Pony, Slick Interchangeable Circular Needle Set Review
My name is Jane and I am a self-confessed knitting needle snob. During my knitting journey I have test driven LOTS of knitting needles. I have learned that I like slick, light weight needles that are not too sharp. Something else you should know, I LOVE interchangeable needles and knit almost exclusively on circular needles.
So when PONY reached out and asked if I would like to review their Slick Interchangeable Knitting needles set, they had me at slick. I have had these needles for 6 weeks now and have been happily knitting away with them, I feel at this point I have given them a decent test drive.
Let’s take a look at PONY’s blurb and I will give you my honest thoughts. Full disclosure, I have been gifted these needles for review (I have not been paid).
Flex Needles
“Flex needles are a cross between straight needles and circular needles, consisting of knitting needles with a flexible cord and stopper so that you can rest your work in your lap. The SLICK set enables you to make your own Flex needles using the beautiful brass knobs. Simply screw the knob onto the end of the cable and the needle turns into a flex needle in an instant.
The needle size is engraved discretely on the needle shank, like exquisite jewellery, and the polished finish assures that the stitches glide smoothly on both needle and cable.”
I routinely knit with light weight, hollow stainless steel circular needles. I was pleasantly surprised that although these needles are not hollow (great for those of us who are a little accident prone), they are reasonably light. The needle feels balanced and smooth in the hand. If like me you have hands the size of shovels, you are going to love the length (14 cm /5.5 in) of these tips. I find longer needles so much more comfortable to hold for long periods of time.
The needle tip is rounded, and I can happily use my index finger to push my stitches along without doing myself a mischief. Yet they are not too round, there was no splitting yarn at all whilst using these.
Each size is colour coded (great for not having to find my glasses to check). But they also have the size engraved on the shaft and I have to say they have done a great job of keeping it smooth!
GLYDON Joint
“The superior snag-free patented GLYDON joint along with the precision engineered screw mechanism provides a smooth transition onto the gently tapered needles. The PONY Patent Glydon is the unique connection between needle and cable ensures an ultra-smooth and snag-free knitting experience. The patented GLYDON joint gives PONY circulars their special look and makes them outstanding in quality.
The PONY high precision screw thread mechanism connects the shank to the extremely soft cable in one simple clockwise twist to form a tight and smooth joint. You don’t need any extra tools.”
The Glydon Joint is possibly my favourite join EVER on interchangeable needles. Simply screw the tip onto the cable and you are done! No tools, no tightening and they stay connected! The join is as smooth as they claim and in my opinion lives up to its name.
The cables themselves are just OK, they do the job, they do not curl up or ping back but they are just a little too stiff for my liking. I have so say that is just my preference. You get 3 sizes in the pack (two of each), which is great for flexibility. You also receive a set of stoppers, so if you need to put a project to one side and use those tips, simply remove the tips and attach the stoppers.
Smart Box
“The set comes in a smart compact box so you can store all the components neatly and find your needle size at a glance. It is perfect for travelling and for keeping everything safe and protected whilst not in use – PONY have thought of everything!”
The Box is a great concept, but sadly this is where I think the product falls short. I like the clever design, the top of the pack is a needle gauge (great idea). The cables and stoppers are stored just below and it is a bit of squeeze to get the cables back in once they have been used. But I am so disappointed in the packaging, it is plastic and not only that, it feels cheap and brittle. I believe that the original RRP for this set was £99 which I felt was massively overpriced. A quick google today and I can see that you can now purchase these for around £55 and at that price if you can forgive the packaging, I highly recommend you give these needles a whirl. They are perfect for throwing in your luggage when travelling!
The Set includes
- 9 pairs of interchangeable circulars in sizes in 3 / 3.5 / 4 / 4.5 / 5 / 5.5 / 6 / 6.5 and 7 mm
- 6 cables in lengths 60, 80 & 120 cm
- 2 stoppers for flexible knitting
- Storage with built-in needle gauge
