May 07, 2007
The shawl doesn't look like there's much going on, but there is, I swear!
Row 77 of the edging. Only 15 edging rows to go, then 5 rows before the center square.
Then 3 more borders. Ouch.
In other news, my Addi Lace needle arived today. I got it from the USA, because as far as I know, they're not available in Australia yet. With postage, it came out to around $AU21 for the needle.
As soon as I got home, I knit my shawl onto it from the Knitpicks options needle. (Available in Australia from Donni, for $AU9.70).
Both of my needles are 2.5mm (US1), and are 80cm long. The Addi is the gold needle, the Knitpicks is the silver.
First off, the tips.
The Knitpicks are a little pointier than the Addis. Not a whole lot, but for cobweb yarn, the pointier needle does make a difference for stitches like K2tog.
The needle part itself is fractionally longer in the Knitpicks than the Addi, but not enough that you actually notice the difference.
The point does taper a little more in the Knitpicks, too.
I didn't take a picture of the cables, but both cables are nice and flexible. Whilst knitting, they're much the same, but if you're playing with them, the Knitpicks cable is a bit more flexible.
However, the Addi needle is lighter than the Knitpicks needle.
The Knitpicks needle is more slippery than the Addi. The Shetland cobweb yarn is a "sticky" yarn, so it doesn't make much difference to me, but if I was using Alpaca or something similar, I'd probably go for the Addi.
Overall? I like the pointier tip of the Knitpicks, but I like the lightness of the Addi. If I was using slippery yarn, I'd like the surface of the Addi, but with the yarn I'm using, the Knitpicks is fine.
Taking the price into consideration, I could buy two Knitpicks needles for the cost of one Addi Lace needle.
I'd stick with the Knitpicks needle overall, I think. Unless I was using slippery yarn. That said, I love them both, and I'll probably end up with a full set of both.
Comments
Thanks for the tour. I have one size 4 lenght 32" on order. I was debating though on gettting the Knitpicks one. I think I will probably end up with both sets as well. BTW just ate the Turkish Delight out of my Roses - how delicious. I couldn't place the flavor at first and looked up to see what Turkish Delight actually is and sure enough - rose water. What a treat. I'm 33 and never had Turkish Delight before - I don't think it's something we see too much here. I only first heard of it when I read the Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe last summer.
Posted by: Madame Purl at May 8, 2007 08:23 AMI'm enjoying my Knit Picks too - interesting to read how the Addi Lace needle compares. The shawl is looking just amazing, by the way :)
Posted by: Jejune at May 8, 2007 10:15 AMGreat comparison. I have a Addi lace needle on back order and plan to try it out when it arrives on one of the next lace projects. I also have the options needles.
The lace is looking good.
Posted by: Suzanne at May 8, 2007 10:20 AMThanks for the review. I wish I had the time and patience to knit such gorgeous lace. Mine always goes awry!
Posted by: amanda j at May 8, 2007 10:31 AMThanks for the comparison of needles. My LYS is supposed to call me when the Addi's Lace Needles arrive but now I think I may just opt for the Options Needles instead.
Posted by: Kimberly at May 8, 2007 11:21 AMWith all the laceweight yarn you have, I'm sure you will use both sets of sticks!!! Who is your Addi Lace needles dealer?
Posted by: Rose Red at May 8, 2007 12:22 PMThanks for a great review. I was hoping that DH or DD would buy me the Knitpicks set for my birthday last month but got knitting books instead! sigh! and smile! Ah well, there's always Christmas!
Keep knitting
Lynne
www.2hot2knit.blogspot.com
Posted by: Lynne at May 8, 2007 02:26 PMLove your lace knitting. It's something I haven't tried... yet! Needles are so important. Liked your analysis.
Posted by: Susan at May 9, 2007 12:13 AMOf course you will end up with a full set of both needles. A knitter needs choices after all.
You're making good progress on the shawl. I bet you're anxious to get to the center square.
Posted by: Wool Winder at May 9, 2007 12:25 AMJust a question about the shawl....when you start the other side... do you connect the sides as you go or do you get to sew them up after?
Posted by: Vicki at May 9, 2007 01:01 AMThanks for the critique on the needles. I still hope to buy the knitpicks options, maybe I'll eventually buy the addi's too.
I'm still to start on a lace shawl. I need to find the pattern I want, and then of course, I'll need the right needles.
Your shawl is looking fantastic, I still haven't knit one yet but was thinking of doing Swallowtail.
Thanks for the comparison on the needles I've been curious about how they compare.
amazing looking shawl!! Just beautiful. And a great write up of the needles too. I appreciated that.
Posted by: Bells at May 11, 2007 06:21 AM
I bought the Knit Picks needle set too and like them a lot.They are pointier then the Addi but as you say they both have their own uses, depending on what you are knitting.
Posted by: Helen at May 7, 2007 10:28 PMMy understanding about the Lace Addi is that they are selling them in the US only at the moment to judge consumer reaction before they will sell them to the rest of the world.
They look good and thanks for the review on them.