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NimbleDigits
New Pal
USA
22 Posts |
 Posted - 01/01/2012 : 5:33:21 PM
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I'm facing my first pair of socks and since all my needles are interchangeables (Boye and Denise) and don't go down to size 1, I need to buy some fixed circulars. I was given Cat Bordhi's "Insouciant Sock Knitters" book for Christmas and I'm seeing size 1 and size 3 being used. Cat also uses two sets of 24" circulars but says you can use just one longer circular if you want. I'm wondering if it would be less confusing to use the two circulars, but if I buy 24" would that limit me for future projects? I've read about doing two socks at once on circulars, but you need 40" or 47".
I'm a little dazzled by all the choices and it seems every brand has its fans and detractors. From what I can understand from reading posts in these forums and elsewhere, KnitPicks Options and Addi Turbos are the two brands I would probably consider buying. I don't mind paying twice as much for the Addis but the Options seem to have supporters, too. Can I get some input from the more experienced sock knitters here as to what you would buy if you were me? |
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purlthis
Permanent Resident
USA
2715 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2012 : 5:43:58 PM
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Knit Picks. They're super sharp for socks.
Rachel
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As I get older, I prefer to knit. Tracey Ullman
http://purledthis.blogspot.com/ UPDATED! WITH PICS! |
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NimbleDigits
New Pal
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2012 : 7:09:36 PM
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Are the Knit Picks circular cords nice and flexible? Because right now I'm trying to learn the Judy's Magic Cast-On technique using my Denise circulars in size 10 with some worsted, just for practice, and the cables are driving me nuts. Even hit me in the face once.  I can't imagine trying this with tiny little size 1 needles! Maybe using the two circulars, like Cat does, is the way to go. |
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Panhandle Jane
Seriously Hooked
USA
607 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2012 : 8:03:14 PM
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I made my first pair of socks on 2 circs using Addis. I found it difficult to work with the Addis because the needle part was short to hold on to. Then I discovered KnitPicks Classics. I've been using their circs for a few years to knit socks using the Magic Loop technique. I like the sharp points. I like the length of the needle part. I like that the price is cheap enough that I can have a few pair in my favorite sizes so that I can start multiple projects. In about 5 years, I've had one pair come unglued. I also finally broke a cable after repeated bending in exactly the same spot, but everything wears out eventually. I should add that where I live there is no yarn shop within any reasonable distance, so running down to the shop for an extra pair of Addis is not an option.
Note: If you do decide to use the Knit Picks, check the mm size as well as the US sizes. There is more than one choice in sizes 1 and 2. Personally, I tend to get the gauge I like with most sock yarns by using the larger of the size 1s, but that is personal preference.
I should also add that I do one sock at a time, even with Magic Loop because I like my sock projects to be very portable, and to me "portable" does not include anything with two balls of yarn.
Blog--http:\\www.panhandleknitandsew.blogspot.com
Ravelry--panhandlejane
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purlthis
Permanent Resident
USA
2715 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2012 : 8:41:29 PM
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Yep, they're great! I've got Denise needles, too, and they have their place, but not for the magic loop. Order a pair of KP to try out. I don't think you'll be disappointed. And they're just as durable as Addi's for a quarter of the price! : )
Rachel
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As I get older, I prefer to knit. Tracey Ullman
http://purledthis.blogspot.com/ UPDATED! WITH PICS! |
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hillstreetmama
Permanent Resident
USA
3448 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2012 : 8:50:49 PM
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The KP fixed circulars would be okay (I, too, prefer the larger of the size 1's). Addi lace would also be nice and sharp, but for this use the KP would be a lot cheaper, especially if you use 2 circs.
The cables are very comparable.
Personally, I like DPN's for socks, and have lately be using the KP pretty wooden ones. They are nice and sharp, and fairly comfortable in my hands.
Jan
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NimbleDigits
New Pal
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2012 : 9:43:45 PM
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Thanks for the advice! It seems the Knit Picks are the way to go. Since they're cheaper I think I'll spring for two of each in the size 1 and 3. Would you guys recommend 24" or 40" or what?
I don't think of myself as "going gray." I think of myself as turning into a platinum blonde. |
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purlthis
Permanent Resident
USA
2715 Posts |
Posted - 01/01/2012 : 9:51:14 PM
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I do one sock, on one needle. I think mine are 29"?
