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Norman I found Hiya Hiya is lightest and quiet . I owned 5” Limited edition it is unique that they have 2 size of needle tips they provided 2 connected to convert from the larger screw for size 9 to 13 though I own it since they offer in 2021 I tried it the first time yesterday and found it great to work with the knitted Price it’s heavier and pain my hand
OMG Norman .... what an absolutely fabulous review. I can't begin to imagine how much time you put into producing this video. It was thorough, informative and unbiased. Thank you so much !😀
Thank you so much for this! I have not seen anyone else cover this topic as thoroughly as you did, and you really allow for a much more educated choice for the consumer. I’m a Knitter’s Pride girl for my interchangeable set, and love that I can also buy Knit Picks tips and Lykke cords, and they all fit each other! I do have to say that I appreciate my ChiaoGoo fixed circulars as well, but don’t feel the need to spring for a ChiaoGoo interchangeable set. I guess I’m glad they both make quality products!
I’ve had my Knitters Pride interchangeables for 10-12 years and when the Mindful swivel cords became available, I ordered all lengths (all KP cords fit all KP tips). The cords are inexpensive and I can’t even express how much I love them. The swivel feature is wonderful plus the cords don’t kink at all. ❤❤❤❤
Same - mine are the Knitpro labelled ones but the swivel was the only thing I was missing. When they came out, I immediately ordered them all as well! Best thing I ever did and they were only a couple of quid each.
Roslyn Yeomans, thank you! This is something I have wondered. I have the Nova Platina tips, which I like, but struggle a bit with their cords. I hoped that it would work to invest in the mindful cords as an alternative.
@@tracyguttenberg5659 You’re welcome, Tracy. My suggestion is that you get just one cord in the length you most use to see if you like before ordering all the lengths. That’s what I did. I would also suggest you order directly from KP, or another source specializing in knit products to assure you’re not getting a knock-off. PS: I agree with Norman about the Mindful turquoise button-style stitch protector-they’re difficult to screw on-I use the flat black ones that came with my original KP interchangeables.
I can only echo what everyone else has said about the review. I’ve had Knit Pro needles for some time as my DH bought them as a Christmas present. I think I will be changing to the swivel cords soon. Norman, your reviews and videos are pure professionalism, and I would advise anyone to sign up for your patreon site. I have, and my 62 year knitting journey is still learning and loving it!
Chaio Goo are definitely my favourites. After 4yrs of constant knitting on mainly size 4mm, I am only finding a very, very slight catching on the join. This also depends on your choice of yarn as well. A very worthwhile investment for me. Love all your 'tips and tricks'. Regards from Sth Australia
I’ve never used Chaigoo before because I’ve been pretty happy with my Knitters Pride Ginger. But I recently bought the Mindful set just because they are so beautiful. I don’t regret it.
I've used both and both are perfectly lovely. The (small, to me) differences between them means that I saved the extra few pennies and bought the mindful set. I appreciate the relative objectivity and thorough discussion of your work. The fact that you're not forever wedded to one brand or another makes your perspective very appreciated.
I still have my original Aero knitting needles that I bought in 1987. They still look like in same condition. I have collected other needles over the years including a steel set. Didn't care for it. I would like an interchangeable set but it has to be the same quality as Aero. But yoy always make extremely knowledgeable videos. I loved the airline one. Knitting in an airplane.
Thank you, Norman, for an absolutely professional and all encompassing review! It is so much appreciated knowing that when you take the time to watch your videos, it is time well invested as you will come away thoroughly educated on whatever the topic is. Thank you for your dedication. It is, as I mentioned, so very much appreciated!
Timely review. I have been intending to purchase a complete set for months... (preferably in a wood box with rose gold trim) though a pretty pink case may suffice. The significant cost means that I am putting *almost as much thought into brands as I did the naming my children. My hesitation emanates from the thought that needles from the $2 shop are just as effective. Moreover, is it possible to see a marked difference in quality between knits performed on a $2 set vs. a $200.00 set though I note comments about less snags with the Chiaogoo brand. Upon acquiring a professional set I shall keep my cheap needles: useful in unblocking the vacumn cleaner nozzle. These reviews are most helpful. I shall consider the experience(s) and opinion(s) of other knitters across all forums before making a final decision.
This is the most in depth review/comparison I’ve ever seen. You covered things that I wouldn’t have even thought to ask. I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into this. And your presentation was fabulous and unbiased Great work!
Thanks for this truly scientific research, Norman! Those close-ups are the one thing I ever wanted to see when we're talking about needle quality. Really, this review will be so helpful if one day I decide to buy a needle set
Thank you for this comprehensive review of the 2 needle sets that have been on my radar. I love them both so it is possible that in the end I will get both. 😉 Norman, you continue to be an amazing resource person for my knitting journey and I thank you. ❤
Thank you for also focusing on the actual production of the needles and business practices! These are definitely things that I like to keep in mind when I consider making purchases, and it helps us be more thoughtful about who and what we support with our hobbies/practices. :)
I am shopping for my first set of interchangeable set. I just bought Knitter’s Pride Comby Interchangeable Sampler Set along with a ChiaoGoo Lace needle so I’m literally deciding between these two brands. This video is SO HELPFUL!!! THANK YOU for this one and ALL your amazing videos!
@@darlinglittlethree5860 I chose ChiaoGoo 5inch and I LOVE THEM! The cords and pointy tips are what makes them so great. I just made my first pair of fingerless mittens with them (using two different sized needles!)
Thank you for the detailed review, Norman! Full set Chiaogoo user here, I think your assessment is very on point. One feature that Chiaogoo has is their sleeve needles. I find those irreplaceable in making necklines, sleeves, socks and hats. If someone is trying to avoid DPNs like I did when I chose my sets, this will be a big factor to consider.
Thank you for that comparison. There were more similarities in the needles than I expected. As with most fiber art tools, I get the idea that it's "knitter's choice. Enjoy them". I'll probably end up with both sets eventually. I truly appreciate your thorough descriptions.
Such an excellent review! So thorough and I have been looking at either completing my Chiaogoo set or completing my Knitter's Pride set. With the KP upping their cable game they are in strong contention now. Now I really have a lot to consider. Thank you for always presenting the best quality content in a friendly and informative package. All the best to you Norman! Thank you for being so awesome
@@NimbleNeedles Thank you, Norman, that was amazing review.. every detail of it. Please tell me what needles you like the most to knit? You have mentioned that you do not knit with these ones on a daily bases. thank you
Thank you very much for this review! I'm an Addi addict, but I often wonder about other brands. You really did a deep dive in your comparison and it's obvious you took great care in your research, especially about the nickel content. ❤ You were also very fair in pointing out the characteristics of each brand (pro and con) and really gave us the opportunity to make our own decisions. Exceptionally well done! Thank you again!
i do have to admit it's very difficult to stay fair, objective, etc....after all, I am pationate about my knitting. Still, if I don't take my personal opinion back...what worth would this video have?
As usual, outstanding video. One thing I might add. The knitters pride cords fit knitters pride, kit pics and Lykke needles. Like you said it fits from small to big. Chiagoo has 3 differnt size cords and only fit chiagoo
This was the most thorough review I have ever seen on any knitting/crochet review platform. Professional to a tee. I am considering acquiring interchangeable knitting needles, so this video was quite timely. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
This was FANTASTICALLY informative. Thank you so much for the time and thought you put into this comparison review, and for going into so much detail about the products so that your viewers can make informed decisions.
Thank you so very much for showing these two sets. I’ve been going back and forth about them for a while now. I love how in-depth you are with your compassion. Thank you!
Thank you for your thorough review! I have both sets of interchangeable needles. I bought the Knitters’ Pride first but had problems with the cords breaking from the needle join. After receiving several replacements from Knitters’ Pride but still having the same problem, I gave up and bought the ChiaoGoo set. I use the ChiaoGoo needles daily and love their smooth joins, unkinking cables, and smooth needle finish.
Interesting. That never happened to me..and I have been using KP daily for..2 decades? Still, happy to hear you found something that works so well for you!
I love your reviews. I bought the complete interchangeable Chiaogoo set recently (and so far I'm happy with it) but I can see how the Knitters Pride is a good deal as well. Thank you for such a thorough comparison 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Thank you so much for the tip of using 2 different sized needles! I was really struggling to move my stitches along my needles when doing magic loop on a small sleeve as they were too tight! Swapped to a smaller needle last night on my left needle and got more done in an hour than the previous few nights of stress knitting!! Super helpful review and advice.
I enjoyed this very much, and appreciate all the time and effort this must have taken. I have both the 4 and 5 inch Chiaogoo sets plus accessories such as the grip pads and other extras, so I consider myself set for life. I love my needles, and for my style of sweater knitting, they are perfect for me. This review convinced me even more I made the right choice. I especially like what you pointed out about the slight difference in the tips. I think that little taper on the tip, where it is slightly cylindrical and then flares out on the Chiaogoo is what does it for me. I've never had my Chiaogoo needles come unscrewed, but the knitters pride bamboo ones I bought at Hobby Lobby when I was learning sure did. Those needles are pretty, but those cables stayed all spiraled like a slinky no matter what. If I ever have occasion to use a bamboo needle, and I doubt I will, I am happy to know I can get these new & improved different cables for them. Thank you again, you're a gem!
