Beginner's Guide: How to Knit Round - Step-by-Step Instructions

Knitting in the round is a useful technique for creating seamless projects, such as hats, socks, and sweaters. If you’re a beginner knitter, learning to knit in the round may seem intimidating, but with a few basic skills and some practice, you’ll be able to tackle any round project with ease. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll take you through the process of knitting in the round, from casting on to binding off.

Before you start knitting in the round, you’ll need a few essential tools: circular knitting needles, stitch markers, and yarn. Circular knitting needles are long and have two needle tips connected by a flexible cable. They allow you to knit a large number of stitches comfortably and are ideal for working on larger projects. Stitch markers are used to mark specific points in your knitting and help you keep track of your progress. Finally, you’ll need a ball or skein of yarn suitable for your project, along with the corresponding size of circular knitting needles.

Step 1: Cast On

Begin by casting on the desired number of stitches onto your circular knitting needles. You can use a long-tail cast-on or any other cast-on method you prefer. Make sure your stitches are not twisted and that the working yarn is at the back of your work.

Step 2: Join in the Round

To join in the round, you’ll need to connect the first and last stitch to create a seamless circle. Hold your cast-on stitches in your left hand and your working yarn in your right hand. Slip the first stitch from the left needle onto the right needle, being careful not to twist the stitches. Bring the working yarn under the right needle, creating a small loop. Knit this loop together with the next stitch to join in the round.

Step 3: Knit in the Round

Now that you’re joined in the round, you can begin knitting your project. Continue to knit all of your stitches, using the desired stitch pattern or instructions for your project. Remember to place a stitch marker at the beginning of your round to mark the start of each row. As you knit, gently pull the cable of your circular knitting needles to ensure your stitches are not too tight or too loose.

Pro Tip: If you’re knitting a project with a large number of stitches, you may find it helpful to use multiple stitch markers to mark different sections of your work, such as the beginning of a round or pattern repeats.

Step 4: Bind Off

When you’ve finished knitting your desired length or completed the pattern instructions, it’s time to bind off. Knit the first two stitches on your left needle. Insert the left needle into the first stitch, lift it over the second stitch, and drop it off the needle. Knit one more stitch from the left needle, and repeat the process of lifting the first stitch over the second stitch. Continue until you have one stitch remaining. Cut the yarn, leaving a tail, and pull it through the final stitch to secure it.

With these step-by-step instructions, you’ll be able to confidently knit in the round and create beautiful seamless projects. Remember to practice your knitting skills and don’t be afraid to experiment with different stitch patterns and projects. Happy knitting!

Materials Needed

To get started with knitting in the round, you will need the following materials:

Knitting needles: You will need a set of double-pointed needles or a circular needle, depending on your project and personal preference.
Yarn: Choose a yarn appropriate for your project. The yarn should be suitable for the needle size you are using and should have the desired thickness and texture.
Tapestry needle: A tapestry needle with a large eye is useful for weaving in loose ends and finishing your project.
Stitch markers: Stitch markers are used to mark the beginning of rounds and any other important stitch placements in your pattern.
Scissors: A pair of scissors is needed to cut the yarn at the end of your project or when changing colors.
Measuring tape: A measuring tape is handy for checking gauge and measuring the size of your project.

These are the basic materials you will need to get started with knitting in the round. Depending on your project, you may also need additional materials such as buttons or a crochet hook for finishing touches.

Getting Started

Knitting in the round is a fun and versatile technique that allows you to create seamless projects such as hats, socks, and sweaters. Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced knitter, learning to knit in the round will open up a whole new world of possibilities.

