Reddit mentions of ChiaoGoo TWIST Shorties Combo Packs US-1 (2.25 mm)

I just researched all this heavily because I wanted to invest in a new set of interchangeable needles and I'm also a sock knitter. As far as I know, Chiaogoo offers the most comprehensive set of needles that come closest to closing all the gaps in sizes. Their sets break down as such:

Full interchangeable "standard" sizes:Sizes #2 - #15, available in 4" or 5" needles in either metal ("Twist") or bamboo ("Spin"). You can either buy the complete set, or they split them up into "small" and "large" sizes - so there is a #2 - 8 set and and #9-15 set. All sets come with the same case with room for ALL the sizes (the case is excellent and has the needle pockets clearly and permanently labeled, plus there are extra pockets if you buy spares in other sizes or want to add to your collection with metal or bamboo. The Chaiogoo system uses three different sized connectors/cables - Mini, Small, and Large. Small and Large come with these standard sets. Mini size are for the lace and sock sets. I *think* you can interchange the twist and spin cords, but I don't have any of their bamboo needles, so don't quote me. The Spin cords do just that - they can rotate. The Twist cables are pretty much the standard type cable you get with any circular except they legit have NO MEMORY.

Spin 4" set: http://www.chiaogoo.com/interchangeable/?&SingleProduct=4Spin 5" set: http://www.chiaogoo.com/interchangeable/?&SingleProduct=5

Twist 4" set: http://www.chiaogoo.com/interchangeable/?&SingleProduct=6Twist 5" set: http://www.chiaogoo.com/interchangeable/?&SingleProduct=7

(If you're wondering why there's both a 4 and 5-inch length needles it's because if you want to knit smaller circumference things with 16" circular needles (like hats) you'll want the shorter needles. 4" is still pretty long (my knitpicks "short" set are more like 3.5") so you still have plenty of room for grip. If you knit a lot of hats or have smaller hands, 4" is probably the way to go, if you have large hands or appreciate having a lot of room to grip the needle, get the 5" set. You can always buy individual 4" needles to add to your collection if you need them, or vice versa.

Lace Set:Needles in sizes #0000 - to #1.5 (including American half sizes!). These take the mini cables. Available in 4 inch and 5 inch needle sizes. Only metal.4" set: http://www.chiaogoo.com/interchangeable/?&SingleProduct=104

5" set:http://www.chiaogoo.com/interchangeable/?&SingleProduct=103

Twist SHORTIES aka Sock/Tiny things set (NEWish):http://www.chiaogoo.com/interchangeable/?&SingleProduct=105

These are my holy grail sock needles and I'm so excited they exist! With this set you get two sets of needles in each size - 2 inch AND 3 inch, in US sizes 0-3, INCLUDING half sizes!

Why shorties? Because if you're knitting a circle smaller than 24", longer needles make it hard to make a circle. Most 16" circulars tend to have short needles around 3-4 inches long, but if you're going even tinier (for socks, etc.) you need even shorter needles if you don't want to magic loop. That's where the shorties come in. With these you can knit socks in the round.

You get three mini cords, in short lengths, allowing you to make 9-14" long circulars. As far as I know, no other manufacturer makes a system in this size for small circumference knitting.

PRO TIP: There's no reason why you can't mix your 2-inch and 3-inch needles since you get both. I have always wanted a 10" sock needle, so what I did was buy an extra 5-inch cord, and I use one 2-inch needle plus one 3-inch needle and a 5-inch cord to make a PERFECT 10" sock needle. Well a pair actually. Then I can have both socks going at the same time, I just alternate. (You don't have to buy an extra cord, this is just the way I do it.) The longer needle goes in my right hand for extra grip and my hand gets much less fatigued than it does using 2" needles. I'm freaking in LOVE with this set up, if you can't tell.

The package the Twist Shorties come in is so adorable and tiny. Right now these are only offered in the #0-3 size, BUT according to their website, they will be making SHORTIES in bigger needles this fall, which means if you want to knit hand warmers, sleeves, or worsted weight socks without having to go through the hassle of magic loop or DPNs, you'll be able to. Yay!


If you only knit socks in one needle size and can't justify buying the whole Twist Shorties set, you're in luck because you can buy just one size too:
https://www.amazon.com/ChiaoGoo-TWIST-Shorties-Combo-Packs/dp/B07DPTRTP9/ (They sell these individual sets both with the cord and without. You basically get 2 needle sets for $22 with this kit, which isn't bad at all. This company has seriously thought everything.)

​

All of the Chiaogoo stuff is super customizable. You can even get adaptors to change cable sizes, if you were using larger needles and wanted to use a mini cord to have something SUPER flexible, you could. You can also pick up individual interchangeable needles pretty inexpensively if you want to duplicate some sizes in a different material from your main set. Again, the fact that the case gives you extra pockets for this is wonderful.

I knew nothing about this brand until a month ago and have since bought the Twist Shorties and the full set of 5" metal needles and I'm really, really impressed. My favorite needles previously were Addi Turbos with the gold cords. I'm not in love with the pattern of the black and white Chiaogoo case the larger needle sets come in, but from a functionality standpoint, they have the best cases because of the pockets and the clarity of their labeling. The cables are better than any other needle I've tried, and I have really become a fan of how pointy they are. Regular Addis are too blunt for me now. I also have not had any issues with the cord coming undone, but I do use the tightening key and the rubber grippy thing when I'm putting them together. (I also feel like it's better for a cable to get loose and snag yarn than to use the Addi Click set where if you have a failure, the needle is just going to fall off. At least you get a warning with the screw-in kind.) I do find the Addi turbos' slickness a little nicer than the Chaiogoo set, but I'm getting over that quickly. It's also nice that literally every component down to the cases can be ordered individually if you lose something.

I swear I'm not a shill for Chaiogoo, I just put a lot of time into figuring out their product line and deciding what I wanted. There are SO many more options now for interchangeables than there were the last time I was knitting. Hope this helps.

​

​