Knit Picks Interchangeables

hunniapple

I know this has been discussed in the past but I cannot remember when and so here I ask - if you have the Knit Picks interchangeables, which tips do you have, and can you tell me how you feel about them?

I have started teaching my knitting class, and one of my students would like to invest in a set of interchangeables.  IMHO, Knit Picks seems to have the best value to quality factor among all interchangeables, but I do not own them.  She is currently just using a set of straight boye aluminum needles, but I want to be able to explain the difference of three tip options to her.  I saw the "try it" set and was thinking of directing her there as a start, but thought I would check with you crafty ladies first.

Thank you

 

Dr.Loretta

Take this with a grain of salt, but the lady at my old LYS much preferred the Addi interchangeables. She told me there wasn't much troubleshooting with the KP interchangeables before they were released.

WifeDeAngel

I'm not stll not very experienced when it comes to knitting, but I luurrrve my Knit Picks Harmony wood ones. They are pretty sticky, which is great because I'm the queen at dropping stitches, but the yarn still slides very easily. I also like that the wood is warmer in your hand than aluminum. And they're so pretty.

Rock-n-Voll

I own both the Addis and the Harmonies (yes, I am spoiled).

I agree with you that the best value--i.e. what you get for your money--is probably in the Harmonies.  They are a great product and my understanding is that their customer service is excellent, though I haven't had any problems yet and so have no first-hand experience here.

I think you're asking about the wood vs. nickel vs. acrylic tips, right?  As opposed to KP vs. Addi?  Personally, I would only get the wood ones.  Acrylic is just not worth wasting money on IMO, and if I wanted metal ones I'd get the Addis instead for a variety of reasons (easier join, better storage case, more accessories, etc.).  When I think KnitPicks interchangeables, really all I think of are the Harmony Wood ones.

Regarding wood vs. metal, I suspect you already know the benefits/trade offs of each (wood is more grippy, metal is "faster").

If you want to know my opinion of Addis vs. Harmonies, let me know.

hunniapple

Thanks you guys. 

Rock N Voll - I would love to know your opinion of Addis v. Harmonies  

Reinedumonde

I agree with RnV.  I don't have Addis, but I loooove my Harmonies!

Rock-n-Voll

Addi Pros
Easier joins--you literally click the tips onto the cables and you're good to go.  No special tools required.

You get a couple more sizes of the bigger needles than the Harmony set.  Addis include 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15; Harmonies 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,10.5, 11.

The Addi set comes with other nice extras like a much nicer storage case, a needle sizer, and a cable connector that lets you join two cables together to make a longer one.

Both the needles and cord sizes are printed on the items themselves--so convenient.

Addi Cons
~$170 vs. $85 for the Harmonies.

This isn't necessarily a con and really depends on personal preference, but the Addi tips are blunter than the Harmonies.  Some people like this though as it's less likely to split your yarn, and really it's all relative.

If you like wood, Addis unfortunately don't come in a wood version.

 

Harmony Pros
Best wood option out there for interchangeables as far as I could tell.  I also considered the Colonial Rosewoods, but they're far more expensive and the reviews are very mixed, whereas most people love their Harmonies.  I've only had them since Christmas, but they seem like a good, quality product so far (both the needles and the cords).

Sharper points than the Addis.

Again, very good value.

Harmony Cons
Getting a secure join requires using this little "key" that reminds me of an unbent paper clip.  It's just kind of a weird mechanism and an extra step vs. the Addis' click-n-go.  I'm always afraid I'm going to lose the darn key and I feel like it just cheapens the overall feel of the product if that makes any sense.  That said, it's really not hard to do and only takes a few seconds, but still.

I hate the packaging.  The needles come secured to a paperboard holder, which in turn is inside a cheap, oversized, plastic, zippered case.  The cords aren't labeled in any way--not on the cords, not on the packaging they come in, nothing.  Again, all of this just cheapens the feel of what I do think is a quality product.

The needles don't have sizes printed on them.  They're printed on the paperboard holder, but that's it.

As stated above, not quite as many needle sizes as Addi, but you get a 10.5 with Harmony that you don't get with Addi.  You also don't get a needle sizer (which would come in handy given the con directly above) or the connector that allows you to join two or more cables together.  But the lower price of the Harmonies more than make up the difference for these "missing" items.

Wow, that got really long, sorry!  I think I covered everything.  Overall I feel really lucky to have both and love that I have the best of the metal and wood options.  But if I had to pick one of the two and budget wasn't a factor, I think I'd have to go with the Addis.

One Sweet Shannon

I have the Harmonies and some additional nickel-plated tips.  I adore both.  I use mostly the Harmonies, but I use the nickel-plated for knitting with acrylic as they're much more slippery than wood.  I'm going to be adding a full set of nickel-plated soon. I've never tried the Zephyr acrylic tips.  Most people don't like them it seems, but there are plenty of people on the Ravelry forums who do like them.

 

I love the cables and the pointy tips.  I love the hole in the connecter for using lifelines (so easy to just thread some fishing line or dental floss through).  Not to mention just how pretty the Harmonies are.  They just make me happy.

 

There are a lot of people who have experienced quality issues with the Knitpicks -- things like cables coming loose, getting the wrong size delivered, etc -- but their customer service is fantastic and will send you new product right away no questions.  When I received my Harmony set, it had two size seven and no size six tips.  I called them and in was on the phone for less than two minutes.  Less than an hour later I received a shipping notice by email and received them either the next day or day after.

 

I haven't used any of the more expensive sets, and I don't think I will need to, as I'm so happy with the KP.  But everyone is different and you may not like KP.  They do offer a "Try It" set for only $20 with a tip in each material and in a different size and two lengths of cable.  

hobbyjunkie

I think this is a very personal choice. I just purchased the Addi Turbo interchangeables over the Knitpicks.  I agree with others that the Harmonies are sticky. I much prefer how slippery the Addis are. But I knit very close to the tips of the needles and never have a problem with dropped stitches on circulars. (On the other hand I use the Harmony dpns because of their stickiness.)

If this is a completely new knitter, she might consider the Boye interchangeable set. With a 40% off coupon, you can get it fairly cheap at a craft store. I like interchangeables for new knitters because they can really practice their gauge. But it might be better if she develops a little more of her knitting style before she makes an investment. I used my Boye interchangeables for years.

hunniapple

Wow thank you guys for all of this information!!  I might actually just have her come read it all!