| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
shelley419
New Pal
6 Posts |
 Posted - 11/21/2006 : 7:26:35 PM
|
Hi does anyone have any comments /reviews about Valley Yarns Interchangable Circular Knitting Needle Set--Webs ($99.00) and Bamboo Sister Interchangeables ($85.00)? My first choice would be the set from Webs because they carry larger needle sizes.
I recently purchased several Crystal Palace Cirs and I LOVE THEM, Love the sharp points, love that they are light weight and that the cable swivels. There's been so much written about Knit Picks Option Interchangeables, however, I would prefer a set in bamboo/wood. I'd really appreciate your opinions:) |
|
|
vintage
Chatty Knitter
USA
105 Posts |
Posted - 11/21/2006 : 7:56:50 PM
|
We sell the webs needle sets, and our cutomers like them. They are 10% off retail, and we have a special right now for an additional 15% off, the coupon code is listed on our site, and in the sales forum.
Vintage Knits Wool Shoppe
www.vintageknits.net
admin@vintageknits.net |
 |
|
|
goldiegirl
Seriously Hooked
611 Posts |
Posted - 11/22/2006 : 02:39:14 AM
|
I have the Plymouth Bamboo Sister Interchangeable set and I love it! The tips are nice and pointy and the joins are smooth. Every once in a while I need to tighten the needle tip because it has come a little loose, but it's not a problem.
What I love most about the set is its compact size. It is smaller than a checkbook. You can see a picture of it next to my checkbook on my flikr gallery. I carry it in my knitting bag all the time. I love knowing that I always have the right needle size.
my gallery |
|
|
|
shelley419
New Pal
6 Posts |
Posted - 11/22/2006 : 07:14:49 AM
|
Goldiegirl, thanks for your response. Do you have Crystal Palace circs? If so, how do they compare to the Bamboo Sisters? The reason I am leaning toward the Webs is that the needle size is 5-15. B.S. is 5-10. Lately, I seem to be using the larger size needle. (seasonal???)
I have Boye interchangeable and don't like the tip, plus they seem to drag compared to the Addi's.
My goal was to replace my straights with Crystal Palace circs and have a back up of interchangeables, preferably bamboo/wood. Am I being too picky??? |
|
|
|
RachelKnitter
Permanent Resident
USA
2995 Posts |
Posted - 11/22/2006 : 08:17:01 AM
|
I think the feel of the bamboo and the sharpness of the tips on the Webs set is very comparable to CP and the joins are smoother. The only downside in comparison is CPs have that nice, thin, flexible cord--Webs interchangeables have a pretty stiff cord, but it's still very acceptable. And they don't kink badly like stiff cords normally would. I've never had to dip them in boiling water to unkink them like I might with other brands.
--------
You are about to be told one more time that you are America’s most valuable natural resource. Have you seen what they do to valuable natural resources? -Utah Phillips, addressing a group of young people
Poetry discussion, and other assorted cultural ramblings:
http://crazylanea.typepad.com/eating_poetry/ |
|
|
|
shelley419
New Pal
6 Posts |
Posted - 11/28/2006 : 9:31:52 PM
|
| Several days ago, I posted a question re: WEBS and Plymouth needle sets. This post did not generate many replys. However, I just wanted to let others know that I DID purchase the Webs from Vintage Knits Wool Shoppe (Vintageknits.net) I am SO glad I did, I love them. They have tips similar to Crystal Palace's, extremely light weight with a very smooth join. Currently. I am working on very fuzzy yarn and have not noticed any drag or looseness of the join. So...if you are looking to splurge on a wonderful bamboo set of 10 interchangeables, go to Vintage Knits Wool Shoppe and order the Webs. Speaking of Vintage Knits, the service was amazing. As you can imagine, I had numerous questions, Sadie from the company was very patient and offered great advice, along with a discount;) and super fast shipping! Check them out. |
|
|
|
JulyGrrl
USA
Posts |
Posted - 12/10/2006 : 7:38:10 PM
|
| Hi, I would love to buy a set of the WEBS interchangeables, but the Vintage Knits online store (offering the discount in November) appears to be sold out, and the WEBS website indicates that they have run out of the longest length connector and are selling incomplete sets at a discount, though they have not posted the discounted price and have not indicated yet whether, in the future, the longer connector will be available for sale separately or whether they are discontinuing manufacturing this set for good or are perhaps going to offer a newer version of it next year. In the meantime, I'd love to know whether you are happy with your WEBS set, how it has performed, and whether you think the two shorter length connectors are sufficient for making scarves and shawls. If the owner of the Vintage Knits store is reading these posts, are you an authorized reseller of this item, and will you be getting any more in, perhaps still with a discount code? Thanks for any info you can provide. |
|
|
|
vintage
Chatty Knitter
USA
105 Posts |
Posted - 12/10/2006 : 8:34:28 PM
|
quote:
Originally posted by JulyGrrl
Hi, I would love to buy a set of the WEBS interchangeables, but the Vintage Knits online store (offering the discount in November) appears to be sold out, and the WEBS website indicates that they have run out of the longest length connector and are selling incomplete sets at a discount, though they have not posted the discounted price and have not indicated yet whether, in the future, the longer connector will be available for sale separately or whether they are discontinuing manufacturing this set for good or are perhaps going to offer a newer version of it next year. In the meantime, I'd love to know whether you are happy with your WEBS set, how it has performed, and whether you think the two shorter length connectors are sufficient for making scarves and shawls. If the owner of the Vintage Knits store is reading these posts, are you an authorized reseller of this item, and will you be getting any more in, perhaps still with a discount code? Thanks for any info you can provide.
