Review on 🧶 ChiaoGoo 5 Inch Twist Red Lace Mini Set: US 000-1.5 Interchangeable Needles – Ultimate Precision and Versatility by Kelly Caballes

These little bugs are fantastic. Ever since I had a large size spare set (knitting needles), I've wanted one for small sizes as well. I do everything with interchangeable stuff - flat designs, magic loop, running loop. I never reach for direct or DPN. Before their introduction, the only replacement sockpins I knew of were Dyakcraft, and they were prohibitively expensive (not that Chiagoo was cheap). I think Hiya Hiya has an equivalent set now too. I currently have the knitpicks mentioned above in my collection as well as a few fixed addi avenues. Haven't received a Hiya Hiya yet (but I may update my review if I can make a comparison). That's my favorite. The best is the cable. Some people complain that the cable is stiff and struggles with them. I think it's the other way around - it's hard and lays down right where I put it and stays where it belongs! My Addi cables fight with me all the time - they're terribly twisted and no amount of hot water or tugging is going to get them where I want them to be. My cords from Knitpicks are fine but still tend to pucker or get in the way. These are the best. The connection is a screw connection. This works for me since I'm applying quite a bit of torque to the needles. I don't have to use the included wrench + rubber knob to tighten them, although they slowly loosen when I'm not using them. Using a wrench and elastic, I can't even get the needles off without a wrench, let alone pull them off while knitting. I can't compare this to an addi-click or hiya-hiya connection, but I can say the connection is much tighter than my knitpicks, which eventually come loose no matter how tight I tighten them. The needles are also very strong and light. use. Haven't managed to bend one yet (my small non-removable same diameter needles are all bent). They allow me to knit very tightly without fear of snagging the stitches - they always move smoothly over the needles and cables. The only criticism is that the needles are a bit long. While I can apply a lot of force with 5 inch needles, the smallest sizes tend to pinch a nerve in my pinky due to the way I hold them. In addition, they are completely unsuitable for knitting socks without a magic loop. I'm not sure if 4 inch needles would be more comfortable.