I've tried a variety of double-pointed needles, most of which I didn't really like that much. These are among my all-time favorites. They are easy to hold onto and manipulate, and they have the perfect point--sharp enough to easily pick up stitches with but not so sharp that you feel you're stabbing yourself when you have to push on the tip with a finger. They are laminated, so the surface is smooth, and the yarn glides across them, which is a benefit unless you're using a slick, silky yarn like rayon or silk in which case you might need a needle made of something with a bit more grab.
One of the reasons I wanted to try square needles is that they're said to give you much more uniform stitches. I found that to be true. They are also easy to use without tightly grasping the needles--also true. This means that you can relax a little more when you're knitting. I've read various reviews on square needles arguing that you need to go up a size or down a size to get the right gauge with them. I haven't done a scientific test yet, but my first impression is that my gauge is about right. I think your gauge will depend on whether you relax and hold the needles loosely, which you can with these needles, or knit the usual way.
As if all of this were not enough, these are really beautiful needles. The wood is gorgeous and enjoyable to look at, and the needles feel light without being too lightweight and flimsy. I love the feel of the wood, too. For me, these needles are just about perfect. The only complaint I have is that the markings indicating needle size are so faint that they will soon be gone, and then I'm not sure how I'll size them if they get separated from their packaging. As far as I know, no one has yet come up with a needle sizer for square needles. I would suggest either taking great care to make sure they get back into their packaging each time or finding a more durable way to mark the sizes on them. Other than that, I love these needles and will be buying lots more.
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