Which knitting needles?

[5HundredUsernamesLater]

Hi, just wondered if any MN knitters can advise me on interchangeable circular knitting needles. I don't want to make a costly mistake but I really like the look of the sets ( knitpro, addi etc) and basically wondered which is the best brand, which kind are best (bamboo, plastic etc) and wether it is worth actually buying a full set or just a few common sizes first and add to my collection later if necessary?

I have a set of Knitpro Symphonie needles, I think they are made of birch. They are lovely to use, very smooth and I'd definitely recommend them. I like Addi turbos as well, though they can be a bit slippy.

I'd get one of the starter sets first to see if you like them, Knitpro do sets with common sizes like 4mm, 5mm and 6mm. They are expensive but should last you a good long time.

Though Amazon do have the big set on sale at the moment...

Just to add, I find bamboo needles tend to split quite easily so I personally would avoid them.

I love the knit pro multicoloured needles, they are lovely to look at and use.

Knit pro interchangeable symphonies (the coloured wooden ones) all the way. I bought myself a set last year and have hardly picked up anything else.

FWIW don't use them to prise off the battery cover from the remote, knitter's fail.

Thank you for your advice, I will have another look on amazon. I was totally confused by all the different choices available. I didn't realise there where so many, Ive only ever used the basic steel needles from my local wool shop. I now know to avoid bamboo so that's narrowed it down. Think I will also take your advice and try a starter kit first and see how I get on. Thanks again Angie.

Thanks to you too Queen. Knitpro symphonies seem to be the way to go. Can't wait to order some and try them.

Thanks Mable. The colours were the thing that first attracted me when I saw some in a magazine. They are gorgeous.

I have a set of the KnitPro Symphonie interchangeables. They are great.

However I have acrylic and metal needles that I can put on the cables because no one material for needles is suitable for all yarns.

If your yarn is slippy, perhaps with some silk in it, you need a "grippier" needle. That's when bamboo can comes in useful. Vice versa a very "toothy" yarn needs a slippy needle like metal.

That's the beauty of the KnitPro system you can add the different material needles if you find you need them. Can highly recommend them and there are some good sets available with the most common size needles.

Thanks for your advice Minniesmate. Everyone recommends knit pro so that's one decision made and I've just seen a starter set on eBay with one pair of the birch, one pair of metal and one pair of acrylic so after reading your post I think I will go for that one and then can try them all before deciding wether to buy a full set.

Thanks everyone for such quick replies and very helpful posts.

One thing about the interchangeable needles is you have to make sure the points are screwed on tight as have had the come of and my knitting fall of the needles which was very annoying

Thanks Essex, i will remember that.

Another one for KnitPro Symfonie interchangeables. They are lovely and smooth but the more you use them the smoother the wood gets, really really lovely to use.

I've had the Knitpro wooden ones for about 2 years and they are great. Enjoying knitting so much more, not that I ever didn't like it. Just I have more time at present, as on the sick, and I knit a lot! I began with a starter pack and have added to them. In the wood the finer ones - less than 3.25mm - have tended to break, acc to a friend anyway. I have metal ones in those finer sizes and find them very good too. Very smooth. Another friend had the acrylic ones - she likes them very much too, and has added a few wooden ones to her set.