ChiaoGoo Shorties Explained: Are They Worth It?
I find it much easier to buy yarn for the next beautiful project I’m dreaming of than to invest in the tools that will make knitting with that yarn a good experience. But as I started taking on a greater variety of projects, I quickly began to realize: what good is beautiful yarn if I don’t have the right tools to turn it into something? I wanted to be able to make whatever struck my fancy, and I didn’t want to be limited in the projects I could choose by what tools I had available. One of the best decisions I made as a new knitter was to purchase a set of ChiaoGoo interchangeable needles. The high quality interchangeable set is perfect for garments and accessories. As my confidence grew, so did my wish list of items to knit. I quickly learned that socks and toys are knit on smaller needles than were available in my set, so I invested in a set of double pointed needles.
With the launch of Maggie’s Cozy Sock Corner at the beginning of the year, I wanted this to be the year that I became comfortable with knitting socks. My collection of sock yarn has been sitting in my stash quietly judging me for not knitting with it. I struggled through a pair on DPNs and my first colorwork pair using magic loop. I have knit socks and sleeves using all the other small circumference methods: DPNs, magic loop, and two long circulars. With each method, I have gotten frustrated with constantly shifting needles and rearranging yarn and cords. I started hearing about shorties and how amazing they are for knitting small circumferences in the round. I was intrigued, but skeptical. Did I really need yet another set of needles? Shouldn’t I just make do with the tools I already have?
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After hearing many glowing endorsements in knitting videos and in The Woolly Thistle’s Facebook group, I decided to take the plunge, and I’m so glad I did. My shortie needle sets have become my favorite for knitting small circumferences and have an honored spot in my project bag. Keep reading if you’re curious whether shorties are something you should add to your toolkit.
ChiaoGoo Shorties Explained: Are They Worth It?
Do you ever wish you didn’t need to slow down to manage moving your work between needles while using DPNs or Magic Loop when knitting socks or other accessories? Have you ever found yourself frustrated with trying to maintain consistent tension across the needle changes in your small circumference knitting? Are your other needles and longer cords tied up in bigger projects, but you’re really itching to cast on a hat or socks? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, you may want to consider adding ChiaoGoo Shorties to your bag of knitting tools.
What Are ChiaoGoo Shorties?
ChiaoGoo Shorties are specialized knitting needles created to make small circumferences easy to knit. Standard interchangeable sets typically have 4-inch or 5-inch needle tips and come with longer cords. Shortie sets come with everything you need to accommodate small circumference knitting. They are the perfect tool for items such as socks, hats, sweater sleeves and necklines, and much more.
Available Sizes and Sets
Shorties can be purchased in individual sizes, US 1 (2.25mm) through US 8 (5mm), as 2" & 3" Twist Short Combo Sets, and as multi-size interchangeable twist sets, which come in three sizes: 2" & 3" TWIST Mini/Shortie Set - US 0-3 (2mm-3.25mm), 2" & 3" TWIST Small/Shortie Set - US 4-8 (3.5-5mm), and 3" TWIST Large/Shortie Set - US 9-11 (5.5-8mm).
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The 2" & 3" TWIST Mini and Small sets come with everything you need to make knitting small circumferences in the round a breeze:
- 2-inch and 3-inch needle tips for each size
- Short interchangeable cables (5", 6", and 8")
- Tightening keys
- 2 cord connectors
- ChiaoGoo red heart gripper
- Stitch markers
- Mini needle gauge
- End stoppers
- A small nylon pouch to keep things neat and tidy in your bag
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The 3" Twist Large set is perfect for your worsted and aran weight hats and sweater sleeves and cuffs and includes:
- 3-inch needle tips for each size
- 3 large silver SWIV360 cables (two 6" and one 8"), the same type as the TWIST cables but with a swivel on the end for easy knitting
- Tightening keys
- 2 cord connectors
- ChiaoGoo red heart gripper
- Stitch markers
- Mini needle gauge ruler
- End stoppers
- A yellow pouch to keep things neat and tidy in your bag
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Best Uses for Shorties
Shorties are great for a variety of projects including hats, sleeve cuffs, socks, mittens, children’s garments, and toys. Using the longest cord in the set and the 3" tips is perfect for hats. As you begin the crown decreases, you can transition to shorter tips and cords to keep knitting smoothly. When one length gets too long, just change out your tips and/or cord and keep knitting. The smallest cord and 2" tips are great for socks and mittens. Sleeves also go quickly on shorties whether you’re knitting them top down or cuff up.
One unexpected use for shorties is an easy, flexible stitch saver when working on knitted creatures from Mouche and Friends and Chez Myrtil. It is super easy to move saved stitches from DPNs onto your shortie needle, work an arm or a leg, and then put the stitches back on your working needles to move onto the next step.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Shorties allow you to knit uninterrupted by needle changes and cords. Shorties improve colorwork tension and float consistency because you don’t need to carry floats across needle changes. No more dropping DPNs between the couch cushions or pausing to pull the cord through on magic loop. Just keep knitting!
