Too Many Knitting Needles // Taking Back Friday // Episode 7 // a knitting vlog

[@storybookfibers]

Chiao goo stainless steel interchangeables and their tiny dpn set were fabulous gifts I gave myself for my birthday this year. I began my knitting needle acquisitions 34 years ago and have used the same needles ever since. Then I heard about the Chiao goo interchangeables and also their tiny dpn set. They are elegantly made, self contained and fun to use. I still keep the takumi bamboos I've had for so long. The straights and dpn's are in their own 'rolls' that I made out of white cotton quilted mattress pad material I had with attached ribbon to tie it closed. I write the size of the needles for each slot on a tiny paper tag label (tiny price tags on a string - cut the string off) pinned with a tiny safety pin under each size slot. For decoration, I have two large glass canisters without the lids filled with tall wooden/bamboo straights in one, and vintage metal in the other. A small hand painted coffee can holds large size short straight bamboos tied in pairs with silk ribbons. A rustic mason jar holds the straights that I decorated with vintage beads, or crystals, or decoupaged. So each canister has it's own theme . . . wood/bamboo, metal, bead topped. These are kept on top of my yarn cubbies in my Knitting Salon / Sewing Emporium AKA living room. My bamboo circulars are kept in a single size cd case which can't be zipped all the way up. They are organized by size cable, then smallest needle size to largest with a peel and stick label on the front of each pocket. One pair per pocket. All the above except the canisters are kept in the top right drawer of a vintage black enamel dresser. phew. smiles. I think you're going to like the Chiao Goo. Loved reading others' strategies . . . Love your podcast. Thank you.

[@sweetgeorgia]

I love that you have called it your Knitting Salon and Sewing Emporium. It sounds so precious and magical. Thank you so much for watching!!

[@courtneynuestro4519]

Using a CD case as a cable holder is genius!!!

[@mohammadcastiel3901]

i dont mean to be offtopic but does someone know a tool to log back into an Instagram account? I was stupid lost my login password. I would love any tricks you can give me!

[@keaganyosef3848]

@Mohammad Castiel instablaster :)

[@mohammadcastiel3901]

@Keagan Yosef Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site thru google and im in the hacking process atm. Looks like it's gonna take a while so I will reply here later with my results.

[@susanf.little1404]

I had a situation like yours. I had too many old needles that I had an attachment to, but were not good tools. My puppy ate them and it forced me to get serious about my tools. I bought three sets of interchangeables. I keep all my sets in a heavy walled project bag and all of my tools on a raskog rolling cart from Ikea. I am fussy about how it is organized and it has made a huge difference in my knitting and my shoulder fatigue. I can move my cart around and even have an Ott light on the top shelf. So worth the effort to put the tools away every night. Your podcast is very important. Please continue your thoughtful work.

[@sweetgeorgia]

Ooooh, I love the idea of having an Ott light on the cart. Interesting. Thank you so much for watching and following these episodes!! I so appreciate your feedback and suggestions :)

[@Kim_Karr]

I’m loving your podcasts and learn something every time. Thank you for making the time to do them. I use Della Q needle bags for my needles. I’ve even taken my interchangeable sets out of their cases and put them into the new cases.

[@sweetgeorgia]

Thank you so much for watching, Kim!! Oooh, I'll have to check out Della Q's needle bags... I always thought she only made project bags! Thanks for the recommendation!

[@nickinorris]

As I commented in last weeks podcast, I use Chiaogoo. I bought knit picks bamboo interchangeable set first, but didn't like the joins or the bamboo. Switched to the full Chiaogoo set (3.25 mm to 10 mm) and have been using them ever since. Yes, using the t-pins is important. (I was listening to you talk about the missing t-pins wondering if you'd looked in the front pocket when you found them!). I store one t-pin in the Chiaogoo label on the inside, so it's handy. I've found that I didn't quite have enough needles, so ended up getting a second set in the smaller sizes, which all fit in the single pouch. Nice and convenient! I also store some darning needles and scissors in there... everything's together. I knit my first pair of socks on addis, but without the pointy tip... arghh! That was not a fun experience, and I was very happy when the minis came out! I think tightening them with the provided t-pin is even more important than with the larger sizes. Again, I've put the t-pin in the edge seam, so it's ready. I use the pouch it came in as my notions pouch, and to hold cables for all my needles (though a ziplock bag in the centre of the other needles' case works well too). Just thought I'd share some of my organising tips. 😉

[@sweetgeorgia]

Wow! Those are all great ideas, especially storing the T-pin on the label inside the case... so it's ready there when you need it! Awesome. I will definitely do the same!

