If you're not totally anti-metal needles, I'm a big fan of my Inox's. Aside from a couple pairs of Brittanys (which are also lovely), all my DPNs are Inox.
Ah, that's the brand I couldn't remember! I have several sets of larger gauge DPNs and I like them quite a bit. They've proved to be too heavy for a lot of my smaller projects, but I like their texture. I'll have to poke around and see if I can find some in a length I like.
I converted some time ago from using DPN's (of any sort) to two 24" circular needles--one each addi Turbo and Lace so I can tell front from back, by preference. They're metal (so I'm not sad if I sit on one), will make any narrow tube I like (including I-cord) and, taken one at a time, obviously can also make wider tubes and flat things.
Somewhat higher initial investment, sure, but lower maintenance cost.
By contrast, I bought a set of Lantern Moon Sox Stix in pretty pretty ebony so I could knit at an SCA event, and by the end of the event I'd lost one and broken another. >.< Switched back to my circs as soon as I got home.
Hmm, I hadn't considered breaking out of the DPN box. The project I'm doing may be helped along by switching to circulars; I'm making the Labyrinth Socks from The Enchanted Sole book and colorwork goes smoother for me on circulars. I tried out some Addi needles and I think I could grow to like them but they didn't do it for me when I handled them last.
I'd also have to learn a new technique, but that's a plus.
I've considered learning Magic Loop; the knitters at the LYS are divided on the technique. Some swear by it, others swear at it. If I'm going to learn a non-DPN method for socks, I think it would be using two circulars. The "which brand of needle" dilemma still stands, though. I've been eying Hiya Hiya circs for a while. If the LYS has the right kind in stock I might purchase those.
The only socks I've done (well, started...) so far are toe-up magic loops on long circulars. That said, I've got 2 pairs of HiyaHiya's (1's and 2's). I love how they feel, and because the bamboo is impregnated with resin, they are silkysmooth and really strong. I don't know if they're as unbreakable as metal needles, but they have been sat on, stepped on, mangled, and otherwise abused. Once, when I was dragging my purse from a tight spot behind my car seat, the itty bitty size 1's punctured my purse and didn't break. HiyaHiya's are love!
I've been leaning towards Hiya Hiya circulars and DPNs. The DPNs I handled aren't the length I like for socks, but maybe I could learn to adjust. The only trouble is that if the LYS doesn't have them in stock, they can take a looong time to arrive. I want to get my sock project started soon(ish) so I guess if I want to chose any Hiya Hiya's I better place an order soon.
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Somewhat higher initial investment, sure, but lower maintenance cost.
By contrast, I bought a set of Lantern Moon Sox Stix in pretty pretty ebony so I could knit at an SCA event, and by the end of the event I'd lost one and broken another. >.< Switched back to my circs as soon as I got home.
-- Lorrie
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I'd also have to learn a new technique, but that's a plus.
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Did you get my message?
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