Hello,
I have a few sets that were shipped from WEBS on Tuesday. They will arrive tomorrow or Tuesday. WEBS is having issues obtaining fabrics for their needles sets. I was told it may take 1-2 months (or longer) for them to get more fabrics. I will put the needle sets on the website as soon as they arrive. If you do not mind waiting until Wednesday for shipping, email me at admin@vintageknits.net, and I can let you pre-order one of the sets that I am expecting this week.
RE: the sale, sorry, the sale ended last month. We do have two specials that run all the time, the discount codes are on the front page of our catalogue page.
Vintage Knits Wool Shoppe
www.vintageknits.net
admin@vintageknits.net |
|
|
|
JulyGrrl
USA
Posts |
Posted - 12/12/2006 : 8:19:28 PM
|
Wanted to let you know a few things I discovered:
First, the owner of Vintage Knits is very nice and actually phoned me to tell me about the new WEBS sets she was getting in. Thank you! I unfortunately didn't want that color fabric for my case, but I was very thankful for the customer service and will keep her store in mind for future purchases.
Secondly, WEBS is selling their few remaining sets at a 30% discount because they are missing the longest length cord, which only made 32" needles. The incomplete set will only make 18" and 24" needles, but it does contain the ten needle sizes and all other parts. They report that they can no longer obtain parts for this set (so I won't be able to buy the longer connector cord later on) and that they currently have no plans to re-stock this set or to sell a newer version of it in the future. This is very surprising considering how popular the set was. Sounds as if they may have lost their manufacturer. I decided to order one of the remaining incomplete sets, so if anyone on this forum already owns a set and finds that he/she never uses the longest-size connector cord and would like to sell it, I'd be very interested in buying it (assuming that my WEBS set arrives otherwise intact and worth keeping). I thought others on the forum might want to know that the set is being discontinued because, as far as I know, there is no other bamboo interchangeable set on the market that goes up to a size 15 needle. My understanding is that the advantage of the more compact Plymouth set is the longer cords but that it only goes up to a size ten needle.
Best holiday wishes to all and happy knitting.
JulyGrrl |
|
|
|
LisaM
Chatty Knitter
USA
128 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2006 : 07:28:39 AM
|
Can't believe they are discontinuing it. I have one and I love it.