[@siobhanphoenix9789]

I have the Ginger Interchangeable Knitters Pride set which comes with a really great case and more! My other needles I store in a bamboo pencil holder. It really couldn't store anymore! In there I have dpn's, various sizes of plastic and metal needles found at a Salvation Army, and wood needles(knitters pride) from Cricket Cove. I used to store all of them in a drawer but I had circular needles that were second hand in there that made it cumbersome having the wonky cords like that one of yours did. I have different lengths but not every conceivable length with every conceivable gauge. So I have knitted scarves on longer straight needles many times. So I am not drowning in knitting needles. I was one of those knitters who actually kept my yarn stash small and to one bin! It has since grown but it's not as large as other stashes out there!

[@KnittingsAndSewings]

Funny you should ask . . . . though your asking was 2 years ago already. I am just now getting to that fall organization phase of both my stash, and my needles. And just today, I bought myself a set of the ChiaoGoo interchangeable set for my birthday. If I like them as much as I think, then I will invest in the smaller needle set for the sock needles that you showed in this video. Having both will hopefully allow me to pitch a lot of the needles that I have stuck randomly in drawers, my dresser etc. I also have a needle organizer that hangs. it works quite well, except for hat needles and straight DPNs, which are the ones shoved in drawers. Years ago, probably 15 years ago, I had the Denise interchangeable needle set and detested those. They were a weird plastic. I'll probably love the ChiaoGoo. Looking forward to being more organized again.

[@sweetgeorgia]

oh YES! I had those Denise interchangeables too!! Those were my first interchangeable set... Yes, I managed to destash many of my needles after making this video and after committing to my Chiaogoo sets :) Hope you enjoy yours too!

[@melissamartinez569]

This episode made me smile a mile wide. We all have needle issues, don’t we? I bought a hanging circular needle organizer from ButtermilkCottage on Etsy. It’s adorable and keeps my fixed circular needles at-the-ready (when I actually put them away!) I also have acquired some serious inventory of KnitPicks interchangeables. They’re not expensive, and I can buy what I need, when I need them. I keep them in the original packaging (In the project bag while in use), then in a small tote on a shelf in my craft room when not in use. They key for me is getting things put away when I’m finished with them. A serious growth opportunity for me.

[@sweetgeorgia]

hahaha! OH YES. It's one thing to have an organizational system... it's another thing to put things back in their place 😜

[@suemccord9723]

I also found myself with an abundance of needles. Some I rarely use, but keep just in case. I had a fabric roll meant for folk art paint brushes that I use for my DPN's. I had to sew 2 others like it to accommodate sizes. Easy for storage, they don't take up much room because they roll and get tied. Same for my straights, which I rarely use.My circulars I have in the compact bags they come in, or you can purchase plastic zip type baggies at dollar stores in the perfect size, (not the kind for sandwiches etc). I then keep them in a long rectangle basket, which I've divided with cardboard (not pretty, could use something nicer), in order of size from smallest to largest. Everything is tidy, and when I need to look for a particular size it is quick to find. I don't have any interchangeable sets at the moment. Would love to try the Chiao Goo sock twist set.

[@patriarchparamour]

I laughed aloud at your discovery of those incredibly long, moderately dangerous, 2 mm straight needles. I opted for interchangeables as soon as I learned about them and was certain I wanted to continue learning to knit. I started off with a bamboo Clover set and have graduated to some lovely Knitters Pride Zings which I prefer for their slickness and delightful colorfulness, which makes me smile but also helps prevent the dreaded "anonymous needle pile." Your videos are so soothing to watch as I knit!

[@jennifermassello8670]

I have two sets of the knit pick interchangeables. It looks like they really improved their plastic holders because mine doesn’t have elastic. I find if I leave my fixed circulars in their packages then they don’t get mixed up and I can find them easily. I have a few straight needles, most were my grandmas from way back in the day so those live in the bottom of my stash drawer and I won’t part with them! The rest of my regular needles live in a project bag. 😊

[@-ANDREA--]

I wish I was living close to you so I could help you organizing your needles :) I have 1 set of interchangeable metal needles, 1 set of interchangeable wooden needles , 1 set of wooden dpns, and 1 set of metal dpns. When I started knitting 3 years ago, I saw the mess coming so instead of keep buying single needles I bought needle sets. And I keep them in their case. And I bought a needle case for those needles I bought at the beginning of my knitting path :). Love your audio podcast, but I really like to see you also . Happy Holidays to you , your family and specially Russell and Nina, the are the cutest !!

[@sweetgeorgia]

Hahaha, thank you Andrea! I wish I could get some organization help too :) Thanks for your holiday wishes! Hope you enjoy yours too!!

[@donnaridenhour-mchenry240]

I have 3,000 needles and 750 hooks...........educated guess.....and keep them all.....period.....some day, one of these days, a great household auction will occur.....here....they will find my broken ones, too......which I glue to bulletin boards......reminding me of my knitting path since 1970.....1973 for crocheting.....keep 'em, woman! LOL!! Thanks for your work, also!! ((:

[@alicemoreno7886]

I love to display my colorful needles in a beautiful vase.

