I must admit to not being much of a bargain hunter. Even in sales, I don't tend to find anything of interest.

With needles, I've learnt that it's usually not a good idea to go for the cheapest available. This is particularly the case for me with bamboo DPNs and circulars. Through trial and error, I've discovered that Clover DPNs and Addi Turbo circulars are the ones I prefer, though maybe it's because I have expensive tastes LOL .

Actually, I've found that the Clover DPNs are less inclined to be scratchy at the tips, a trait which I found quite frequently on the finer diameter cheaper DPNs. The Addi Turbos are unparalleled when it comes to the smoothness of the join between the cable and the needle (unless you know better....).

So anyway, which needles do you prefer, and where do you buy them? Do you know of an excellent source of bargain Addis or discount Clovers?

It's hard enough just to find a source for them! I've spent ages this week trying to find a place that does both Addi Turbos and any kind of wooden/bamboo DPN so I didn't have to pay two sets of postage.
I thought I had succeeded until I got an e-mail saying they were out of stock of the DPN so I've had to go to two plces anyway :(
I'd still reccommend Classic Yarns as an online shop though, excellent customer service!

I haven't tried the Addis yet, I'm itching to start but forcing myself to do some work first...

I've bought Addis and Clover DPNs in the past from Get Knitted. LisaH sent me a link to an Ebayer who had a very good offer on Addis before Christmas, though I've manged to delete both the link and the email :roll: . I suspect the offer is over by now though :( .

I usually pick needles up as and when i need them from town; John Lewis or Atkinsons. I have brought addi turbos (which are fab) from one of online shops listed in the knitting and crochet links on here but can't remember which :rolleyes:

I recently got given lots of second hand needles which is good, i had to buy a knitting needle gauge to sort them out and some of them are really old and so old style numbering. Some of them are a bit bent too lol, but they should save me some pennies in the future.

I tend to buy aluminium ones and a brand which name completley escapes me and i cant find any packaging. they might begin with an 'I'...God i'm useless today!

EDIT: Inox is the make i was thinking of

I tried Get Knitted, they had every size of the Addis except the one I wanted :rolleyes:
I haven't noticed any shop in Sheffield selling wood/bamboo DPNs, or do I just go round in a daze? :)

I tried Get Knitted, they had every size of the Addis except the one I wanted :rolleyes:
I haven't noticed any shop in Sheffield selling wood/bamboo DPNs, or do I just go round in a daze? :)
I can't speak for Sheffield, but I find that most shops I try tend to sell aluminium DPNs (if they sell them at all). John Lewis in Nottingham are good for bamboo straight needles, but not so hot for DPNs.

I must admit to not having browsed in the high street shops for a while; most of my knitting supplies are bought from the internet. It's mainly because I don't have a local John Lewis, and my nearest LYS is a good few miles away (so not local at all, really).

OK - help me out here. As I have been asked (and order to order) so many times for addi turbo circulars I have decided to stock all the sizes. What I really need to know is what length? I tend to stock circulars in 80cm and some 40cm. I was intending to stock both 80cm and 40cm in the smaller sizes and stick to 80cm in the larger sizes. It is an expensive issue to stock addis from scratch so your thoughts on sizing would be really helpful. I am also looking to stock surina wooden dpns as I think they feel nice! Anybody used them in earnest and got any feedback on their long-term quality? I have used the bigger sizes (8mm/15mm) without problems. Thanks in advance.
Hecate - feel free to remove this post if you think it contravenes any rules:)

I first started by buying Pony aluminium and plastic needles from Hobbycraft when I started knitting - before I knew any better!

Now I can't stand knitting with them and usually try to avoid them if I can although I will use them sometimes as it works out too expensive to replace them all. I will only use Clover bamboo DPN's, they just work so well for me. I don't particularly have a favorite for circulars as I don't use them too much although again, I bought some pony circs from Hobbycraft and they were awful! Constantly fighting with the twisting wire which has never settled down, and one time the wire snapped off from the needle and ruined something I was working on.

As for sources or cheapness, I usually buy from Get Knitted, even if stuff is a lil more expensive as in my opinion they have excellent customer service and usually my stuff is here the day after I order it.

I have always wanted to try the REALLY expensive needles like Brittany Birch ones and Lantern Moon - I can never seem to justify the expense though, especially not to the other half!

I haven't been a massive user of circulars up to now. I actually quite like seaming and I like to use straights for large items such as jumpers (when I get around to making them :roll:).

I think I'll be using Addis mostly for socks, and the way things are going it looks like my preference is for the Magic Loop. As such, I'd buy the small sizes (say, up to 4 mm) and the length would be the longest available. So far, I've used 80 cm, though I think I'd prefer the 100 cm ones.

I don't have enough experience with circulars to comment on the most appropriate/popular lengths for other uses though.

I can't comment on the Surina wooden DPNs, as I've never used them.

And the post is perfectly fine :) .

I despise Addi's as I find them far too blunt. I mostly use Inox greys as they're the pointiest ones I can find. I've tried Surina dpn's and did like them, although they do seem as though they'd be quite easy to snap with a bit of a vigorous sock knitting.