I have two sets of interchangeables, both of which I keep in KnitPicks interchangeable needles cases. These cases are wonderful - 2 big zipper pockets (one where I keep my cords/cables and the other where I keep my notions including a gauge). Also, there are two sections for needles, enough for 20 pairs. These needle sections are suited for 5” needles, so I keep my 4” needles in a small bag in one of the zipper pockets. These needle cases retail for about $15 and are often on sale. The case dimensions: 6” x 8” when closed. Also, the case has a double zipper (which I love).
Very thorough and very interesting. + - on both sides depending on one's wishes. ChiaoGoo has been my favorite for many years. Knitter's Pride stitch markers are definitely a winner. Thank you Norman
Thank you for your extremely, in depth, research into these two products. I use chaigoo and find them very light to knit with and the interchangeable cords and the connection very smooth. I did, however, need to buy one of the ‘Mini’ sets, in order to obtain shorter tips, which are ideal for knitting projects such as socks, negating the need of DPN’s. The Chiagoo set that Norman demonstrates is a full set, but a half set can be purchased and added to, at a later date. I can thoroughly recommend this product but at over £100, for a half set, it is an investment. Thank you, Norman, for your wonderful videos. Lynda (U.K.)
I’m so glad that you’ve done this review. I’ve been waiting for someone to do it. But I am really loving my mindful collection and bring it everywhere. I noticed there’s a big difference in my knitting now thanks to this set. The only ChiaoGoo that I used are the red lace circular needle size 4.0mm. That’s the only set I own now of ChiaoGoo
There are lots of times I've wished I could combine the traits I love from different manufacturers to make the "perfect" needles, and I'm still wishing. I love Knitter's Pride needles - my favorites have always been the Royale (now, sadly, discontinued) and Symphonie Dreamz - but their cables aren't nearly as good as Chiao Goo. The new design for the cables for the Mindful interchangables is better, but even though they claim that they are memory-free, the larger ones aren't. I had a scarf that I needed a 60" circular for, and I decided to use the new cable (they fit the older needles!), and it stayed stubbornly coiled after I removed it from the package. I ended up going with shorter cables, joined, which worked fine. And I did notice the join - the yarn I was using was a type I refer to as "pre-split", and I found that yarn caught often enough that it was aggravating. I also wish that the screw-in type of connector wasn't the standard. The Addi Click connector is my preference, even though they aren't my favorite needle. So, my ideal set of interchangables would be many different types of needle materials that have a click fitting that connects to all the cables. I'd love the Chiao Goo style cable that truly doesn't stay coiled no matter the length. A knitter can dream, can't we? 😁 Thank you, Norm, for your very comprehensive review - it's very much appreciated!
I don't like Chicagoo the yarn gets hung up where they connect and also when you are knitting with them they come apart from the cable very annoying to have to keep stopping and reconnect to the cable. I love my knitter's pride.
@@claudinemcbride9646 Me, too, which is why I'd like to have the Chiao Goo cables with them (so no coiling) with the Addi Click connectors, which lock into place and *don't* unscrew. I have occasional trouble with the Knitter's Pride cables unscrewing, and the longer Mindful cables still have memory issues. The wire inside may be "memory free", but the plastic cover isn't. I still have to dunk anything longer than 32" in hot water and pull it taut until it cools, just like I have to do with the cables on my Royale fixed circulars.
Uh oh! I thought Chiaogoo was the clear winner for me now I am confused all over again! Who would have thought selecting the best needles could become such a dilemma for me? First world problems aye. I am interested to know your opinion on which cable needles are best for constructing baby blankets, afghans, big projects? Much appreciated... from a newbie-ish knitter.
Your reviews should be a golden standard for anyone else. There is literally nothing I could add! I have Mindful Gratitude set and I use it on a daily basis with satisfaction. I have also bought Chiaogoo Mini Lace set for sock knitting. I know that it cannot be well compared due to size differences but I find Chiaogoo more slippery and sts slide perfectly off the needle. I don't have to push it with my finger tip. i also agree that cable is a bit sturdier in Knit Pro. This difference and additional needles (12 vs 13 as you said in your review) doesn't give me enough argument to switch to Chiaogoo full set which is twice as expensive in Poland.
Thank you for this review! I feel like there is a pressure in the knitting community to go with Chiagoo, always, no matter what. This review was so helpful to me when I made the decision to upgrade my set of interchangeables. Appreciate you, Norman!
I feel like you’re reading my mind! Yesterday I was searching UA-cam for these exact same needles! Thank you so much for all of your help, as usual great info! 🧶😀🙌🏻
I have the Knitter's Pride (KnitPro in UK) Zing set, I can't afford the more expensive options. However I've been using them daily for a year now and am 100% satisfied with them. No twists, no breakages, and I love the fact that each set of needles has a different colour so it's really easy to distinguish them.
I bought a full set of Chiaogoo IC Twist steel 2 days before this review came out. This is a fabulous review and thank you for your thoroughness, Norman *mwah*, but for whatever it's worth to whoever might read this, I saw nothing in it to make me regret my decision. After trying several different brands of knitting systems, my decision to choose Chiaogoo mainly boiled down to the fabulous "memory free" cables. The joins are very smooth, they truly have no memory, they uncurl immediately upon coming out of storage, lay flat in your lap when working, stay flat where you put them in a basket or bag, and even though the joins don't spin and I'm a tight knitter, I rarely have a problem with my work twisting up due to needle movement. There's a little technique to turning your work to ensure smoothness, and as Norman noted it's good to check the tightness of your joins occasionally, but it's minor trouble and worth it because IMO the cables are the best around. Pliant cables that don't curl or bunch when I work, and lay flat when I need to examine my work or count stitches, have been a primary concern. As Norman also noted, when you get into this tier of knitting tools the difference in the quality of needle tips is marginal, and truly boils down to personal preference. Since Chiaogoo steel needles are also fabulous, it was a no-brainer for me to use the cables as the deciding factor of brand. Another minor point in favor of Chiaogoo is that the Twist cables are also very pretty. Deep reds are my favorite colors, so using these cables just adds a little bit of bling and fun. To be clear, my ideal knitting system would be HiyaHiya Sharps tips and HiyaHiya spinning joins, with the Chiaogoo memory free cables. If HiyaHiya had better cables I would have invested in them instead of Chiaogoo. But Chiaogoo tips are plenty excellent even so, with only a hair's breadth or two difference in sharpness, so the hardness, curling, and absolute refusal of HiyaHiya cables to lay flat under any circumstances was the deal breaker for me. I'll probably wind up throwing my trial Hiya cable away, even though it can be used with Chiaogoo needles. With Mindful, Knitter's Pride looks like they are trying to develop tips fine enough to compare with HiyaHiya Sharps, but they're not quite there yet. Norman was also right about Chiaogoo plastic stitch markers. They suck. Way too thick and they're also kind of weird sizes relative to the thickness. They're kind of an incongruency in what is overall a high quality kit and line of products. Probably will throw them away. Just a word about the openness and willingness of the manufacturers to communicate...it may be cultural as well as lingual. Communist cultures are by nature much more guarded with the flow of information, even around very minor issues, so it stands to reason that the cultures of companies based in China might mirror that general cultural tendency. Plus, for many if not most Indians, English is a second if not first language due to India's long comingled history with Britain. So not only is the Mindful manufacturer probably under the influence of a company culture more economically Western than Chiaogoo, generally speaking, it's also likely that whoever answers Mindful's email may be able to communicate in English more easily. Thanks again, Norman. This was particularly interesting considering how recently I made the choice of Chiaogoo. The thoroughness was appreciated and I really enjoyed it!
Heh. Thank you for your thorough feedback. I assure you the customer support of Chiagoo America is a native speaker. They don't really have anything to do with the westing bridge llc who produce the tips (if not the rest). As for tips, I agree, hiyahiya is hard to beat!
This was great Norman! I love how you compared knitter's pride with chio goo needles and presented pros and cons of each.! Then we can make up our own mind😃
Great review! I bought Knitters Pride first, but found the Knitters Pride was catching on my work at the join. I returned them, purchased the Chiagoo and LOVE hem ! So much, that I recently purchased a set of “Shorties” that come in 2 different lengths! I have a set of Knitters Pride Double Pointed needles in the Mindful series. You get 5 needles in 6 different sizes. The set that I had the “catching” issue with Knitters Pride…now called a knit Pro…was the “Smart Stix” series.
I'll be looking at this when I need bigger steel needles. My grammy gifted me her set of US size 0-3 ChiaoGoo DPN and Shorties, but the Wooden Knitters Pride Interchangeables have been so good to me, love how they feel in hand.
