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Darn Pretty™ Northern Light™ Interchangeable Needles

In 2003, Tom Diak developed our line of wood knitting needles crafted from exotic and domestic hardwoods and multi colored laminates. He began designing our interchangeable needles several years ago, which we brought out in January to amazing acclaim. He's done it again - with our Northern Light™ needles.

In our wood working, we have perfected a smooth, pointy taper without any annoying ridges or seams between the shaft of the needle and the taper. Removing this ridge results in yarn flowing smoothly off the tip of the needles, increasing the performance of the needle and, more importantly, the comfort of the knitter. The challenge was to bring this same taper to metal.

Tom researched a number of metals and manufacturing methods.  To create our tip, a hollow core needle just wouldn't do. We chose a solid aluminum needles, turned much as we turn our wood needles. We researched anodizing plants and found one in our own backyard that meets or exceeds all environmental standards. In fact, their environmental reviews put them at the top of the industry nation-wide. The dyes are organic based, with no heavy metals.

The finish on our needles is smooth, not slick. Hold a Northern Light™ needle in your hand for a moment and you realize the difference. The needles feel real, substantial. Remember the sound of knitting from your childhood? That swish? It’s here. And yes, the cables swivel and the tips will interchange with our Darn Pretty™ Wood Interchangeable Needles!

Now that Northern Light™ needles have been out there for a while and in use by hundreds of knitters, we have had discussions with the anodizing firm and learned more about the tipping.

Some people will experience tipping on the needles. This appears to happen with those knitters who really scrape the tip of one needle against the body of another needle. The tip will turn silver. We’ve examined these under a microscope, and there is no damage to or alteration of the arc of the tip. It does leave one with silver tips.

Some of these customers have also had “scratching.” This is also based on knitting style. The scratches are aluminum on top of the finish. These can be removed without damaging the finish by working with a coarse wool yarn.

Northern Light™ sets are offered in four solid colors (Mountain Mist, Marigold, Blueberry and Cranberry) and two combinations (all four colors or a Blueberry/Cranberry combination.)

UPDATE: 5/17/2012

The first run of the Mountain Mist needles has been completed and is being sorted and packed.

The color runs will begin in several days.