I have a set of 2.5mm surina dpns and I bent them before I got off the cuff. The needles are lovely, I have some 6.5mm straights (I've bent them too), the tips are smooth and they are lovely to hold. I don't think that they are particularly bendy, I've always strangled my knitting and I think it's me. I'm sticking with metal needles in future.

Addis - if they are under 3mm then I'd go for the really long ones for magic loop, if they are into sweater sizes then I think the 80cm ones would be fine. I have tried the very small ones that are meant for socks but I couldn't get my fingers to hold the needles.

I've been on a hunt for short sock needles, my favorite set is 6" long and I love them. All the rest I have are either 8" or 9". I am a happy camper because I bought three sets yesterday and I just have to wait for them to arrive.

I dont have a favourite supplier at the moment as I seem to want difficult sizes:-o I do like Addi Turos atm (cheap supplier (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/labrador052347_ADDI-NEEDLES_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ6765326QQftidZ2QQtZ km)) - like the versatility of my Boyes needlemaster but not the cord - am hankering after some of the Knitpicks options but they dont ship to the UK:( I like 40 cm for hats but you could do them using magic loop so I would say please stock 80cm ones please Jill:D I like bamboo but dont mind metal needles either for straights. For dpns I like bamboo - havent got clover but the Crystal Palace ones I have are lovely.

In my small collection of needles, I have pony bamboo, inox/prym bamboo and clover bamboo straight needles. Recently I have bought brittany dpn's and an addi turbo circular - haven't used either of these yet as I haven't got round to doing the project.

Being on a very tight budget (as in I haven't really got one and shouldn't but do :hihi: ), I buy for each project as I go. So each time I do search online - most of my stuff has come from Get Knitted as they turn out to be the cheapest usually, but recently found these to places to be cheap for what I needed: Yarnsmith (http://www.yarnsmith.co.uk) DT Crafts (http://www.dtcrafts.co.uk/)

JillM - about the surina dpn's. When doing some searching for my dpn's, I read on a forum that the thinner surina needles are prone to splitting - Found the thread (http://www.knittingforums.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=667) - about the 9th down. HTH

Thanks Rooty, I was 4 posts in before I realised people were talking about knitting needles! Scary.

Thanks Rooty, I was 4 posts in before I realised people were talking about knitting needles! Scary.
The fact that you're in the knitting group should probably have given the game away :lol: .

Have you tried the charity shops?

Have you tried the charity shops?
I haven't actually, though I shall certainly keep my eyes open. I've bought second-hand needles from Ebay, though it's sometimes hit and miss as to their quality.

I always mean to search the racks for jumpers made out of nice yarn that could withstand being unravelled and recycled, though I haven't got around to that either. I read an article a while back about what to look for. It's apparently a good way of getting cheapish yarn, though I imagine you have to be a bit lucky to come across something that you're really interested in and which will be appropriate for, and withstand, the unravelling.

The fact that you're in the knitting group should probably have given the game away :lol: .

Hehe, Nope. I was doing some general browsing but since today, every time I click "View New Posts" I seem to be getting them from all categories, not just the ones I subscribed to! (General & Going Out) The "View My Posts" option has disappeared too, I think they're doing some maintenence on the site tbh.

Hehe, Nope. I was doing some general browsing but since today, every time I click "View New Posts" I seem to be getting them from all categories, not just the ones I subscribed to! (General & Going Out) The "View My Posts" option has disappeared too, I think they're doing some maintenence on the site tbh.
There's a big software upgrade going on at the minute. Give it a day or so and you'll be knit-free, though you might have to go through the selection process again :) .

On the 'View New Posts' section it tells you in which section each new post is located, so you've really no excuse. I reckon you're a closet knitter in denial ;) .

There's a big software upgrade going on at the minute. Give it a day or so and you'll be knit-free, though you might have to go through the selection process again :) .

On the 'View New Posts' section it tells you in which section each new post is located, so you've really no excuse. I reckon you're a closet knitter in denial ;) .

Haha, perhaps you're right ...maybe a sleep knitter or a subconscious knitter?! I often wonder where all these erroneous scarves and ill-fitting garish pullovers keep appearing from!

:hihi:

I've got a set of Denise's so in theory, I shouldn't need anymore (so I told hubby anyway!) but when I do, its usually from Get Knitted (10% off!!)

Thanks for all the comments re needle preferences/sizes/types etc. I think I will definitely avoid the thinner surinas as I can see that the wood may be too soft to withstand use by a committed knitter! There is a huge trade show in Birmingham next month so I may hang fire and see if there are any new options for brands/suppliers.
LisaH - let me know if I can get you a set of Knitpicks options when I am in the US in April.

........Must put the prices of needles on my web site..........

Jill - I got an email from an internet shop in response to an enquiry about Addi Turbos saying they're really hard to get hold of in the UK at the moment, they didn't have any and it would be unlikely that anyone else would! Just a consideration...(I bought some from another shop without a problem:rolleyes: )
Great idea to stock wooden DPNs, I ordered some last week and they still haven't come :(
Where do I find your website BTW?

