- Support Your Local Knitting Shops!
- Ordering Information
- Ordering Extra Parts
- Different Cord Lengths
- How is everything in the Denise kit organized?
- Are other hooks and needles available besides what’s in the kit?
- A few notes on US needle sizing:
- Airline Safe
- Warranty Information and Problems
“Support Your Local Knitting Shops!”
Where can I find Denise needles near me?
- Take a look at our shop list to find a yarn shop near you that carries Denise needles. If your local shops are not listed and you get a chance, please bring your kit in to show it to them. We’d appreciate it immensely – and so would other knitters in your area!
Ordering Information
- There are a few ordering options. One is to order online using Visa or MasterCard. You can also print an order form by clicking here. You can mail the printed form to us with your credit card information or a check or money order made out to Denise Interchangeable Knitting Needles. You can also fax the form back to us. Our address and fax number are on the order form. If you’d prefer to order by phone you can call us at 888-831-8042. Our phone hours are 10:30am-4:30pm eastern time, but we do go out for errands sometimes, so if you don’t catch us, please leave a message with your phone number and what time zone you’re in so we can phone you back as soon as possible (and at a reasonable hour!).
When will my order be shipped?
- We will generally ship your order one business day after receiving it; we are closed for major holidays and weekends. If you need to ask a question about your order, please contact us by e-mail or phone (888-831-8042) with the following information: name the order was placed under, when and how the order was placed, and name and address shipped to if different from ordering name and address.
Ordering Extra Parts
- Looking at those gleaming rows of needles and neatly placed cords it’s easy to think, “What more could anyone possibly need?” Having a Denise kit is like having a wonderful toolbox full of possibilities…such as having more than one (or two, or three) projects going at the same time. Ah, but we are knitters! It’s impossible to have too many parts unless they are the wrong parts. Get to know your kit and you may find you use one particular needle size more often than the others, or two cord lengths, or you may have so many projects going you need more end buttons to hold projects safe while they’re stashed in a basket waiting for that opportune moment. OR you may be interested in something new, like the #17 and #19 needles, or long cords (30," 40" or 52") in either the regular blue cording or our new pink cords to raise funds for breast cancer research.
- You can order online with a Visa or MasterCard, or you can download our printable order form. If you are unable to print the form, please write us a note with a list of the parts you’d like to order and enclose a check made out to Denise Interchangeable for the proper amount (remember to add 5% sales tax if you’re in Virginia). Shipping to either the US or Canada is $2.50; shipping to anywhere else is $3.50. Our address is 1618 Miller School Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22903.
Will new parts work with an old kit?
- All of the new parts are completely interchangeable with the old. We have changed the colors and some of the materials, but all new and old parts will work together. If you have a kit that was made by the previous manufacturer and have ever had problems with the larger needle sizes being a bit loose on the cords, we have retooled the molds and the 11s, 13s, and 15s are now as tight as the smaller sizes. Needles are available for $4.50 per pair (see above for ordering information).
I’ve lost only one needle—do I need to order a pair?
- No! For simplicity’s sake, the website is set up to only accept orders for a pair of needles. If you’ve lost half of a pair, please use our printable form. On the form, where we have written a pair of needles for $4.50, please just cross that out, indicate that you only need one needle, and write in $2.25 instead. Or feel free to call us at 888-831-8042. We’re always glad to take custom orders over the phone.
I’ve lost the instructions that came with my kit.
- The current version of the instructional insert that comes with the kit is available for viewing, downloading, and printing at our downloads page.
Different Cord Lengths
- The new 9" cord is now being included in the kit! We had so many requests for this length that we did some research. With the length of the needle heads, a 16” circular doesn’t quite work, but a 17” works beautifully. If you have an older kit and would like to get a 9" cord, all of the cord lengths now in the kit are $2.50 each, plus shipping and handling. If you’d like to order one, you can order online or use our printable form.
- The new longer cords are now available! For all the knitters of afghans and one-piece sweaters and large garments and Christmas tree skirts and whatever else you can imagine to knit on very long cords, we have now added two new cord lengths to our stash. They are so long they won’t fit in the case, but because they’re so flexible, they should curl up nicely in your knitting bag. The new lengths are 30," 40” and 52.” With the needle heads attached, these make 38," 48” and 60” circulars. To order, please check with your local knitting shop. If they don’t carry the long cords, you can order online or write us a note saying which length(s) you’d like and enclose a check made out to Denise Interchangeable and mail it to 1618 Miller School Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22903. The new long cords are $6.50 each plus shipping and handling. There is also a printable form available.
How is everything in the Denise kit organized?
- A place for everything and everything in it's place!
Where do all the cords fit in the case?
- Have half the parts of your kit wandered off for various projects? Want to get everything back where it belongs? Here is a diagram showing where everything in the case goes.
Are other hooks and needles available besides what’s in the kit?
Will smaller needle sizes ever be available?
- We wish the answer to this question were yes, since we’d like some ourselves, but unfortunately we have to say “NO.” The unique locking system that helps make Denise needles so enjoyable to use requires a diameter no smaller than the size 5 needles to maintain its strength. Sorry!
Will larger needle sizes ever be available?