Great review! I especially liked the emails you sent to track down the alloys used by the two companies. You are indefatigable! Chiao goo fixed circulars. Love the flexie cables and pointy tips.
Very comprehensive and objective review. What I do not like in Chiagoo is one has to buy various cables and connector depending on size. On the other hand, Knitters Pride is more transparent with standards and work ethics.
I went with ChiaoGoo a few years ago and used your earlier reviews to help me decide. This was a great review and I am still very happy with my ChiaoGoo choice. I especially love their smaller 'mini' needle sets, so far just for socks but potentially for other small circumference items in my future. I love my ChiaoGoo.
I don't think many people know about this, but Chiaogoo actually comes with 3 cable connectors per size. Look at the end-stoppers @ 31:27 - the metal part can be unscrewed and used as a cable connector. 😉
@@NimbleNeedles Yes, I actually found out by accident when I overturned the stopper. But this was confirmed in a post I found somewhere. If you look at the stopper, it does make sense as there's a hole in it - similar to the holes in the adapter.
I'm a sucker for needle review videos. My favorite metal needles are Chiaogoo and SeeKnit is, in my opinion, the best wooden/bamboo set out there. I have Lykke which are essentially KP, but swapped out the cord when Mindful Collection was released. The koshitsu line by Seeknit is so buttery smooth and would be perfect for those would want something close to the pointy tips of metal needles but can not use them for whatever reason. I hope you can do a similar review for non-metal needles. Great review.
Oh dear, yet another recommended needle brand. I am so indecisive. Your comment about Seeknit needles being "buttery smooth" makes these sound like a dream to work with! 😊
@@norelleholgate8930 Absolutely, they are. You can try out just one needle or maybe the small set and you won't regret it. Try to Koshitsu which are the darker needles. I have soooo many needles sets including Chiaogoo and Lykke. If I were to do it all over again, I would buy the Seeknit set and maybe a few Chiaogoo needles. If it's between Seeknit and any Knitter's Pride(including Lykke, Mindful Collection, Ginger, Lantern Moon), Seeknit all the way. Seeknit needles are that good.
Excellent video. I really enjoyed it. I'll stick with my chiaogoo as I've had them for years. I don't knit with larger needles as they hurt my hands and I appreciated being able to buy a half set of the 2.75 to 5mm tips. Perfect for my needs and less expensive. The only non-metal needles I use are Knit Pro Symphonie wooden dpns for socks.
Thank you so much for this !!! In a pinch you can also remove the metal bits off the ChiaoGoo cable stoppers and use those metal bits as cable connectors as well .... 😉😉😉
Thank you for this great review! I have a couple comments, having some experience with ChiaoGoo needles (I bought mine in the U.S., through Amazon): I have the regular interchangeable set (starting with the 2.75 mm), with 5" tips and the wonderful red cords. I also bought the mini interchangeable set because I wanted options below 2.75 mm. One of these sets (I can't remember which) did come with the little red rubbery thing (mine is heart shaped) to help tighten the needle. This thing does make a difference, so I did buy separately a two-pack of these to have them in multiple places. One of the needles in my mini set turned out to be defective and would not screw into the cable properly. I contacted the company, and after a very short back and forth which included my sending them a close-up photo of the needle, they sent me a replacement package which contained two of the needles in question, so that experience turned out very well for me and I was happy with the customer service in that case. I have recently bought the new ChiaoGoo swivel cables in various lengths, both size S and size L to go with my current needles, and I would say they are perfect for knitting in the round and very good for magic loop, and give me some peace of mind, as a tight knitter, as they take some of the pressure off in one way or another. For magic loop there is nothing superior to a fixed CG circular needle, but I don't find the "snagging" quality of the swivel cord to be any worse than that of the non-swivel cord for the interchangeables. The CG cable stoppers are fantastic, and I have used them many times. One final note: before I stopped doing cut-in afterthought heels on my socks, I was using the very skinny needles from the mini set to pick up all the stitches, and then just knitting right off of that onto my regular sock needle, and that was so easy and convenient I decided that the mini set would have been worth every penny even if that was the only thing I ever used it for.
I personally almost never knit with CG, I probably hate everything about them...but those minis are such excellent tools and I love them dearly for all these small little use cases.
You always read my mind with your choices of subject matter in your videos. I'm literally doing this choice for my knitting needles right now. I've been looking to upgrade my needles and been trying to pick one. Your videos really help me in my knitting journey.
Thank you once again as someone who has been hunting for the "perfect" needles you have with this post confirmed the conclusion I came to a long time ago perfection is in the hands of the user. I've used KnitPro as Knitters Pride are known as here in the UK and as much as I loved the tips of their Zing needles I always found the joints a tad too catchy. I was again never drawn in by the hype around the ChiaGoo and thought of them as wee tad pricey. I am a convert to Addi steel lace fixed and HiyaHiya steel tips.But then as you have said as knitters we all use what works for us and our knitting style. Thank you again.
I love how in depth you were with your comparison!! And as always you were very inclusive when giving the pros and cons. Thank you for the comparison and another great video!!
I wish I had watched your review before making my ChiaoGoo purchase, but I think I am going to be happy with it anyway 😊… Appreciate your research!!! ❤
I have nearly all the sizes of the interchangeable metal Chiaogoo needles. I have not had a chance to try any of the Knitter's Pride Mindful needles yet. Thank you for taking the time to show us an up-close look at both as well as giving us a great comparison. I know you have said in the past what needles you prefer but I'd love to know your top go to needles.
It's a good thing there are so many different needles since we are all so different! I have many different sets but I love the Chiaogoo the best. Mostly because of the cords and joins. If doing magic loop for socks the Chiaogoo cords can't be beat! I did buy one Mindful round needle just to try them. The join was so poor my yarn kept getting caught and tearing so I had to throw them out. However my friend has a set of the Mindful interchangeable and she's had no problem with them. I also have Addi's, Knitters Pride Zing, and Knit Picks metal. I use them all for different projects but the Chiaogoo are still my favorites. I started out with a wood set from Knit Picks but the more I knit the more I realized I like metal much better so gave them to a friend.
Fantastic, thorough review. Thank you! I have Hiya Hiya Sharp and KnIt Picks Harmony (wood) interchangeable sets. I’ve been eyeing the KP Gratitude set.
Hi Norman, I appreciate your content and the work you do to create high quality, well researched, aesthetically beautiful videos. You are such an experienced knitter and I love to learn clever tips from you. Thank you so much for your hard work!
Thank you for such a thorough review. Your needle reviews are by far the best on UA-cam that I have come across and love how you stress the importance of trying out before committing to the entire set. I have ChaioGoo interchangeable tips in just the US 1 & 1.5 size that to try out for socks and magic loop. I really like the thin cords on these and don’t see the need for an entire set. I also own mindful needle sets in the 4” tips, 1.5” tips and DPNs. I really love these sets and am glad I purchased (I did buy a couple tips to try out first). Knit Picks also has a nice steel interchangeable needle set in US 0-4 which is very reasonably priced and may be my new favorite for socks. Cords are comparable to ChaioGoo but tips are really smooth (no texture) like KP’s nickel plated needles but pointier. I like them all for different types of yarns and projects.
Thank you for this review Norman. I have asked for a set for my birthday this month and from this review and from my experience with both the Chiaogoo is the option for me. The cords, joins and feel of the needles is better for my knitting.
A most comprehensive review. I would like to add that after knitting hundreds of hours with both brands of needles, the cables on some of the Knitter’s Pride FIXED needles came apart; so I assume this will happen with the interchangeable set as well. The ChiaoGoo needles have never failed in any way and are my needles of choice.
I personally feel it depends a lot on your individual knitting style and your project. Take a look at the recent CG Forte set where ppl were so dissatisfied with the quality they removed it from the market . 🤔
@@NimbleNeedles I had not heard that! I thought they were a LIMITED edition. There was a lot of dissatisfaction? I need to look into it, because I had hoped to purchase the Forte set. My current favorites for general knitting are my Carbonz, but the tips are too blunt for my preference. I spent a LOT for several fixed length Signature needles… and I regret it.
@@NimbleNeedles In addition to recent purchase of the Chiaogoo Twist Steel set, I also have the Chiaogoo Bamboo "Spin" set that has cables with spinning joins. The Forte is a altogether different set that has cables with "swivel" joins. I don't like the Spin cables that came with my bamboo kit, although I adore the bamboo tips...the spin cables aren't completely smooth and catch my stitches. So I never use them. I heard the Forte cables that actually swivel in addition to spinning are even worse and sometimes the stitches actually get stuck. Looks like Chiaogoo seems to be having problems with joins that have moving parts. Perhaps unsurprising as it's a fairly new niche for them. But it's really not fair to compare their lack of success with "movement" cables to their success with fixed cables, as they are totally different design and manufacturing process. Chiaogoo may or may not ever get their movement cable problems fixed, but that doesn't negate the excellent quality and groundbreaking nature of the Twist fixed cables. If it weren't for memory free I probably would not have kept at knitting after becoming reasonably competent with basic stitches in small swatches. And if Chiaogoo ever masters smooth moveable joins and pairs them with their memory free Twist cable material, they may corner the IC market. Lol
Such an amazing scientific review! Still I have something to add (maybe someone did it before in comments): in Chiaogoo you can use metal part of the stopper as another connector. Isn't it smart? Thank you so much for your videos!