Before you begin, make sure you have the following supplies:

Knitting needles suitable for working in the round, such as double-pointed needles (DPNs), circular needles, or a set of interchangeable needles
Yarn in the appropriate weight for your project
Stitch markers (optional, but helpful for marking the beginning of each round)
A tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Once you have your supplies ready, it’s time to start knitting in the round! Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started:

Cast on the desired number of stitches for your project. If you’re using circular needles, distribute the stitches evenly across the needles. If you’re using DPNs, divide the stitches evenly among the needles.
Join the round by knitting the first stitch of the cast on row and the last stitch of the cast on row together. This will create a seamless loop. Use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round if desired.
Begin knitting in the round, following your pattern instructions or working in your desired stitch pattern.
Continue knitting in the round until you’ve completed your project. Remember to place a stitch marker at the beginning of each round to help keep track of your progress.
To finish your project, bind off your stitches using a stretchy bind off method.
Weave in any loose ends using a tapestry needle, and block your finished project if necessary.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully learned the basics of knitting in the round. Now you can explore more advanced techniques, such as using circular needles for Magic Loop or working with double-pointed needles. Happy knitting!

Casting On

Before you start knitting in the round, you’ll need to cast on your stitches. Casting on is how you create the foundation row of stitches that you will work with.

There are many different methods for casting on, but for knitting in the round, the long-tail cast on method is commonly used. Here’s how to do it:

Begin by leaving a long tail of yarn, about 3 times the length of your finished knitting project.
Make a slipknot by making a loop in the yarn, with the end of the yarn on top.
Insert your knitting needle through the loop from front to back, then pull the long end of the yarn to tighten the loop around the needle.
Hold the needle with the slipknot in your right hand, and the long end of the yarn in your left hand.
With your left thumb and index finger, reach through the loop on the needle from behind, and grab the long end of the yarn.
Bring the yarn over the needle, creating a new loop. This is your first cast on stitch.
Repeat steps 5 and 6, creating as many stitches as required for your knitting project.
Continue casting on until you have the desired number of stitches on your needle.
Once you have cast on all your stitches, you’re ready to start knitting in the round!

Remember to keep your stitches loose when casting on, as tight stitches can make it difficult to knit in the round. If you’re unsure about how many stitches to cast on, consult your knitting pattern or gauge swatch for guidance.

Now that you know how to cast on, you’re ready to start your knitting project in the round!

Step 1: Make a Slip Knot

The first step in knitting in the round is to make a slip knot. The slip knot is used to secure the yarn to the knitting needle and create the first stitch.

To make a slip knot, follow these steps:

Hold the end of the yarn in your hand, leaving a tail of about 6 inches.
Create a loop with the yarn, crossing the end of the yarn over the loop.
Insert your knitting needle through the loop.
Grab the end of the yarn and pull it through the loop, tightening the knot around the knitting needle.

Once you have made a slip knot, you are ready to begin knitting in the round. The slip knot will serve as the first stitch on your needle.

Tips:

Make sure the slip knot is not too tight or too loose. It should be snug enough to hold the yarn securely on the needle, but still allow it to move freely.
If you are having trouble making a slip knot, you can also use a different method to secure the yarn to the needle, such as the backward loop cast-on or the long-tail cast-on.

Now that you have made a slip knot, you are ready to move on to the next step in knitting in the round.

Step 2: Insert Needle

Once you have cast on your stitches and joined them in a circle, it’s time to insert your needle and start knitting round. Follow these steps to insert your needle:

Hold your knitting needle with the cast on stitches in your right hand, making sure the working yarn is at the back.
With your left hand, take the empty needle and insert it into the first stitch on your right-hand needle, from left to right.
Slide the left-hand needle above the right-hand needle, bringing the new stitch behind the first stitch.
Hold the working yarn with your right hand and bring it over the right-hand needle, towards the back of the work.
Using your right hand, pull the right-hand needle and the working yarn through the first stitch, creating a new stitch on the left-hand needle.
Repeat steps 2-5 for each stitch on the right-hand needle, until all stitches have been transferred to the left-hand needle.
Your needle is now inserted and ready to continue knitting round!

Remember to keep your tension even and avoid twisting the stitches as you continue knitting round. Happy knitting!

Knitting in the Round

Knitting in the round is a technique that allows you to create seamless projects, such as hats, socks, and sweaters, without the need for seams. Instead of using straight knitting needles, you will be using circular knitting needles or double-pointed needles.

