Knitter's Pride Dreamz DPNs in US Sz 1/2.25mm
Where I bought it:
I went to check out a new LYS in my area, Ewe + You. It's a really cute little shop, located conveniently near the John Wayne airport intersection in Irvine/Costa Mesa. I couldn't find the store front from the parking lot, but once I walked in a little bit into the business park, I found it right away.
They have a lot of yarns from both commercial and smaller dyers, like Cascade, Dreams in Color, Toil and Trouble, Two Black Sheep Hand Dyed Yarns. I was especially excited to find Schoppel Wolle brand sock yarns here! No I didn't buy any, I was being good. :)
But, I couldn't leave the shop empty handed, and with my Destash Challenge and all the knitting, I needed more sock knitting needles. I usually knit my socks in Sz 0 (2.0mm) circular needles, especially for 2- and 3-ply sock yarns. And I almost exclusively knit in magic loop method, after several bad experience with wooden DPNs snapping during knitting.
Unfortunately, Ewe + You ran out of all the US 0s and US 1s in 32"+ long circulars from HiyaHiya, which is my preferred brand. The shop had more Chiao Goo needles, and I own several of them, but I don't love their stiff cables. Besides, I had just ordered 2 Chiao Goo needles from Handsome Fibers, one of the most amazing shops online. It only takes 3~4 days from payment to arrival.
So the last thing I spotted before turning away from the needle nook, was this set of Knitter's Pride Dreamz DPNs. I have a confession: Despite all my sock patterns being published in magic loop method, because that's what I use to knit socks, I LOVE USING DPNS. But, I just have a terrible time with the durability of the needles. I'm not particularly a tight knitter or anything. But the last time I used some HiyaHiya DPNs for socks from JimmyBeansWool, one of the needles started bending out of shape, and in the middle of the project, snapped in half.
I LOVED those needles. So smooth and so cute, and I felt like I was knitting faster. But I get so frustrated when needles start having problems mid-project. But it was the only thing I could take at the shop, and at $7.00 per set, I was willing to try again.
Trial:
Left: Knit Picks Stroll in "Pine" | Right: Yarn Love Amy March in "Green with Envy" (2012 Sock Yarn Club) 100% SW Merino 4 oz 560yds 2-ply.
So I grabbed some sock yarns from the stash (YAY! more destashing!) and promptly got started. Because the Yarn Love yarn is lovely but 100% SW merino, and only 2-ply, I decided it was best to use something else for the toes, heels, and cuffs. The Knit Picks Stroll in Pine was some leftover from knitting my dad socks 2 years ago, so it fit the bill.
I am doing afterthought heels on these, so I'm more than halfway done with the first sock at this poing. The needles are still going strong, no bending, no sign of snapping!
See how shiny the needle is? It's smooth and polished, but yarns don't slip off the needle too much like the steel DPNs.
The needle size in US size and metric is clearly marked on each of the needles. Even if they come off later after some use, Dreamz needles are color coded, so you'll always know which size the needles are. US 1s are Orange Lily, to me looks just like regular wooden needle color, but US 0s are Aquamarine, and US 3s are Burgundy Rose, and so forth.
General Conclusion:
So far, I am loving these. I love wooden needles to begin with, and these are the first DPNs I have been satisfied. According to the Handsome Fiber website, these needles don't warp like others because the needles are " made from densified laminated birch wood. Unlike in other wooden needles, water absorption in these needles is negligible and, as a result, there is no chance of warping. The same property makes the needles very strong, enables the points to be sharp and provides a lifetime of pleasurable use, if handled correctly."
Could this really be my chance to go back to using DPNs? I can't wait to try the Size 0s, my usual sock needles.