If you’re new to knitting or are looking to expand your knitting skills, circular needles are a great tool to have in your repertoire. Circular needles are long, flexible needles connected by a cable, making them ideal for knitting larger projects, such as sweaters, blankets, or even hats. In this beginner’s guide, we’ll walk you through the basics of knitting with circular needles, from choosing the right needles to casting on and working your first few rows.
Choosing the right needles: When it comes to circular needles, size matters. The size of the needles you choose will depend on the type of yarn you’re using and the gauge you want to achieve. You’ll also need to consider the length of the cable connecting the needles. Generally, shorter cables are good for smaller projects, while longer cables are better for larger projects. It’s also a good idea to invest in a set of interchangeable circular needles, as they allow you to easily switch out needle sizes and cable lengths.
Casting on: Once you have your circular needles and yarn ready, it’s time to cast on. To start, make a slipknot and place it on one of the needles. Hold the needle with the slipknot in your right hand and the other needle in your left hand. Insert the left needle into the slipknot from left to right, making sure the needle with the slipknot is behind the left needle. Wrap the yarn around the left needle, creating a loop. Pull the loop through the slipknot, and slide it onto the right needle. Repeat this process until you have the desired number of stitches on your needles.
“Now that you have your stitches cast on, you’re ready to start knitting with circular needles. Simply knit each stitch as you would with straight needles, making sure to keep the work on the cable and not the needles. As you work each row, use a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round. When you reach the end of the round, the stitches on the right needle will become the new beginning of the round, and you can continue knitting in a continuous spiral. With practice, knitting with circular needles will become second nature, and you’ll be able to tackle even the most complex projects with ease!”
Knitting with circular needles opens up a whole new world of possibilities for knitters of all skill levels. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced knitter, learning to knit with circular needles will give you greater flexibility and allow you to tackle larger, more intricate projects. So grab your circular needles, choose a pattern, and start knitting!
Choosing the Right Circular Needles
When it comes to knitting with circular needles, choosing the right ones can make all the difference in your knitting experience. Here are some factors to consider when selecting your circular needles:
- Needle Material: Circular needles are commonly made from various materials such as bamboo, wood, metal, or plastic. Each material has its own unique qualities, so consider your personal preferences for needle feel and durability.
- Cord Length: Circular needles have a cord that connects the two needle tips. The length of this cord can vary from as short as 12 inches to as long as 60 inches. Choose a cord length that is appropriate for the size of the project you are working on. Longer cords are ideal for larger projects and knitting in the round, while shorter cords are suitable for smaller projects or flat knitting.
- Needle Size: Circular needles come in various sizes, and the size you choose will depend on the yarn weight and desired fabric tension. Be sure to check your knitting pattern or consult the yarn label for recommended needle size.
- Interchangeable or Fixed: Circular needles can be either interchangeable or fixed. Interchangeable needles allow you to change needle sizes and cord lengths, making them versatile for different projects. Fixed circular needles have a needle tip attached to a specific cord length and cannot be changed.
Consider these factors when choosing your circular needles, and don’t be afraid to try out different options to find what works best for you. Happy knitting!
Getting Started: Casting On
Before you begin knitting with circular needles, you need to cast on your stitches. Casting on is the process of creating the foundation row of stitches on your needles. Here are a few methods you can use to cast on:
- Long Tail Cast On: This is a versatile and commonly used method. To do the long tail cast on, make a slip knot and place it on one of the needles. Hold the two needles together in your right hand and wrap the working yarn around both needles. Use the needle in your left hand to pull the loop of yarn through the loop on your right-hand needle. Repeat until you have cast on the desired number of stitches.
- Knitted Cast On: This method is similar to the knit stitch and creates a stretchy edge. To do the knitted cast on, make a slip knot and place it on your left-hand needle. Insert the right-hand needle into the slip knot from left to right and wrap the working yarn around the needle as if you were going to knit a stitch. Pull the loop of yarn through the slip knot, creating a new stitch. Repeat until you have cast on the desired number of stitches.
- Cable Cast On: This method creates a firm and sturdy edge. To do the cable cast on, make a slip knot and place it on your left-hand needle. Insert the right-hand needle between the first two stitches on the left-hand needle, going from front to back. Wrap the working yarn around the right-hand needle and pull it through, creating a new stitch. Place this new stitch on the left-hand needle. Repeat until you have cast on the desired number of stitches.
Once you have cast on your stitches, you can start knitting in the round with your circular needles. Before you begin, make sure all your stitches are facing the same direction and are not twisted on the needles.
Now that you know how to cast on, you’re ready to start your knitting project using circular needles. Happy knitting!
Basic Knitting Stitches with Circular Needles
When using circular needles, you can perform a variety of basic knitting stitches. These stitches are the building blocks of knitting and are essential to creating beautiful projects. Here are some of the basic knitting stitches you can learn and practice with circular needles:
- Knit Stitch: The knit stitch is the most fundamental stitch in knitting. It creates a smooth, V-shaped pattern on the right side of the fabric.
- Insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle, from left to right.
- Wrap the working yarn counterclockwise around the right needle.
- Pull the right needle through the stitch, bringing the new loop of yarn through.
- Slide the stitch off the left needle onto the right needle.
- Repeat these steps for the remaining stitches.
- Purl Stitch: The purl stitch creates a textured pattern on the right side of the fabric, often referred to as the “wrong side.”
- Insert the right needle from right to left into the next stitch on the left needle.
- Wrap the working yarn counterclockwise around the right needle.
- Pull the right needle through the stitch, bringing the new loop of yarn through.
- Slide the stitch off the left needle onto the right needle.
- Repeat these steps for the remaining stitches.
- Stockinette Stitch: The stockinette stitch is created by alternating one row of knit stitches with one row of purl stitches. This stitch pattern creates a smooth, flat fabric.
- Work the knit stitch on the right side of the fabric and the purl stitch on the wrong side.
- Continue alternating these two rows to create the stockinette stitch pattern.
- Ribbing: Ribbing is a combination of knit and purl stitches that creates a stretchy, textured fabric often used for cuffs, hems, and necklines.
- Work a sequence of knit and purl stitches, such as K1, P1 or K2, P2.
- Repeat this sequence across the row.
- Continue working the same sequence for multiple rows to create the ribbing pattern.
- Garter Stitch: The garter stitch is created by knitting every row, resulting in a textured fabric that looks the same on both sides.
- Knit every stitch on every row.
- Continue knitting every row to create the garter stitch pattern.
By practicing these basic knitting stitches with circular needles, you’ll gain the foundation necessary to take on more complex knitting projects. Remember to take your time, follow the instructions, and enjoy the process of creating with circular needles.
Increase and Decrease Stitches
When knitting with circular needles, you may come across patterns that require you to increase or decrease stitches. These techniques are essential for shaping your knitting project and creating different patterns and designs.
Increasing Stitches
There are several ways to increase stitches when knitting with circular needles:
- Knit Front and Back (KFB): Insert the right needle into the front of the stitch, knit it, but do not slide it off the left needle. Instead, bring the right needle to the back of the stitch and knit it again. Finally, slide the stitch off the left needle. This creates two new stitches.
- Make One (M1): Insert the left needle from front to back under the horizontal strand between the last stitch and the next stitch on the left needle. Knit this strand, creating a new stitch.
- Yarn Over (YO): Bring the yarn to the front of the work, then knit the next stitch. This creates a new stitch and a decorative hole.
Decreasing Stitches
Similarly, there are different ways to decrease stitches:
- Knit Two Together (K2Tog): Insert the right needle into the next two stitches on the left needle, then knit them together. This decreases one stitch.
- Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK): Slip the next two stitches knitwise onto the right needle, then insert the left needle into the front of these two stitches and knit them together. This decreases one stitch.
- Double Decrease: Slip the next two stitches knitwise onto the right needle, then knit the next stitch. Pass the two slipped stitches over the knit stitch. This decreases two stitches and creates a centered decrease.
It’s important to keep track of your stitches and carefully follow the pattern instructions for increasing and decreasing. Practice these techniques on small swatches before attempting them in a larger project. With practice, you’ll become comfortable with these techniques and be able to create intricate designs and shapes in your knitting.
Switching Colors and Creating Patterns
Switching colors and creating patterns is a great way to add visual interest to your knitting projects. With circular needles, you have more flexibility in creating colorwork and different pattern designs. Here are some tips on how to switch colors and create patterns using circular needles.
1. Intarsia Method
The intarsia method involves using separate balls or bobbins of yarn for each color section. To switch colors, follow these steps:
- When you reach the point where you want to change colors, drop the current color and pick up the new color.
- Start knitting with the new color, leaving a tail of both colors to weave in later.
- Continue knitting with the new color until you want to switch back to the original color.
- Drop the new color and pick up the original color, leaving a tail of both colors.
- Continue knitting with the original color.
2. Stranded Colorwork
Stranded colorwork, also known as Fair Isle knitting, involves carrying multiple yarn colors along the back of your work. To switch colors, follow these steps:
- Hold both colors of yarn in your hand, with the color you want to use in your right hand and the other color in your left hand.
- When you reach the point where you want to switch colors, drop the current color and pick up the new color.
- When you want to switch back to the original color, drop the second color and pick up the original color.
- Continue knitting with the original color.
3. Creating Patterns
To create patterns using circular needles, you can use a combination of knitting techniques, such as knit, purl, and yarn overs. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Stripes: Switch colors at regular intervals to create stripes.
- Checkered Pattern: Alternate between two colors every few rows to create a checkered pattern.
- Cable Knitting: Use cable techniques to create intricate patterns with raised designs.
- Lace Knitting: Combine yarn overs and decreases to create delicate lace patterns.
