New KnitPro Zing Needles Review

Zing Fixed Circular Needle Review.

Disclaimer: Whilst I was provided with this product free of charge to review, these are my open and honest opinions. I receive no commission from the links below.

Knitting needles are a thing of personal preference, some of us like the super slickness of stainless steel with its go faster stripes and others long for the grip of bamboo and it’s training wheel security.

Personally I am a stainless steel devotee, in my early knitting days I spent many happy hours knitting away with my bamboo needles until a k5tog manoeuvre snapped the tip of my favourite pair!

I have tried many needles over the years and I have to say I am a Hiya Hiya stainless steel devotee (naturally Addi Turbos, being a great second choice). So when I was asked if I would like to review the new Zing fixed circular needles from KnitPro, curiosity got the better of me.

Hiya Hiya – Zing – Addi

The Tips

Zings have a shorter taper from shaft to the point than Hiya Hiya and Addi needles, but the sharpness is comparable. I do not like the sharp (or lace) versions of the other brands. The tips of the Zings are sharp enough to work that bamboo snapping k5tog, but not so sharp as to poke holes in your index finger, if like me you tend to push down on your tips as you knit.

My initial concern with the Zings was about the join where the tip meets the shaft. I have previously tried the Karbonz, and I did find my yarn snagged at that point. The Zings however, allow the yarn to glide over effortlessly.

The Shaft

The coating on the shaft has a slightly satin finish to it, reminiscent of the Chiagoo needles. I found this slowed me down just enough to enjoy the Zen like rhythm of knitting, and it produced a beautiful even fabric. I have a tendency to loosen my tension as I work to the end of a knit row, nothing blocking doesn’t cure, but I did find knitting with the Zings almost eliminated this.

What about the cord join? How did I know you were going to ask me that?

Well, it’s Addi Turbo quality, although not quite Hiya Hiya excellence. I love the cord! It is a fixed cord, without a swivel join. It did not fight with me as I worked back and forth on a flat fabric. No kinking or twisting, and I felt it supported the weight of the fabric nicely.

I highly recommend giving Zing fixed circulars a try, they are light weight, warm to the touch and come in a great range of sizes (with each size across the range having its own pretty colour) so I am sure many of you will be drawn to the ‘pretties’. Zings would make a great transition from bamboo needles. I am looking forward to trying the Zing DPNs, if any of you have tried them, what did you think?

Zing – Addi – Hiya Hiya

If you would like to know about the sizes available, this link will provide all that information.

You can find your nearest stockist here.

 

 

 

 

Sparkling Seas Socks

Colourful socks are a great way to liven up any outfit.  These are knitted in wave pattern which is achieved by dropping yarn forwards, it is a an easy yet effective technique.  The Lang Mille Colori yarn (Socks & Lace Luxe) has a metallic thread which runs throughout, adding a touch of sparkle, reminiscent of the seas.

The pattern is written in three sizes to fit leg circumference 18 (21, 24) cm.

You can find the pattern inside issue 96 of Let’s Knit Magazine.

Electric Ivy Fingerless Cable Mittens

These mittens were inspired by my Sugar Candy socks in the January issue of Let’s Knit magazine.  My daughter looked at the socks and promptly requested a matching pair of mittens in a bubblegum blue colour!

These mittens are knit using West Yorkshire Spinners, Signature 4ply in their Sweet Shop range, so if Bubblegum is not your thing, why not try Butterscotch, Blackcurrant Bomb, Blueberry Bonbon or Sour Apple.

You can find the pattern for these mittens inside issue 90 of Let’s Knit Magazine.

Oh So Sweet Socks

Sweeeeeeeeet feet!  I designed these butterscotch coloured socks using West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply yarn from their Sweet Shop Collection.

The cable and lace design will keep those of you who have a little sock knitting experience entertained, whilst those sock veterans amongst you will whip through this intuitive pattern with great gusto.

The pattern is written in two sizes, with instructions for adjusting the foot length, with out disrupting the elegant patterning on the foot.

You can find the pattern for these pretty socks inside issue 136 of Simply Knitting Magazine.

Cute Critters, hanging baskets to keep the kids tidy

I know how difficult it is to contain your child’s favourite possessions and encourage them to put them away.  I designed these character to baskets to make tidy-up time fun!

The baskets are worked flat using a simple mesh stitch, I used Wendy Supreme Cotton Chunky which is incredibly strong and comes in a range of fun colours.

You can find the pattern for these baskets inside issue 90 of Let’s Knit Magazine.

Harriet the Hedgehog, knitted pin cushion

This cute but prickly character will take very good care of your pins for you.

Harriet is knitted flat with a bobble stitch body, she is a quick and fun knit which will make a great gift for the ‘crafty’ person in your life.

You can find the pattern for Harriet (and indeed Harriet herself on the cover) of issue 90 of Let’s Knit Magazine.

Glamping, under the stars

Turn camping into glamping with my colourful and practical chair.

Jazz up an everyday fishing stool with some straightforward mosaic knitting.  The cover is knitted using Stylecraft Classique Cotton DK, which is incredibly strong and durable.

For those of you who have not tried mosaic knitting before, this is a great starting project.  The beauty of mosaic knitting is that you are only every working with one colour in each row!  Slipped stitches are used to manipulate the fabric and produce the pattern, magic!

You can find the pattern for this project inside issue 92 of Let’s Knit Magazine.