I showed you this case last week…
I brought it home to play. I’m really looking forward these new interchangeable needle sets. I first found out about them last month, when I saw this.
Joel told me that these were a sample for the new interchangeable needle sets.
Aren’t they pretty? They have the same tips as the other Lantern Moon circulars, and the same useful swivel at the join.
I took both the ebony and rosewood needles with me when I went away last weekend, as well as my current project on a 16 inch size 8 circular needle. Here’s what I know:
The tips on my size 8 ebony circulars measure 3.5 inches. When I first got them, I was afraid the tips would be too short to be comfortable to knit with, but that hasn’t been the case. They fall pretty naturally under my hands.
The tips on the sample needles measure 4.5 inches, but that’s too long to make a comfortable 16 inch circular. Joel told me that they’ll be a half inch shorter, so that means they’ll be 4 inches long in real life. The maximum length of the tips has to be determined by the shortest cable, in this case the cable for a 16 inch circular. He made a sample with the shorter tips, and they were approved by knitters in the office. They should be perfect!
I cast on with the rosewood needles for a new project while was away. I changed to an ebony tip after the first row. I’m knitting with one of each, trying to decide which I like better. I like them both, but I think I like ebony just a tiny bit more! That’s just my personal preference; your mileage may vary.
The interchangeable needle sets will have tips sizes US 4 through 13 (3.5 mm through 9.0 mm), and cables to make circular needles 17, 26, 32, and 40 inches. (17 inches? Yes, so we can have the slightly longer tips!) They’re on their way. I’ll give a heads up when they get here.
I think I need to put my name down on a list for the ebonies. I dream of them! I need to sell some yarn and wool at OFFF first I guess
First – they look beautiful. Now I’m a little confused about length measurements. You said the real set will be 4″. That’s from the point to where? Is it from the point to where the screw is connected to the bottom of the metal cap or is that from the point down to where the cable starts once they are connected.
Sorry to be a pain about the length, but as I said in another post, I hold them at the base and need them longer.
Thanks
It’s four inches from the point to the end of the brass connector that attaches to the brass connector on the cable. So four inches to the join itself. The cable starts about 3/8″ beyond the join. You may just have to try them to see if they make you happy. They’re making me happy!
[...] cast on for this last weekend at Black Butte. I’m using the sample Lantern Moon interchangeable needles. I cast on with the rosewood tips, and after a couple rows I decided that I really wanted to try [...]
I think I need a set for me too! Maybe two… Also love the thought of zippered cases, the sheep rug and whatever else I can get in my cart and justify to my hubby. Keep us posted……
I wouldn’t be able to decide between the rosewood and ebony sets! They’re both lovely. Are these available already ?
Just wondering what kind of connection these use? Do you screw them in or click them in, and how do you find them to assemble? They look very beautiful.
They are a screw in join, and the join is very smooth. I didn’t have a problem with them loosening, either; I always had that problem with my old Boye aluminum needles, once upon a time. I’m really looking forward to these new needles.
I discovered this blog last night after taking a break from knitting a new hat for a gift. I picked up my Lantern Moon circulars and remembered why I had enjoyed them so much. They are a smaller size than what I usually use for hats (which is why I had not used them lately) so I had been using metal circulars.
I truly missed using your needles. I began looking at your site to determine how I could bankroll the various sizes I needed, and then I discovered this post. It is Christmas in October. I look forward to reading that the new interchangeable set is available. They look beautiful, particularly since you are able to duplicate the exact look of the originals.
Thanks for a great, personal knitting experience.
What a nice note! You made my day.
I love my ebony needles; they are my favorite. The only time I use anything else, it’s because I’m working with dark yarn! And in that case, rosewood works well.
I know you can pre-order the ebony interchangeables. LM doesn’t sell them/take orders for them directly at this time, but a quick google search will find you a vendor if your LYS isn’t going to carry them.