Using these KnitPro needles is easy. Just thread your yarn through the cable and start knitting as you normally would. The marked cables can help you measure your work. When using for lace knitting, take advantage of the stainless - steel lace tips for precise stitches. As for maintenance, keep them clean and dry. Avoid bending the cables too forcefully to maintain their smoothness. If the needles get dirty, you can gently wipe them with a soft cloth. And don't worry about the new packaging; the quality of these tools is as good as ever.