Tulip VS Prym knitting mill, which i-cord maker is best for Tricotin?

Bonjour!

If you’re wondering which knitting mill is better — the Tulip or the Prym — you’re not alone. I get this question all the time on Instagram. After years of using the Tulip, I finally bought the Prym to test it out.

Both are popular for making knitted i-cords (also called tricotin), and both are working well, but.... I prefer the Tulip!

Please note: This post is not sponsored! I bought both mills myself, and this review is based entirely on my own experience.

Here’s my full comparison so you can decide which one is right for you:

Do Tulip and Prym knitting mills produce the same i-cord?

Yes! Both knitting mills produce the exact same style of i-cord. I didn’t see any difference in thickness, tension, or appearance. So if you’re only looking at the final result, they’re equal.

Yarn guide design, a small but important difference:

The Tulip has a closed kind of 'bridge' to guide the yarn, while the Prym uses a half-open one. The Prym’s design makes threading the yarn easier so that is great! But, it doesn’t hold it in place as securely! That means the yarn can pop out while knitting…Personally, I find that a bit frustrating and annoying even if it's not a big deal...

Handle length and wrist movement:

The Prym’s handle is slightly longer than the Tulip’s, which means you make a bigger wrist movement when turning it. This might not bother you at all but I prefer the compact movement of the Tulip. It just feels quicker and smoother in my hands. But maybe it’s just a matter of habit…

Desk clamp or handheld – which is better?

One unique feature of the Prym knitting mill is that you can clamp it to your desk. That is the main reason I wanted to buy it! This sounded so great in theory, but I found it restricted my movement. I actually prefer holding the mill in one hand and turning the handle with the other so I can knit anywhere. I didn’t like the feeling of being stuck at my desk… I like being able to walk to open the door for my cat while knitting!

The clamp gave me a “free” hand, but since it was my left hand, it wasn’t as useful as I thought it would be 😅.

But because I didn't particulary like this feature means you won't!

Tension weight:

Both mills come with a tension weight to hang or attach to the icord. The Tulip’s weight is well-designed, easy to attach, and works perfectly. The Prym’s weight is hard to attach and move and less effective. Of course, if you’ve never used the Tulip, you might not notice the difference, but once you try it, you’ll see why I prefer it.

Price:

Both knitting mills are priced quite similarly, so cost isn’t really a big deciding factor here.

My honest verdict – Tulip vs Prym

I sold my Prym on Marketplace after just one day 😅. If you’re buying your first knitting mill, I’d go with the Tulip 100%. But if you already own and love your Prym, there’s no urgent reason to replace it  as it still produces a great i-cord!

Extra Tip: Avoid super cheap knitting mills from sites like Temu, Shein, or even some options on Amazon. They jam a lot and usually don’t last! You might get a month of use before they break. Trust me, I’ve tried them myself! If you’re going to invest in a knitting mill, it’s worth going straight for a Prym or Tulip to save money, frustration, and time!

Where to Buy:

If you’re ready to get started, you can find the knitting mills I recommend here:

• Tulip Knitting Mill – my personal favorite for smooth, easy i-cord knitting.

• Prym Knitting Mill – great if you like a desk clamp option and longer handle.

These are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly use and love!

Voilà! That’s my honest side-by-side review of the Tulip vs Prym knitting mills for tricotin. I hope this helps you make your decision!

Tell me in the comments which one you use and if you agree (or disagree!) with me! I am curious to get your point of view.

xx Lucie

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If you want to see the exact knitting mills, yarn, and tools I use? You can find them all on my 'learn page'.

If you’re ready to start making beautiful knitted names and shapes, check out my beginner-friendly templates!