Knitting Needle Review: Best Bamboo Needles for Slippery Yarn?

If you’ve ever found yourself frustrated with yarn slipping off your needles or your hands feeling sore after long knitting sessions, you’re not alone. After years of using steel knitting needles from Chiaogoo, I finally decided it was time to branch out and find something that could better suit my needs. Today, I’m sharing my knitting needle review focusing on my recent switch from steel to bamboo, and my first impressions of the CarryC bamboo interchangeable needles.

Why I Considered Bamboo or Wood Needles

I always thought bamboo or wooden knitting needles were more trouble than they were worth. I had concerns about needing to maintain them properly—things like protecting them from humidity, avoiding breakage, and dealing with color changes when knitting darker yarns. Because of that, I stuck to my steel Chiaogoo needles for a long time. However, after noticing that the yarn slipped too easily on steel and my hands were starting to hurt, I figured it might be time to give bamboo a try.

My Criteria for New Needles

When I decided to look for a new set of knitting needles, I had a few requirements:

• 4-inch needle length: I wanted to see if 4-inch needles would fit my hand better than the 5-inch ones I had been using.
• Sharpened tips: One thing I really liked about Chiaogoo was their sharp tips, and I wanted to find something similar.
• Flexible cables: I was used to the flexibility of Chiaogoo’s red cables and wanted something comparable.
• Material consideration: I thought about trying Chiaogoo’s bamboo needles since I already owned their red cables, but I was also curious to try a different brand altogether.

Brands I Considered

After some research, I narrowed it down to a few brands:

• Chiaogoo Bamboo: Familiar, trusted, compatible with my existing cables.
• Kakumi: Japanese brand known for good bamboo quality.
• Hiyahiya: Popular for sharp tips and lightweight designs.
• CarryC: Well-known for smooth joins and easy cable connections without needing a t-pin.

During a trip to Japan, I tried to find individual bamboo needles in-store, but I wasn’t able to find exactly what I wanted. Most shops seemed to sell only sets or had limited stock for individual tips.

Finding a Great Deal at Craft Llama

Later, while browsing online, I stumbled upon Craft Llama‘s huge sale on CarryC needles. Originally priced at £8.40 per pair, they were on sale for just £2.00. It felt like a steal! I quickly ordered the following sizes:

• 3.75mm
• 4.5mm
• 5.0mm
• 5.5mm
• 6.0mm
• 6.5mm
• 7.0mm

I also grabbed a couple of long cables (120cm and 150cm) to go with them. The only size missing was 4.0mm, but I was still thrilled with the haul.

Shipping went smoothly at first—Craft Llama shipped the package the day after I placed the order. However, once the package arrived in my U.S. city, it got stuck in transit for 12 days. I had to submit a missing mail search request, but thankfully USPS located it within three days. I’m just relieved that it arrived safely.

First Impression of CarryC Knitting Needles and Cables

Pros

• Clear labeling: Each needle has its size clearly printed, making it easy to identify.
• Smooth joins: I can’t feel any gap where the needle meets the connector, which makes knitting seamless.
• Cable color: I actually prefer the color of CarryC’s cable over Chiaogoo’s red.
• No t-pin needed: Connecting the cable to the needles is smooth and secure without needing extra tools.

Cons

• Printed labels: Since the size information is printed rather than engraved, I’m not sure how well it will hold up over time.
• Color variation: There’s a slight difference in bamboo color between some needles, but it feels more natural to me and doesn’t bother me.
• Color change concern: I’m still a bit worried about knitting dark-colored yarns that could stain the bamboo.
• Cable flexibility: The cables are flexible, but they feel a little less pliable compared to Chiaogoo’s red cables. However, it’s not enough to cause any issues during knitting.

Test Knitting Experience

After receiving the needles, I immediately knitted a few rows to get a feel for them. In this knitting needle review, I wanted to pay close attention to how bamboo feels compared to my steel options.

For the test, I cast on 15 stitches and knitted about 20 rows, trying out knit, purl, m1L, and m1R increases. Here’s what I noticed:

Lightweight

The CarryC bamboo needles feel incredibly light in my hands, noticeably lighter than my steel Chiaogoo needles. This made the knitting process feel more relaxed and less tiring, especially when working through multiple rows in one sitting. The reduced weight helped reduce the tension in my wrists and hands, which is something I hadn’t realized was affecting me before.

Cable Feel

While the CarryC cables are slightly less flexible compared to Chiaogoo’s red cables, the difference isn’t huge. The cables still move smoothly and are easy to work with when handling magic loop or circular knitting. Because the overall weight of the bamboo needles is lighter, it actually balances out the slightly stiffer cable, so the knitting still flows comfortably. I did notice a slight yarn snag where the silver connector meets the needle—it’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s a bit more noticeable compared to Chiaogoo.

Quiet Knitting

One of the unexpected bonuses was how quiet the knitting experience became. Steel needles usually make a faint clinking sound as you knit, especially during faster movements or when switching stitches. With the CarryC bamboo needles, the sound is muted to almost nothing. It creates a softer, almost calming experience, which is especially nice when knitting in the evenings or while watching TV.

Perfect 4-inch Fit

I wasn’t sure how much difference one inch could make, but the 4-inch CarryC needles fit my hands perfectly. They feel much more ergonomic compared to the 5-inch tips I had used previously. The shorter length makes it easier for me to maneuver the needles without feeling like I have to overextend my fingers. It’s a more natural, relaxed position, which definitely helps during longer knitting sessions.

Scratch Resistance

Before starting, I had concerns about scratching the bamboo, especially since CarryC is known for using a softer bamboo material. However, after knitting about 20 rows and testing various stitches like m1L and m1R, I didn’t notice any scratches or dents on the surface. The needles have held up better than I expected, even with regular stitch manipulation and movement. I’ll continue monitoring, but so far, they seem durable enough for everyday use.

Tip Sharpness

If there’s one small area I would change, it would be the tip sharpness. CarryC’s tips are smooth and somewhat pointed, but they aren’t as sharp as my Chiaogoo steel tips. This became noticeable when performing increases like m1L and m1R, where a sharper tip helps split the stitches cleanly. The tips on CarryC are still very usable and pleasant, but if you prefer very sharp tips for techniques like lace knitting or intricate stitch patterns, you might find them a little too soft. Knowing this now, I’m considering trying Hiyahiya or Chiaogoo Bamboo next time for projects where a sharper point would make a difference.

CarryC Knitting Needle Review: Would I Recommend CarryC Needles?

Switching from steel to bamboo needles has been an eye-opening experience. If you’re looking for the best bamboo knitting needles for slippery yarn, CarryC offers a smooth, comfortable option—especially if you can find them on sale like I did.

While there are minor considerations like the printed labels and slightly rounder tips, the overall knitting experience has been excellent. I plan to use these primarily with lighter-colored yarns to avoid staining. For those looking for a quieter, softer knitting experience with easy cable connections, CarryC is definitely worth trying.

As I continue knitting more projects, I’ll keep an eye on how the printed labels and bamboo durability hold up over time. In the future, I might explore Hiyahiya or Chiaogoo Bamboo to satisfy my preference for sharper tips, but for now, I’m very happy with my CarryC needles.

If you’re thinking about switching from steel to bamboo, especially to reduce hand fatigue, I highly recommend giving CarryC a try. You might be surprised at how much difference the material can make in your knitting comfort.