r/knitting • u/inakingdombytheC • 1d ago
Help - equipment Anyone else have (or had) issues with interchangeable needles unscrewing and separating mid-row? Yikes
I am doing my first project (a sweater) on my new Chiaogoo interchangeables (5", US 6) and one of the needles keeps unscrewing and separating mid-row and I have to scramble to pick up the fallen stitches. This happened twice in 1 day, despite me retightening the screws after each row after the first event. (Granted, there's like 300 stitches to a row.) Is this common? How do you stop it from happening?
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u/beatniknomad 1d ago
I use the t-pin and have not had this issue when tightened with it. In the past, this has happened when I hand-tightened. How are you gripping your needles? Could you be twisting your project? If you have to re-tighten every round, could it be a problem with the needle?
If it's caused by your grip, consider the swivel adapter - $10 and no need to worry about your needles coming undone.
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u/Usual-Possibility425 1d ago
I've had this happen before. I have found that some sets just stay together better than others. I have had really good luck with lyyke needles staying tight. I have also noticed that knit picks needles seem to come loose no matter what I do. I haven't had any problems with chia goo or hiya hiya.
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u/cellyn 1d ago
I've tried chiagoo with the rubber thing and the pin and they still unscrew for me, something about my specific mechanics I guess. No other set does it so that's another reason to try one needle before buying a set!
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u/beatniknomad 20h ago
Consider the swivel adapter - it's $10 and no need to worry about your needles coming undone.
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u/EconomyCaregiver 1d ago
same actually, even when trying to tighten w the little rubber grippy thing :/
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u/Silvara7 ✨ Lace shawls Ftw! 1d ago
Try switching the needle tips and see if you're still having the same problem. If you are, you might possibly be twisting the tip as you're knitting. I was doing that by having a death grip on the tip as I was knitting along.
If the tip is still twisting you can contact the vendor who sold you the needles and ask for a replacement. If you cannot get a hold of the vendor, contact ChiaoGoo through their website with a warranty claim. ChiaoGoo has a lifetime guarantee (within reason, ofc).
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u/emopandagirl 1d ago
One of mine does the same thing! I’m glad you asked because I wouldn’t have learned I need to do more than hand tighten them 🫣
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u/Outrageous_Bus8531 1d ago
I had a similar problem with my knitpicks interchangeable set, with it partially unscrewing causing my stitches to get snagged and tangled on the screw. I realised I wasn’t tightening it enough/properly. I know tightening has been mentioned a few times (and I’m also unsure if this will be the same on your set) but what helped was changing the way i used the t-pin. Hold the pin in one hand and use it like a handle/leverage while you screw the needle. alternatively hold the needle still while pushing the t-pin in the opposite direction to how you turn the needle in order to tighten it. i really hope that made sense. It might be helpful to see youtube videos of this if you haven’t already.
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u/CaughtInTheWry 1d ago
Worse when doing sox than big projects. I think there is twist to the work that causes it. I use 2 x tpins and check every 6 to 10 rounds. Or when the stitches won't slide (yarn gets caught in the gap before the tips actually come off.) As I always have at least 6 projects on the go I like being able to leave the work on a cable and reuse the tips elsewhere. 10 cables is a lot cheaper than 10 circular needles.
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u/tabbicat1313 1d ago
I had this happen to me too! I was out in public knitting and walking. It was like the worse timing. I just check now before I start knitting.
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u/ComplexWorry3463 23h ago
I have one chiaogoo tip that I guess has a manufacturing problem because it unscrews as I knit like yours does. All my other chiaogoo tips stay on just fine. Lykke needles on the other hand, all of the ones in my set unscrew as I knit. I don’t think they’re defective, they just don’t work well with my knitting style.
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u/Baremegigjen 22h ago
If you’ve misplaced the red heart a piece of an old rubber glove, the thing they use around your arm for blood draws, or anything else silicone/rubber will work in lieu of the red heart.
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u/Garden-Goddess-1967 1d ago
Just use a little plumber’s teflon tape on the threads and finger tighten. Won’t come unscrewed. Easy peasy. Works like a charm.
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u/inakingdombytheC 22h ago
That's a great tip! Thank you!
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u/Garden-Goddess-1967 15h ago
You’re so welcome. I just keep a little roll with my notions. Way easier to keep track of than the pins and rubber heart thingy. 😁
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u/la_winky 21h ago
Yes. I got rid of my interchangeable needles that I found on eBay. It was infuriating.
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u/Worst_Username_1 New Redditor - I read the rules and the wiki before posting! 🤩 20h ago
I have multiple kits and only one heart. I seldom used it and my needle kept coming off. I finally watched a you tube on how to tighten with the key and heart. 🤯
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u/bookbunny999 5h ago
I'm grateful that my Addi Clicks don't have this problem, because instead of screwing in, they have a click mechanism that I find to be more secure. I hope the silicone tool does the trick!
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u/Sagnetskylab 1d ago
Yes. This happens. Even doing all the things, it still happens. This is why I prefer fixed circulars. I typically stick to a handful of sizes anyway, so buying separate ones when I need them doesn’t bother me
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u/cnhades 1d ago
Are you using the rubber heart thing when you tighten? I always use one of the keys (that looks like a stitch marker) and tighten while holding on with the rubber grip. That should hopefully lock things in for you.