Point
I distinctly remember, back when I was a new knitter, wondering why on earth people had so many knitting needles. I could understand having different sizes. Though I secretly suspected that you could probably make size 2 act like size 1 if you just pulled extra tight or like size 3 if you just kept your yarn a bit loose…I mean how much difference could a half a millimeter really make? (Hint, new knitters, if you’re reading this, the answer is ‘a lot.’ Half a millimeter makes a lot of difference. Save yourself the headache and be smarter than I was.) But I truly could not understand why anyone would have more than one set of needles of the same size.
But the more I knit, the more convinced I became that needles were hugely important. The texture matters. The tips matter. The shape matters. Sometimes even the color matters. So when I heard about the new FlipStix from addi, I pretty much had to try them out (erm, and it seemed important to try them in 3 sizes…for science you understand).
The idea is kind of genius. DPNs with one pointy tip and one blunt tip so you can use whichever end is the best fit for the yarn and project you’re working on.
I totally love the idea, and addis are always marvelous quality. I adore aluminum needles because they are light and comfortable in your hands, and these have the perfect amount of grip in the finish, grabby enough to hold the yarn but slick enough not to slow you down. But there are a few tweaks I wish I could make.
The first and most important is the points themselves. Take a look at the pointy and blunt ends of the 1.5s .
There isn’t really as much difference between the two as I’d like. The blunt isn’t too far off what I’d pick for a blunt tip if I had my very own magic wand. But the pointy end isn’t really terribly pointy at all. It’s more what I’d consider normal. To be fair, I like a very pointy needle. For reference, the stiletto point on my signature arts needles is almost as pointy as I’d like. But since the difference between the pointy and blunt ends is sort of the whole point of these needles, I’d expect it to be a bit more dramatic. As it is, it was pretty hard to tell if I was using the blunt end or the pointy end.
My other concern is the colors. I love the idea of a set of differently colored needles. But I wish they’d chosen a more distinct range of colors. You get a light and a dark blue, a light and a dark yellow, and a red. If they’d gone with red, orange, green, blue, purple I’d be delighted. I’d probably buy a bunch just for the color (I’m a sucker for rainbows, shameful but true). But the two blue, two yellow, and red thing just feels odd.
So, as much as I was excited by the idea, I have to admit I’m sort of bummed by the execution. I love the weight and the finish. And if the pointy end were pointier and the colors a bit more differentiated, I’d buy a zillion of them. But as it is, I don’t think I’ll find myself needing any more.
How about you guys? Have you tried the FlipStix? Do you have strong opinions about needle tips? Know of anyone else doing double tips or different colored needles within a set? Is my perfect needle lurking out there somewhere waiting for me? Because I think it’s probably best for all of us if I avoid trying to make my own…
I’ve been known to poke holes in my fingertips using needles that are too pointy. I like knit picks wood needles for lace, precisely because they are so pointy. But I have to be careful.
Most of the yarns I use don’t require blunt tips, so I probably would pass on these, even though I love all things addi, especially my recently acquired click set. Yarn needle heaven I tell you! I can’t rave enough about them!
Thanks for doing this review. I agree with you about the color thing-I wonder why they went with those colors?
Not sure, but it sounds like if you made sharp enough tips, they would be considered weapons.
At least they put five dpn’s in the package. four is just silly. Even if you only use 4, you will always need an extra.
The point on pointy signatures is pointy, true, but I’m not a huge fan of the finish- I find it a little too grabby. Generally, I love HiyaHiya sharps for their tips, finish, and price point. Although, I treated myself to a set of Heavy Metals from DyakCraft and they seem to knit socks all by themselves.
Thanks for the article! I’ll probably give these a pass now knowing that they’re more blunt and blunter.
no green? hmph!
I find myself using wooden DPN’s or Sigs. and not much in between. Every now and again, my Sigs are rough with splitty yarn, but mostly of the time, I just get over it bc if you’re knitting complicated lace, it’s the lesser of the evils…said the preacher to the choir. : )
mostly of the time? (I think I need another cup of tea. : ) )
HiyaHiya Sharp dpns for me all the way. Anything else feels like knitting with those cheap bamboo chopsticks you get at Asian restaurants.