[@stradgirl]

I have fixed-length circular needles of various sizes and cord lengths, and I keep them in their original packaging (the small rectangular cardboard + plastic sleeve) with the mm, US size, and cord length written on its face with a coloured magic marker (or I could use labels). I then keep them in the order of needle size and cord length, small to large/short to long, which I can then flip through like a book. : ) When I take the needle out I put the packaging right back where it was, like empty DVD cases as a placeholder at good ol' Blockbuster stores that no longer exist : ) when I'm done, I put the needle back into the sleeve, and the sleeve goes right where it came from, in between other needle sleeves. In terms of brand, I did start with Lykke bamboo circular needles (in driftwood, I love the colour!), which I now only use when I want to knit slower or when I've run out of the size from my nickel plated Addis. I do have problems with their gold-coloured lace needles, they *are* sticky and also get metal smell on my fingertips. The cords on some of the Addis are indeed unruly and need that extra step of 'hot water treatment', and while I don't think I will buy any more fixed length needles, I might get a set from Chiagoo if I ever got an interchangeable set. As always, I LOOOOVE your videos, I learn and feel comforted and encouraged by all of them, and it is such a warm feeling seeing the community chatting here thanks to your thoughtful topics and diligent output! : ) (They make for wonderful companions for knitting -- I just went through 1/3 of a shawl today in no time thanks to you!! : ))

[@lindaross6153]

I love using the tightening hole in my ChiaoGoo set. They are perfect for the lifeline (Glide dental floss) for lace knitting. I just knit the row and the lifeline is knitted into the row. If using knit markers make sure they are the type that can be removed not just slipped off. I also have drilled tiny holes into a couple of fixed needles for my lifelines.

[@jordyn613]

I started knitting a couple of years ago with Knitters Pride and that is all I use to this day :) I started with the fixed and bought the Interchangeable set. Love these and there are so many needles and parts that is a joy to shop for them :) Did I mention their wonderful cases to store the needles in?! Did I mention SweetGeorgia was the first wool yarn I used?! :) Thank you for these great podcasts.

[@journeytohandmade3183]

I've used the Chiaogoo interchangeable needles for a few years now, and I absolutely adore them...so much so that I've since purchased the minis and am in the process of giving away all my other needles to learning knitters. I think you made a great choice!

[@sweetgeorgia]

Mmm yes I’ve been enjoying the Chaiogoos and have just switched from som Addi Sock Rockets on my current WIP. Good on you for passing your needles forward to new knitters!! Love it!

[@MCagle]

I, too, been looking for the perfect storage solution for circulars.Then I found Chiaogoo and they have become my go-to needles! For circulars that aren't Chiaogoo, I use the package that each pair comes in, labelled, to help me identify its size. Then, I store the pkgs. in a medium-size Ziploc in numerical order of their sizes. If a pair is "out" on project, I slip a piece of paper in its pkg. telling me which project.

[@ConnyNordlicht]