Advantages of Knitting in the Round:

Seamless: Knitting in the round eliminates the need for sewing seams, resulting in a clean and polished finished product.
Faster: When knitting in the round, you can create a tube-shaped project, which means you only have to knit continuously in a spiral. This method can be faster than knitting flat and sewing pieces together.
More versatile: Many projects, such as hats or socks, are best worked in the round because they are essentially tubes. Knitting in the round allows you to easily create these types of projects.

Tools Needed:

Circular knitting needles or double-pointed needles: These needles have two pointed ends connected by a cable. They come in different lengths to accommodate different project sizes. Choose the appropriate size for your project.
Yarn: Choose a yarn that matches your project’s recommended gauge and is suitable for your desired item. The yarn should be compatible with the knitting needle size you’re using.
Stitch markers: These can help you keep track of the beginning, end, and specific sections of your knitting.
Tapestry needle: This is used for weaving in ends and sewing any small seams if necessary.

Basic Steps for Knitting in the Round:

Cast On: Begin by casting on the required number of stitches for your project onto the circular needles or double-pointed needles.
Join in the Round: Place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round, then join the first and last stitch of your cast on together to form a circle.
Knit or Purl: Depending on the pattern, continue knitting or purling in the round, following the instructions for your specific project.
Repeat: Repeat the knitting or purling rounds until you have reached the desired length or completed the necessary pattern.
Bind Off: When you have finished your project, bind off the stitches to secure your work. Cut the yarn, leaving a tail for weaving in the ends.

**Tips for Knitting in the Round:**
1.	Use stitch markers to help keep track of certain sections of your project, such as the beginning of the round or where pattern changes occur.
2.	Avoid twisting your cast on stitches when joining in the round. Make sure all the stitches are facing the same direction.
3.	If you’re using circular knitting needles, make sure your work is not twisted around the cable as you knit around.
4.	When changing colors or joining a new ball of yarn, do it at the beginning of a round to avoid obvious color changes or knots in your work.
5.	Weave in the ends of your yarn using a tapestry needle once you have finished knitting to secure them in place.

Now that you have an overview of knitting in the round, you’re ready to start your first project! Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if it takes a few tries to get the hang of it. Soon enough, you’ll be creating seamless and beautiful knitted items.

Step 1: Joining the Yarn

Before you begin knitting in the round, you’ll need to join your yarn to create a continuous loop. Follow these steps to join your yarn:

Take the end of your new yarn and create a slipknot.
Insert your knitting needle into the slipknot, leaving a tail of yarn at least 6 inches long.
Tighten the slipknot around the needle, ensuring it’s not too tight but also not too loose.
Hold the needle with the slipknot in your right hand and the tail of yarn in your left hand.
Gently pull the tail of yarn to tighten the slipknot securely onto the needle.
Now you have one stitch on your needle with your new yarn joined and ready to knit in the round.

It’s important to ensure that your slipknot is not too tight, as it may be difficult to knit into later. However, it should also not be too loose that it easily slides off the needle.

Once your yarn is joined, you can continue knitting in the round, following the pattern or instructions for your project.

Step 2: Knitting the First Round

Now that you have cast on your stitches and joined them into a round, it’s time to start knitting!

To knit the first round, follow these steps:

Hold the knitting needles with the cast on stitches in your right hand. The working yarn should be coming from the last stitch you cast on.
Use your left hand to hold the empty needle.
Insert the empty needle into the first stitch on the right-hand needle, from left to right.
With the working yarn in your right hand, bring it over the right-hand needle and towards you.
Use the right-hand needle to catch the working yarn and pull it through the stitch on the left-hand needle, creating a new stitch on the right-hand needle.
Slide the stitch from the left-hand needle onto the right-hand needle, and let the stitch hang loosely.
Repeat steps 3-6 for each stitch on the left-hand needle until all stitches are transferred to the right-hand needle.

Continue knitting in a spiral, repeating these steps for each round until you reach your desired length or complete your knitting project.

Note: As you knit each round, be mindful of the tension in your stitches. Make sure they are not too tight or too loose, as this can affect the overall appearance and fit of your knitting.

Happy knitting!