Cons: Shorties do have a bit of a learning curve as you learn how to hold the short tips comfortably. Some knitters can have hand or wrist pain as they begin using them as they figure out the best grip and hand position. Just like with any new technique, starting slow and building stamina helps alleviate these problems.
Shorties vs Magic Loop
Although no method is objectively better, knitters certainly have their favorite methods for small circumference projects. Some knitters prefer magic loop because it works for any circumference and it only requires one interchangeable set. Knitters who prefer shorties often mention they find a rhythm and just keep knitting; no extra cable bulk to manage; and a more traditional circular knitting experience.
Who Should Buy Them?
Shorties are best for people who do a lot of small circumference knitting whether it be sweater sleeves, socks, hats, or mittens. Anyone who finds themselves disliking DPNs or magic loop would benefit from trying out shorties. If you want to give them a try before investing in a full set, you can get a 2" & 3" Twist Short Combo Set in a size you use frequently.
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One TWT customer wrote:
“I own multiple brands and styles of interchangeable needles…you name it, I have got it! I have really upped my knitting game this year and I hate using double pointed needles. My daughter gave me a gift card for Christmas so I treated myself this set of shorties. THE CHIAOGOO ARE PERFECT for sleeves and socks! The join is incredibly smooth. I used them for mohair (a real test!) and not one snag! Both the cable and the tip have a tightening hole for the tightest join possible. I love them so much I bought the 4-9 collection.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What projects are ChiaoGoo Shorties best for?
The Twist Shortie sets work well for hats, hat crowns, sleeves, mittens, socks, and baby garments.
Are ChiaoGoo Shorties good for knitting sleeves?
ChiaoGoo Shorties are ideal for knitting sleeves both top down and bottom up. The three-inch tips and longer cable are perfect for the arm join, and you can change out the cord as you decrease until you finish off the cuffs with the two-inch tips and shortest cord.
Can you knit socks with ChiaoGoo Shorties?
ChiaoGoo Shorties are perfect for knitting socks. Fingering, sport, and DK weight socks can be knit using the 2" & 3" TWIST Mini/Shortie Set - US 0-3 (2mm-3.25mm) (opens in new tab) in the red bag. However, if you knit mostly worsted socks (or you are a loose knitter knitting DK socks), the 2" & 3" TWIST Small/Shortie Set - US 4-8 (3.5-5mm) (opens in new tab) in the blue bag would be the right choice for you.
What sizes are available in ChiaoGoo Shorties sets?
The ChiaoGoo Shorties sets come in three different sizes: Mini, Small, and Large. This helpful table breaks down what is in each set.
| Set | Material | Tip length | Tip size | Cord length | Cord size | Twist or spin cords |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini Twist (Shortie) | Steel | 2" and 3" in all sizes | US 0, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 | 5", 6", and 8" | Mini | Twist |
| Small Twist (Shortie) | Steel | 2" and 3" in all sizes | US 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 | 5", 6", and 8" | Small | Twist |
| Large Twist (Shortie) | Steel | 3" | US 9, 10, 10.5, 11 | 6" (2) and 8" | Large | Spin |
What's the difference between the blue and red ChiaoGoo Shorties sets?
The red set has the mini cords and contains US size 0, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3. The blue set has the small cords and contains US size 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. It is important to note that the cables from these two sets are not compatible. Depending on what weight of yarn you usually knit with, you may need one or both sets.
Are ChiaoGoo Shorties better than magic loop?
No method of small circumference knitting is better than another. Some people are perfectly happy with magic loop. However, if you find yourself frustrated with magic loop knitting, you may want to give shorties a try!
Do ChiaoGoo Shorties work with regular ChiaoGoo cables?
The Mini Twist Shortie set is compatible with other ChiaoGoo mini cables such as the 5" TWIST Interchangeable Needle Set Red Lace Mini US 000-1.5 (1.50mm-2.50mm). The Small Twist Shortie set is compatible with the US 2-US 8 needles that use the ChiaoGoo small cables in the 4" TWIST Interchangeable Needle Set Red Lace Complete Set US 2-15 (2.75mm-10.00mm) and the 5" TWIST Interchangeable Needle Set Red Lace Complete Set US 2-15, and with all the needles in the 4" TWIST Interchangeable Needle Set Red Lace Small US 2-8 (2.75mm-5.00mm) and the 5" TWIST Interchangeable Needle Set Red Lace Small US 2-8 (2.75mm-5.00mm). The Large Twist Shortie set is compatible with both the 4" and 5" Large Twist sets.
Final Thoughts
If you have been struggling with your small circumference knitting but are still unsure whether shorties are the right choice for you, pop over to The Woolly Thistle’s Facebook group and search for shorties. You’ll find many knitters’ real-life experiences with this special knitting tool.
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