Experiment with different color combinations and pattern designs to find your own unique style. Circular needles give you the freedom to create beautiful and intricate patterns while keeping all your stitches on one needle.
Joining in the Round
To start knitting with circular needles, you need to join your work in the round. Here’s how you can do it:
- Cast on: Begin by casting on the desired number of stitches onto one of the circular needles. Use your preferred cast-on method.
- Place a marker: Once you have cast on, place a stitch marker or safety pin to mark the beginning of your round. This will help you keep track of where the round starts and ends.
- Join the knitting: To join your work in the round, make sure that the cast-on stitches are not twisted around the needle. Hold your needles parallel to each other, with the working yarn at the back. Insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle as if to knit.
- Knit the first stitch: With the working yarn, knit the first stitch on the left needle as usual. This connects the last cast-on stitch to the first stitch and joins your work in the round.
- Continue knitting: After joining in the round, you can continue knitting in the selected stitch pattern. Remember to always work in a clockwise direction, knitting each round.
If you’re new to knitting with circular needles, it may take a few rounds to get used to working in the round. However, with practice, it will become easier and more natural.
Tip: If you’re finding it difficult to get started, try using a smaller length circular needle for your project. This will make it easier to work with a smaller circumference and get the hang of joining in the round.
Finishing Your Project
Once you have completed knitting your project with circular needles, it’s time to finish it off. Follow these steps to properly finish your project:
- Bind off: Begin by binding off your stitches to secure them. To bind off, knit the first two stitches on your left needle. Then, using your left needle, lift the first stitch you knit over the second stitch and off the needle. Continue this process until you have one stitch left. Cut the yarn, leaving a tail about six inches long, and thread it through the final stitch to secure it.
- Weave in ends: Next, use a yarn needle to weave in the ends of your yarn. Thread the yarn tail onto the needle, then weave it in and out of the stitches on the back side of your project. Make sure to weave for at least an inch or two to ensure the end is secure.
- Block your project: Depending on the type of yarn and project, you may want to block your finished piece. Blocking involves wetting or steaming the project and shaping it to the desired dimensions. This helps to even out stitches and give your project a more professional look.
- Add any desired embellishments: If you would like to add any buttons, ribbons, or other embellishments to your project, now is the time to do so. Sew them on securely using a needle and thread.
- Care instructions: Finally, make sure to attach care instructions to your finished project. This can be as simple as a small tag indicating how to wash and care for the item.
Congratulations! You have successfully finished your knitting project using circular needles. Now you can enjoy your handmade creation or gift it to someone special.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While knitting with circular needles can be a rewarding experience, beginners may encounter a few common issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you overcome these challenges:
- Twisted stitches: To prevent stitches from twisting, make sure that the cast-on edge is oriented correctly before joining it in the round. Double-check that all the stitches are facing the same direction.
- Tight or loose stitches: Adjusting tension can be a common problem for beginners. If your stitches are too tight, try using a larger needle size. If your stitches are too loose, switch to a smaller needle size. Practice and experiment with different techniques until you achieve the desired tension.
- Uneven stitches: Uneven stitches can be caused by inconsistent tension or the way you hold the yarn. Pay attention to your knitting style and try to maintain a consistent tension throughout your work. Practice and time will help improve the evenness of your stitches.
- Working with too many stitches: If your project becomes too crowded on your circular needles, consider using circular needles with a longer cable length. This will give you more space to comfortably work your stitches.
- Dropped stitches: Dropped stitches can happen when you accidentally let a stitch slip off the needle. Use a crochet hook or a spare knitting needle to pick up the dropped stitch and place it back onto the needle. Tutorials and videos can be helpful in learning this technique.
- Joining in the round: Joining the cast-on edge in the round can sometimes create a noticeable gap or ladder in your work. To avoid this, give the yarn a gentle tug after joining to close any gaps and ensure a smooth transition between rounds.
Remember, knitting takes practice, so don’t get discouraged if you encounter these issues. With time and patience, you’ll become more confident in troubleshooting and fixing knitting problems.
FAQ:
What are circular needles used for?
Circular needles are used for knitting in the round, which is helpful for making seamless items like hats, socks, and sweaters.
Are circular needles difficult to use?
Circular needles can be a bit tricky for beginners, but with some practice and patience, they can be mastered. There are plenty of tutorials available online to help you learn.
Do I need a special technique to knit with circular needles?
No, knitting with circular needles is similar to regular knitting, but instead of turning the work at the end of the row, you continue knitting in a continuous round.
What size circular needles should I use?
The size of the circular needles you should use depends on the project and the weight of the yarn. It’s important to check the pattern or gauge recommendations to determine the appropriate needle size.
Can I use circular needles for flat knitting?
Yes, circular needles can be used to knit flat projects as well. You simply knit back and forth as you would with straight needles, using the circular needles to accommodate a large number of stitches.
How do I join the round when knitting with circular needles?
To join the round, simply knit the first stitch of the new round and slide the stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round. Be careful not to twist your work when joining.