Review & Giveaway: Knitter’s Pride Karbonz Interchangeable Needles

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Edit: Thanks to all who entered, the giveaway is now closed!

I’ve officially become enamored with a new-to-me knitting tool: Knitter’s Pride Karbonz needles. These needles are made from carbon fiber and have slick nickel-plated brass tips.

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Oooooh, shiny.

As you may have noticed over the last few months, I’ve been slowly transitioning from the colorful Knit Picks Harmony needles I’ve used almost exclusively for the last few years to sleek, black KP Karbonz needles. It began when I realized I was mending far too many holes in my socks and needed to tighten my gauge. However, I wanted to knit with size 0 (2.0 mm) DPNs that didn’t feel like bendable, careful-or-they’ll-snap-in-half toothpicks. So I ordered some Karbonz DPNs and loved them.

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Current sock in progress. Click for project page.

And I thought — maybe the Harmony’s are NOT the be-all-end-all of knitting needles. I first learned to knit on Susan Bates metal needles but have been fiercely anti-metal since I first discovered Clover Bamboo needles way back in the day. When I found the Knit Picks Harmony wood needles it was love-at-first touch. Between the warmth of the wood and the sharp pointy tips you just don’t get with bamboo, I thought they were great. Sure, I had my share of split needle tips (can we say snags?), and needle bases that separated from their metal casings so that they had to be glued back together (boo), and cords that unscrewed while I knit (that old nightmare) — but they were what I had, and I thought they worked well enough. But when I was sent a Deluxe Interchangeable Needle set to review, I was super excited to give them a try, and I haven’t been disappointed.

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Lovely packaging.

The great thing about the Karbonz needles is that they are strong and sturdy, like metal, but warm to the touch and lightweight, like wood or bamboo. THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS, GUYS. The interchangeable set comes with 9 pairs of needles (from US 2.5 – US 10), 4 cords (24″, 32″, 32″, and 40″), 8 end caps, 4 cord keys, and a set of needle size markers so if you remove your needles from your project and store it on its cord, you can remember what size you were using.

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Accessories.

I really love the pouch the needles are packaged in, and there’s a handy slot in back to hold more cords. I ESPECIALLY love that the needle size is printed both on the needle tip AND the metal base of the needle, so no more hunting around for a needle gauge to figure out what the heck size you’re using.

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Lifeline near stitchmarker indicates where I switched to Karbonz needles on my Stitch Block Cowl.

Since this set has come into my possession, I’ve been swapping out the needles previously being used in my WIPs for these new needle tips. Projects that were bothering my wrist or hands for one reason or another before, suddenly felt fine. Perhaps my hands have been extra-sensitive since my wrist injury or perhaps I just needed a change, I don’t know, but the grippiness of the carbon fiber surface combined with the slipperiness of the needle tips seems to have made my knitting proceed more smoothly. Happily, changing needle tips didn’t change my gauge mid-project. I’ve since used the Karbonz needles to swatch a variety of yarns with multiple sizes and all have felt really great.

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Swatches! Top: handspun BFL on size US 7. Bottom: Shibui Knits Linen on size US 4.

I have two minor complaints about the set:

  1. It only comes with 4 cords. I am a knitter-of-many-WIPs, and 4 just isn’t enough for me. However, one can purchase additional cords in sizes ranging from 16″ to 60″ (for less than $3!) as needed.
  2. Needle sizes do not range smaller than US 2.5 or larger than US 10. For many people and projects, this probably isn’t an issue, but I am also a knitter-of-chunky-yarns and have plenty of use for needles on the larger end of the spectrum. Their fixed circulars have a wider range on the smaller end, though, so magic loop sock knitters can get their tiny needle fix that way.
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Using a cord as a stitch holder in my Kelp-y Kelpie Shawl. Click for project page.

Overall, I really love the feel of the Karbonz needles and will likely use them for the majority of my knitting. Unlike some others, I haven’t noticed any snagging in the transitions from metal tip to carbon body, or from needle to cord. I love that the size is printed on the needle and that even the thin sock sizes feel strong and unbending, but not too inflexible. While the tips aren’t as pointy as some, they appear to be pointy enough for most purposes and I am happy that they won’t split like wooden needle tips often do. The Deluxe set retails for around $125, which is certainly pricier than wooden sets, but if you can afford it I think the carbon fiber needles have definite advantages. There are also smaller interchangeable sets available priced in the $60 – $65 range.  For more information, check out other reviews at Knitter’s Review (older but still interesting), Badfaerie Designs (from the point of view of a steel needle user), and Knit Luck (really detailed!).