And I kept meaning to order a second, long connector cord, and now it's too late :(
Lisa |
|
|
|
nwilson02
Chatty Knitter
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - 12/13/2006 : 07:35:52 AM
|
| I can't comment on the Webs set since I don't own one but I do own 2 sets of the Plymouth Sisters sets and love them. They are compact and I keep a set in my knitting bag for my house and my notions bag for travel. That way I always have needles when I need them. The sizes are fine for me since I tend to lean towards smaller needle projects. |
|
|
|
shelley419
New Pal
6 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2006 : 7:01:36 PM
|
| Gosh, I am sorry that I haven't responded to this post lately. Trying to complete several projects for gifts, as time is quickly running out. Ughhh... I am very content with my new WEBS Interchangeables. They still hold the fuzzy yarn I referred to earlier with no drag. (Will I ever complete this coat??) The joins remain tight and are extremely light weight. I cannot really comment on the any cord length other than the long one, as that is the only one I have had an opportunity to use so far. The cord is a bit heftier than the CP's but still quite flexible. My love affair with the Crystal Palaces is that the joins swivel, why can't they ALL do that??? Depending on the yarn, I still reach for my Crystal Palace circs, which remain my favorite. I was happy to hear about another satisfied customer from Vintage Knits, they were GREAT in answering all of my crazy questions. I guess I am fortunate to have purchased these when I did and thanks to those of you who responded to this post. I hope you will have success locating this set, good luck JulyGrrl , Shelley |
|
|
|
JulyGrrl
USA
Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2006 : 4:46:15 PM
|
Just wanted to say that I ended up returning my "incomplete WEBS set" for several reasons: the longest cord length really is an essential part of the kit (and it is missing from the remaining sets that are being sold). The shortest cord, even with bends in the metal, is too short to allow you to comfortably bring the needles around toward each other, unless you happen to knit at a very tight "upside down V" angle. Therefore, there were only two usable medium-length cords in the set which make 24" needles, and they are barely long enough to be comfortable, too. The other reason I returned is that there were some quality-control issues with the tips on some of the needles. Anyway, they still are selling these incomplete sets with orange-colored cases if anyone is interested. I will not be needing to purchase the longest cord from someone else, obviously, since I returned the set. I think I'm going to stock up on Clover Takumi circulars at Michaels when there are coupons. Interestingly, Shelley, the Valley Yarns (WEBS store brand) bamboo circular needles DO have the brass joins that swivel, but I hate the size 11 needle I purchased last year because that brass piece snags on yarns. I have not tried Crystal Palace (not sure they are sold where I live), but that swivel feature would prove handy for me, as I'm making diagnonal garter stitch scarves using two colors that move in opposite directions, and the swivel would help untangle my work. The Clovers don't have that feature, but they do have smooth joins and are inexpensive. Has anyone tried the Ebony circular needles (I think they might be Lantern Moon)?
Happy Holidays,
JulyGrrl |
|
|
|
tribalfyber
Chatty Knitter
USA
182 Posts |
Posted - 12/16/2006 : 5:05:40 PM
|
| i have been a long time owner of the plymouth sisters bamboo set and love them. i bought the larger sizes tips from webs (they sell them separately) which fit the cords to the sisters set perfectly. i think they were sizes 11, 13 and 15 tips. |
|
|
|
Webs
New Pal
USA
30 Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2006 : 06:06:14 AM
|
Hi Folks, just a quick note on our bamboo circular interchangeable kits. Unfortunately we are discontinuing the sets, because we are no longer able to get the needles from the factory.
The reality is that these sets, as well as our circs, straights and dpns, are produced in the same factory and to the same standards, including the swivel join, as Crystal Palace's needles. We loved selling these high quality needles.
Crystal Palace placed heavy pressure on the factory to stop selling the needles to us. Unfortunately, Crystal Palace is a bigger customer than we are and the mill has informed us that they are "too busy" to fulfill our orders. We were advised by the factory, that if we settled for a much lower quality bamboo, they would be continue to produce our needles. This was simply unacceptable to us.
So we are actively looking for a replacement for our straight, circular and interchangeable needles that will be of comparable quality as our existing needles. We also want to maintain the low prices that everyone loves. We still have a good inventory of replacement parts, for those of you who already own the sets.
While there are many places in the world to get high quality yarn, it is harder to find great quality bamboo needles, especially circulars. We are constantly evaluating samples, but still haven't found the "right" ones.
We'll be sure to let everyone know when we do.:)
Happy holidays to all!
Steve and Kathy Elkins
Owners
Webs - America's Yarn Store |
|
|
|
JulyGrrl
USA
Posts |
Posted - 12/17/2006 : 7:20:55 PM
|
That was a super-informative message posted by Steve and Kathy, and I'm pleased to see that they are insisting on such high-quality and actively looking for a vendor that values their business instead of taking them for granted.
If I had known that the WEBS larger-size tips would have fit on the Plymouth Bamboo Sisters set, I certainly would have inquired with WEBS about whether I could purchase just the size 10.5 through size 15 tips. So, if Steve and Kathy are still reading this discussion thread, I would love an answer to that question! I was sorry to mail back the incomplete set that I purchased, but without longer connector cords, it really wouldn't have been useful enough for me. If, though, the Plymouth set comes with longer connectors AND I could supplement the range of tip sizes by purchasing spare parts from WEBS, that would make me a very happy camper. I also wish that WEBS would consider selling the cases "a la carte," as they were very well-designed and organized.
Thanks again to tribalfyber and WEBS for making such informative posts, and, again, to Steve and Kathy, I'm sorry that I had to return my set and will still be a very regular customer at your wonderful online store (my partner shops for us in person when she visits Northampton, too). |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
|
|
| Knitter's Review Forums |
© 2009 Knitter's Review |
|
|
|
|
BAMBOO circular interchangeable question
