Needle Review: Neko Curved Double Pointed Needles
A common thing we as knitters seem to like to discuss is needle preferences. And it seems to become a hotter topic when talking about smaller circumference knitting for things like socks, but could also include sleeves and mittens. After hosting one of these conversations on an Instagram post, Neko Knit reached out to me and asked if I’d like to try their Curved Double Pointed Needles (CDPNs). Of course I was very excited to try these out, and had been since someone had told me that such a thing existed!
I received the 2.5 mm bamboo CDPNs. I first tried them out to do my first after-thought heel in my Orchard Spice Socks. This seemed like a really good match between technique and needle. I just had to use a progress keeper to help me keep track of which was needle 1.
Because I knit most of my fingering-weight socks on 2.25 mm needles, I had to wait until the right pattern came up to use these CDPNs for a full sock. And then, like with regular DPNs, I was able to use them for the entire thing, cuff to toe – which I did for my Shepherdess Socks.
The bamboo portion of the needle has a good amount of slippery-ness, and the point is quite nice – a good level of pointy-ness. I did find sometimes that the material for the flexible join could be a bit sticky. I think just how sticky it is depends on how tight of a knitter you are, as well as the fiber you’re using. The join also became a bit more cumbersome right after I picked up stitches for the gusset, but this is also true for any method I’ve used because the shape of the knitting is a little awkward at that point.
CDPNs are closest in usage style to magic loop, but I thought I’d give you a breakdown of how I see these comparing to each of the small circumference knitting techniques I’ve tried.
CDPNs vs DPNs
The main difference here is the number of needles. You go down from 4 (or maybe even 5) to 3. At some points it can feel like more than this because the curve of the needle can bring both points into your work space, potentially making things a little crowded. But with fewer needle transitions this lessens the opportunity for ladders to appear. I felt that because of the bend the angle as you changed needles was a little different than with DPNs and that decreased the likelihood of a ladder as well.
CDPNs vs Magic Loop
It will surprise no one I’m sure, to hear that I much preferred the CDPNs over magic loop. Because you are kind of working with just 2 needles, it makes it the perfect substitute for reading a pattern that is written for magic loop.
The biggest reason I like the CDPNs better than magic loop is because the entire needle is the same circumference. My biggest frustration with magic loop is that the end stitches get too tight when they’re just on the cord, making it very difficult to get back onto the needle when you move the stitches around. And even with that difficulty I always ended up with a ladder suggesting things were too loose! I realize there are a lot of people who love magic loop and I would assume they don’t have that problem, but if you do, CDPNs could solve it for you!
CDPNs vs 9″ Circulars
I’ve had mixed feelings about 9″ circulars, but have definitely started using them more often for socks as I try to figure out those feelings about them. CDPNs are a little less convenient in some ways, and a little more convenient in some ways, than 9″ circulars.
They are more convenient than 9″ circulars because you can use them for the whole sock. If your stitch number decreases, like for the toe, you don’t need to switch to another kind of needle.
They are less convenient than 9″ circulars because you do need to put a little more effort into moving stitches around than you typically have to with the 9″ circulars, and I believe a ladder is still potentially possible, where that isn’t an issue with a circular needle.
Compared to all of the options above, aside from maybe magic loop, I felt like the CDPNs put less stress on my hands and wrists. I typically find the 9″ circulars to be the most painful to use, for reference. The reason I think these are more comfortable is because of the bend. It puts the 2nd half of the needle more within reach of your other fingers, providing a place to rest them, without contorting your hand, or having to hold them in the air unsupported. It was almost like having a handle for your needle.
So those are my overall impressions of the CDPNs from Neko Knit – some pros and cons, and depending what your current preferences are, that might influence whether you would like them or not. There are some limitations on what needle sizes are available, depending on what kind of item you are hoping to make.
Have you tried CDPNs before?