Rachel
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As I get older, I prefer to knit. Tracey Ullman
http://purledthis.blogspot.com/ UPDATED! WITH PICS! |
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hillstreetmama
Permanent Resident
USA
3448 Posts |
Posted - 01/02/2012 : 08:05:37 AM
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I've done very little magic loop, but found 24" a little too short, and 40" way too long. I'd go for the 29", too.
Jan
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NimbleDigits
New Pal
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2012 : 6:17:28 PM
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I went for the Knit Picks fixed circulars and they arrived today, sizes 1 and 3. I'd also ordered several skeins of fingering and sport weight yarn from KP earlier, and I was oh so eager to start playing with my new toys.
My eyesight's not bad for a gal in her 50s, and I do wear glasses with mild correction (at my last exam, I was L 20/30 and R 20/40). But I've never knitted with such tiny needles and such fine yarn, and I'm having a huge amount of trouble seeing what I'm doing. Plus, the needles are so slick that my stitches keep sliding off.
Any recommendations for a good hands-free magnifier? I'm not kidding!
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I don't think of myself as "going gray." I think of myself as turning into a platinum blonde. |
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phlame
Permanent Resident
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2012 : 6:46:14 PM
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HiyaHiya needles
Shirley, Dana Point, CA 
...I'm fairly certain that, given a cape and a nice tiara, I could save the world.
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NimbleDigits
New Pal
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 01/10/2012 : 7:26:47 PM
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Hiya yourself, and who you callin' "Needles"? 
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I don't think of myself as "going gray." I think of myself as turning into a platinum blonde. |
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Knitrageous
Permanent Resident
USA
1445 Posts |
Posted - 01/11/2012 : 09:17:37 AM
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I have both Addi's and Options. I don't do socks though and have only used from a 4 up. I've had a lot of trouble with my Options coming apart, either the cord out of the end or the needle out of the end. They replace at no cost and I've even glued some back myself but it's frustrating, especially if you have a lot of stitches. I may have gotten a bum set. But I'd check all the connections, just in case!
~~~~Jamye
http://knitrageous1.blogspot.com
I don't have a problem with authority, I just have a problem with people telling me what to do. |
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NimbleDigits
New Pal
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 01/11/2012 : 09:44:26 AM
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I just got the Options I ordered and they seem pretty sturdy, but then I haven't put them to the test yet. I read a lot of reviews, here and elsewhere, before deciding to give them a try. They're pretty inexpensive and I like that Knit Picks will replace them forever. You're right, that's an inconvenience, but I got two sets each of sizes 1 and 3 in 32" and one each in 47", plus, I'm pretty anal about lifelines. So, if a connection does bite it, I'll have backup needles to continue the work and I won't have to worry about losing too many rows.
Thanks to phlame, I looked up Hiyahiya needles and people were saying the same things about breakage at the joins. They were fairly old posts and apparently Hiyahiya made some design changes to try to fix the problem. But one poster -- may have been someone from Hiyahiya -- said that knitters who were having breakage problems were those who held the needles so that the join rested in the palm of their hands. That would bend the cord at a 90 degree angle repeatedly and, yes, I'm sure it would stress even the strongest connection.
At any rate, I'm not sorry I chose the Options at this early stage in my sock knitting career. The problem I'm finding -- and I'm sure I'd have the same trouble no matter what brand I bought in these small sizes -- is that I'm having a devil of a time seeing the teeny little stitches! Plus, they keep sliding right off the end, where with my larger needles I'm used to working within maybe 1/4" from the tips and keeping the work from sliding off with my index finger. Also pushing them off with my index. These Options are so pointy that I'm afraid I'm going to knit my fingertip right into the work! Or some part of me, anyway, probably the oozy red stuff.
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I don't think of myself as "going gray." I think of myself as turning into a platinum blonde. |
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hillstreetmama
Permanent Resident
USA
3448 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2012 : 05:53:19 AM
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NimbleDigits - Your eyes sound great to me! I'm also in my 50's, and my eyes are so bad that I can't see anything more than 6 inches from my face without my glasses. Do not try to knit dark colored yarn (my first attempted socks were navy, and went into the trash). I have an OttLite by my chair, and that really helps. I personally like my needles to be "slippery", but the first inch is always a challenge, as there's just not much to hold on to. Good luck!