Working the Rounds

Now that you have successfully cast on your stitches and joined in the round, it’s time to start working the rounds. This is where the fun really begins!

To work the rounds in a knitting project, you will need to have a basic understanding of knitting stitches. The most common stitches used in circular knitting are the knit stitch (K) and the purl stitch (P). These stitches are typically combined in different patterns to create various designs and textures.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to work the rounds in knitting:

Hold your knitting needles with the working yarn attached in your right hand and the empty needle in your left hand.
Insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle, from left to right.
With the working yarn behind the needles, wrap the yarn around the right needle from back to front. This creates a loop around the needle.
Bring the right needle back through the stitch on the left needle, pulling the loop of yarn through and slipping the stitch off the left needle. This completes the knit stitch. Repeat this step for each stitch on the left needle until all the stitches have been transferred to the right needle.
Once you have worked all the stitches in the round, your working yarn will be in the front. To switch to the purl stitch, move the working yarn to the back of the needles and insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle from right to left.
With the working yarn in front of the needles, wrap the yarn around the right needle from front to back. This creates a loop around the needle.
Bring the right needle back through the stitch on the left needle, pulling the loop of yarn through and slipping the stitch off the left needle. This completes the purl stitch. Repeat this step for each stitch on the left needle until all the stitches have been transferred to the right needle.
Continue working the rounds, alternating between knit and purl stitches, until you have completed the desired number of rounds for your project.

Remember to always keep your tension consistent and to take breaks to stretch your hands and wrists if needed. As you gain more practice and confidence, you can explore different stitch patterns and techniques to create more intricate designs.

Enjoy the process of working the rounds and watch your knitting project grow with each completed round!

Step 1: Knitting

To start knitting in the round, you will need a set of circular knitting needles and your chosen yarn.

1. Choose your yarn: Select a yarn that is appropriate for your project. Consider the weight, fiber content, and color of the yarn.

2. Choose your needles: Circular knitting needles are essential for knitting in the round. They consist of two needle tips connected by a flexible cable. The length of the cable depends on the circumference of your project.

3. Cast on stitches: To begin knitting, you need to cast on stitches onto your circular needles. There are several methods you can use, such as the long-tail cast on or the knitted cast on. Make sure to cast on the required number of stitches for your pattern.

4. Join in the round: Once you have cast on the desired number of stitches, straighten out the cable and make sure there are no twists. Then, bring the first and last stitch together to form a circle and place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.

5. Start knitting: Now you are ready to start knitting in the round. Hold the needle with the first stitch in your dominant hand and the empty needle in your other hand. Insert the tip of the empty needle into the first stitch on the other needle, and wrap the yarn around the empty needle from back to front.

6. Knit the first round: To knit the first round, simply pull the loop of yarn through the stitch with the empty needle, transferring the stitch from one needle to the other. Repeat this process for each stitch until you have completed the round.

Note: If you are using a pattern, make sure to follow the specific instructions for each round.

7. Continue knitting: Keep knitting in the round, following the pattern or your desired stitch pattern. Use stitch markers to mark important sections or increases/decreases in your pattern.

8. Finishing off: To finish off your knitting project, you will need to bind off stitches. There are different bind off methods you can use, such as the basic bind off or the stretchy bind off. Follow the instructions for your chosen method to complete your project.

Now that you have learned the basics of knitting in the round, you are ready to tackle a variety of projects, such as hats, socks, and sweaters. Have fun experimenting with different stitches and patterns!

FAQ:

What is knitting in the round?

Knitting in the round is a technique where you knit in a continuous spiral, creating a seamless tube.

What materials do I need to knit in the round?

You will need a set of double-pointed needles or a circular needle, yarn, and stitch markers.

What are the benefits of knitting in the round?

Knitting in the round allows you to make seamless garments, eliminates the need for seaming, and creates a more polished finished project.

How do I join my knitting in the round?

To join your knitting in the round, simply bring the last stitch you cast on to meet the first stitch, being careful not to twist your stitches, and continue knitting.

Knitting in the Round: A Step-by-Step Guide