I’m not sure I like the set in different colors. For me, that would make it much more likely I’d mix up sets of different sizes.
I (in theory — I don’t own a set yet) like what signature does, where each size is different color — I’d think it would make it easier to be sure you have a whole set of #1s, and not four #1s and a #1.5. And the short (4″) Signature DPNs are supposed to have a stiletto tip on one end, and a blunt tip on the other. (But that seems a little short for my comfort for an on-the-go sock.)
My current favorite sock needles are Knitter’s Pride Karbonz. I haven’t compared the points to Stilettos, but they’re pointy enough for me, and come in sizes down to 1mm if I ever want to knit lace weight socks.
When I first saw that you were writing about the new FlipStix, I kindof groaned because I figured you were going to rave about them. Thanks for making me feel like I’m not a loser for not loving these needles.
I also adore my Signatures, but when I travel I don’t want to lose an $11 DPN (singular). I’ve started to love metal needles more and more, and I really like Addis circular needles, so I figured their DPNs would have to be great. The first set of FlipStix I ordered arrived bent, beyond-use bent. They were a subtle pastel color. The second set was a much more bold and bright color (and straight). I knit with bold and bright colors, and preferred the more pastel ones. I also knit with a lot of blue yarns. Having to have at least one blue needle is annoying. It’s bad for your eyes to not have good contrast between your needles and your yarn. I almost wish they’d made them silver.
As for the double tips, I actually like them. I had trouble at first though telling the difference between the two ends, but now that the color has chipped off the pointy end, it’s a little easier.
Oh the multi color set does my head in! Why?! I love my Signatures and my Knitters Pride not only for their respective materials but because of the color coding. Thanks for suffering these in order to review for us.
Thanks for the review. I don’t use DPNs much, but I also like really pointy needles, so good to know that these are likely not for me. I only have one pair of Signatures, but would love to own more. (sjn821 on Rav)
I have to say I loved them. I liked the blunt tip, but found the sharp useful as when needed. I fine sharp needles destroy my finger and I ended up with puncture wounds.
I’m not a fan of the different ends, though I do understand the intent, and that some will find them useful. I, however, am already examining my cheapie dpns for the pointier ends, and I don’t enjoy it. I’d rather not have to think about it. I also like having that pointy end on both the right and left needles when working tight stitches.
I like the bright fun look in the packaging, but I agree that I’d rather have whole sets of each size in one color each. It does make it easier to identify sizes.
I have a set of Karbonz Squares that could be used as leather needles, they’re so sharp. Much sharper than the Signatures I tried out last March. I can’t actually *knit* with them (too sharp), but I find them occasionally useful for getting ahold of stitches that won’t behave with my regular needles. They were a gift, so I don’t know if they’re all like that, or if this one set is just a fluke.
My preferred needles are ChiaoGoo, though I can see an argument for lace tips and longer lengths in their dpn line. It’s rather limited at the moment. I absolutely adore their Red circulars, though. 🙂
Thanks for doing the review. I wondered about these when they came out, and it’s good to know that I don’t need to bother. 🙂
Just saw these in a yarn shop and was tempted but they didn’t have them in the size I use for socks. When I saw your review, (before reading it) my first thought was that I would have to rush back and get them. But, phew, your review was what I was thinking. If I want pointy needles, I want them pointy on both ends (or at least have the ends colored differently) so I don’t have to constantly be checking to see which end I’m using.
I love the Signature Needle Arts stiletto point and have a hard time using a blunter needle even when I should. I prefer metal needles over plastic or bamboo, and I’ll slow down my knitting to avoid splitting stitches if it means I can use a really pointy metal needle. I think I remember reading that the 4″ dpns from Signature Needle Arts had a pointy tip and a blunt tip since they assume the blunt end is going to be resting inside your hand with those short needles. My sigs are the 6″, so I can’t say for sure. Thanks for reviewing these!
I also love my one set of Signature Arts needles, but also have been known to puncture my finger with them (and bleed!) I also will not travel with them for two reasons…afraid they won’t let me on the plane with them and don’t want to lose expensive needles. I usually just take bamboos with me when I travel. Love Chiagoo Knit Red Lace circulars, and recently purchased Karbonz set of interchangeable circulars which seem to be just pointy enough for me and I like their feel in my hands