i need advice on ciruclars. i don't use them often enough to justify buying an interchangeable set, although i suppose if i bought a set i could justify it and use them more, right? but i've always been frustrated by either having the right size needle and not the right length, or the right length and wrong size needle. i was just rummaging through my collection of circulars (i sure have enough considering i don't use them ) and of course i don't have the right length. i am grrrr. it's so irritating! now i'm wondering about my understanding of the measurements. how are circulars measured? and why don't i have the right lengths ever ever??
mice, gritting teeth

Mice,
I have one of those interchangeable sets by Boye. It costs around $70, but if you get it at a Michael's or Joann store, a lot of times you can use their coupons for 25% or even 40% off the price. So that isn't so bad. I love my set. I actually own very few straight sets but several double-pointed sets.

maybe i should take the plunge? i still want to know if the lengths are changeable too? for some reason my brain is stuck on that more than the actual needle size. i have enough dpns to last me until..well, you know
mice

I use circulars and dpns exclusively any more. I find that having the straight needle wagging around under my arms is really a nuisance. Besides, it's really hard to lose one end of a circular. My biggest objection to them is that the join is not always as smooth as I would like. I got a set of Knitpicks Harmonies for Christmas last year and I have used them a lot. The join is pretty smooth and stable although the needle tip has threatened to come unscrewed a couple of times, the cords are very flexible and they are pretty. I have heard that Elizabeth Zimmerman claimed that all you really need for sizes is a 16" and a 24" in each diameter, but I'm not so sure about that. I keep mine coiled in ziplock bags labelled with the diameter and the length.

I've heard that the KnitPicks set is really nice, but have no idea if you get several sets of cords to attach to the needle points. I expect you do, but I know for sure you do with the Boye set. And there a two couplers so you can join the cords to make them even longer before you put the needle tips on them. The smallest you can go is around 14" (with the tips on) but I find unless you use the smaller diameter tips with the short cords you have trouble "bending" everything around to actually knit the stitches. So not super-duper for knitting in the round on say sleeves but great for hats and stuff. The needle tips range from size 2 up to, I think, size 13. I don't use the bigger sizes much, as you can guess. Maybe it's up to 15, but you can read the package to see. And KnitPicks has their set on their website so you could check those out as well. Maybe email them with questions you might have before you buy.

I highly recommend Knit Picks interchangeable needles. They are great with wonderful pointy tips which I love. I love the cable lengths, and the markers for needle size once you take the needles off and they have a piece you can place on the cable with the needle size of the project and end caps. At first I thought that was a bit over the top but I use them all the time. I would buy a set if you can and you will love them!

Just keep in mind that if you use smaller needles a lot (US 1's, 2's and 3's) the interchangeable sets don't go that small because of connection issues.

Although the long cable can be a hassle, I say when in doubt go for the longer length and plan to use Magic Loop for those smaller items that call for 16 inch circular needles.

I have Knit Picks Interchangable...I have the harmony wood ones....I was never a fan of circs for straight knitting but I find they are excellent to use. I would reccommend them to anyone.
Jody

thanks everyone. seems like there is a consensus on the KnitPicks needles. if we ever get a day off from snow shoveling so i can spend more than a little time on the computer, i will seriously consider them. it's so easy to order stuff online! books, yarn, Land's End? whatever you need
i do need to get my circs better organized and i think the ziploc bags are a good idea, especially if i am going to have different lengths to change. so now i have incentive to organize them. my straights are all arranged in a made for me needle holder wrap thing whatever it's called? it's fabric with needle pockets and i can roll it up. it did have a really nice scent for a while because my friend does a lot of baking and so it had the nicest aroma...

I very rarely use any of my straight needles either-I sold EZ a circular needle once -I think it was an 11 inch. she wanted it for socks. I wish I had photocopied the check, but at the time copiers weren't common and neither was her name. I'd loke to have some KnitPicks dpn's just because they are so pretty.

i'm still stewing but maybe it's because i went to pay our property taxes today? kind of puts the kabosh on more spending...i did use the directions i found (somewhere) on Ravelry to make a counting bracelet and i'm looking forward to using it as soon as Mr. Science (that would be the hubby)finishes it for me.
so i do have a new knitting item for the new year!!
Mice

i have new question about circulars..i have so many of them and yet i never have the right size, you know? but my question is about small diameter projects. I want to make the lacy cowl from Elann (have yarn, have pattern) but the needles i have seem really stiff and i'm wondering if i could use a longer circular instead? and just pull a loop out in the middle? because it has to be joined and i am afraid that the smaller circulars will not be easy to work with. It's supposed to be 144 stitches cast on. I can't see how that will fit..but maybe i should cast on the stitches on the larger circs and transfer them.
I want to make the cowl for a gift so i'm anxious for it too look nice.
any ideas?

if i Magic loop this, i am using two circulars, right? maybe i should look that up

Two circulars is two circulars. Magic Loop is using one long circular needle.

If I am working with needles that have a stiff cable, it can be a problem for the first few rows but as the weight of my project settles down, the stiffness of the cable is usually not a issue.

Stiff cables is a problem if you are trying to do Magic Loop because it is difficult to bend the cable and I feel like it stretches out the stitches where the cable is pulled out. Or if I am working flat and have a relatively few number of stitches. Then the stiff cable takes on a life of its own that I'm always fighting with.

I am very happy with my Denise interchangeables. The resin tips feel warm in my hands and the cords, while thicker and not as flexible as those on KnitPicks Options, do not kink. The best thing about them is the join where the tips meet the cord. It does not screw on like the Options or the Boye needles, but clicks into place and stays there. I have had nasty experiences with screw-on needles unscrewing in the middle of a row of lace, and have given up on them. The Denises are un-sexy and unexciting, but they are dependable old friends that I turn to again and again.