Jan
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NimbleDigits
New Pal
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2012 : 1:31:34 PM
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You're right about the color being a factor, Jan. I started out with a sport weight gray heather wool/nylon blend on size 1 needles, and the gray against the silver needles made the stitches almost completely indiscernible. Maybe sport weight is a little too heavy for size 1s? Anyway, I switched to a peach-colored cotton/nylon fingering weight and the stitches are a little more defined, but oh so tiny! As you said, the first few inches are the most troublesome, the more so because the cast on Cat describes involves knitting the first row with the ball yarn and the tail yarn together, creating two stitches in each cast on stitch. The two stitches huddled together like that are even harder to differentiate than single stitches by themselves.
One good thing: I've had to redo this cast on so many times that I know it by heart now! It's pretty ingenious.
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I don't think of myself as "going gray." I think of myself as turning into a platinum blonde. |
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arlinem
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2012 : 6:07:34 PM
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I am in my 50's and while I certainly could use corrective lenses, magnifiers from the dollar store are working just fine for me for know. I have 2 strengths, one for using on the computer and as strong as they get for sock knitting and anything else that no one can see even on a clear day.
Sport weight yarn might be too thick for #1's but let your hands tell you. If they get tired quick, or it's too hard to make the stitches, then your yarn is too thick and you can go up a size. |
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NimbleDigits
New Pal
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 01/12/2012 : 8:21:35 PM
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I gave up on using the size 1 for the time being and switched to size 3, and I'm doing much better with the sport yarn. I do want to be able to knit with finer yarns in future, and on the size 1 needles, but for now, while I'm learning, the size 3 seems a better fit. I do like the Knit Picks needles, though the cords are a bit stiffer than I would like. Using two circulars instead of one really helps as far as that goes.
I found a Bausch & Lomb Hands-Free Magnifier on Amazon.com and there were many positive reviews. I have my doubts about it, though; it hangs around your neck and its frame stabilizes on your abdomen, but I can just see it swaying and tipping over as I'm trying to knit and causing me more frustration than the tiny stitches! I wonder if anyone's tried this kind of magnifier, and what they think of it.
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I don't think of myself as "going gray." I think of myself as turning into a platinum blonde. |
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hillstreetmama
Permanent Resident
USA
3448 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2012 : 5:42:05 PM
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When I need magnifiers, I use these http://www.amazon.com/Magniclip-Clip-Magnifying-Lens-Strength/dp/B000KYVLBI
I'm also a quilter, and use them when doing applique, particularly with dark fabrics.
I try to only use them at home, as they tend to generate teasing from my family. I guess they do look a little bit silly, but they sure do work!
Jan
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NimbleDigits
New Pal
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 01/15/2012 : 5:54:20 PM
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Hmm, thanks for the link, I'll keep them in mind. Although I rebel strongly at paying $5.95 shipping for a $13.95 pair of glasses. I also have some 3.25x magnification glasses that work pretty well if my regular glasses don't cut it.
With some practice I've gotten more comfortable with the size 1 needles and in fact I made some pretty good progress on the Cat Bordhi Personal Footprint Discovery Sock I've been trying to make. Unfortunately, for some reason, even though I'm using the needle size and yarn weight called for in the pattern, and swatched to exactly the gauge indicated, I'm getting an extremely small toe with many more stitches than I apparently should have. It's extremely discouraging. :( I've posted the problem and a pic over at Ravelry in the Cat Bordhi New Pathways group (my Ravelry name is also NimbleDigits). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
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I don't think of myself as "going gray." I think of myself as turning into a platinum blonde. |
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ikkivan
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
429 Posts |
Posted - 03/22/2012 : 6:05:55 PM
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I'm a bit late finding this thread, but I would certainly look at the HiyaHiya needles. I have them ALL (different brands in both fixed and interchangeable), and the HiyaHiya beat all the others, hands-down, IMO, including the Addi. I have them in both the steel and the bamboo (no one material fits all needs), although I always prefer bamboo or wood. I knit socks Magic Loop on 32" circulars. The Clover Takumi Velvet bamboo circulars are good, too. Too many of the KnitPicks needles have rough joins and I can't count how many of the KP interchangeable cables I've tossed, so I no longer use them. I do use some of the KP fixed harmony/wood circulars in small sock sizes, but don't like them in the bigger sizes because of the sharp angle where the taper meets the shaft. It doesn't seem so noticeable in small sizes, but to me, it's like a speed bump on the larger ones. I make sure I have several of each size, because I did break a KP size 1 several years ago. Also, when I knit "two socks at once," I prefer to knit each one on its own needle; much more portable that way.
Donna, with intentions always bigger than her available time. (OkieDokieKnitter on Ravelry) |
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Which would you buy? Options or Addis?