Jill - I got an email from an internet shop in response to an enquiry about Addi Turbos saying they're really hard to get hold of in the UK at the moment, they didn't have any and it would be unlikely that anyone else would! Just a consideration...(I bought some from another shop without a problem:rolleyes: )
Great idea to stock wooden DPNs, I ordered some last week and they still haven't come :(
Where do I find your website BTW?

Have you checked here (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/labrador052347_ADDI-NEEDLES_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ6765326QQftidZ2QQtZ km) for the sizes that you want - she had a very good range of sizes and was very reasonably priced.

...Where do I find your website BTW?
The link to Jill's website (The Wool Baa) is in the signature at the bottom of each of her posts, and it's also in the recommended links section.

LisaH - let me know if I can get you a set of Knitpicks options when I am in the US in April.

And are you prepared to get sets for your most committed customer/yarn consultant? ;)

And are you prepared to get sets for your most committed customer/yarn consultant? ;)

Tee hee she could come back with a caseful and be able to sell them Im sure:D

And are you prepared to get sets for your most committed customer/yarn consultant? ;)

Sets?? Are you thinking of selling them? :) I will, of course, be willing to squeeze in an extra set for you!

I have today tried both Pony and Inox circulars (as Addi turbos dont come in 2.75mm :( ) and must say that Pony circs are the most evil things I have ever knit with. Inox ones arent too bad at all but the join on the pony (where the cable is kind of flattened) made knitting this sock on 2 circs very difficult as the stitches had to be forced over it :suspect: (BTW this means that I have indeed finished Samus and the dragon socks :banana: )

The link to Jill's website (The Wool Baa) is in the signature at the bottom of each of her posts, and it's also in the recommended links section.

I've never seen the signature! Or am I just being stoopid?:)


Have you checked here (http://stores.ebay.co.uk/labrador052347_ADDI-NEEDLES_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ6765326QQftidZ2QQtZ km) for the sizes that you want - she had a very good range of sizes and was very reasonably priced.

Thanks Lisa, I got some this time but I don't think they'll be the only pair I get :thumbsup: I'll definitely look there next time.

I've never seen the signature! Or am I just being stoopid?:) ...
LOL the signature is the bit of each post right at the bottom, beneath the little line. Mine says 'she said, I can't believe it, you can't possibly mean it'.

It's added automatically to every post you make. You can add one yourself by clicking on 'Your CP' in the left-hand panal, and then click on 'Edit Signature'.

Sets?? Are you thinking of selling them? :) I will, of course, be willing to squeeze in an extra set for you!

One set will probably suffice, ta muchly :thumbsup:

(BTW this means that I have indeed finished Samus and the dragon socks :banana: )


Well, we need to be seeing the photos .....PLEEEEEZE?!

LOL the signature is the bit of each post right at the bottom, beneath the little line. Mine says 'she said, I can't believe it, you can't possibly mean it'.

It's added automatically to every post you make. You can add one yourself by clicking on 'Your CP' in the left-hand panal, and then click on 'Edit Signature'.

Nope, I don't see anything. I've given myself a signature to see if I can see that... I got to the link for the Wool Baa by going to Jill's public profile. Maybe it's my computer? :confused:

Well, we need to be seeing the photos .....PLEEEEEZE?!

Soon I promise - the card on the camera is full.. just need to download them. Ill try and get hubby to take a photo tomorrow (my how he will moan about all I ever take photos of is my knitting :suspect: )

BTW Turra hows the stole going - the show is this month isnt it?

Nope, I don't see anything. I've given myself a signature to see if I can see that... I got to the link for the Wool Baa by going to Jill's public profile. Maybe it's my computer? :confused:
It could be that you haven't got your options set to display signatures. Go to 'Your CP' and 'Edit Options', then scroll down to the bit where it says 'Visible Post Elements'. Make sure the appropriate check box is ticked. You should be able to see signatures then.

I bought a pair of pony circulars today and have given up on them already. They are far too stiff and its nearly impossible to knit with them.

I brought some (i think) Pony bamboo circulars from John Lewis ages ago and was so unimpressed by the join i took them back and thats when i ordered some addi turbos...so it all worked out for the best as i love my addi turbos! :D

Soon I promise - the card on the camera is full.. just need to download them. Ill try and get hubby to take a photo tomorrow (my how he will moan about all I ever take photos of is my knitting :suspect: )

BTW Turra hows the stole going - the show is this month isnt it?

I posted pics in the pics of what you're working on... thread. The competition is tonight , so wish me luck!

Really looking forward to seeing Samus. I agree with you when you told Hecate (I think) that it was a work of art.

I posted pics in the pics of what you're working on... thread. The competition is tonight , so wish me luck!

Really looking forward to seeing Samus. I agree with you when you told Hecate (I think) that it was a work of art.

Well the camera card is now empty and DH is poised to take a photo (with much tutting) so I will put one up later. Good luck with your stole:D

I bought a pair of pony circulars today and have given up on them already. They are far too stiff and its nearly impossible to knit with them.

If you dunk the cord in boiling water for 20 - 30 seconds it makes them much more pliable and easy to knit with.

Ah ha!

Thanks! I'm going to have a go with it right now. It seems like one of those days when it would be rude not to knit!