random threads

I use double-pointed needles to knit socks. Now, I do dabble in circular needles, have tried 2 circular needles to knit one sock and once to knit two socks, and have a pair of socks on a single 40″ Addi in the Magic Loop technique (Mom’s Sockotta socks). But I tend to return to the tried-and-true, my double points.

I like 6″ long double points. 8” are too long–too much unused real estate on the needle, and more effort to push the needle back to get the stitches on the tip in the working position. I find 5-inchers are too short. I haven’t tried the 4″ glove needles, but I expect they would be too too short for me.

I like having sets of five needles, using four to hold the sock stitches, and one to work with. I can use sets of four, but think only three needles to hold the stitches tends to stretch the yarn at the spots between needles, and encourage ladders (which we don’t want, of course).

I do consider a sharp point mandatory. Needed for any k2tog, ktbl, and just in general for ease in picking up dropping stitches and yarn handling. I don’t seem to have too much trouble with splitting the plies of the yarn–it happens but I deal with it when it does, so that isn’t a concern for me.

A couple of years ago I settled on Crystal Palace DPs as my favorite needle. They come in 6″ lengths, have sets of 5 needles and are made of Bamboo but coated with a resin that hardens the surface and makes it easier for the stitches to move on the surface. They also offer US sizes 1.5 and 2.5, which are not as common. Information and photos from Crystal Palace on how the needles are manufactured can be seen here.

So what’s not to love? Well, I’m wondering if the newest Crystal Palace needles are quite as sharp pointed as they used to be? I’ve run across a few that don’t seem as pointed, so thought I’d survery the current offerings in the needle world for what’s new that might suit me better. So I started on a search for the new, ideal DP needle. The contestants so far:

Comfort Zone (made from an unnamed polymer). New to the market, these are currently only available in 8″ long, but sold in sets of 6 needles. Very nice pointy tip, so I was anxious to try these out, even at 8″ long. However, when I tried knitting with these, the bendiness of the needle drove me nuts. When I use a needle, I expect a certain amount of stiffness so you can use the needle to manipulate the yarn. Not with these. Someone on a list I’m on, described them as cooked spaghetti, and they aren’t far off. Check out the comparison of ‘bendiness’ between the Comfort Zone needle and Pony Pearl needle. Same approximate amount of moderate pressure applied.

Colonial Bamboo 5.5″ long, sold in sets of 5. I’m using some now on my second Sixth Sense sock. They seem comparable to Plymouth Bamboo. No size US 1.5 or 2.5 available.

Colonial Rosewood 5.5″ long, sold in sets of 5. I was excited to hear these were pointy, and yes, they are pointier than most. But, first day of knitting with these, I broke TWO! One was my fault, by accidently putting all my weight on my knitting in getting up off the floor, but the other time, I just leaned against my knitting in the chair beside me, and SNAP! And these are not inexpensive at $19.00 a set. Sigh. Other than that issue, the remaining three seem very nice–just a bit draggier on the yarn than my Crystal Palaces. Very nice feel to the wood. No size US 1.5 or 2.5 available, however, only US sizes 0, 1, 2 etc

Pony Pearls (wood-based plastic with a steel reinforcing core). Lovely colors, good size range, sold in sets of 5, 6″ available, but the points are TOO dull. I just finished a sock using these and still don’t like the points. The k2tog decreases on the toe were murder!

Plymouth Bamboo–Acceptable, but only medium pointiness. Not quite as smooth a finish as the Crystal Palaces, but close. I use these quite a bit when I can’t find Crystal Palaces.

Brittany Birch. On the short side (5″) but my main complaint is the finish isn’t smooth enough–stitch don’t slide easily. Medium pointiness.

So far, my conclusion is Crystal Palace is still my 1st Choice, with the Colonial Rosewood 2nd choice. The Rosewood might have giving CP a better run for the money (sorry, but it is Derby Day, so excuse the horse racing analogy) if they had proven to be more durable. I may bend my bamboos, but very rarely break them. I don’t think I have ever broken any Crystal Palaces, maybe only one Brittany Birch previous to these two Rosewoods in one day.

What’s the Point, Part 2: I’ll comment on metal double points. I have some Inox on order, so it may be a while before I review Aero, Inox and Regia. I also want to get the Susan Bates set, even though they are 8″ long (of course…). I learned to knit on aluminum Susan Bates single points and double points, so have a fond spot in my heart for them.

If you’d like to read more needle reviews, I find the information on Knitters’ Review DPN Buyer’s Guide to be very helpful.