Hi! When l got my accidental sprgery 56 years agoo l began to knit in a very new way cause my hands don't work since then like they should! They seem to be the hands of a person with Mb. Parkinson. But it isn't! It 's result of a surgery and false medication. That's all. But it changed my life so much! I started with Addi and without l think l never would have been able to knit anmore!There are hooks for tunisian crocheting and l put them for knitting: first both sides, then only right needle, then l could knit slowly with their knitting needles. Sadly l had to give up knitting with Addi interchangeables cause of allergies and cause l'm a strong knitter, no single loose stitches at all the time! I tried Knit Pro / Knit Picks Synfonies first and that was better for me: no step in a bayonett closure, but the cables go cringled, kinky and attached every time, like Addi, too! In a hot water pot it's gone away, but everytime going into kitchen? What about visit a friend and put my knitting with me? I had to ask: May l use your hot water? Otherwise l can't knit! Wasted time and funny up to weird!!HiyaHiya: wonderfull! Their pointed needles are the most tiny ones on earth! It's found out by EWE University: 1,20mm sharp pointed tips on HHs! Then, 2nd place: signatures stilettos(every length and every size extra cables! And aluminium which never feels as great as metal or wood! No way! Then,3rd sharps: the very tiny 2,0 mm Knit Pro only the" Karbonz box of joy", not all Karbonz! And only if you find a box without fails! I tried several times, gave back in a return for 7 times until my set was ok! And the middle part of Karbon stops the flow so much! No way for me! Chiaogoo (CG): Yes, l love them a tiny bit more, if l only take a look at the tips: as sharp as can be l like! Sometimes it splits the yarn, so be careful! CG with 1,47 mm is nearly as pointed as Signature stilettos [1,37mm ) but made by best material! Surgery - steel! Sharp! But brushed, too . For grab of your fingers, well to use in the sun and not to be too slickery to lose your yarn but slick enough to knit without been stoped anyway!I have got every set exept aluminium (only some needles, nothing for me, they hold the yarn and are too blund!) Then, l didn't have fun any more, l saw Chiaogoo and HiyaHiya! Yes, Chiaogoo interchangeables, but l tried them and found: great needles! Slick, but not too much, like Addi! They are made with a "patina" : they are brushed somehow! Not as shiny as Addi' but better in the sun! And the cables are the best l've ever seen and l worked with in 44 years! I was 12 and a bit when l began! And l got HiyaHiya(HH, HHs) would be the best if the cables wouldn't curl! But l found out the screws of Mini and Small of CG and HH are the same! So CG can be fed with cables of HH! Withe the adapters tomini you can use the "spin" cables of bamboo! But you needn't! The wired and thin red - coated by synthetic material cables of red lace (and the blue ones, too) are so wonderful! They go bach after every move so you needn't go back with cables to the length they had! They stay longeand without any curl! So l began to think: CG fits into HH but not HH into wirde red cables because of the little messing metallen step of HH! So l dremeled!´!! away the steps of 2 adapters for an adventure: to try to screw HiyaHiyas to the cables of Chiaogoo! And: TADAA: it fit! Then l dremeled a pair of Large - and a pair of S - adapters, step away! Yeah! Now l use all my HiyaHiyas AND my Chiaogoos with the fantastic red lace - cables! I fell in love with the mini - cables and l need the L to S - adapter of HH, then the S - to mini - adapter of CG or HH, as l whish and l can use the mini cables of CG with large HH - needles! So l have the best of all! HH and CG with the best cables! I don't like the beautiful cases of HH, cause the needles fall out every time: in my handbag, in the furniture, by putting them onto the table: that's a mess! So l looked into the case of CG and there was enough place for my tips from HH from 2,75 to 10,00 mm! The tiny needles of 2,00 to 2.50 mm l have put in one little part which is made for one pair just at tht very left sideof the same case you bought! I only bought them from HH cause of the sharpness of the needles! Now often l use right hand HH and left hand CG, or both CG, both HH, as l want, depending of the illness of my hands and the yarn l knit. Both brandings are so fantastic! The more complicated the stitch the more l knit with HH, but only up to 5,00 mm. The bigger ones are nearly identical. I love both and don't wanna miss one of them. Without drmeling the adapters l would prefer only CG cause of the waaaayyy better cables! The spinning cables of HH hold the tiny yarn between cable and screwing end too often and if l have a lace knit with fine yarn of 2,00mm knitted with 5 mm to very fine lace product and after 4 weeks in the middle it damages all progress by hanging in the line you don't want to use it any more! That was the moment l first time thought of better cables than the spinning cables and after a while l figured out what fits in what cables l wrote above. Now. Both in one single big set, using the red lace mini cables nearly very time, - or the S - red - lace cables- , and using the HH - cables only sometimes to "park" a project if l wanna knit another project bevore, - l 'm so happy to have got both for everything l need! Since l bought and dremeled them fitting together it's such a more additioonal benefit that l don't need all my other stuff not only onge more! I lean it to my pupils l teach knitting for some weeks if they don't have their own knitting needles. But after 8 or 10 weeks l led them test my CGs and HHs and most say they wanna wait untilethey have the money for "the right set"! A few still want wood or acrylic or so and it's ok, everyone like they want. My hot water can is there for theim cables and wait until they're ready to begin. This time l use to answer little questions. But when you think of all possibilities: l got the numbersof 1.0, 2,25, 2,5 mm additional to the set and now l've got 19 different sizes of needles. Cables from 8,0 cm, 13,0 cm, 15,0cm, 20 ,0cm, 40,0 cm, 50 cm, 60,0 cm, 80,0 cm, 100,0 cm 1,20 m and 1,50 m multiplicated to that 19 needle - sizes are 11x 10 (up to 5,0mm l have the 8 cm needles, too) and 7x 11 needles are together 178 possibilities of needles combinations! And if you knit right side different to left side/wrong side you can use different sizes at each side of the cables! Then it's over 700 pairs (10^17) pessible combinations! To buy only 100 fixed needles of different sizes and length at prizes of 4,0 $ it were way more than the 285$ l payed for all my red set of tiny interch. CGs, my blue set and the red lace 5" -needles - set! And most of the knitters need 2,0 mm to 3,25 and the normal set! L only bougt the blue set of CG from 3,5 mm to 5,00mm to have them all for little projects like a bag in my jacket or my sleeves and cause l love to knit with tiny needles! They fit bettereto my vibrating hands! Jr they do it like you to by the normal "complete-set" of CG and the tiny set in th black pouch you bought. That fits' too! All in all it's not as expensive as to buy all few weeks another pair of needles yourewhole life! Yes, one doesn't notice 4 bucks but 120buchs in one! But you can sbend a time and collect the mony and then you'll notice it's cheaper after awhile and u're so much more happier! Knitting without any pain, it makes pleasure whenever you begin to knit is so great! That's a gift forever and l , who not has much money, am happy to have done it and would do so again! Be blessed and thank you for the video! Stay healthy!