- The new #17 and #19 needles are here! Spread the word to your local knitting shops if they don’t already have the new needles, or order here. Happy knitting!
What about interchangeable crochet hooks?
- After many, many requests over the years, we’re very happy to say that interchangeable crochet hooks are now available! We think they’ll be just great for knitting purposes like picking up stitches for a neckline or button band, and perfect for Tunisian/Afghan or double-ended crochet. We hope they’ll also bridge the gap between knitting and crochet – add crochet to your knitting or knitting to your crochet (the Japanese do it all the time!). The crochet hooks use the same connecting device as the current Denise kit, so the hooks will be completely compatible with all of our cords and visa versa. More information is here
A few notes on US needle sizing:
Why are my new needles a different size than my old ones?
- The Denise kit dates to the early ’70s. Its needles were originally sized to the Boye US sizing standard, which was the dominant sizing standard at that time. Over the years certain US sizes have grown slightly larger. In 2007 we resized our #9, #10, #10.5, and #11 needles to be more inline with current standards. They are now sized to exact metric dimensions which are the same no matter the country or the manufacturer. We hope more companies will follow suit, as there is still no definitive system for US numerical needle sizing—in fact the original US number sizing for knitting needles is based on piano wire and has varied over the years. So if you buy a new kit—or a new pair of one of those needle sizes—the needles will be slightly larger than an older pair of the same size. Again, this only applies to the #9, #10, #10.5, and #11 needles. The older, smaller versions of those sizes are no longer available.
Why do my needles not fit properly in my needle gauge?
- There are minor discrepancies between the needle dimensions that different companies produce. This is why knitting books and teachers recommend sticking with the same needles for an entire project, or doing a gauge swatch with new needles before switching mid-stride. This is also true of needle gauges. Needle gauges from Company A will be a perfect match for Company A’s needles but Company B’s needles might be a little too tight or loose in the same gauge. Further confusing things, as stated above, is that the US numerical sizing standards have changed over the years. A needle gauge that is 20 years old will most likely disagree with a needle gauge that is brand new.
Airline Safe
Are these needles really airline safe? Why?
- Yes, Denise needles are safe to take on flights. Because the needle heads are plastic and slightly shorter than a pen, they pose no threat. We do suggest that you pack the kit itself in your luggage if you plan to knit on your trip and only take the parts you’ll need for the flight as carry-on since, as one friend commented when looking for the first time at an open kit, “this thing looks surgical!” The uninitiated may be slightly suspicious.
- A second recommendation is that you take along an extra pair of end buttons. When you’re ready to go through the x-ray portion of security, remove the needle heads from your knitting and place them with your pens and pencils. Put the end buttons on the cords to secure your knitting, and through you go. (We say this as an extra precaution, but we just take our knitting through “as is” and haven’t had trouble yet or heard of any from our customers.) Then enjoy your knitting while you sit and wait for your flight and all during flying time. Easy. This is how life should be.
- (Post Script as of Jan. 2008)…The TSA has now decided knitting needles aren’t such a big threat after all! Hooray! However, they give TSA screeners the option to say whether the needles look like a potential weapon or not, and to confiscate them. Here’s a link to their statement. It might be a good idea to print a copy and carry it with you when flying in case you run into a screener who doesn’t know the official stance.
Warranty Information and Problems
- The lifetime guarantee covers all knitting parts on the new kits for normal knitting use. This means if something breaks without you sitting on it or your dog or cat chewing on it (and dogs and cats do seem to like doing this), we will replace the part. If a part is not working correctly, please let us know about it. Manufacturing problems can occur, and we are grateful for any feedback to let us know what needs fixing.
- The guarantee does not cover the older kits (white needles, sky blue cords), but spare parts are available and quite affordable. You can order online, or use our printable form. The warranty does not cover the case unless it arrives to you damaged. If this happens, please phone us with your receipt number and let us know what the damage is.
What do I do if I have a problem with one of my knitting parts?
- Please put the problem part in an envelope (small padded ones are best, but if you’d prefer to use a regular envelope, please wrap the part securely in strong paper first so it does not pop through the paper and disappear) with $1 to cover shipping and mail it to us at Denise Interchangeable Knitting Needles, 1618 Miller School Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22903. Please put in a short note explaining why you’re returning the part (though in most cases it’ll be pretty evident). If you have any questions regarding problem parts, please contact us us with the following information: when you got your kit, what the problem is, and specifically which parts the problem is occurring with (i.e. needle size, cord length, etc.). We may have questions for you, so if you phone, please have your kit handy.
What can I do if there’s roughness on one of the parts?
- Sometimes as a result of the plastics manufacturing process there can be small rough spots on the needle or connecting tips. We’re continuing to work with our manufacturer on making this a less frequent occurrence, but if you do find roughness on any of the parts, there’s a very simple solution. If you have a fingernail buffing board around, that works wonderfully to smooth any roughness without damaging the part. If you do not have a buffing board, a fine piece of sandpaper (600 grit) does a great job.
How long do I have to return my kit if I’m not happy with it?
- If you place an order directly from us, we have a 30-day return policy—no questions asked. Feel free to try things out for that length of time, and if you are not completely satisfied, please return your order to us, along with the receipt, for a full and prompt refund of the purchase price, less shipping.