Knit Picks Try IT Wood and Metal Interchangeable Knitting Needle Set - US 6 and 7 (Majestic)

I bought this sampler set because I wanted to try a few different kinds of knitting needles before buying a whole set.TL;DR I am glad I tested out these needles because I really both pairs of needles. In the end, I decided to go with the nickel plated.So here is my review of this set.I previously had an interchangeable acrylic set from Knitter's Pride, which was nice enough but the plastic was too grabby and my stitches didn't glide well. Next I tried the more expensive Knitter's Pride interchangeable wood tips, and really liked those, but they don't come in a set and don't have many sizes available. I considered just buying the Symfonie Dreamz set, but saw a sampler set which contained a pair of those, plus two others. I also bought a second sampler set from Knitter’s Pride with 3 other needle styles in addition to this Try It set. I'll write separate reviews for those items, but I will be comparing these needles to those.This Knit Picks Try It set came with size 6 (4mm) Majestic Options tips and size 7 (4.5mm) Nickel Plated Options tips.When I opened this set, I tried out the nickel plated tips first. I had just tried out the Nova Platina tips from one of the Knitter’s Pride Comby sets and I hated those tips. I wasn’t sure what I would think of the nickel plated tips. When I compared the weight of the two pairs of needles, these nickel plated ones seemed to have a bit more heft. They both were hollow, but the nickel plated just felt a bit nicer. The finish on the nickel plated felt just a tiny bit more smooth. Also the taper on the very tip was a bit shorter than the Nova Platina, so I was hoping it would feel better. (I hated the longer taper on the NP.) For overall length, the nickel plated tips were just a big longer, too.When I tested out the nickel plated tips on a project I had in progress with 5mm acrylic tips, they felt really nice. The stitches definitely glided a lot better than the acrylic. The main things I noticed was that the taper was SO MUCH better than the Nova Platina, and while the metal still did a tiny bit of a weird scrape thing, it was hardly noticeable. That was one of the big issues I had with the Nova Platina. They did a horrible scrape sound/feeling that reminds me of nails on a chalkboard and I couldn’t stand it. But the nickel plated didn’t have that problem. I also did a quick test from a new cast on, and the metal seemed to be helpful in getting into my tight cast on stitches. So I really liked the nickel plated tips after the initial test.Then I tested the Majestic wood tips, and I first compared them directly to the Knitter’s Pride Symfonie Dreamz tips I had from another sampler set. The Majestic tips were overall a little longer than the Symfonie Dreamz, and the color was a lot nicer. (The Symfonie Dreams seemed to have a bad dye job on the pair I was testing.) The taper was a bit longer on the Majestics, and the very tip was slightly more sharp, but still slightly rounded at the end so not too sharp. The wood itself was pretty much the same between the two in terms of the finish and how the stitches glided. The main thing to me was the taper and tip was just overall nicer on the Majestic needles. However, one small thing to note is one of the Majestic needles has a tiny bit of an imperfection on the surface down near the metal join, and it is just enough to catch fine fibers in my yarn sometimes. I’m not sure if lightly sanding with a fine emery board or something might help that. Oh and the one other thing was I was having trouble seeing stitches when using a dark brown yarn on these dark-colored needles.So, after testing two sampler sets of Knitter’s Pride needles and these two Knit Picks needles, I decided I really liked the Knit Picks needles. So then my next decision was going to be between the nickel plated and wood.For the next day and a half, I went back and forth between the nickel plated and Majestic needles. They were similar enough in size to have a pretty good comparison. For the most part, stitches seemed to glide better on the nickel plated needles. A couple of times it almost seemed too slippy, to the point where stitches were trying to slip off the tip of the needle. Honestly, I’m not sure why. I’ve used these exact needles with the same yarn a bunch since then and haven’t had that problem. Perhaps I have gotten used to them now and can control them better? But anyway, one of the things that helped me decide between the two is the imperfection I previously mentioned in the wood needles. The nickel plated weren’t going to have that kind of problem. Plus the metal ones wouldn’t break, where the wood ones possibly could. Also, the nickel-plated set was a couple dollars cheaper than the wood sets, so that helped my decision as well.In the end, I chose to buy a set of the nickel-plated needles. It took forever for them to ship, but I finally have them. As a note, I actually am not liking the 6.5mm and 8mm tips in the full set, plus the separate pair of 9mm I bought. Those bigger sizes seem a lot more hollow than the smaller sizes, and are a bit awkward in my opinion. I may end up buying supplemental single wood tips in those sizes. But anyway, in terms of the Try It set, I did really like the set overall, and I am keeping it.

If you are new to knitting like I am and still struggling to find the perfect needles, this is a good set to order. I have already found that Knit Picks has quality needles that are comfortable, durable and attractive. Having the option of switching the cables on the circular needles is brilliant. They attach securely so I don't worry about them coming loose and losing my work which is devastating at my early stage of learning.I have used their wooden needles and I really like them, but wanted to see what the differences are with the metal ones before buying a large set of wooden ones. The wooden ones have a little bit of grip which helps with slippery yarns. The metals ones seem to go knit faster though. Perhaps I need a set of each. :)I couldn't be happier with Knit Picks quality and selection. They have made learning to knit after 60 years of crocheting much easier.

These needles are very well crafted and hold up well. I have been using needles and yarns from KnitPicks from years and have been very satisfied with their products.

I have tried these needles and the chigoos I like how these work better and for less than half the cost. These also don’t seem to catch the yarn and separate it.

Oh, if you love to knit, these are for you! I have to buy the whole set! More sample needle sets please!