Signature Needle Art Convertible Needles

Ok, if you remember this post, I reviewed my US4 Signature Needles. Yes, I enjoy using them & was really hoping to add to my collection when the US 7 were re-released. Then Signature Needles went & wrecked my knitting needles. Yes, it needs several of these crying emotes, that is how upset I was.

Anyway, I will get into why they wrecked my knitting needles in a minute. Let me say what I enjoy about the Signature Needles. Ready?

THEY HAVE 6 INCH METAL TIPS!!!

Yep, that is the main thing. It means that the length of the needle before the cable join is 6 inches. For those of us, like me, that have larger then “normal” hands it is & was wonderful. Otherwise my other ones are just as good as the Signature Needles. *I will wait for the lovers of Signature Needles to get their hearts back under control*

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Better? Good, I will continue. Signature announced that they created a Convertible Needle. Yep, I said convertible.

Convert your size-specific circular needle stalk/cable combinations to easily meet the needs of your project with Signature Convertible Circular Knitting Needles. Signature Convertibles offer cables and stalks that can be changed within a size to create a new overall length when the size on the needles matches the size on the ferrules.

Did you notice that? You have to buy cables & needles for each size? Yes, I know this isn’t a Interchangeable *I was hoping for that if no fixed* so you don’t need to tell me that. I think this is honestly just another way for them to get money. Yes, I know that technically it works out to be cheaper, but there is now so many cables for each needle.

I didn’t like the looks of them at first *I still don’t*, but after I kept talking about them & everything *it is those bloody 6in tips* Dad told me to shut up & get a US7 to try. I wanted them to be as good or better then my fixed circulars. I really went into the trials hoping for the best only to be so disappointed.

That is how the packaging on these look like. They were just like this in the mailing box. No plastic zipper bag or anything. *not happy* Remember I paid almost $50 for these needles. Not very good shipping or packaging. I will admit that they were fine, no nicks or anything, but just not pleased with how they sent them.

Ok, so let’s dive in. I basically ordered the same exact needle as I did last time only shorter & a US7 instead of a US4. The only reason I got a US4 was because there was no US7 available. They were still stating that they were working on a new version of the US7 & that was why it wasn’t available to purchase. *sigh* So I got the US4 & enjoyed working with the fixed circular needle. Then they announced the Convertible needle & I decided to try it.

This is what I ordered:

  • 6 inch tips
  • 32 inch cable
  • Stiletto points

What I got was what I ordered, but not what I wanted. :duh: Don’t get me wrong, Signature sent me exactly what I ordered, but I was expecting the same ease of use as I got with the fixed circular or something close to it. Sadly, I didn’t even get close to that. They are a big disappointment.

So here is the down low for me. They are not as good as my fixed one.

The cables are as good as the fixed circulars. Plus, they swivel within the ferrule. So I was really hoping that I would be able to magic loop with them. This is the main problem with all interchangeable needles I have. They all come undone while knitting. According to several reviews these didn’t do it. Guess what?

 

 

 
THEY DO COME UNDONE!!!!!!


As you can see the top needle is starting to unscrew from the needle stalk. They are not supposed to do that. This makes them useless for me. So that was one strike against.

Then I also noticed that the yarn was not “flowing” nicely from the cable to the tip. I looked & there is a bloody step instead of a slope between the ferrule & the cable. That doesn’t work for me at all. So now I have a $47.01 needle that will not work or be comfortable for me. This was the last & final strike against them.

In Closing

If you are thinking about buying these then I highly recommend that you DON’T. Yep, I said it. Thanks so much Signature Needle Arts for wasting my money. In all actuality since you are no longer going to manufacture the fixed circulars my US4 were a waste of money also. That means I have wasted a total of $94.02 on these needles. Very unhappy about this. Now if Signature Needles would continue to make the fixed circular then I wouldn’t have wasted my money. I would even buy more of them, but so far they are not making anymore of the fixed circulars & what they have is it. Now I wonder how they are going to honor the warranty on my fixed circular US4 if they don’t make them anymore? I will not accept the convertibles as a replacement when my US4 breaks.

I am going to see if I can return these convertibles & get my money back. Yes, I dislike them that much.

Knitting Thursday

So if you remember I said all I was working on is Jessica’s blanket. Well, that is true, so I honestly don’t have anything new to show you besides an updated picture of it. If I haven’t said so before, I really love how the corners look.

On other notes, I have been looking at patterns *when am I not* & actually picked up three to make or modify. Wanna see? Of course you do.

Hue Shift Afghan
The Hue Shift Afghan blends eleven colors of Brava Sport harmoniously in this unique and crafty mitered afghan. Knit in four larger pieces and then seamed together, each of the four sections begins at the corner and mitered squares are picked up and knit directly onto the existing work. By combining this clever construction with simple garter stitch knitting, you are able to create a modern and visually stunning motif with minimal effort! Although each mitered square is worked in the same way, they each begin slightly differently depending on where in the pattern they are located. The first square cast on becomes one of the four corners of the afghan where four more squares are picked up [...] Continue Reading…

Knitting Thursday

*warning* This is a huge picture loaded blog post. It is quite long & you have been warned.

I know it has been a long while since I made one of these, but I have my reasons. I was working on the same thing, didn’t really think it was worthy of a post, went on vacation (yes, I had a blast), & a took part in Knitting & Crochet Blog Week. Guess what though, I have one ready for you know. Aren’t you so happy, lol.

