Interchangeable Needle Sets

From KnitWiki

The Denise interchangeable needle set. Photo used with permission.

Interchangeable needle sets are sets of circular needles that can be taken apart and rearranged to form many size and length combinations.

Interchangeable needle sets contain pairs of needle tips in a variety of sizes and a set of cords (or cables) in various lengths. For knitting, the needles are attached to the ends of the cords to form a circular needle. Most sets also contain stoppers to use on the end of the cord in place of a needle tip that can be used to create a pair of straight needles (with two cords). Alternately, the cords can be used with only the stoppers as a long flexible stitch holder.

The needles and cords can be used in any combination, which makes interchangeable needle sets an interesting option if you enjoy condo knitting.

1 Popular Interchangeable Sets
2 Other Sites of Interest

[edit] Popular Interchangeable Sets

[edit] Denise Interchangeable

This set contains plastic needle tips and hollow plastic cords. The connection between the needle tips and cords locks into place to prevent the needle from coming apart during normal use.

The basic set contains needle tips in sizes 5-15 and cords to make circular needles from 17" to 58". The set also comes with 4 end caps and 2 extenders which allow you to combine cords to make longer ones. The basic set comes stored in a plastic case which has slots for all of the pieces. Extra long cords to make 64" circulars and size 17 and 19 needle tips are available separately.

The basic set can be found in most local yarn shops and various online stores. The additional pieces (as well as any of the basic pieces) can be ordered directly from Denise's website.

[edit] KnitPicks Options

This set contains nickel-plated metal needle tips and solid plastic cords. The tips screw onto the cords and can be tightened with a small tool (provided). Some knitters find that the connection loosens while they knit. Many knitters find that these needles are comparable to Addi Turbo circular needles.

The basic set contains needle tips in sizes 4-11 and cords to make 24" and 32" circular needles. The set also includes 4 end caps. The basic set comes with zippered 3-ring binder with plastic zip-lock pockets to store the pieces. Needle tips up to size 17, cords to make 60" circulars, and additional pockets for the storage binder are available. The set currently does have a cord extender/coupler.

Smaller needle tips are not possible, due to the diameter of the connector between needle tip and cord. However, KnitPicks sells circular needles in sizes 1-3, in lengths up to 32" that match the set. Further, due to the length of the needle tips, it is not possible to make a shorter cord that would allow 16" circular needles. Thus, they also sell 16" circular needles up to size 11 to match the set.

KnitPicks Options needles are only available through their website. All of the pieces are available individually, and KnitPicks encourages customers to buy one set of tips and one cord as an economical way to try the set.

[edit] Boye Needlemaster

This set contains aluminum needle tips and solid plastic cords. The tips screw onto the cords and can be tightened with a small tool (provided). Some knitters find that the connection loosens while they knit.

The basic set contains needle tips in sizes 2-15 and cords to make 20" - 36" circular needles. The set also includes 4 end caps and 2 cord extender/couplers. The set comes in a zippered case with slots for all the tips. Additional cords and needle tips are available.

The Needlemaster set is available at various online stores, some local yarn shops and in some big box stores as well (such as Joanns and Michaels). The additional pieces are harder to come by.

[edit] Plymouth Bamboo Sister set

This set contains bamboo needle tips and solid plastic cords. The tips screw onto the cords.

The set contains needle tips in sizes 5-10 and cords to make 18"-40" circular needles. There are no end caps or cord extender/couplers. The set comes in a compact plastic snap-shut case. No other tip sizes or cord lengths are available.