Thank you Norman for this very good in details made comparison. I have the knitter pro mindfulness collection gratitude and I love them. It’s just beautiful and nice to use. The little negatives you mentioned I also noticed: the longer cable connection as the cable stoppers and the 360° wires connection. But they are minors. Thank you for your excellent work you do! Very much appreciated
Five (6?) years ago, I wanted to get a decent set of interchangeables. I spent 6-12 months researching online, narrowing down to Addi or ChaioGoo. I chose the CG 4” complete set, very happy w my purchase. Shortly after, the “Mindful” collection/s started to appear. Then I questioned my decision. I really like the larger needle size range of CG, and I’m most happy w the cables!! The very cheap needles w plastic cord were fine for quite a while, then I noticed quality went downhill. The expense was worth it to me, in the long term. Thank you for comparison videos! I hope they help a knitter w “better” needle purchases when they are ready to upgrade! There were few to reference when I was looking. I think you show honest & unbiased comparisons. And as there are always new products or improvements, you could have wide range of topics to choose from in future!! Thank you, Norman!
@@NimbleNeedles Oh, yes, agree with you! I certainly don’t want you to think you should compare any/all things. When you DO make these, I applaud your in-depth and informative approach! Actually, all your videos are like that, you explain the how, why, etc !! I regularly peruse them, especially for specific project info. I’m always learning a tip or trick, great reference library, in my opinion! Appreciate the time & effort you put forth!
Thank you for your fantastic product comparison!👍🏼I have several ChiaoGoo sets that I treasure-however, I purchased their swivel cord and it is virtually unusable due to snagging/catching every time yarn passes the join😢 Thank you again for your thorough unbiased insight🧶
Hello, Norman, from Oregon, USA. I’m so happy to see this review of needles. Believe it or not, I have been thinking about the purchase of a new set of knitting needles and the two brands you are talking about are both being considered! The set I have now is Knitter’s Pride but I’ve heard good things about the ChiaoGoo needles. Your review is very informative and helpful towards my decision. Thank you! 👍🧶👍
I'm sure you'll make the right decision! And always remember, you could buy a single mindful tip. It will work with the rest of your cables to see if you like it.
@@NimbleNeedles Thank you, Norman!! How wise you are! I think I’ll do just that before ordering a full set of either product. I’m having a slap-my-forehead moment…now, why didn’t I think of that before now!! Have a great week! 🥰
Thank you Norman! Because I am a new knitter (1 week) I am going to get the Knitters Pride set. I am enjoying this hobby so much, but was really put off by the price of the Chiaogoo set plus the shipping plus the VAT of 39%, that these minor differences simply did not justify the extra expense. Those ones would have cost me, after everything, more than 300USD,whereas I can buy the Knitters Pride in my own country for under 100USD, including shipping. This was such a thorough and excellent review.
yeah, I think you won'T do wrong with a KP set as a beginner. I mean...later on you might notice that you prefer other needles more...but that's later and as you progress, your needle preferences will change as well.
such a thorough review. Thanks for your analysis. Although I've been using my Addi interchangeables without any issue, it's good to know that the Knitter's Pride might be a comparable brand to Chiagoo
Thank you, Norman, for another detailed video. I have a nickel allergy, but I had never considered it in regards to my knitting. Perhaps more casual handling is less affecting than earrings or a bracelet, but your attention to this issue is appreciated.
well, these allergies come in degrees...so that's kind of normal that you may not notice it when you just casual handle them if you don't have a severe allergy. ALso, of course, ppl are different!
Greatly appreciate this through review. Here's my "2 cents", I have the ChiaoGhoo sets and prefer them to other needles. I did purchase all the extras such as the connectors and the rubber gripper. I once needed to use the connectors and didn't like it because of the way the yarn passed over the connection was quite annoying for me so I purchased longer cables (another expense). As for their stitch markers, I never use them because they are too thick and interfere with my stitch gauge. I never use the needle gauge to check the size of my needles. Since it is made of thin plastic, I fear the holes will eventually lose their true sizing. However, I do use the ruler feature, often to check my gauge when knitting. I am very careful with my knitting tools and take great care of them so I don't have any fear of ruining the gauge because it is thin and flexible. Again, thank you for all the effort that you put into your videos.
Norman, as always, you are the best! I am now debating between the two brands....I am a faithful ChiaoGoo knitter but the Mindful set has a few design qualities that I'm attracted to. With that said, your review is the BEST ! Thank you for takin the time to educate me on these two products. As always, your videos make me a better knitter.
Very helpful. I received part of my Knitter’s Pride order today and am waiting on the second part: US 3, 4, and 5 sizes, 5” tips, stainless steel, with one full set of cables.
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Free knitting school? Love those words i will defiantly look into it! thank you for your dedicated time for teaching people
Norman I found Hiya Hiya is lightest and quiet . I owned 5” Limited edition it is unique that they have 2 size of needle tips they provided 2 connected to convert from the larger screw for size 9 to 13 though I own it since they offer in 2021 I tried it the first time yesterday and found it great to work with the knitted Price it’s heavier and pain my hand
OMG Norman .... what an absolutely fabulous review. I can't begin to imagine how much time you put into producing this video. It was thorough, informative and unbiased. Thank you so much !😀
Heh..quite some but actually much less than say my sock tutorial etc..these take up ro 40 to 50 hours. 🙈
@@NimbleNeedles Oof. I think I can safely say that we all greatly appreciate your dedication to educating us!
Great review. Very well done and professional. I am a Chiaogoo fan.
@@mariecouture7591 So am I, but I’m willing to change if I like the KP better.
Thank you so so much for this wonderful review and what needle do you prefer thank you.
Happy New Year's
Thank you for touching on the sustainability and business practices of each company in your review!
an important issue, if you ask me!
Thank you so much for this! I have not seen anyone else cover this topic as thoroughly as you did, and you really allow for a much more educated choice for the consumer. I’m a Knitter’s Pride girl for my interchangeable set, and love that I can also buy Knit Picks tips and Lykke cords, and they all fit each other! I do have to say that I appreciate my ChiaoGoo fixed circulars as well, but don’t feel the need to spring for a ChiaoGoo interchangeable set. I guess I’m glad they both make quality products!
I’ve had my Knitters Pride interchangeables for 10-12 years and when the Mindful swivel cords became available, I ordered all lengths (all KP cords fit all KP tips). The cords are inexpensive and I can’t even express how much I love them. The swivel feature is wonderful plus the cords don’t kink at all. ❤❤❤❤
Same - mine are the Knitpro labelled ones but the swivel was the only thing I was missing. When they came out, I immediately ordered them all as well! Best thing I ever did and they were only a couple of quid each.
Yeah..so many enjoy them. And I feel it's great to have all that diversity!
I did the same! I love my Karbonz tips and having the swivel cords has been wonderful.
Roslyn Yeomans, thank you! This is something I have wondered. I have the Nova Platina tips, which I like, but struggle a bit with their cords. I hoped that it would work to invest in the mindful cords as an alternative.
@@tracyguttenberg5659 You’re welcome, Tracy. My suggestion is that you get just one cord in the length you most use to see if you like before ordering all the lengths. That’s what I did. I would also suggest you order directly from KP, or another source specializing in knit products to assure you’re not getting a knock-off.
PS: I agree with Norman about the Mindful turquoise button-style stitch protector-they’re difficult to screw on-I use the flat black ones that came with my original KP interchangeables.
I can only echo what everyone else has said about the review. I’ve had Knit Pro needles for some time as my DH bought them as a Christmas present. I think I will be changing to the swivel cords soon. Norman, your reviews and videos are pure professionalism, and I would advise anyone to sign up for your patreon site. I have, and my 62 year knitting journey is still learning and loving it!
Wow!
What an in-depth review.
For my 60th birthday I treated myself to the Chiaogoo. Have been using them for 3y now and I love them!
I have never seen interchangeable needles up close. When I shop they are packaged. This is very much appreciated. Now I know what to look for.
Oh...awesome I was able to expand your horizon 🥰😎
Chaio Goo are definitely my favourites. After 4yrs of constant knitting on mainly size 4mm, I am only finding a very, very slight catching on the join. This also depends on your choice of yarn as well. A very worthwhile investment for me. Love all your 'tips and tricks'. Regards from Sth Australia
I’ve never used Chaigoo before because I’ve been pretty happy with my Knitters Pride Ginger. But I recently bought the Mindful set just because they are so beautiful. I don’t regret it.