[@nanayanno2381]

I have fixed circulars in multiple sizes but only one length (usually 32"), and I just magic loop most projects. I did get an interchangeable Hiya Hiya set recently and love it, but still use my fixed circulars regularly since I generally have several projects in progress. Good luck with organizing!

[@sweetgeorgia]

Thanks for watching!! I do love magic loop! What a fantastically useful technique.

[@annmorris6575]

One day, when I could not find a t-pin, I substituted a paper clip.....worked terrific!

[@anyela7442]

When I first got that same set I didn't see the t-pin either. It was in the outside side pocket with some stitch markers and a needle gauge.

[@rachelkarcher2565]

I had similar frustration with knitting needles. I switched to ciagoo interchangeables. I have the twist complete, shorties, and minis. Eventually I may get the spin complete so I have a wood option. I’m going to give the rest of mine away. For crochet hooks, I like the in-line hooks so I have a complete set, and will likely rehiring my sets that aren’t inline. Debating purchasing ergonomic handled hooks but that’s a future idea. I keep them in a zippered pouch now and eventually will sew a custom pouch for them.

[@concettorametta9005]

I put all the circulars that aren’t part of an interchangeable set together by needle size ; hold together lightly folded “in half “and use a heavy large rubber band to hold together- then I used a piece of satin ribbon and a micro sharpie to write needle size - make a two tiny snips into ribbon and slide onto one of the needles ( the needle being bigger than the snip you make , makes a firm hold on needle because it’s forming its own just right size as you push ribbon on ) I did the same for all DPNS . Then I used clear shoebox sized containers to store and put on shelf . Crochet hooks all into a smaller but similar type container : I did have to check needle sizes on a lot of circulars as the # s wear off... Makes me appreciate the interchangeable sets for sure :)) Straight needles - I bought two pretty painted metal cylindrical shaped vases - metal needles in one and bamboo,plastic, wood in the other - looks pretty . Good luck 🍀

[@sweetgeorgia]

Oh yes, putting straight metal needles in a vase is lovely. I have also come to appreciate the interchangeable sets now too! It's a great feeling to consolidate :)

[@shethasimon3441]

Lovely episode, my strategy to deal with new needles....when I receive the new ones I take the old ones to charity shop, and I think I do that about once a year, apart of the difficult one to get, I have old crochet hooks not very nice but because I used them to teach myself crochet 25 years ago, I found it very hard to get rid of them, but will do that in 2018. 💐

[@sweetgeorgia]

That is a great idea... one in, one out. It's a good rule to have!! Good luck in 2018!

[@bernadettefuson1678]

Just found this video and the timing is perfect. I'm going through my vast and messy knitting needle collection and could relate to everything you said. Really wonder how I've ended up with so many 16 inch i.e. hat needles. I got a great needle keeper with plastic pockets and am working on getting organized. Thanks for sharing your tangle of needles.

[@sweetgeorgia]

Thanks so much! YES, it feels so good to get organized and be able to find the right needle when you need it. Good luck with your organization!

[@gretacornejo]

I have the chiaogoo set and added my Knitpicks tips and some hiya hiya in the right size pockets. I keep all the cables in the pocket. That way I have all my interchangeables together to choose material (wood or metal) depending on my project. I also have a pencil case roll mat I use to have all my dpns organized. I keep all my fixed circular needles on their packages organized by needle S ize so if I want to use them I can find them fast. Good luck organizing!

[@sweetgeorgia]

After reading your comment, Greta, I went straight away and put the cables in the pocket of the Chiaogoo set :) Thanks for the suggestions!! I am looking forward to getting all sorted :)

[@TarotLadyLissa]

I keep my straight needles in cute vases. I don’t have many circular needles, so I keep them a small drawstring bag hanging on my closet door.

[@debbil5656]

Namaste used to make a special organization bag for needles (wish they still did). It was large and worked sort of like a notebook. You added special loose-leaf style inserts that were set up for different applications: one insert is a large pouch with a zipper (I use it to store loose items like post-it pads, stitch markers, etc.) and another is set up to hold needles (I marked sizes on the loops that hold the needles). The bag opens like a small suitcase and had inside pockets on each side with the loose-leaf inserts in the middle, clamped in, notebook style (if that makes any sense). You could add as many inserts as the bag will hold. They were quite expensive but WELL worth it. Only one problem - the vinyl coating on the outside of the bag cracks and wears off, rendering it ugly (but still very usable). I'm wondering if that's why they no longer offer these. I sure wish someone else would make them in this style because they're wonderful and you can keep your needles in one place. Now if I can just figure out how to recover mine with something so that it doesn't look so terrible...

