I can't use metal needles because it aggravates the arthritis or rheumatism that's starting to make itself known in my hands, so I got the KP Harmony woods interchangables and I love them. They are super-slick for woods, but light and warm in my hands. The joins are smooth and snag-free and I like the flexible cables. Another great thing about KP is that they have awesome customer service so if you ever do have a problem, be sure to let them know because they will replace the faulty needle free of charge. Annie

socks12345, no I just got my order the other day and was really excited, and thought I'd share. I hope I didn't violate any rules or anything, I'm new here, and a fairly novice knitter. I just was really amazed at how cheap I got them for. At my local yarn store (22 miles one way) I have to pay upwards of 3 dollars for a set of 2 and 5 dollars for a set of 4, and have yet to find a set of 5 in one package. I just thought that if anyone else lived in a town with little to no yarn supplies they might like it. Sandra, I tried ebay but I didn't find as good a deal as I did at the eknittingneedles.com site. We're a single income family until my kiddo starts school fall 2010, and I just really couldn't see paying 4 bucks a set. I found a few cheap lots, but the pics showed metal needles with worn finish, and some lots stated have a set of 3 dpns, and well if I had one dpn that was lonely of that size.. LOL well I might have concidered it. I'll check out 5 seasons on ebay though. who knows they might have some great deal on something. I just couldn't pass up on 2 bucks a set of needles at the other site. BTW I also found a store online that sells caron natura for 99 cents a skein! it's terrisyarnsandcrafts.com they sell other yarns too at a good price.

Hi, Dottie, I agree with Rebecca. If you're making something wide, like a baby blanket or afghan, and you try to do it on straight needles, you'll end up abandoning the project because it will (literally) be such a pain to try to hold the needles up. Some patterns call for circular needles because of the width of the project, but other projects truly need to be knit in the round. I've never attempted to knit in the round using straight needles so I can't accurately say how it would be, but I can't imagine that it would be much fun at all. I highly recommend the Harmony Wood Options set from Knit Picks. It's $75 for the set, but you'll get everything you need -- needle tips in sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 10.5, and 11; four cables (two each in 32" and 24"); end caps (so you can take the needle tips off one cable to use on another, while keeping the stitches from coming off the end of the cable); and a clear vinyl zippered case in which to keep everything. You can also, if/when necessary, add to the set with needle tips in sizes 10.75, 13, 15, and 17; and with cables in 40", 47" and 60" lengths (you always receive a set of two of the cables in whatever size you order). And, you can always put one of the end caps at one end of a cable and a needle tip on the other, to make a really long "straight needle," if you really, really, want "straight needle knitting" on a wide project. Hmmm... maybe that's why you always get two of each size cable - so you can make a pair of long "straight needles." LOL! Knit Picks also has quite a few free knitting patterns, including some nice hats. :-)

Be sure not to twist those cast on stitches when you connect on Row 2. If you do, it will twist the entire piece and you'll need to start over. Check it carefully being sure the cast on edge is always down. I love using circular needles even when a pattern calls for straight needles. You don't have all that needle to deal with and it feels much less clumsy. If you are making a pattern that is written to be knit in the round, you will find that it is so nice to always be able to KNIT round and round with no PURL rows to worry about ! It magically turns out beautifully. Have fun !!