NOW FOR THE GIVEAWAY!

If you’d like to win a Karbonz needle prize from the good folks at Stitchcraft Marketing (exact prize to be determined), leave a comment below telling me what type of needle material you prefer and why. Each comment gains you one entry, and if you share this post via Twitter, Facebook, or on your own blog, let me know and you’ll earn extra entries. I’ll choose a winner with a random number generator on Friday, May 30th so you have until 11:59 pm Eastern time the day before to enter. Good luck, and please spread the word! (My apologies but this giveaway is only open to US residents.)

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161 thoughts on “Review & Giveaway: Knitter’s Pride Karbonz Interchangeable Needles”

  1. I recently invested in the Knitter’s Pride Symphonie Dreamz Deluxe set, mostly because my Grandma’s mis-matched half-UK, half-US needles, bent or bending metal needles weren’t suitable for my upcoming university exchange program to France! I also hope to get back to my roots in England and see where my Grandma (the Original knitter in my family, and the reason I started) grew up! Some of her journals and love letters to my grandpa talk about a little yarn shop in Bath, and while I’m in Europe I’m determined to make it back there. She passed when I was only 2 so getting to know her is one of the things I’m looking forward to most. Knitting with her needles has always made me feel closer to the family I’ve only met through Air-Mail so the choice to get new needles was really one to accept that family will always be something I’m connected to, through a bond stronger than the age of the tools that I use – after all, I’ll be creating things for the family in the future, not just in my past.

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  2. I recently tried the Karbonz needles for lacework and have fallen in love with them! They feel great and pick up stitches with ease. I cannot wait to get more!

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  3. I just shared this on Facebook, google + and Pinterest. I would love to try these. I have all of the Knit Pick sets. The wood one I love but have snapped them in half and had trouble with the coming apart. Their acrylic needles were nice but yarn doesn’t seem to glide over the needles like I had hoped. The nickel plated seem to work best for me but I have bent a pair. I have been wanting to try the carbon fiber needles but after all the needles sets I have invested in already, I was hesitant. After reading your review I can’t wait to trying them. They sound like the perfect choice for me.

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  4. I’ve knitt with wood, bamboo, and some type of metal thingies. I find choice of needle depends on yarn ANC project. So I would love to win these as haven’t tried them yet. And your review is a great incentive.thx

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  5. With a birthday coming up the first week of July, I told my husband that a set of interchangeable circular needles would be a great birthday present, hint, hint. His reply, just tell him which needles I want and after considerable research the past couple of weeks I had decided on the Karbonz set. Then this morning I read this blog and the timing was perfect.

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  8. I tried the Karbonz needles at a needle tasting a few months ago. I love how light they were and how they felt in my hands. It would be great to win a set of the interchangable needles. Thank you.

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  11. I’ve tried three sets of interchangables. Addi Clicks were my favorite until I bought Knitters Pride set. Always willing to try another set of interchangables. Thanks for the drawing! Posting on Facebook

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  12. I’ve really gone for Kollage Square circular aluminum needles. I usually knit too loosely, but I am able to use the size called for (sometimes smaller) with the Kollage needles. I am open to trying other kinds!

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    • Oops, I meant sometimes I’m even able to use a larger size than the size in the pattern. Which is really nice with smaller gauges such as in socks.

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  13. I haven’t been knitting for too long, but most of my experience has been with either wood or bamboo needles. They aren’t as slippery as metal and are more forgiving when I forget to RELAX and find myself with a death-grip on my needles.

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  15. I too love knitters pride wooden kneeled but recently have had my smaller sick needles start to snap after year is use. I would love to try these new needles!

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  17. I love my knitpicks wooden DPNs and always get a lot of compliments on them… but there was definitely a sad day when I dropped one on the floor and heard the crunch of my little dog finding it…Luckily my best friend came to the rescue with a spare 🙂

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  18. I have a set of knitters pride interchangeable wooden needles. I love what you have shared about the karbonz set. I definitely want to try them. A free set would be awesone! I have tried the square needles for socks. I do like them. I like that they have a sharper point than the wooden needles. Thanks for your review!

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  21. I like different needles for different projects. I am, however, crazy about my interchangeable sets. I love that I can change cable length as my shawls get bigger.