[@sweetgeorgia]

Yes, I LOVED Namaste bags... I used to be able to get them once a year at the needle arts trade show... but sadly they are not making them anymore :( I had a notebook one too, like you mentioned, but the vinyl deteriorated and became weird and sticky... I had to toss it :(

[@knitnkitten]

I know exactly what you mean sbout collecting different kinds of needles as we progress through our kniiting journey✨I have some gorgeous rosewood straights I never use, but can't seem to let go💕 I keep my dpns grouped according to size (as opposed to length or material) in pretty ceramic & glass vases. I keep my circulars in binders with those clear plastic needle organizer pages.📒 I recently gave all my bamboo & Aero needles away to some folk who needed and would cherish them. Personally I love Addi needles... If you want to divest yourself of those tangled & uncooperative Addi circs, Felicia🌻I'd be happy to have them💛 and share with my nibblings as well as my kids' high school fashion/textile design class. :) Thank you for your review about the Chiao Goo Interchangeables - very interesting💫

[@sweetgeorgia]

I love your organization ideas. And keeping straights and DPNs in glass vases... love it. Send me your mailing address? It would be awesome to keep a list of places where I could donate or send things to... my email is [e-mail] :)

[@suzielarouche620]

You think you have a giant pile of needles? I bought my first set in 1954 and I went on buying more until 2020. I also inherited some. Three drawers full of needles!

[@meshinda]

Generally, I have my needles organized. I have one set of Knit Picks interchangeable wooden needles and the rest of my needles are fixed circulars. Mostly 16in hat needles. Eventually, I would like to have interchangeable sets of chiagoo sock set, chiagoo interchangeable from US 2- US 8 (3mm-6mm, I think) and the same in an interchangeable set of hiya hiyas. I agree with you about getting organized before the new year starts. That's my goal for after christmas. Organize my yarn, my needles and my projects. I just have to make it through the holidays first.

[@sweetgeorgia]

It's New Year's Eve and I'm still purging and cleaning the house! haha!! Yes, the holidays are busy busy busy!!

[@jeanneklaver9307]

I use Chiaogoo exclusively. I have 2 full sets and keep them organized as they are packaged. I have others, but never use them. I'm so spoiled to Chiaogoo...

[@sweetgeorgia]

I'm loving the Chiaogoo needles so far!! Never would have thought!

[@IslandLady76]

Love my Chiaogoo Twist Minis for socks 2 at a time. I also have the Tulip bamboo interchangeable needle set which I love for most of my other projects, as well as a set of Knit Picks interchangeable (which are great when I need a little more point) that came in a sturdy see-through case.

[@sweetgeorgia]

Interesting!! I do love those ChiaoGoo Twist Minis too... have you tried the shorties??

[@IslandLady76]

I didn't knit with the shorties but I tried them out at the store and they were too little for me, but I could see them useful if you knit little amigurumi with magic loop.

[@osos3574]

I loooooove ChiaoGoo needles so much. I have all of the other knitting needles. By this way or an other they work ecept the one from Addi, the line of Turbo Lace circular needles. I had several pairs because they were looking good but unfortunately the unplated brass is discolored and started the react and color my hands, they became grippy. I neede to give them back to Addi. As you said, there is a problem with that line. In the end, I decided to use ChiaoGoos mostly. HiyaHiya is so very pointy and cord has massive memory. Thank you very much for this video. Loads of love

[@victoriacutler7052]

I just got my first pair of Chiaogoo fixed circulars and are loving them. I prefer to knit socks with the magic loop method and find the cord to be far superior to any others. I've got Addi's, HiyaHiya's and Lykke's. Love them all for various reasons, but for Magic Loop Chiaogoo is the way to go!

[@sweetgeorgia]

Awesome. I'm about to start a pair of socks with the Chiaogoo Twist Minis too!! I might get a chance to try those Lykke needles too... they look lovely, but I'm going to wait and see what they are like :)

[@victoriacutler7052]

The Lykke's are gorgeous and super smooth. I did have one problem in that one of my cords popped out of it's joiner; thankfully it was not on a project at the time. So am a bit bummed about that, but will write to them and see what happens. I am desperate to find a needle strategy as well. The interchangeable sets are easy but all the singles are in a bin and I have to rifle through them every time I need one of them. My next splurge will be an interchangeable set of Chiaogoo's! And in the 'ancient needle' department: LOL....I've still got my very first 'set' of needles that my mother gave me when I started knitting at 16 years old. It's a straight set of an old German brand, Imra Inox. They came in an beautiful, uphostery type case. They were my pride and joy for so many years. :)

[@melissamcdaniel3451]

I have a binder with plastic sleeves to store my fixed circulars. Starting with 32" 000 needles, and working up to 35" 13's, each sleeve holds different needle size. I've been knitting for a long time, so the binder is pretty thorough. I also have the Chiagoo lace and regular interchangeables. I like them both, although I've found that I have to really tighten them up, and occasionally re-tighten to keep the needles from falling off the cable. My number 1's have a decided bend in them from my tight tensioning. Overall, though, I like the Chiagoos.

