Using Jimmy's SmartStix Double Pointed Needles is a breeze. Just start knitting your project as you normally would. The color - coded intervals on the needles make it easy to measure your work at any time. When measuring gauge, simply lay your work against the needle and count the stitches within an inch. For wraps per inch, wrap your yarn around the needle and see how many times it fits in an inch. As for maintenance, these needles are made of aluminum, so they're quite durable. Just keep them clean and dry. Avoid dropping them from a great height to prevent any bending. If they do get dirty, you can wipe them with a soft, dry cloth. And that's all you need to know to get the most out of your Jimmy's SmartStix!