In awe of your professionalism and conmitment to quality in producing these videos. Thank you so much!
I've used both and both are perfectly lovely. The (small, to me) differences between them means that I saved the extra few pennies and bought the mindful set.
I appreciate the relative objectivity and thorough discussion of your work. The fact that you're not forever wedded to one brand or another makes your perspective very appreciated.
Yah, at the end of the day they r. I hope my Videos provide the basis for everyone to make their own decisions!
I still have my original Aero knitting needles that I bought in 1987. They still look like in same condition. I have collected other needles over the years including a steel set. Didn't care for it. I would like an interchangeable set but it has to be the same quality as Aero. But yoy always make extremely knowledgeable videos. I loved the airline one. Knitting in an airplane.
I ended up buying The Mindful collection. I like transparency, plus the whole set is so cute and comes with so many goodies 🎉
Thank you, Norman, for an absolutely professional and all encompassing review! It is so much appreciated knowing that when you take the time to watch your videos, it is time well invested as you will come away thoroughly educated on whatever the topic is. Thank you for your dedication. It is, as I mentioned, so very much appreciated!
You are very welcome, Lee!
You forgot to note the markings on the cables to indicate measurements on the knitters pride set has vs chiaogoo doesn't
@@yarn_oops yeah, there is that. Tho, chiagoo also has markings on one end of the cable...tho barely visible 😅
@@NimbleNeedles I can’t see the ChiaoGoo markings at all (I’m having cataract surgery in June on both eyes, though.)
Timely review. I have been intending to purchase a complete set for months... (preferably in a wood box with rose gold trim) though a pretty pink case may suffice. The significant cost means that I am putting *almost as much thought into brands as I did the naming my children. My hesitation emanates from the thought that needles from the $2 shop are just as effective. Moreover, is it possible to see a marked difference in quality between knits performed on a $2 set vs. a $200.00 set though I note comments about less snags with the Chiaogoo brand. Upon acquiring a professional set I shall keep my cheap needles: useful in unblocking the vacumn cleaner nozzle. These reviews are most helpful. I shall consider the experience(s) and opinion(s) of other knitters across all forums before making a final decision.
This is the most in depth review/comparison I’ve ever seen. You covered things that I wouldn’t have even thought to ask. I truly appreciate the time and effort you put into this. And your presentation was fabulous and unbiased Great work!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for this truly scientific research, Norman! Those close-ups are the one thing I ever wanted to see when we're talking about needle quality. Really, this review will be so helpful if one day I decide to buy a needle set
I sure hope it will. And I agree...you need these close-ups. Everything else is just guesswork
This is probably the best review of any products I have experienced. Thank you for all the detailed information!
Thank you for this comprehensive review of the 2 needle sets that have been on my radar. I love them both so it is possible that in the end I will get both. 😉
Norman, you continue to be an amazing resource person for my knitting journey and I thank you. ❤
Thank you for also focusing on the actual production of the needles and business practices! These are definitely things that I like to keep in mind when I consider making purchases, and it helps us be more thoughtful about who and what we support with our hobbies/practices. :)
I am shopping for my first set of interchangeable set. I just bought Knitter’s Pride Comby Interchangeable Sampler Set along with a ChiaoGoo Lace needle so I’m literally deciding between these two brands. This video is SO HELPFUL!!!
THANK YOU for this one and ALL your amazing videos!
Oh wow. Just in time then!
Did you end up picking a set? I'm currently deciding between these two as well
@@darlinglittlethree5860 I chose ChiaoGoo 5inch and I LOVE THEM! The cords and pointy tips are what makes them so great. I just made my first pair of fingerless mittens with them (using two different sized needles!)
@@famlov9351Reading your opinion and experience has swayed me to choose Chiaogoo. Thank you
Thank you for the detailed review, Norman! Full set Chiaogoo user here, I think your assessment is very on point. One feature that Chiaogoo has is their sleeve needles. I find those irreplaceable in making necklines, sleeves, socks and hats. If someone is trying to avoid DPNs like I did when I chose my sets, this will be a big factor to consider.
Thank you for that comparison. There were more similarities in the needles than I expected. As with most fiber art tools, I get the idea that it's "knitter's choice. Enjoy them". I'll probably end up with both sets eventually. I truly appreciate your thorough descriptions.
It definitely boils down to preferences!
Such an excellent review! So thorough and I have been looking at either completing my Chiaogoo set or completing my Knitter's Pride set. With the KP upping their cable game they are in strong contention now. Now I really have a lot to consider. Thank you for always presenting the best quality content in a friendly and informative package. All the best to you Norman! Thank you for being so awesome
You are very welcome. Glad it helps ❤️🧶
@@NimbleNeedles Thank you, Norman, that was amazing review.. every detail of it. Please tell me what needles you like the most to knit? You have mentioned that you do not knit with these ones on a daily bases. thank you
Thank you very much for this review! I'm an Addi addict, but I often wonder about other brands. You really did a deep dive in your comparison and it's obvious you took great care in your research, especially about the nickel content. ❤ You were also very fair in pointing out the characteristics of each brand (pro and con) and really gave us the opportunity to make our own decisions. Exceptionally well done! Thank you again!
i do have to admit it's very difficult to stay fair, objective, etc....after all, I am pationate about my knitting. Still, if I don't take my personal opinion back...what worth would this video have?
You focus so beautifully on the details and to whom it might be important. You put so very much into your videos - they are terrific.
As usual, outstanding video. One thing I might add. The knitters pride cords fit knitters pride, kit pics and Lykke needles. Like you said it fits from small to big. Chiagoo has 3 differnt size cords and only fit chiagoo
Yeah, knitters pride offers a lot of white label solutions as well.
This was the most thorough review I have ever seen on any knitting/crochet review platform. Professional to a tee. I am considering acquiring interchangeable knitting needles, so this video was quite timely. Thank you for sharing your expertise.
Wow, thank you, Michelle!
This was FANTASTICALLY informative. Thank you so much for the time and thought you put into this comparison review, and for going into so much detail about the products so that your viewers can make informed decisions.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you so very much for showing these two sets. I’ve been going back and forth about them for a while now. I love how in-depth you are with your compassion. Thank you!
hope my video was able to help you make a decision! :)
Thank you for your thorough review! I have both sets of interchangeable needles. I bought the Knitters’ Pride first but had problems with the cords breaking from the needle join. After receiving several replacements from Knitters’ Pride but still having the same problem, I gave up and bought the ChiaoGoo set. I use the ChiaoGoo needles daily and love their smooth joins, unkinking cables, and smooth needle finish.
Wow, that's very unfortunate. I've never had one break in the whole time I've been using them, thank goodness.
Interesting. That never happened to me..and I have been using KP daily for..2 decades?
Still, happy to hear you found something that works so well for you!
Probably the best needle review I've ever seen. Good job. I've been looking into both of these needle sets and it's helped with the thorough review.
Those macro shots were very interesting. Great comparison. I bought into Chiaogoo a few years back but I appreciate this comparison just the same.
They were so difficult to get right...took like 20 attempts 🙈🙈
@@NimbleNeedles seriously, Norman, you rocked it!! 🎯👍🏼👏🏼
I love your reviews. I bought the complete interchangeable Chiaogoo set recently (and so far I'm happy with it) but I can see how the Knitters Pride is a good deal as well.
Thank you for such a thorough comparison 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Certainly, I don't think either of them will be a bad investment!
Thank you so much for the tip of using 2 different sized needles! I was really struggling to move my stitches along my needles when doing magic loop on a small sleeve as they were too tight! Swapped to a smaller needle last night on my left needle and got more done in an hour than the previous few nights of stress knitting!! Super helpful review and advice.
Happy to help 🥰
I enjoyed this very much, and appreciate all the time and effort this must have taken. I have both the 4 and 5 inch Chiaogoo sets plus accessories such as the grip pads and other extras, so I consider myself set for life. I love my needles, and for my style of sweater knitting, they are perfect for me. This review convinced me even more I made the right choice. I especially like what you pointed out about the slight difference in the tips. I think that little taper on the tip, where it is slightly cylindrical and then flares out on the Chiaogoo is what does it for me. I've never had my Chiaogoo needles come unscrewed, but the knitters pride bamboo ones I bought at Hobby Lobby when I was learning sure did. Those needles are pretty, but those cables stayed all spiraled like a slinky no matter what. If I ever have occasion to use a bamboo needle, and I doubt I will, I am happy to know I can get these new & improved different cables for them. Thank you again, you're a gem!
I am definitely not here to convince anyone to buy either set! So if you are good with cg, that certainly is something you should cherish!
I have two sets of interchangeables, both of which I keep in KnitPicks interchangeable needles cases. These cases are wonderful - 2 big zipper pockets (one where I keep my cords/cables and the other where I keep my notions including a gauge). Also, there are two sections for needles, enough for 20 pairs. These needle sections are suited for 5” needles, so I keep my 4” needles in a small bag in one of the zipper pockets. These needle cases retail for about $15 and are often on sale. The case dimensions: 6” x 8” when closed. Also, the case has a double zipper (which I love).
