5mm) and so far have only used the 2.5.
four days after I placed my order the package arrived and the swatching commenced. first thoughts, they do look exactly like addis though a lot sharper (the addi is the third needle in the pic), the cable feels plasticy, and where the hell is the needle size printed? would it have cost them that much to print the size, really?
I started with a flat swatch using the sock candy I have and then moved on to starting my second sock. the splitty yarn combined with the movements in the pattern seemed to be the perfect test. that point really does make all those decreases quicker, but at the same time it ends up going through the yarn a lot of the time. eventually I got a handle on this and was ready to say that I loved the needles until I noticed that my sock was dragging on the cable. I noticed it a little when I was doing the flat swatch since I kept passing the work over the cable, but it was even worse while I was using the magic loop. there was some big piece of plastic sticking out of the cable and what looked to be scratches that kept the needle from gliding. instead I had to push and pull to get the needle back to home position. picking at it enough I got the big piece off, but I still had those scratches.
I kept hoping it was some film that somehow ended up on the cable. those are definitely grooves and the yarn keeps getting stuck in them. not only does the cable have weird scratches, but the same spot actually has a permanent bend.
not fun. not fun at all. mind you the plastic goop or whatever was there when I took the needles out of their bag and it only got worse as I tried to work the kink out.
I’ll be calling knit picks tomorrow to see if they’ll replace this needle, if not then it’s going into the trash then. what’s funny is that I showed it to my boyfriend hoping he would have a way to fix it. he agreed that it looked like the plastic was stretched and could possibly break, but then looked at me and said ‘this wouldn’t happen to addis you know!’. what have I done to this man?
eta:
magic loop didn’t create the problem, the crack was already there when I took the needles out of their bag.
for jess, a pic of how flexible the cable is…pretty damn flexible if you ask me:
What a bummer. I’m sorry! I’ll be intrigued to see what KP has to say.
Bummer about the needle cable BUT the boyfriend remark about the Addis: Priceless.
Bummer! But man, your boyfriend is priceless!!!
I haven’t used mine for magic loop … just plain flat knitting and nothing like that happened. I’m sure KnitPicks would be eager to replace them for you. I agree with you that they could have printed the size info somewhere on the cables. I ended up buying a pack of those needle size tags. 🙂
it was like this out of the bag, so it’s probably some manufacturing error…but what does that say about quality control?
I’m curious to see KP reaction as well as I just ordered a set 2 days ago. Wont be using magic loop but they looked really good for lace knitting.
Your boyfriend sounds like a keeper!
bummer. man. i’m expecting my needles fron knitpicks any day now and i order the same needles you had. i guess i’ll have to try to be extra careful? i guess there’s a reason one has to shell out so much moola for addis. hopefully, knitpicks will at least replace them for ya.
You can tell your bf I *have* had that happen with Addis. I mailed them to Skacel a few weeks ago. Bummer about the KP needles.
[runs to check the set of 1s, 32″ bought for magic loop purposes]
crap. i hope it’s not contagious. i have still to try mine. grrrrrr!
so sad… i still might order a pair of these as a metal alternative to bryspuns for lace, since the blunt tip of addis is so poopy. how’s the flexibility of the cable aside from your defect?
huh, interesting (and that sucks!). I’ve used the dpns and a 24″ interchangable with a US8 on it to knit sleeves (flat), no problems.
However, I haven’t tried 2s2c or magic loop yet, so I haven’t been in a situation where I put that much stress on the cable and all of my interchangable cables are okay, don’t have this defect– not that that helps with sock knitting, since they don’t make the interchangables in small sizes).
FTR, I have had that happen to a pair of addis — but they were the older style addi turbos, with the really crappy cable that kinks up.
Love the bf’s comment. 🙂
Well, it’s the first in-depth review I’ve read, and I’m grateful for it.
Here’s a question, though – what are your thoughts on just the needle, sans cable? Specifically…I’ve been thinking of buying a few sets of the dpns, which would mean I wouldn’t have the crappy-cable problem (I too will be interested in hearing how KP addresses that.) But I’m concerned about heft – I use bamboo dpns usually, and I like the lightness…do you think the KP dpns would be hefty or do they seem pretty lightweight and zippy?
Bummer about the messed up cable. I have the US1 in a 32″ (my preferred magic loop length) and I love it. Hopefully your replacement comes speedily and without hassle.
yes, what exactly have you done to that man, yahaira!? please share!
waiting anxiously for the needle update.
