Learn how to knit around with these easy step-by-step instructions

Knitting in the round is a great technique that allows you to create seamless projects such as hats, socks, and sweaters. It eliminates the need to sew seams and gives a polished and professional finish to your work. If you’re new to knitting or have only knitted flat, don’t worry! Knitting in the round is easier than it looks, and with a few simple steps, you’ll be able to create beautiful and seamless knitted items.

To start knitting in the round, you’ll need a set of double-pointed needles or a circular needle depending on the size of your project. Double-pointed needles are a good option for smaller items like socks, while circular needles are useful for larger projects like hats or sweaters. Once you have your needles and yarn, cast on the desired number of stitches using the long-tail cast-on method.

Once your stitches are cast on, join them in a circle by slipping the first stitch from the left needle onto the right needle, being careful not to twist the stitches. This creates a seamless loop, and from now on, you’ll be working in a continuous spiral. To keep track of your rounds, place a stitch marker on the right-hand needle after the last stitch.

Now it’s time to start knitting! Hold the needle with the stitch marker in your right hand and the empty needle in your left hand. Insert the tip of the left needle into the first stitch on the right needle as if to knit. Wrap the yarn around the left needle, from back to front, and pull it through the stitch, dropping the stitch from the right needle. Repeat this process until you have knitted all the stitches on the right needle.

Continue knitting in this manner, always working from the right-hand needle onto the left-hand needle. After each round, move the stitch marker so that it sits on the right-hand needle after the last stitch. This will help you keep track of where each round starts. Knitting in the round may take a little practice to get used to, but once you’ve mastered the technique, you’ll find it to be a versatile and enjoyable way to create beautiful knitted items.

Choose your materials

Before you begin knitting, it’s important to gather all the necessary materials. Here are the basic items you’ll need:

Yarn: Choose a yarn that is suitable for your knitting project. The thickness of the yarn, also known as the weight, can vary, so make sure to select a yarn that matches your desired project.
Knitting Needles: Select the appropriate knitting needles for your yarn weight. The needle size will determine the tension and size of your stitches.
Scissors: You’ll need a pair of scissors to cut the yarn when you finish or want to change colors.
Tapestry Needle: A tapestry needle or yarn needle will be used to weave in loose ends and finish off your knitting project.
Stitch Markers: Stitch markers are particularly useful for keeping track of stitch patterns and increases or decreases.
Measuring Tape: A measuring tape or ruler is essential for checking your gauge and measuring your finished project.

Once you have all your materials in place, you’re ready to start your knitting journey! Remember to choose materials that are suited to your skill level and project requirements.

Understand knitting needles

Knitting needles are one of the essential tools for knitting. They come in different sizes and materials, and understanding their characteristics helps you choose the right needle for your project.

Sizes: Knitting needles are marked with sizes ranging from US 0 (2mm) to US 50 (25mm). The size indicates the diameter of the needle, which affects the tension and gauge of the knitted fabric. Thicker needles produce looser stitches, while thinner needles create tighter stitches.

Materials: Knitting needles can be made from various materials, each with its own properties:

Wood: Wood needles are lightweight and gentle on the hands. They are good for beginners and those with arthritis or hand pain.
Metal: Metal needles are durable and glide smoothly, making them great for fast-paced knitting. They can be noisy and colder to the touch.
Plastic: Plastic needles are affordable and lightweight, but they may not be as strong or smooth as wood or metal needles.
Bamboo: Bamboo needles are similar to wood needles in terms of weight and feel. They have a warm touch and are less likely to slip out of stitches.

Types: There are two main types of knitting needles:

Straight needles: Straight needles have a pointed end on one side and a stopper or knob on the other side to prevent stitches from sliding off. They are typically used for flat knitting and are held in your hands.
Circular needles: Circular needles consist of two needle tips connected by a flexible cable. They can be used for both flat and circular knitting. They are great for large and heavy projects and can hold a larger number of stitches.

Understanding the different sizes, materials, and types of knitting needles will help you choose the right tools for your knitting projects. Experiment with different options to find what works best for you.

Get started with the basic knit stitch

The basic knit stitch is the foundation of knitting and is the starting point for many knitting projects. Follow these step-by-step instructions to learn how to knit using the basic knit stitch:

Begin by holding the knitting needles in your hands. The right-hand needle should hold the stitches, while the left-hand needle will be used to make new stitches.
Insert the right-hand needle into the first stitch on the left-hand needle, going from left to right. The needles should cross each other.
Wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle counterclockwise, making sure the yarn is behind the needles.
Using the right-hand needle, draw the yarn through the first stitch on the left-hand needle, creating a new stitch on the right-hand needle.
Slip the new stitch onto the right-hand needle, allowing the old stitch to slide off the left-hand needle. You have now completed one knit stitch.
Repeat steps 2-5 to make additional knit stitches.