Very thorough and very interesting. + - on both sides depending on one's wishes. ChiaoGoo has been my favorite for many years. Knitter's Pride stitch markers are definitely a winner. Thank you Norman
This was one of the most comprehensive reviews I have watched about anything much less knitting needles. You are a prince among knitters.
😅❤️
Thank you for your extremely, in depth, research into these two products. I use chaigoo and find them very light to knit with and the interchangeable cords and the connection very smooth. I did, however, need to buy one of the ‘Mini’ sets, in order to obtain shorter tips, which are ideal for knitting projects such as socks, negating the need of DPN’s. The Chiagoo set that Norman demonstrates is a full set, but a half set can be purchased and added to, at a later date. I can thoroughly recommend this product but at over £100, for a half set, it is an investment. Thank you, Norman, for your wonderful videos. Lynda (U.K.)
Yah, there sure are so many smaller sets as well. But difficult to fit those into a video as well - especially as I don't own/needed them
Wow the best review on UA-cam. You are the best, thanks very much for your work. You teach me a lot about knitting and needles
I’m so glad that you’ve done this review. I’ve been waiting for someone to do it. But I am really loving my mindful collection and bring it everywhere. I noticed there’s a big difference in my knitting now thanks to this set. The only ChiaoGoo that I used are the red lace circular needle size 4.0mm. That’s the only set I own now of ChiaoGoo
glad you enjoyed this
There are lots of times I've wished I could combine the traits I love from different manufacturers to make the "perfect" needles, and I'm still wishing. I love Knitter's Pride needles - my favorites have always been the Royale (now, sadly, discontinued) and Symphonie Dreamz - but their cables aren't nearly as good as Chiao Goo. The new design for the cables for the Mindful interchangables is better, but even though they claim that they are memory-free, the larger ones aren't. I had a scarf that I needed a 60" circular for, and I decided to use the new cable (they fit the older needles!), and it stayed stubbornly coiled after I removed it from the package. I ended up going with shorter cables, joined, which worked fine. And I did notice the join - the yarn I was using was a type I refer to as "pre-split", and I found that yarn caught often enough that it was aggravating. I also wish that the screw-in type of connector wasn't the standard. The Addi Click connector is my preference, even though they aren't my favorite needle. So, my ideal set of interchangables would be many different types of needle materials that have a click fitting that connects to all the cables. I'd love the Chiao Goo style cable that truly doesn't stay coiled no matter the length. A knitter can dream, can't we? 😁 Thank you, Norm, for your very comprehensive review - it's very much appreciated!
Ah yeah..that is a common theme. I wish there was a brand offering made to measure needles 😅
I don't like Chicagoo the yarn gets hung up where they connect and also when you are knitting with them they come apart from the cable very annoying to have to keep stopping and reconnect to the cable. I love my knitter's pride.
@@claudinemcbride9646 Me, too, which is why I'd like to have the Chiao Goo cables with them (so no coiling) with the Addi Click connectors, which lock into place and *don't* unscrew. I have occasional trouble with the Knitter's Pride cables unscrewing, and the longer Mindful cables still have memory issues. The wire inside may be "memory free", but the plastic cover isn't. I still have to dunk anything longer than 32" in hot water and pull it taut until it cools, just like I have to do with the cables on my Royale fixed circulars.
Uh oh! I thought Chiaogoo was the clear winner for me now I am confused all over again! Who would have thought selecting the best needles could become such a dilemma for me? First world problems aye. I am interested to know your opinion on which cable needles are best for constructing baby blankets, afghans, big projects? Much appreciated... from a newbie-ish knitter.
Addit: Do you think fixed cables superior to interchangeable when knitting heavy weight items? Which to buy?
I’m so glad you made this video. Because I was actually looking for my first set of interchangeable needles.
Awesome! Do know that I have quite some more reviews and these r just the tip of the iceberg, so to speak
It's so detailed, I truly appreciate it! And I do care about the transparency and ethics of a company, so thank you for touching on that as well.
I bought a set of Knit Picks as first real circular needles and I can’t really complain. I love your in depth reviews of the each needles set.❤🥰🥰😇
I've only knitted with wooden and bamboo needles so far, so I'm excited to learn more about these ☺️
I love my bamboo needles, and I've knit with many different kinds of needles. It's just a matter of what works for each of us. Happy knitting 😊
@@suzanrudulph4141
Exactly! I love my Lykke needles!
I love Takumi bamboo knitting needles. Smooth transaction.
perfect. It doesn’t loose connection that completely safe for big projects for my opinion.
I general, metalic needless are faster to knit. Wooden needles are used for silk and similar thread to create just some tension and more even loops.
Your reviews should be a golden standard for anyone else. There is literally nothing I could add!
I have Mindful Gratitude set and I use it on a daily basis with satisfaction. I have also bought Chiaogoo Mini Lace set for sock knitting. I know that it cannot be well compared due to size differences but I find Chiaogoo more slippery and sts slide perfectly off the needle. I don't have to push it with my finger tip. i also agree that cable is a bit sturdier in Knit Pro. This difference and additional needles (12 vs 13 as you said in your review) doesn't give me enough argument to switch to Chiaogoo full set which is twice as expensive in Poland.
Yah...CG is seriously expensive in Europe!
Ans I agree (and think I said it) CG feels a bit smoother
Thank you for this review! I feel like there is a pressure in the knitting community to go with Chiagoo, always, no matter what. This review was so helpful to me when I made the decision to upgrade my set of interchangeables. Appreciate you, Norman!
I feel like you’re reading my mind! Yesterday I was searching UA-cam for these exact same needles! Thank you so much for all of your help, as usual great info! 🧶😀🙌🏻
Oh wow. Glad to be if help!
I have the Knitter's Pride (KnitPro in UK) Zing set, I can't afford the more expensive options. However I've been using them daily for a year now and am 100% satisfied with them. No twists, no breakages, and I love the fact that each set of needles has a different colour so it's really easy to distinguish them.
Yah, that's so cool. Signature needle arts does the same and I really wonder whh not more took that color coding up!
Recently bought the full set after loosing my loose needles. Love it.
Excellent, thorough and balanced review. Helped me settle on the Knitters Pride set. Thank you!
I bought a full set of Chiaogoo IC Twist steel 2 days before this review came out. This is a fabulous review and thank you for your thoroughness, Norman *mwah*, but for whatever it's worth to whoever might read this, I saw nothing in it to make me regret my decision.
After trying several different brands of knitting systems, my decision to choose Chiaogoo mainly boiled down to the fabulous "memory free" cables. The joins are very smooth, they truly have no memory, they uncurl immediately upon coming out of storage, lay flat in your lap when working, stay flat where you put them in a basket or bag, and even though the joins don't spin and I'm a tight knitter, I rarely have a problem with my work twisting up due to needle movement. There's a little technique to turning your work to ensure smoothness, and as Norman noted it's good to check the tightness of your joins occasionally, but it's minor trouble and worth it because IMO the cables are the best around. Pliant cables that don't curl or bunch when I work, and lay flat when I need to examine my work or count stitches, have been a primary concern.
As Norman also noted, when you get into this tier of knitting tools the difference in the quality of needle tips is marginal, and truly boils down to personal preference. Since Chiaogoo steel needles are also fabulous, it was a no-brainer for me to use the cables as the deciding factor of brand. Another minor point in favor of Chiaogoo is that the Twist cables are also very pretty. Deep reds are my favorite colors, so using these cables just adds a little bit of bling and fun.
To be clear, my ideal knitting system would be HiyaHiya Sharps tips and HiyaHiya spinning joins, with the Chiaogoo memory free cables. If HiyaHiya had better cables I would have invested in them instead of Chiaogoo. But Chiaogoo tips are plenty excellent even so, with only a hair's breadth or two difference in sharpness, so the hardness, curling, and absolute refusal of HiyaHiya cables to lay flat under any circumstances was the deal breaker for me. I'll probably wind up throwing my trial Hiya cable away, even though it can be used with Chiaogoo needles. With Mindful, Knitter's Pride looks like they are trying to develop tips fine enough to compare with HiyaHiya Sharps, but they're not quite there yet.
Norman was also right about Chiaogoo plastic stitch markers. They suck. Way too thick and they're also kind of weird sizes relative to the thickness. They're kind of an incongruency in what is overall a high quality kit and line of products. Probably will throw them away.
Just a word about the openness and willingness of the manufacturers to communicate...it may be cultural as well as lingual. Communist cultures are by nature much more guarded with the flow of information, even around very minor issues, so it stands to reason that the cultures of companies based in China might mirror that general cultural tendency. Plus, for many if not most Indians, English is a second if not first language due to India's long comingled history with Britain. So not only is the Mindful manufacturer probably under the influence of a company culture more economically Western than Chiaogoo, generally speaking, it's also likely that whoever answers Mindful's email may be able to communicate in English more easily.