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  22. Currently, all the needles I own are aluminum, but I’ve been dying to try the Karbonz, especially the circular interchangables. I tend to knit a little on the tighter side which is why I prefer metal to wood or bamboo, but a lot of my WIP right now are silk blends and could benefit from a bit more grip. I can’t justify a purchase right now, but winning some would be fantastic!

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  23. I like metal needles for socks and small items… I have some I’ve gotten at flea markets, but enjoy my hiya hiyas for lace shawls, I am intrigued by the karbonz for awhile. Thanks for sharing!

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  25. I am currently using bamboo needles because they are all I can afford right now. But they are warm to the touch and my yarn doesn’t slide off too easily. I’m sharing on FB.

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  26. These look awesome! I usually use metal needles (love my Addi Turbos) because I like the slickness of them, but I wouldn’t mind trying something lighter. I’m not super fond of bamboo because my knitting always gets stuck on them.

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  27. I have been wanting to try the Karbonz and have them on my wish list. So far, metal needles are the only one’s that work for me, as the wooden and bamboo ones are either draggy against my yarn or they snap in two after very little use, and plastic ones are too bendy and sticky to the touch. But all the metal ones I have tried are also terribly slippery with shiny yarn, and the Karbonz appear to have a different quality that might alleviate that problem. Fingers crossed! I think they would improve my speed and eliminate the frustration.

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  28. I do like the feel of bamboo and wood. It keeps my stitches from slipping off on dpns. Other than that I don’t have any problems with the type of needle as long as I don’t clutch them tightly and end up with hand cramps. 🙂

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  29. Oooooh la la! I have to agree with you about Karbonz. I like to use ultra thin needles for socks and the lovely wooden ones in 2mm just kept breaking. I love my new karbonz dpns for socks and am thinking of getting some connectables for my shawl knitting:)

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  31. I am in need of interchangeable needles. I like the feel of wood; however, do not want them to break or fall apart. I would LOVE to win these and give them a try. There is nothing worse then wanting to start a new project and not having the right needle or size.

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  32. I have been using Knitter’s pride acrylic needles and I really like them. They have just the right amount of grip for most projects.

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  34. So far my favorite needles are the Knitpicks Nickel Interchangeables I got as a gift from my daughters, but I would love a chance to try the Karbonz Double Points for my sock knitting.

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  35. What a great review. Karbonz are needles I haven’t tried yet but I may have to purchase some fixed US 0 circulars to knit socks with after seeing how much you love them! I only own one pair of interchangeable needles (HiyaHiya) and that is my go to needles when it comes to knitting anything that requires a US 2 or above. For socks I am not as monogamous to a brand and I just switch to different needles for each new pair of socks I am knitting (for instance, the last socks I did was a on HiyaHiya needles but the one before that was a Chiagoo).

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  36. I, too have been using the knit picks harmony and would like a tighter guage. The karbonz only go to size 10, and I need 10.5.

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  38. I love to work with DPN. So, I tend to make socks, a lot. Mine are mostly bamboo. I like the way they feel and that the stitches don’t slide off the needles. But, would love to own these.

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  39. I am still using the clover bamboo DPN’s. I just received some Knit Picks in the new ocean color as a gift. I look forward to trying those out. I Would love to win a set of the Karbonz needles to try out. I plan on sharing this on Facebook and Twitter!

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  40. I usually use either the Bamboo or the Harmony needles, but have heard great things on the karbonz needles and would live to try them.

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  44. I love using my Knitter’s Pride interchangeable sets (Bamboo and Symphonie Dreamz). Would LOVE to have double pointed Karbonz needles that your review mentions – or anything Karbonz! I have a birthday coming up in less than 10 days (hint, hint).

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  45. What a neat give-away. 🙂 I’ve never tried Karbonz and am intrigued. I like a good, pointy metal needle that is slick enough to be fast, but with enough grip to not lose stitches. But the most important part, to me, is the cable. These look like they have a good cable on them.

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  46. I prefer metal because of the ease with which the yarn slides along. But I am looking for interchangeable so that I don’t have to run out for new needles if my gauge is off. And I love that these are metal tipped but carbon fiber grips, best of both. And also looking for a better cable than what I’m working with. I have had lots of trouble with the yarn DRAGGING along the cable. UGH!!! Thanks!!!

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  47. Pingback: WIPWed #56: Where Did May Go? | Woolen Diversions

  49. I’ve been using Knit Picks needles for several years. I would love to get my hands on carbon needles but cannot replace useable needles due to cost.

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  50. Pingback: Winner & More Than You Cared To Know | Woolen Diversions

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