[@sweetgeorgia]

Ooh thanks for the heads up on the tiny sock needles bending... I’ll have to be careful! And years ago I started a needle binder too!! But the. I just didn’t keep it tidy or updated :(. That’s my downfall... maintenance. Haha

[@jenniferr2057]

I'm have flashbacks to the day I took on my needle drawer. 🤯. At chiagoo now. Over had cubix, knit picks pretty plastic, karbonz, addi. My fingers bleed from hiya hiya. The chiagoo interchangeables are the best do far, in a large part due to their cables. I have s small fortune in needles:

[@TRyan-rk8hy]

I have mostly fixed circular needles. When I started knitting a few years ago I wasn't sure what type of needle I'd like so I bought a new needle for each project. I have mostly Addi's, also Knitters Pride Karbonz & Dreamz. To organize, I keep each needle in its original package and place the needles in a plastic box - library card style. I made a nice index card to separate each category by length and within each length I keep them sorted smallest to largest (e.g. 2.00 mm to 10.0 mm). (I also have a DPNs category.) Whenever I am using needles, I put the empty case at the front of the plastic box so I know that those needles are in use. And... because I'm just that anal - I also enter all my needles into the Ravelry 'needles & hooks' page.

[@sweetgeorgia]

Oooooh keeping them in the original packaging ... that sounds amazingly organized!! I would love to be able to do that, but I know I'm not that tidy. And I would LOVE to have all my needles organized on Ravelry too. How awesome for you!! #knittinggoals

[@opiatepix]

One of the best places to donate old knitting supplies/art supplies and yarn is the Downtown Eastside Women's Center. They really need the crafting supplies and they were so appreciative of my old Clover circulars and single skeins of yarn!

[@opiatepix]

Also, I use an accordion file to organize my single and fixed circular needles. Different needles for different yarns, right? ;)

[@sweetgeorgia]

Oh great suggestion. I’ll check out the DT Eastside Women’s Centre. I always thought of them for knitted items. Forgot to consider the tools themselves!

[@ajans1]

I have a large 4'' Binder with clear zipper pouches that contain all my of fixed circular and double point needles. I have them organized so each pouch has a size and I have about 14 pouches. One with needle gauges, and then US size 0, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 and up to size 9. Then since I only own a few 10's and 11's and 13's they are all in one pouch together. I mainly have hiya hiya, addi and chiaogoo and then I also have the two interchangeable chiaogoo sets. I have only been grabbing my interchangeables since I got them about a year ago even though I have my needles organized so I can always find what I want easily. I am really loving when I knit in the round on interchangeable to have a smaller tip in my left hand than the size I'm actually knitting with so the stitches slip up to the needle tip quicker and easier. I also love the spin cables for the Small and Large Chiaogoo interchangeable needles they seem more flexible and are better for magic loop, in my opinion.

[@sweetgeorgia]

I think I'm going to try to work only with the interchangeables from now on... that might help keep a lid on the number of needles I use :)

[@benaims]

I have random interchangables some knitters prides I like for certain projects and they work with knitpicks cords which is nice and chiagoo is my other fav lately especially for smaller projects like sucks I do not like doing socks on any sort of bamboo needle or wooden needle but sometimes a nice shawl I prefer that and I keep all of those in a case I got off Amazon. (dont love my Addis either my hands have rubbed the Nickel plating offand I hate the cords ) i keep my fixed needles in a case from Namaste it's like an accordion folder

[@sweetgeorgia]

Yes, I have one of those Namaste needle cases somewhere!! I'm trying to remember where I put it.. hahaha

[@willameena66]

I sewed a foldable pouch for my single straight needles and another foldable pouch ( like the ones sold by Jesabella on etsy)for my circular needles. Now I can find what I am looking for. I only use chicago nothing else. Perhaps the girl guides in your area would appreciate receiving your unwanted needles. Perhaps a community organisation can use them . Loved the video. Merry Christmas and happy new Years

[@sweetgeorgia]

Beautiful, thank you for the suggestions and ideas! I did sew a needle roll ages ago... perhaps that's something I should do again. And yes, I appreciate the idea for donating needles to the girl guides! Hope you have a wonderful holiday and New Year's too! Thank you for watching!