Sock Monkey Bag

I saw this pattern a while ago & thought that it would make a cute project bag. I took it to a local restaurant to look over the pattern & our waitress decided that she wanted one in neon green, neon pink, & cream. So I complied. Hee hee, I do admit that the colors are not my choice, but now that it is done the colors are not bad. I just hope Kimberly likes it. The drawstring was supposed to be an icord, but I didn’t like the yarn halo (the fuzziness) of the cord so I went with black 3/8in ribbon. I really do need to work on my hand [...] Continue Reading…

Vacation Time

Well, the house sitter is set, the kids are settled in. So it is vacation time. Dad & I are going to Tulsa, OK for our end of tax season break. Yeah, I know we were going to go to Denver, CO but the cost of that trip would have been more then it was worth. So we are just going to Tulsa for the zoo, aquarium, & the museum.  I can’t wait. Oh yes, there are three yarn stores I am going to drag Dad to. Just hopefully, I won’t spend a fortune. I think I have all the needles that I will ever need.

Though when Signature releases the US7 I will probably get a 32″ fixed circular. Though Signature Arts Needle is releasing a surprise  at the end of May.  I am thinking it is going to be either the US 7 , smaller sizes, or interchangeables.  I am hoping that it is the US 7.

Anyhoo, back to vacation.  I am hoping that this is going to be a nice smooth trip, but who knows.

At the moment I am typing this in Barnes & Noble in Springfield.  Dad & I just came from one [...] Continue Reading…

Signature Needle Arts

As you know, I have several different type of knitting needles. I have:

Knit Picks Options Nickel Plated Circular Knitting Needle
ChiaoGoo
Addi Turbo
Hiya-Hiya
Knitter’s Pride Nova & Dreamz

There has been one company I have wanted to try for a while. I keep hearing wonderful things about the needles & how they are simply divine to work with. Signature Needle Arts is the company that I am talking about. I hate ordering knitting needles without being able to feel or touch the needles first. Then to top it off the needles are $48 each. I can by almost three (3) Addi Turbos for that price. Then a couple of weeks ago, I was at Barnes & Noble with Dad & had a shock. Usually I am the only one knitting in the store so when Dad told me that I needed to look over my shoulder to see a surprise, I looked. Lo & behold, another lady was knitting (a sweater or cardigan), my eyes zeroed in on her needles. They were Signature Needle Arts needles. I was so excited. I hurried over & ask if I could see the needles. Thankfully, most knitters are the sweetest people on Earth & she [...] Continue Reading…

Shame on You NOOK

As you are all aware I am a heavy reader. I have over 3000 books in book form & over 4000 in e-book form. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise to you that I demand a eReader for myself. My father has one also. He bought his Nook Color in 2011 & I got my Nook Tablet later that year or the next year.

We did a lot of research before choosing the Nook. We thought we were purchasing a product that the company Barnes & Noble would stand behind. Though we still love our Nooks the recent problems Dad has had with his Color makes me really wonder about them. Here is what happened.

Dad uses his Nook every day for at least 2-3 hours. The Nook has approximately 2000 books on it at a time. *This is a normal thing for our readers.* About three weeks ago his Color stopped charging unless he charged it on the computer. So he called support to find out what he needed to do since we were good customers & bought the extended warranty. Ok, so the first staff was nice & told him that they would send [...] Continue Reading…

Day Seven : Looking Forward

One year from now, when the 5th Knitting & Crochet Blog Week rolls around, where do you hope your crafting will have taken you to? What new skills, projects and experiences do you hope you might have conquered or tried?

This could be anything from mastering a technique (broomstick lace, entrelac, etc), trying a new yarn or skill, or a long-term wish to crochet only from your stash, or knit every stitch in one of the Harmony Guides. Maybe you have no desire or plans for your craft at all, no new element of knitting or crochet that you dream of mastering, in which case write about why that might be. In a year’s time participants will be asked to look back to see if they achieved any goals, no matter how general, and see which house conquered the art of looking forward.

Honestly, instead of learning new skills, I would prefer to work on the ones I have. Plus, get caught up with the numerous projects that I have waiting for me (yes, I know that it will never happen). I do want to complete something with cables, learn to knit color work *still learning that one*, complete a [...] Continue Reading…

Day Six : A Tool To Covet

Write about your favourite knitting or crochet (or spinning, etc) tool. It can either be a tool directly involved in your craft (knitting needles or crochet hook) or something that makes your craft more pleasurable – be it a special lamp, or stitch markers.

Is it an item that you would recommend to others, and if so for which applications/tasks do you think it is most suited. Conversely, do you have a tool/accessory that you regret buying? Why does it not work for you?

Hmm…my favorite would have to be my knitting needles. All of them. I use my Knitter’s Pride Novas for most projects, but when I am working lace I want my Chia-Goo’s. They are the best for lace knitting. I started a lace shawl with my Nova interchangeables & just wasn’t happy. So I moved the shawl to my Chia-Goos & I am moving along very nicely. 12 rounds in one day (that is good for me).

I recommend the Knitter’s Pride Nova for metal lovers & Dreamz for wood lovers. Though if you are going to be doing lace, I highly recommend Chia-Goo’s for that. They seem to work better for the lace.

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