Comparing Interchangeable Knitting Needles:

I’ve been using HiyaHiya for 5 years now and I absolutely love them.
I recommend them all the time, but I wonder… is there a better brand?
There are so many different brands and styles to choose from these days.
I’m going to be testing different brands and different needle types within brands.
Everyone has their own personal preference, so I’m going to try to share as many facts about each brand as I possibly can.
If you have any questions, please ask in the comments below.
After I try all these different brands, I’m curious to know if HiyaHiya will still be my favorite.

Addi Interchangeable Needles:

Made in : Germany
Tip length : 5 1/8″
Tip type : Aluminum. They feel smooth, light-weight and hollow.
Thread type : metal and use the addi-click insertion system. The ends are not threaded. You insert the cable into the tip and twist to lock into place.
Cable : gold, hard plastic. The length, brand and Made in Germany are stamped on each cable.
Lifeline holes : No

ChiaGoo Twist Red Lace Interchangeable Needle Tips and Cables:

Made in : China
Tip length : 5″
Tip type : metal, surgical-grade stainless steel. They feel smooth, light-weight and hollow.
Thread type : Fine thread. 4mm. The tip inserts into the cable.
Cable : flexible, memory-free, nylon-coated, multi-stranded steel, size is stamped on the metal tip.
Lifeline holes : Yes
Opinion: These are high quality needles and very well made. However, the cord is a bit too stiff for my liking.

HiyaHiya Interchangeable Needles:

Made in : China
Tip length : 4″ tip, I measured them and they’re closer to 3 1/2″ in length.
Tip type : stainless steel. They feel smooth, light-weight and hollow.
Thread type : Medium thread. 6mm. The tip inserts into the cable. The treading is a goldish metal, maybe brass, but it isn’t specified.
Cable : hard, pliable plastic
Lifeline holes : Yes
Opinion: I’ve had my set of needles since 2012. I’ve abused these needles for years and they’re still going strong. I’ve only had to replace 1 cord because I broke it… 4 years later. That’s a pretty good track record. I like how short the tips are, it makes hats, leg warmers and boot cuffs easier to knit.

Knit Picks Interchangeable Needles:

Made in : China
Tip length : 4 3/4″
Tip type : Nickel Plated. The size is etched into it, small and inconspicuously, about 2mm in height. They feel smooth, light-weight and hollow.
Thread type : Fine thread. 5mm. The cable inserts into the tip.
Cable : Black pliable plastic. Unmarked.
Lifeline holes : Yes
Opinion: It’s plated, which tells me that it’s probably going to chip or wear off. It doesn’t have the highest quality feel to it. It doesn’t have the smoothest transition where the tip and cable meets, a thin yarn might catch on it.

Knitter’s Pride Interchangeable Needles, Nova Platina IC:

Made in : India
Tip length : 4 1/2″
Tip type : Nova Platina IC. It’s metal, not sure what type. They feel smooth, a little bit of a weight to them. I’m not sure if it’s hollow, it doesn’t really sound like it.
Thread type : Fine thread. 5mm. The cable inserts into the tip.
Cable : Pliable plastic. Unmarked and color coded for size. Neon green is 24″. Red is 40″.
Lifeline holes : Yes
Opinion: I don’t know if they’re plated or solid metal. It has a nice thread, but not the highest quality. It doesn’t have the smoothest transition where the tip and cable meets, a thin yarn might catch on it.

Knitter’s Pride Interchangeable Needles, Symfonie Dreamz IC:

Made in : India
Tip length : 4 1/2″
Tip type : Symfonie Dreamz IC. Polished wood, they’re nice and smooth, not grabby at all, but not as slick as metal.
Thread type : Fine thread. 5mm. The cable inserts into the tip.
Cable : Pliable plastic. Unmarked and color coded for size. Neon green is 24″. Red is 40″.
Lifeline holes : Yes
Opinion: It has a nice thread, but not the highest quality. It doesn’t have the smoothest transition where the tip and cable meets, a thin yarn might catch on it.