Thanks again, Norman. This was particularly interesting considering how recently I made the choice of Chiaogoo. The thoroughness was appreciated and I really enjoyed it!
Heh. Thank you for your thorough feedback. I assure you the customer support of Chiagoo America is a native speaker. They don't really have anything to do with the westing bridge llc who produce the tips (if not the rest).
As for tips, I agree, hiyahiya is hard to beat!
Thank you so much for this fantastic review Norman. The mindful collection is my go to when I need sharp needles. The value for money is excellent !
This was great Norman! I love how you compared knitter's pride with chio goo needles and presented pros and cons of each.! Then we can make up our own mind😃
Great review! I bought Knitters Pride first, but found the Knitters Pride was catching on my work at the join. I returned them, purchased the Chiagoo and LOVE hem ! So much, that I recently purchased a set of “Shorties” that come in 2 different lengths!
I have a set of Knitters Pride Double Pointed needles in the Mindful series. You get 5 needles in 6 different sizes.
The set that I had the “catching” issue with Knitters Pride…now called a knit Pro…was the “Smart Stix” series.
I never tried that out..but they have soooo many sets that is no big wonder
Your reviews are always so thorough ! Thank you Norman for your hard work !
I'll be looking at this when I need bigger steel needles. My grammy gifted me her set of US size 0-3 ChiaoGoo DPN and Shorties, but the Wooden Knitters Pride Interchangeables have been so good to me, love how they feel in hand.
Thanks Norman, being a beginner I have bought many wrong needles 😊 so your helpful videos are making me a better knitter. Thankyou
Great review! I especially liked the emails you sent to track down the alloys used by the two companies. You are indefatigable!
Chiao goo fixed circulars. Love the flexie cables and pointy tips.
Well, I do feel that a review should be more than just my feelings 😅❤️
Very comprehensive and objective review. What I do not like in Chiagoo is one has to buy various cables and connector depending on size. On the other hand, Knitters Pride is more transparent with standards and work ethics.
I entirely agree. When I knit with my CG it takes like 10 min until I scavenged the right cable size 🤣🤣
I went with ChiaoGoo a few years ago and used your earlier reviews to help me decide. This was a great review and I am still very happy with my ChiaoGoo choice. I especially love their smaller 'mini' needle sets, so far just for socks but potentially for other small circumference items in my future. I love my ChiaoGoo.
Great to hear!
Thank you year channel is my favourite knitting channel .💖
I don't think many people know about this, but Chiaogoo actually comes with 3 cable connectors per size. Look at the end-stoppers @ 31:27 - the metal part can be unscrewed and used as a cable connector. 😉
You mean you can unscrew these stoppers????!!
@@NimbleNeedles Yes, I actually found out by accident when I overturned the stopper. But this was confirmed in a post I found somewhere. If you look at the stopper, it does make sense as there's a hole in it - similar to the holes in the adapter.
@@Enig_Mata gotta try that out immediately when I am at home. Thx for mentioning it!!
🤯wow! Thank you for this!
I'm a sucker for needle review videos. My favorite metal needles are Chiaogoo and SeeKnit is, in my opinion, the best wooden/bamboo set out there. I have Lykke which are essentially KP, but swapped out the cord when Mindful Collection was released. The koshitsu line by Seeknit is so buttery smooth and would be perfect for those would want something close to the pointy tips of metal needles but can not use them for whatever reason. I hope you can do a similar review for non-metal needles. Great review.
Hmm...I might do one..tho I personally don't knit eith wooden needles at all 🙈
Oh dear, yet another recommended needle brand. I am so indecisive. Your comment about Seeknit needles being "buttery smooth" makes these sound like a dream to work with! 😊
@@norelleholgate8930 Absolutely, they are. You can try out just one needle or maybe the small set and you won't regret it. Try to Koshitsu which are the darker needles. I have soooo many needles sets including Chiaogoo and Lykke. If I were to do it all over again, I would buy the Seeknit set and maybe a few Chiaogoo needles. If it's between Seeknit and any Knitter's Pride(including Lykke, Mindful Collection, Ginger, Lantern Moon), Seeknit all the way. Seeknit needles are that good.
Excellent video. I really enjoyed it. I'll stick with my chiaogoo as I've had them for years. I don't knit with larger needles as they hurt my hands and I appreciated being able to buy a half set of the 2.75 to 5mm tips. Perfect for my needs and less expensive. The only non-metal needles I use are Knit Pro Symphonie wooden dpns for socks.
Thank you so much for this !!! In a pinch you can also remove the metal bits off the ChiaoGoo cable stoppers and use those metal bits as cable connectors as well .... 😉😉😉
Thank you for this great review! I have a couple comments, having some experience with ChiaoGoo needles (I bought mine in the U.S., through Amazon): I have the regular interchangeable set (starting with the 2.75 mm), with 5" tips and the wonderful red cords. I also bought the mini interchangeable set because I wanted options below 2.75 mm. One of these sets (I can't remember which) did come with the little red rubbery thing (mine is heart shaped) to help tighten the needle. This thing does make a difference, so I did buy separately a two-pack of these to have them in multiple places.
One of the needles in my mini set turned out to be defective and would not screw into the cable properly. I contacted the company, and after a very short back and forth which included my sending them a close-up photo of the needle, they sent me a replacement package which contained two of the needles in question, so that experience turned out very well for me and I was happy with the customer service in that case.
I have recently bought the new ChiaoGoo swivel cables in various lengths, both size S and size L to go with my current needles, and I would say they are perfect for knitting in the round and very good for magic loop, and give me some peace of mind, as a tight knitter, as they take some of the pressure off in one way or another. For magic loop there is nothing superior to a fixed CG circular needle, but I don't find the "snagging" quality of the swivel cord to be any worse than that of the non-swivel cord for the interchangeables.
The CG cable stoppers are fantastic, and I have used them many times. One final note: before I stopped doing cut-in afterthought heels on my socks, I was using the very skinny needles from the mini set to pick up all the stitches, and then just knitting right off of that onto my regular sock needle, and that was so easy and convenient I decided that the mini set would have been worth every penny even if that was the only thing I ever used it for.
I personally almost never knit with CG, I probably hate everything about them...but those minis are such excellent tools and I love them dearly for all these small little use cases.
Great information! Thank you for taking the time to do this! Appreciate your input.
You always read my mind with your choices of subject matter in your videos. I'm literally doing this choice for my knitting needles right now. I've been looking to upgrade my needles and been trying to pick one. Your videos really help me in my knitting journey.
You are so welcome!
Thank you once again as someone who has been hunting for the "perfect" needles you have with this post confirmed the conclusion I came to a long time ago perfection is in the hands of the user. I've used KnitPro as Knitters Pride are known as here in the UK and as much as I loved the tips of their Zing needles I always found the joints a tad too catchy.
I was again never drawn in by the hype around the ChiaGoo and thought of them as wee tad pricey.
I am a convert to Addi steel lace fixed and HiyaHiya steel tips.But then as you have said as knitters we all use what works for us and our knitting style.
Thank you again.
I actually got the hang of knitting. I just kept practicing 😃. Thank you for your inspiring videos 😊
I love how in depth you were with your comparison!! And as always you were very inclusive when giving the pros and cons. Thank you for the comparison and another great video!!
It's hard to stay objective but I sure try my best!
I wish I had watched your review before making my ChiaoGoo purchase, but I think I am going to be happy with it anyway 😊… Appreciate your research!!! ❤
I have nearly all the sizes of the interchangeable metal Chiaogoo needles. I have not had a chance to try any of the Knitter's Pride Mindful needles yet. Thank you for taking the time to show us an up-close look at both as well as giving us a great comparison. I know you have said in the past what needles you prefer but I'd love to know your top go to needles.
I think that depends on the project and needle size. I don't really have one brand for everything
It's a good thing there are so many different needles since we are all so different! I have many different sets but I love the Chiaogoo the best. Mostly because of the cords and joins. If doing magic loop for socks the Chiaogoo cords can't be beat!
I did buy one Mindful round needle just to try them. The join was so poor my yarn kept getting caught and tearing so I had to throw them out. However my friend has a set of the Mindful interchangeable and she's had no problem with them.
I also have Addi's, Knitters Pride Zing, and Knit Picks metal. I use them all for different projects but the Chiaogoo are still my favorites. I started out with a wood set from Knit Picks but the more I knit the more I realized I like metal much better so gave them to a friend.
I do feel your knitting technique matters a lot as well!
Fantastic, thorough review. Thank you! I have Hiya Hiya Sharp and KnIt Picks Harmony (wood) interchangeable sets. I’ve been eyeing the KP Gratitude set.
Hi Norman, I appreciate your content and the work you do to create high quality, well researched, aesthetically beautiful videos. You are such an experienced knitter and I love to learn clever tips from you. Thank you so much for your hard work!
Awww..thank you Peggy! ❤️🧶
Thanks so much, Norman, for your in depth thorough review. The micro shots helped and were informative. Excellent review.
