What’s New from ChiaoGoo – and What I Actually Use Every Day
If you have been knitting for a while, you will know that new tools come along all the time, but only some of them earn a place in your everyday knitting. ChiaoGoo have long been a staple in my own toolkit, so when they released the new Quads needles and swivel adapters, I was interested not just in what was new, but in how these pieces would fit alongside the ChiaoGoo sets I already use daily.
I wanted to share a little about these new releases, and also how they sit alongside the ChiaoGoo tools I genuinely reach for every day.
My everyday needles: the ChiaoGoo Complete 4″ Set
The ChiaoGoo Complete 4 inch interchangeable set is the one I reach for most often. It lives permanently within arm’s reach and gets used across almost all of my garment knitting. Right now, I have the Port Sweater by Ozetta on my needles, and it’s been a good reminder of why I keep coming back to this set: long stretches of plain stockinette absolutely fly by on my ChiaoGoos!
The shorter 4″ tips strike the right balance for me. They are compact enough to stay comfortable over longer knitting sessions, but still feel stable when working flat or in the round. With projects like this, where you spend a lot of time simply knitting, the smooth stainless steel tips and reliably flexible red cables make the process feel effortless rather than fussy.
Where the Shorties really shine
Alongside my main set, I also own all three ChiaoGoo Shorties sets, and they are invaluable for smaller-circumference work. Sleeves, mittens, cuffs, and hats are where these really come into their own. Being able to knit small rounds without magic loop or double-pointed needles makes these projects feel calmer and more controlled.
If you knit garments regularly, especially top-down sweaters, the Shorties are one of those tools you don’t realise you need until you have them... and then you wonder how you managed without them!
Introducing ChiaoGoo Quads
The new ChiaoGoo Quads build on everything that works well in the existing ChiaoGoo system, but with a subtle and thoughtful change: a square needle profile with gently rounded edges.
In use, the difference is noticeable but not jarring. The flat sides give a more secure, stable grip, which can reduce how tightly you hold the needles. The tips retain the same stainless steel finish, precision shaping, and yarn glide as standard ChiaoGoo needles, so stitch definition remains excellent.
Quads are fully compatible with existing ChiaoGoo cables, which makes them easy to integrate into an established setup rather than requiring a completely new system.
Swivel adapters – especially useful with Quads
The ChiaoGoo swivel adapters are a small accessory that make a surprisingly big difference, particularly when used with the Quads. The adapter sits between the needle tip and the cable, allowing the needle to rotate independently as you work.
With the square profile of the Quads encouraging a slightly firmer, more stable grip, the swivel adapter helps prevent that grip from translating into cable twist. Used together, the Quads and swivel adapters noticeably reduce resistance at the join and minimise cable torque, which is especially helpful on larger projects or during longer knitting sessions.
They are also useful more generally for knitters who find cables twisting as they work, or who want a smoother, more relaxed flow when knitting in the round.
Final thoughts
What I appreciate most about ChiaoGoo as a brand is the consistency. Whether it is the Complete set I use daily, the Shorties I rely on for sleeves and mittens, or newer additions like the Quads and swivel adapters, everything feels well-engineered and designed for real knitting.
The Quads offer a slightly different feel without compromising on performance, and the swivel adapters are a small addition that make a noticeable difference, particularly when used together. These are not tools I keep “for best”, but ones that have genuinely earned a place in my everyday knitting.
If you’re curious to explore ChiaoGoo for yourself, you can find the range I currently stock here:
https://velvetbramble.co.uk/collections/chiaogoo
I’m continuing to expand the ChiaoGoo range as the shop grows, focusing on the tools and accessories that genuinely add value to a knitting toolkit rather than stocking everything for the sake of it. If there’s something you love from ChiaoGoo that you’d like to see here in future, I’m always happy to hear suggestions.
If this is your first order with Velvet Bramble, you can also use the code VELVET10 for 10% off at checkout.