Knitting in the round is a basic skill that every knitter must have in their repertoire. With the right knitting needles, you can knit seamless tubes for projects such as socks, hats, sleeves and more. The options to knit in the round are double-pointed needles or circular needles. The set of five needles of DPNs is the oldest tool but since the introduction of circular needles, it has become a convenient option to knit in the round. In this blog, we’ll take you through the method of knitting in the round on circular needles.
Circular knitting needles as the name says are perfect for knitting in a circle but they also are very convenient to be used to “knit flat”. It’s not complicated, and it doesn’t require any special knitting technique. Knitting in the round is one of the easiest techniques to master even if you are a beginner or an advanced knitter learning new tricks. Unlike the classic needles, circulars have two “needle tips” joined together by a smooth thin cable. The needles come in lengths of 10 cm (4") and 13 cm (5") in standard sizes while cables come in a variety of lengths. The length of the cable used depends on the number of stitches and knitting patterns you’re working on. The length required for knitting socks differs from the ones needed for a blanker or even a hat.
Why Choose Circular Knitting needles?
Circular knitting needles are the most versatile needle types on the market. Most knitters who have discovered the pleasurable of knitting with circular needles prefer them over straight needles.
There are two types of circular needles: fixed and interchangeable. The cables can be changed on interchangeable circular needles, while the fixed circulars come in specific lengths, but both options range from 25cm (10”) to 150 cm (60”).
How to Knit with circular needles
Step 1: Cast on
Cast on the stitches on one knitting needle tip of the circular needles using your preferred method. Move it to the cable or spread it over the entire length.
Make sure that all stitches are lined up in the same direction and are not twisted.
Pay attention that the working yarn is on the right needle. Place a stitch marker on the right needle to mark the start of the round.
Step 2: Knit
Get ready to knit by pushing the cast on stitches close to needle tips.
Use the right needle to knit into the first stitch of the left needle.
Pull the yarn and join the round!
Continue knitting across the whole round.
Step 3: Continue knitting
At the end of the round, slip a stitch marker into the right needle and continue knitting. If working on a pattern, continue to the desired length and consult your pattern for the following instructions.
Step 4: When you’re done knitting, weave in the tail from your cast-on to close up any gap at the cast on edge.
Besides, the above method, there is the special technique of magic loop that requires different instructions.
When selecting circular knitting needles, here are a few things to consider.
1. The length must be slightly shorter than the width of your knitting so that the stitches can flow smoothly around the needles as you work. Hold the two tips in the same way you hold your straight knitting needles and allow the cable to hang.
2. When you’ve finished casting on, the stitches should extend around the full length of the cable and up to the right-hand needle tip.
4. To join up your stitches and begin working in the round, turn your work around so that your yarn is on the right-hand side and make sure that your cast-on stitches have not twisted around the cable. Every stitch needs to be facing in the same direction. The first stitch you work into should be the very first stitch that you cast on.
5. There is no need to turn your work over at the start of a new row when you work in rounds. You will always have the right-side of your work facing you.
Many knitters prefer interchangeable circular knitting needles over fixed ones. A lot of knitters will tell you that they prefer to “knit flat” with circular needles because it’s lighter – the body of the work rests on the lap and does not weigh down the needles. This is especially helpful when doing wider projects, such as blankets.
Interchangeable knitting needle sets give you a variety of options. Instead of buying needles in different sizes every time you start a different project, you can just combine different cables and needles from your set and create the best needle for the project. Be sure to check out our complete selection of circular knitting needles at Mindful Collection.
With the Mindful Collection, enjoy making with a range of smooth stainless steel knitting needles and accessories. For more information on knitting, mindfulness, techniques and more, follow our blog.