Thank you for this review. I found it extremely informative. You brought up several things I would not have thought of.
Thank you for such a thorough review. Your needle reviews are by far the best on UA-cam that I have come across and love how you stress the importance of trying out before committing to the entire set.
I have ChaioGoo interchangeable tips in just the US 1 & 1.5 size that to try out for socks and magic loop. I really like the thin cords on these and don’t see the need for an entire set.
I also own mindful needle sets in the 4” tips, 1.5” tips and DPNs. I really love these sets and am glad I purchased (I did buy a couple tips to try out first).
Knit Picks also has a nice steel interchangeable needle set in US 0-4 which is very reasonably priced and may be my new favorite for socks. Cords are comparable to ChaioGoo but tips are really smooth (no texture) like KP’s nickel plated needles but pointier.
I like them all for different types of yarns and projects.
i am actually, as we speak, working on a new one. Will probably take a month or so until it's done...but it's something quite exciting :D
Thank you for this review Norman. I have asked for a set for my birthday this month and from this review and from my experience with both the Chiaogoo is the option for me. The cords, joins and feel of the needles is better for my knitting.
Beautiful review! I've been on the fence about buying the Knitter's Pride set. This was very helpful.
Same.
A most comprehensive review. I would like to add that after knitting hundreds of hours with both brands of needles, the cables on some of the Knitter’s Pride FIXED needles came apart; so I assume this will happen with the interchangeable set as well. The ChiaoGoo needles have never failed in any way and are my needles of choice.
I personally feel it depends a lot on your individual knitting style and your project. Take a look at the recent CG Forte set where ppl were so dissatisfied with the quality they removed it from the market . 🤔
@@NimbleNeedles I had not heard that! I thought they were a LIMITED edition. There was a lot of dissatisfaction? I need to look into it, because I had hoped to purchase the Forte set. My current favorites for general knitting are my Carbonz, but the tips are too blunt for my preference. I spent a LOT for several fixed length Signature needles… and I regret it.
@@floatingmoon5778 there is a post on their Instagram account
@@NimbleNeedles In addition to recent purchase of the Chiaogoo Twist Steel set, I also have the Chiaogoo Bamboo "Spin" set that has cables with spinning joins. The Forte is a altogether different set that has cables with "swivel" joins.
I don't like the Spin cables that came with my bamboo kit, although I adore the bamboo tips...the spin cables aren't completely smooth and catch my stitches. So I never use them. I heard the Forte cables that actually swivel in addition to spinning are even worse and sometimes the stitches actually get stuck. Looks like Chiaogoo seems to be having problems with joins that have moving parts. Perhaps unsurprising as it's a fairly new niche for them.
But it's really not fair to compare their lack of success with "movement" cables to their success with fixed cables, as they are totally different design and manufacturing process. Chiaogoo may or may not ever get their movement cable problems fixed, but that doesn't negate the excellent quality and groundbreaking nature of the Twist fixed cables. If it weren't for memory free I probably would not have kept at knitting after becoming reasonably competent with basic stitches in small swatches. And if Chiaogoo ever masters smooth moveable joins and pairs them with their memory free Twist cable material, they may corner the IC market. Lol
@@NimbleNeedles That explains it. I don’t do IG. But I DO trust you, so I don’t doubt your word.
This was such a thorough review/comparison. Much appreciated! I think I’m leaning towards the mindful set!
Such an amazing scientific review! Still I have something to add (maybe someone did it before in comments): in Chiaogoo you can use metal part of the stopper as another connector. Isn't it smart?
Thank you so much for your videos!
Thanks for another useful video. I am a small gauge knitter, so I'll be sticking with Chiagoo.
Thank you so much for this amazing in depth look at these two sets. I really appreciated it.
Thank you Norman for this very good in details made comparison. I have the knitter pro mindfulness collection gratitude and I love them. It’s just beautiful and nice to use. The little negatives you mentioned I also noticed: the longer cable connection as the cable stoppers and the 360° wires connection. But they are minors. Thank you for your excellent work you do! Very much appreciated
Yeah, I mean, at the end of the day, most sets are always a compromise. U have to puck what's most important to you
Five (6?) years ago, I wanted to get a decent set of interchangeables. I spent 6-12 months researching online, narrowing down to Addi or ChaioGoo. I chose the CG 4” complete set, very happy w my purchase. Shortly after, the “Mindful” collection/s started to appear. Then I questioned my decision. I really like the larger needle size range of CG, and I’m most happy w the cables!! The very cheap needles w plastic cord were fine for quite a while, then I noticed quality went downhill. The expense was worth it to me, in the long term.
Thank you for comparison videos! I hope they help a knitter w “better” needle purchases when they are ready to upgrade! There were few to reference when I was looking.
I think you show honest & unbiased comparisons. And as there are always new products or improvements, you could have wide range of topics to choose from in future!!
Thank you, Norman!
Yeah, there are sure always new products..tho I am not sure if each if them warrants a review like this 😅
@@NimbleNeedles
Oh, yes, agree with you! I certainly don’t want you to think you should compare any/all things. When you DO make these, I applaud your in-depth and informative approach! Actually, all your videos are like that, you explain the how, why, etc !! I regularly peruse them, especially for specific project info. I’m always learning a tip or trick, great reference library, in my opinion! Appreciate the time & effort you put forth!
Thank you for your fantastic product comparison!👍🏼I have several ChiaoGoo sets that I treasure-however, I purchased their swivel cord and it is virtually unusable due to snagging/catching every time yarn passes the join😢 Thank you again for your thorough unbiased insight🧶
I do feel the same. Some say if you hold the cable straight before pushing it works fine
Thanks, Norman, for another wonderful review!
Hello, Norman, from Oregon, USA. I’m so happy to see this review of needles. Believe it or not, I have been thinking about the purchase of a new set of knitting needles and the two brands you are talking about are both being considered! The set I have now is Knitter’s Pride but I’ve heard good things about the ChiaoGoo needles. Your review is very informative and helpful towards my decision. Thank you! 👍🧶👍
I'm sure you'll make the right decision! And always remember, you could buy a single mindful tip. It will work with the rest of your cables to see if you like it.
@@NimbleNeedles Thank you, Norman!! How wise you are! I think I’ll do just that before ordering a full set of either product. I’m having a slap-my-forehead moment…now, why didn’t I think of that before now!! Have a great week! 🥰
Thank you Norman! Because I am a new knitter (1 week) I am going to get the Knitters Pride set. I am enjoying this hobby so much, but was really put off by the price of the Chiaogoo set plus the shipping plus the VAT of 39%, that these minor differences simply did not justify the extra expense. Those ones would have cost me, after everything, more than 300USD,whereas I can buy the Knitters Pride in my own country for under 100USD, including shipping.
This was such a thorough and excellent review.
yeah, I think you won'T do wrong with a KP set as a beginner. I mean...later on you might notice that you prefer other needles more...but that's later and as you progress, your needle preferences will change as well.
such a thorough review. Thanks for your analysis. Although I've been using my Addi interchangeables without any issue, it's good to know that the Knitter's Pride might be a comparable brand to Chiagoo
They sure are. Tho, coated needles and stainless steel does behave differently and typically most knitters prefer one over the other
Thank you, Norman, for another detailed video. I have a nickel allergy, but I had never considered it in regards to my knitting. Perhaps more casual handling is less affecting than earrings or a bracelet, but your attention to this issue is appreciated.
well, these allergies come in degrees...so that's kind of normal that you may not notice it when you just casual handle them if you don't have a severe allergy. ALso, of course, ppl are different!
Greatly appreciate this through review. Here's my "2 cents", I have the ChiaoGhoo sets and prefer them to other needles. I did purchase all the extras such as the connectors and the rubber gripper. I once needed to use the connectors and didn't like it because of the way the yarn passed over the connection was quite annoying for me so I purchased longer cables (another expense). As for their stitch markers, I never use them because they are too thick and interfere with my stitch gauge. I never use the needle gauge to check the size of my needles. Since it is made of thin plastic, I fear the holes will eventually lose their true sizing. However, I do use the ruler feature, often to check my gauge when knitting. I am very careful with my knitting tools and take great care of them so I don't have any fear of ruining the gauge because it is thin and flexible. Again, thank you for all the effort that you put into your videos.
Norman, as always, you are the best! I am now debating between the two brands....I am a faithful ChiaoGoo knitter but the Mindful set has a few design qualities that I'm attracted to. With that said, your review is the BEST ! Thank you for takin the time to educate me on these two products. As always, your videos make me a better knitter.
I mean, they do sell singles. Why not give it a try. The design certainly is a lot more cohesive but if you are used to cg...🤔
Very helpful. I received part of my Knitter’s Pride order today and am waiting on the second part: US 3, 4, and 5 sizes, 5” tips, stainless steel, with one full set of cables.
I've gotten these knitting needles from Amazon, but they aren't the best so this is helpful for when I want to upgrade to a better set.