I imagine that if the cracks were in the cable when you took it out of the package, KNit Picks will have no problem replacing it.
I think the needles themselves are great and only wish I hadn’t had the bad luck of getting a crappy cable. I imagine the dpns are just as awesome if not more deadly than these.
Well crap, their QA isn’t very impressive. I don’t think I would have let that cable pass.
My husband refuses to acknowledge knitting as anything but what old ladies do. I KNOW! Your man is a very progressive man! 🙂
Bummer on the cables… I’m still going give them a test run to see… i hope they replace that cable for you! Keep us posted.
Hopefully Knitpicks is good with their customer service. I ‘m considering buying some of these. I can’t wait to hear how everything works out.
yep, sounds like a manufacturing dud. and by the looks of all the needles being sold and reviewed online, if there’s only one crappy one for ALL of the reviews i’ve seen, then the quality control doesn’t seem that bad. it happens, you know?
i’m still hemming and hawing over getting the interchangebale set. i think that i’m at 80% yes now.
I thought my husband was the only one who made comments like that! He’ll be relieved to know he’s not alone.
that’s a shame about the defect, but i’m sure they would replace it. they would *want to. :0) i was reading another post about these needles and the knitter was really pleased with them, but everyone is different. your boyfriend’s remark- cracked me up! priceless. x
That is a bummer! I hope KP works it out for you (sends you a replacement)! I love my Options needles, but then again I haven’t done Magic Loop on them…and mine were ok out of the package.
Like everyone’s said, your boyfriend’s comment is hilarious =D
I just loved your BF’s comment!!!! Wonderful! xx
Oh no! To me, the cable is one of the most pleasurable things about an Addi.
And, dontcha just love it when they come out with some of the lingo? It’s like, hey, they are listening.
Thanks for the review – I haven’t seen one yet. I like the idea of the tips and I’m glad the tip is pointier, but I don’t like the quality control issues. I guess I’m going to have to break down and order some.
I got mine also – have yet to try them but now I’m going to examine my cords closely!
I’m glad to see your review. I was thinking of trying some myself. I hope you did just get a bad set. I’ll be curious to see what KP says as well.
Oh & that Thai book looks fantastic! I think I’ll whip up curry tonight! 🙂
Thanks for the review!
Oh, that’s funny! My boyfriend knows all about blocking. i think they listen more than we think.
I got the interchangables about 2 weeks ago, I love them. So far.
that boyfriend comment is great. haha. 🙂 one thing I thought about the knitpicks cables is that they just seem like a piece of plastic, where the addis seem like it’s a wire or something and encased in plastic. it just feels sturdier, even tho it’s just as flexible. but, for the price, I think the knitpicks are very good. I don’t think any of the cables I got have the problem you have – I hope it’s not something that will develop later on!
Great review, too bad about the needles. Hopefully it’s just a bad cable and they’ll replace it.
oh man, what a drag (ha ha) about that cable! I’m glad you posted though – I’ve been dreaming of picking up a set and I think I’ve “cooled” enough to not go impulse purchasing 😉
What a great boyfriend comment, you have trained him well. 🙂 Hopefully they will replace it.
Sad for your cable. I’m sure KP will replace it…wait, since it was a 2.5mm, it would be the whole needle they’d replace. Still, I’m sure they will!
PS – got the yarn today! It’s GORGEOUS!!!! I was giving it to a swap buddy, but may keep it afterall!!!
whoa!! that cable is pretty mind blowing!
Thanks for being the human guinea pig!
I ordered KP circulars and one of the points seemed to have a barb on it – couldn’t see it but I felt it when knitting. A quick email back to them and they sent me a new one and didn’t even ask for the original back. New one if just fine!
DEFINITELY let us know what KP has to say about that.
Definately get a replacement. That is not proper for those needles! I have the Options set, and I really like using them because of the flexible cable.
Man, it was too good to be true, cheap but great needles. Out of the two pairs I’ve tried so far, one has scratchy spots. We’ll see how they behave in the long run. I’m using both pairs for magic loop, but I’ve only had them for about a week or so.
you know, I thought it was me being crazy hard on my needles but mine have a permanent kink in them as well. I was Magic looping with sz 1 32″ and the kink was causing ladders in my sock. I havent used it since. maybe I should email them. Thanks for sharing your frustrations. I no longer feel insane for having issues with my knit picks needles. 😉