ChiaoGoo Twist Stainless Steel Interchangeable Set, 5-inch (13cm) Mini (7500-M)

This comes with three cables (30", 22", 14") as well as five pair of 5" needle tips (000, 00, 0, 1, 1.5). Screw one 5" needle tip to each end of a 30" cable to make a 40" circular needle.There are also two connectors. This allows you to join all the cables together for one long 66" cable (76" circular needle). Or join any two you wish if you don't want a cable quite so long.In addition to the cables and needles, this set includes a little box to hold all the little parts (connectors, grippy heart, T-pins, stoppers, and useless stitch markers), and the whole works comes in a small bag. There's also a miniature ruler/needle guide. I have no idea why they included such huge stitch markers with tiny knitting needles because I'd have ladders everywhere if I were to use these enormously wide stitch markers with the size yarn that I use with tiny needles. But I didn't buy it for the markers.If you simply hand-tighten things, the needles will unscrew themselves over time. No matter how carefully I watch, I only discover the problem when yarn slips down into the crack and gets snagged on the screw threads leading to a huge mess and needless aggravation. The solution is to not hand-tighten things. ChiaoGoo provides T-pins and a cute little heart-shaped grippy thing for a reason. Since I started using the grippy heart (I was already using the t-pins), I have not had any more needles come unscrewed. Whew! Learn from my mistake and don't take shortcuts here. Use the heart to get a good grip on the needle so you can make a solid connection that won't come unscrewed in the middle of your knitting.The mini cables are smaller than ChiaoGoo's small cables. They are not interchangeable. Photo provided for comparison.I have always preferred wooden needles because they're so much warmer and more comfortable than metal, but unfortunately, small wooden needles have a tendency to break. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that these stainless steel needles are not cold. They are now my favorite needles. Based on what I read in other reviews, the first thing I did when I opened the package was test all the cables and needle tips to make sure there were no manufacturing defects and that everything would connect properly. My set is perfect and I couldn't be happier with it.

Okay, so I kept using double pointed needles for knitting gloves and socks. Resisted the magic loop method, I thought it looked complicated and unnecessary. I don’t know why I ordered this mini set of ChiaoGoo needles, but I was in the middle of a sock project when they arrived and switched to the corresponding size mini set and finished knitting the second sock. Wow! What a difference in speed and not nearly as complicated as managing those DPNs.These needles are so fine!!! Sooth and sharp, so be sure your yarn has plenty of twist or take care to avoid splitting it while you knit. The five inch needle size fits nicely in your hand, better than shorties for me. Easy to change the needles on the cord, the set comes with everything you need for that - in a nice little black mesh case with two zippered sections. I like the mesh, it seems sturdy and you can see where your tools are without searching around. Like the other ChiaoGoo products, you will not be able to switch between these needles and the small or large cords without the correct adapters. At this time, I am not aware of the availability of those adapters, which brings me to the only negative here. I like to have multiple projects going, so I see myself purchasing additional mini cords in the future, as only one longer cord is provided. More cords, please!Now we talk about price point. I am finishing the second set of two-at-a-time toe up socks using these Minis. Simply the best way that I have discovered so far: you end up with two identical socks, in less time. Save up for the ChaioGoo Minis if you are seriously interested in making your own custom fitted socks or any fine gauge knitting project. Worth the investment and not as expensive as repeatedly buying progressively priced needles in search of the performance and productivity that you desire (been there, done that). Good yarn is costly, too, so you want your project to reflect all the effort you put into it. Heck, ALL yarn is causing sticker shock these days. Hopefully these fine tools will last many years.