A limited number of the new interchangeable needles have come in to the warehouse, and are headed back out again to retailers who pre-ordered them. If you ordered some of these from your favorite retailer, chances are that they are on their way to you! These needles are in sets of ebony or rosewood.
In the meantime, I’ve been knitting with a prototype of these needles. The joins are really smooth, and I haven’t had any come apart while knitting with them. (This has happened to me with other interchangeable needles, a long time ago.)
The needle tips I’m knitting with are the new Featherlight wood, which is certified as sustainable by the Forest Stewardship Council. The interchangeables won’t be in this wood, at least not for now. I just happen to have gotten lucky and borrowed these to play with. Check them out.
I knit my Mini Mochi fingering weight Infinity Entrelac Infinity Scarf with the size 4 tips.
And I’m now knitting another Noro DK weight version with the size 7 tips.
I like them a lot. They’re not quite as slick as my ebony needles, but I like the slight texture on them. We’re still waiting for the Featherlight straights and circulars to come in; I’ll keep you posted!
Are the joins of the sets completely seamless??
What is the major differences btw ebony and rosewood?
Hi, Dee: I have not noticed any catching of the yarn at either the join between the cable and first brass fitting, nor the join between the brass fitting on the cable and the brass fitting on the wooden needle. To me, this is seamless, although physically there is a join there. Smooooth!
Major differences between ebony and rosewood? I find the ebony to be smoother (although rosewood is plenty smooth), and it feels “harder” to me, too. The tips on the ebony needles don’t feel as pointy to me, but I don’t know if that is a quantifiable difference, since I think they’re made by the same equipment and meant to be the same. I do know that I prefer ebony, and use it except for when knitting with really dark yarn, in which case the contrast between the yarn and the rosewood needles works better for me.
I think it all comes down to personal preference.
so jealous! I think an ebony set will be my reward…for what I don’t know, but it seems like a great reward!