Thank you all soooo very much, this has been really helpful, and I have decided to bite the bullet, and invest in the Chiaogoos...
This is because, I received my first new set of needles yesterday - the KnitPro Basics, and they are lovely. They feel really nice, despite being the cheapest, but the problem is still there, and it's the cable end of the join which seems to be the problem... not the needles (I should have checked it out better!)
I have a couple more needles coming, and I think I'll keep them, but them, I'll start making a list of the Chiaogoos I need. No sense in buying a set, when there are needles in there I'll never use. I may as well take some time, and have a look at what I have, and what I use most.
I will report back... :thumbsup:
Jessie