Knitter’s Pride Interchangeable Needles, Cubics Rose IC:

Made in : India
Tip length : 4 1/2″
Tip type : Cubics Rose IC, tapered birch wood. They’re nice and smooth, not grabby at all, but not as slick as metal.
Thread type : Fine thread. 5mm. The cable inserts into the tip.
Cable : Pliable plastic. Unmarked and color coded for size. Neon green is 24″. Red is 40″.
Lifeline holes : Yes
Opinion: I wonder if the square shape of the tip changes the gauge.

Lykke Interchangeable Needle Tips and Cables:

Made in : Nepal
Tip length : 4 1/2″
Tip type : Driftwood. They feel nice and smooth, not grabby like wood normally feels. They have a nice weight to them if you’re looking for a heavier needle.
Thread type : Fine thread. 5mm. The cable inserts into the tip. It’s metal. The type of metal isn’t specified, but it’s silver in color.
Cable : hard plastic
Lifeline holes : No
They come with a lifetime guarantee.
Opinion: These are beautiful wooden needles. I’m not keen on knitting with wood needles, but they’re so photogenic. Since that’s important for my photos, I might just buy a whole set just to take photos of them. :)

Silverlite Interchangeable Needles:

Made in : India
Tip length : 4 5/8″
Tip type : Aluminum. They feel smooth, light-weight and hollow.
Thread type : Fine thread. 5mm. The cable inserts into the tip.
Cable : matte pliable plastic.
Lifeline holes : Yes
Opinion: The metal cable tip is a slightly different “color” than the needles. The needles are a brushed metal and the cable tip is not brushed.

Tulip Interchangeable Needles:

Made in : Japan
Tip length : 3 7/8″
Tip type : Bamboo. The size is stamped on it with black ink, kinda big making it easy to read.
Thread type : Fine thread. 4mm. The cable inserts into the tip.
Cable : Clear pliable plastic, not hard, smooth and doesn’t kink. On the cable threaded end there’s ridges to help your grip when tightening. There’s an o-ring by the threads.
Lifeline holes : No
Opinion: These are nicely made. The o-ring and grip are what take these to the next level, for me. I just wish the tips were smoother.

Comparison Chart:

	Addi	ChiaGoo	Hiya	Knit Picks
Thread Length:	Click-lock	4mm	6mm	5mm
Cable Type:	Plastic	Flex Steel	Plastic	Plastic
Made In:	Germany	China	China	China
Life Line:	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Tip Length:	5 1/8″	5″	3 1/2″	4 3/4″
Tip Type:	Alum	St. Steel	St. Steel	Plated

	Knitter’s Pride	Lykke	Silverlite	Tulip
Thread Length:	5mm	5mm	5mm	4mm
Cable Type:	Plastic	Plastic	Plastic	Plastic
Made In:	India	Nepal	India	Japan
Life Line:	Yes	No	Yes	No
Tip Length:	4 1/2″	4 1/2″	4 5/8″	3 7/8″
Tip Type:	Nova Platina	Driftwood	Alum	Bamboo

My Favorite Interchangeable Knitting Needles:

Alright, so I decided to rank these 8 brands.

It was really hard to decide…

I don’t like picking favorites.

But, I really want to know which set is my favorite.

Things I look for in a good set of interchangeable needles : metal tips, made with high quality materials, tips aren’t too sharp, the cable & tips have a smooth connection & stay connected and the cables are smooth, flexible and don’t twist.

Whew! That’s a lot to ask for in a set of needles!

8 : Addi Interchangeable Needles
7 : Knit Picks Interchangeable Needles
6 : Knitter’s Pride Interchangeable Needles
5 : Silverlite Interchangeable Needles
4 : ChiaGoo Twist Interchangeable Needle Tips and Cables
3 : Lykke Interchangeable Needle Tips and Cables
2 : Tulip Interchangeable Needles
1 : HiyaHiya Interchangeable Needles

What’s your favorite brand of interchangeable needles and why do you love them?

I’d love to know your story and perspective, please share your thoughts in the comments below!
Share as much detail as you can, so others can be inspired by your experience.
Hundreds of passionate knitters come here each week, hungry for knowledge and inspiration.
Your insight might just be what someone else needs.
Thank you so much for sharing and showing up for this community.
Your story matters and we are so grateful for you.

*This is not a sponsored post, I didn’t receive any of these products as gifts and all opinions are my own.