Interchangeable knitting needles are the ultimate tool in a knitter’s toolkit. If someone new to knitting is wondering what type of needle set to purchase, interchangeable is my answer every single time. They are so worth it. Interchangeable needles are infinitely versatile. You can screw different needle tip sizes onto different cable lengths to create whatever size you need every time.
Interchangeable Needles Overview
Are interchangeable Needles Worth it?
YES! Once you have an interchangeable set, you can make any needle size and length that you need, so you won’t need to continue to spend money on different needle configurations. And circular needles can be used for both circular and straight knitting, which makes them the most versatile choice.
What is the difference between fixed interchangeable needles?
Interchangeable needles allow you to switch the cables and needle tips to make the needle configuration you need by mixing and matching different needle sizes and cable lengths. Fixed needles do not detach. If you don’t have the right combination of needle size and cable length, you will need to buy a new needle – every time.
ChiaoGoo: The Best Interchangeable Needles
My favorite type of interchangeable needles are the ChiaoGoo sets, and I don’t seem to be alone in that sentiment. I am writing to share with you what I have learned about mixing and matching these needles so that you can reap the benefits. Keep reading for explanations of the different configuration options – there are several!
I am confident in stating that the ChiaoGoo TWIST Red cables are the preferred interchangeable cable by most knitters that have tried them. They are perfect – smooth joins and no memory or kinking.
Chiaogoo’s perfect coated steel cables come as part of the TWIST stainless steel set of ChiaoGoo interchangeable needles, which means that the knitters who prefer them usually use the stainless steel interchangeable tips that go with them.
Where do I buy ChiaoGoo Interchangeable Needles?
If you are lucky enough to have a local yarn store, buy them there! If, like me, you are not blessed with a local yarn store, I have included links to several options on Amazon.
How do I connect and lock ChiaoGoo Interchangeable needles?
Insert a T-pin in the hole on the cable join to help you hold the cable firmly, screw on the needle tip, and use something grippy to tighten. The ChiaoGoo interchangeable sets come with a little gripper to keep in your needle case, but you could also use something like a rubber band to accomplish the same effect. You will need the grippiness to unscrew the needle from the cable as well.
Some knitters prefer wooden needle tips, and some like to have a set of both so that they always have the choice depending on the yarn they are using. Thus begins the expensive and time-consuming hunt for the perfect wooden needles. Inevitably, this leads to disappointment in the quality and properties of the cables that go with these needles.
Guess what?! You can have both wooden needles and the perfect cables, because ChiaoGoo makes compatible bamboo needle tips!
But I Prefer Wooden Needles!
I watch a lot of knitting YouTube, and in all of the discussions about trying different wooden needles, I haven’t heard anyone talk about ChiaoGoo’s wooden needles. They are bamboo with a smooth coating and super sharp.
However, the bamboo needle set comes with ChiaoGoo’s SPIN Nylon cables, which in my experience, do have some memory and a tendency to catch yarn as it moves from the cable onto the needle.
But fear not! Did you know that the different types of ChiaoGoo interchangeable needles and cables work together? They do! ChiaoGoo’s bamboo needles are compatible with the TWIST Red cables! I discovered this years ago as a happy accident, and I recently discovered that this is stated on ChiaoGoo’s website. The compatibility does not seem to be common knowledge in the knitting community.
All of the ChiaoGoo interchangeable needle parts can be purchased individually so that you can create the set that works best for you. I recommend purchasing a set and filling in the gaps with individual pieces. I go into detail about this next.
The photo below shows various ChiaoGoo interchangeable needle configurations and sizes. You can see that the large and small diameter cables have a wooden needle tip attached to one end and a stainless steel needle tip attached to the other end.
What is the difference between ChiaoGoo TWIST and SPIN?
ChiaoGoo TWIST and SPIN are two different cable types.
TWIST cables are red nylon coated steel cables, and they are completely memory free! This means that the cables don’t remain curled up as they were stored, which is important for preventing frustration while knitting.
SPIN cables swivel at the join, which is neat. However, the SPIN cables do have memory, are prone to kinking, and I have had trouble with my yarn catching at the join.
Recommendations for Purchasing ChiaoGoo Interchangeable Needles
ChiaoGoo interchangeable needles have so many different configurations.
Interchangeable Sets
ChiaoGoo interchangeable needle sets are the very best knitting needle sets.
If you’d like to mix and match (bamboo needles with TWIST Red cables), my recommendation is to purchase the bamboo set in whatever size you prefer, and then purchase the TWIST Red cables separately in the size(s) you prefer.
Purchasing the Complete set is more economical than purchasing a Small set + a Large set. Purchasing any set is more economical than purchasing the individual needles and cables within it, and as a bonus, sets come with a nice case and several notions, including stitch markers and a little grippy thing to help you tighten the needle to the cable.
ChiaoGoo needles come in 4” and 5”, and you can choose the length that works best for you. I started out with 5” needles, but anytime I add more, I go with the 4”. The shorter tip is a little bit more versatile if you’re knitting smaller circumferences like hats or baby sweaters.
ChiaoGoo also offers shorties in stainless steel, which come with both 2” and 3” tips and short cords for knitting tiny circumferences like socks or slightly bigger circumferences like sleeves. I’ll also use the 3″ tips and longer cable to knit hats if I don’t want to work in magic loop. Shorties are my go-to for the body of a Musselburgh.
Cables Only
I recommend purchasing single cables if you need to convert your bamboo set to TWIST Red cables or if you need extra of a particular size.
Each ChiaoGoo cable has 2 sizes: diameter and length. The diameter (mini, small, large) are sized based on the size of the needle you’ll be connecting it to. Mini cables connect to US 000-1.5 needles. Small cables connect to US 2-8 needles. Large cables connect to US 9-15 needles. Each circumference comes in multiple lengths.
To calculate the full circumference of the circular needle you’re creating, add the cable length to your chosen tip lengths. For example, a 22″ cable with two 5″ tips equals a 32″ circular needle.
Tips Only
I recommend purchasing single needles if you need extra of your preferred needle type, or if you want to try a material without committing to a set.
Bonus
If you have an assortment of needle sizes outside of a standard set, it might be helpful for you to track how many you have of each size so that you know what you might still need.
I made you a tracker!
Final Thoughts
There you have it: all of the ChiaoGoo needle configurations. If you’ve been wishing all cables could be as great as the TWIST Red cables, I hope you’ll give them a try with the ChiaoGoo bamboo needle tips.
Check out my other favorite things and purls of knitting wisdom!