[@smallfootprint2961]

I love the new year too. I just came across your video about having to organize needles. I don't have many but am getting ready to order some dpns in order to start learning how to knit socks. I'm pretty much a beginner, again, so am thinking about ordering the 8" bamboo dpns... Does that seem like a good choice for a first timer to making socks? Thanks for the great video. It helps a lot.

[@sweetgeorgia]

Absolutely, that is a nice thing to start with for knitting socks. Bamboo or wood will help the yarns grip onto the needle so they won't slip off. I knit everything small circumference with the magic loop technique on one long circular, but starting off with DPNs is great too! Good luck!!

[@jennifergrant7671]

I have 4 sets of 16 inch bamboo circular needles in every size. They are kept in a Tiffany blue gift box, elastic bands hold 4 needles in each size. In a concertina file, I keep my long circular needles in labelled sizes from small to large. I have a set of interchangeable circular needles in a package the same as yours, however I use them only as a last resort as twiddling the t pin is always too much effort. I like short straight needles and never use straights longer than 10 inches, I have a cat and longer needles hit the cats head as I knit. these are kept in a plywood box that held mini vodka bottles, it’s exactly the right size. If I need a longer needle I use a fixed circular. I have many many vintage coloured metal and plastic needles and these are grouped by colour in bespoke coloured vases and are displayed proudly in my hallway on a shelf.

[@sweetgeorgia]

That sounds like a beautiful display... all those coloured needles and vases!!!

[@rnance19]

I don’t feel bad now for having a couple of different pairs of same size needles!

[@deborah8253]

I keep all my needles in their original package and file them in a namaste needle bag I do have one set of hiyahiya interchangeables but find they come apart often

[@sweetgeorgia]

Hmmm... I have one of those Namaste needle bags somewhere... hmmmm....

[@sandygrogg1203]

ChaiGoo needles are awesome,,.I don’ an interchangeable set, but I do have several of the Red Lace circulars, And love them.. I did purchase the Knit Picks Options Shirt Interchangeable Short Set, because I Knit a lot of hats for charity... I love the...but the packaging could be better.. I also have several Knit Picks circulars, as well as a few of their straights... I do have a couple HiyaHiya fixed circulars, and like them, but I do prefer my ChsiGoos...I will probably buy a “shirt” set of ChaiGoo Interchangeables.. I would nit even consider buying Signature needles, as I feel they are way overpriced.. Enjoyed your podcast.l❤️❤️😎

[@storybookfibers]

me again. I had an idea for bamboo straights just in case . . . when my children were young we did the polka dot knitting needles project using clover bamboo straights from Melanie Falick's book Kids Knitting (page 21). Those are my most treasured needles which are placed as a bouquet in a decoupaged bottle my son made when he was in Kindergarten. It sits on top of my knitting book shelf and I smile every day when I see it. Just another idea for you . . . since I think you mentioned you have a few little ones. x o

[@sweetgeorgia]

I do indeed have little ones... and just this Mother's Day received my first handpainted glass vase from my 3 1/2 year old (at the time) son... hahah what a perfect way to use it! Practical AND sentimental at the same time!

[@enlightenedneeds1512]

great

[@barbmckinlay3400]

I put my needles in gallon ziplock bags which go into an alphabetical file folder

[@storybookfibers]

p.s. here is the link to Addi replacement warranty . . . www.skacelknitting.com/addi_warranty/

[@cynthiawillard5300]

Or even worse, 2 sets of Addi needles I would be happy to get a set into someone elses' stash besides mine, a set of Hiya Hiyas, countless odd-ball circulars and straights..ugh...

[@sweetgeorgia]

Hahah, so much to destash! :)

[@ginger31799]

I researched interchangeable needles for 6months before I finally ordered the Chai Goo set. Best knitting purchase that I have ever made. Love the needles and the cables, the join is smooth and I have every size needle I could need from 2-15. They have a beautiful storage case to hold the needles and accessories. The case is compact enough to go in my knitting bag at all times. Then at a knitting show, there was a dealer selling the mini's individually for a reasonable price so now I have size 1 and 1 1/2. Set complete. You also have the option of leaving the work on the cables with the cable caps instead of using waste yarn. I too loved my Addi sock rockets and the turbos. The only problem was the cables. Using magic loop, the Additional cable kinked and required soaking in hot water and a night under some heavy books to straighten out. I still use them on occasion. But, now that I have Chai Goo set I only need that and will order some extra cables. Great knitting needles and great organization.

[@tanjahageman6663]

Out of curiosity, I went to pinterest and found this idea: whiletheyplaydesigns.com/2015/04/01/diy-circular-knitting-needle-rack/. I love how her project came out!

[@sweetgeorgia]

OOOOOOoooooh she has a very fancy and nice circular rack!! I've done a similar thing but just using T-pins on my bulletin board :) haha! But this is inspirational. Thanks for the link!

[@ljlalli]

D'uh.🙄