Knitting is itself magic as you create love, comfort, and all things wonderful. So, if you are new to knitting or have gained an upper hand in the art, or have expertise and experience of years, you are in the right place. We will be shining much-needed light on the topic of the magic loop and how to choose circular needles for the particular knitting method.
Magic loop like its name is a magical technique for knitting in round small circular projects without the use of double pointed needles. This particular method requires circular needles and not just any, but one that keeps you comfortable at every step of the knitting project.
When it comes to knitting tools, there’s no one tool that suits all. It takes a bit of experimentation to figure out your perfect pair of circular knitting needles. But there are a few points that you can keep in mind when choosing the absolute best needles for the magic loop.
So, here we are with our tips when it comes to choosing the best circular needles.
1. Needle material
Every knitter has a preferred material when it comes to their needles. Some prefer stainless steel or metal to move stitches around easily, while some prefer wood or bamboo so that stitches don’t slip around much; and some prefer plastic or carbon for the vibrant shades and their comforts. Specially designed cubic knitting needles in different materials are ideal for better grip for knitters who face health issues that impact their hands and wrist. Choosing a particular knitting needle material depends on your preference and there is no right or wrong to it.
It just takes a bit of trial and error to figure out which circular knitting needle you like best. In fact, the needle material you love for the magic loop might even be different from your usual favourite.
2. Cable flexibility
Before you use circular needles for the magic loop, understand the cables that connect the needles. The cable connects one tip of your circular needle to the other. So, before you start your knitting, test the cable flexibility. Bend the cable back and forth and look at the thickness too. Is the cable ready to bend to your will or has it a mind of your own? Is the cable bulky or light?
Go for materials that will be adjustable or at least can be made so with warm water and some balanced heat. The best option though will be to choose memory-free cords in flexible materials. There is also a range of KnitPro Smartstix circular needles and cables with laser marking at 2cm intervals, so you can measure your projects on the go.
3. Cable length
The cable length of circular knitting needles is very important to be understood when you knit a project using the magic loop. The length of a cable totally depends on the knitter’s preference and comfort.
A long cable that’s 36″ or even 48″ long is a good choice whether it’s a small sock or a sweater neck. Any long cable is perfect for a magic loop on any project. But sometimes too much cable length can be annoying as you’re pulling the needles back and forth.
However, if you’re mostly knitting smaller projects, you might opt for a smaller length like 20″ or 32″. Shorter cables will save some time.
If you’re planning to knit using the technique of magic loop frequently, it’s best to invest in an Interchangeable Knitting Needles Set. These needles sets come with different needle sizes, cable lengths, and other accessories. You can anytime choose the best length based on each individual project and even switch the cables according to your comfort.
4. The join between the cable and needle
Lastly, when choosing needles for a magic loop, it's important to choose a needle that has a smooth join between the needle and the cable. While making the magic loop, we’re pulling the needles back and forth through the stitches a lot, therefore we don’t want our stitches to be stuck or snag. So the smooth join between needle and cable is vital for the success of your project.
Circular needles come in both fixed and interchangeable varieties. Fixed circular needles have a permanently fixed cable so mostly the join is smooth. The interchangeable circular needles come in different cable lengths with cable connectors and cable keys that make the join smooth for your knitting project.
Once you have taken these four points into consideration, you are ready to choose your favourite circular needles. KnitPro’s collection of circular needles comes in the choices of fixed needles and interchangeable ones. The needles are precisely made for comfortable knitting while you use the magic loop.
Ready to take up the magic loop? Check out KnitPro’s finest Interchangeable circular knitting needles for your project. Browse through our blog to know more about knitting tools and accessories. You can also check out- Why We Love Circular Knitting Needles if you are still undecided about circular needles.