Note: It is important to maintain tension in the yarn as you knit to ensure even stitches. Practice holding the needles and manipulating the yarn until you find a comfortable grip.

The basic knit stitch is just the beginning of your knitting journey. Once you have mastered this stitch, you can move on to more advanced techniques and create a wide variety of knitting projects.

Learn how to purl

Purling is a basic knitting stitch that creates a series of loops on your knitting needle. It is the opposite of the knit stitch and is used to create various textured patterns in your knitting projects. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to purl.

Hold the knitting needle and yarn: Hold the knitting needle with your left hand and the yarn in your right hand. Make sure the yarn is in front of your work.
Insert the right-hand needle: Insert the right-hand needle from right to left into the first stitch on the left-hand needle.
Wrap the yarn around: Take the yarn with your right hand and wrap it counterclockwise around the right-hand needle. The yarn should be held below the needle.
Pull the yarn through: Use the right-hand needle to pull the yarn through the stitch on the left-hand needle, creating a new loop on the right-hand needle.
Drop the stitch: Slide the original stitch off the left-hand needle, leaving the newly formed loop on the right-hand needle.
Repeat: Continue to purl each stitch in the row until you reach the end of your project.

Remember to practice your purl stitch until you feel comfortable with the technique. Once you have mastered the purl stitch, you can combine it with the knit stitch to create a variety of patterns and textures in your knitting projects.

Master the ribbing stitch

One of the most versatile knitting stitches to learn is the ribbing stitch. Ribbing creates a stretchy and flexible fabric that is often used for cuffs, hems, and neckbands. It is perfect for adding texture and definition to your knitting projects.

To master the ribbing stitch, follow these step-by-step instructions:

Choose your yarn and needles: Select a yarn and needle size appropriate for your project. Ribbing can be worked with any yarn and needle combination, but a medium weight yarn and a pair of 4mm (US 6) needles are a good place to start.
Cast on an even number of stitches: Ribbing is typically worked with an even number of stitches. For example, cast on 20 stitches for a small sample swatch or more for a larger project.
Begin the ribbing pattern: The most common ribbing pattern is the “knit 1, purl 1” rib. To start, knit the first stitch and then purl the second stitch. Repeat this pattern across the row.
Continue the ribbing pattern: For subsequent rows, continue knitting the knitted stitches and purling the purled stitches. This will create the characteristic ribbed pattern.
Check your tension: It’s important to maintain an even tension while knitting ribbing. Make sure your stitches are not too tight or too loose. Adjust your tension as needed to achieve a consistent fabric.
Experiment with variations: Once you have mastered the basic “knit 1, purl 1” ribbing, you can explore other ribbing patterns. Some common variations include “knit 2, purl 2” ribbing or “knit 2, purl 1” ribbing. These patterns create different textures and can add interest to your knitting projects.
Finish your project: Once you have completed your ribbing section, you can continue with the rest of your knitting project, whether it’s a sweater, scarf, or hat. The ribbing will provide a neat and professional-looking edge.

With practice, you will become more confident in knitting ribbing and can incorporate it into a wide variety of projects. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced knitter, mastering the ribbing stitch will expand your knitting skills and open up new design possibilities.

Explore knitting in the round

If you’re an experienced knitter and want to take your skills to the next level, knitting in the round is a great technique to learn. Knitting in the round allows you to create seamless projects like hats, socks, and sweaters. It also eliminates the need to sew or seam your finished pieces together, saving you time and effort.

To get started with knitting in the round, you’ll need a set of circular knitting needles or double-pointed needles, depending on the size of your project. Circular needles are perfect for larger projects like sweaters or blankets, while double-pointed needles are ideal for smaller projects like socks or mittens.

Once you have your needles ready, simply cast on your desired number of stitches and join them in a circle. You can do this by pulling the working yarn through the first stitch and placing a stitch marker to mark the beginning of your round.

As you knit in the round, you’ll need to be aware of the direction you’re knitting in. Unlike flat knitting, where every row is worked from right to left, in the round, you’ll be working continuously in a spiral. This means you’ll need to follow a pattern or chart that’s been adjusted for knitting in the round.

When working with circular needles, you’ll always have the right side of your project facing you, while the wrong side will be facing the inside of the circle. This might take a bit of getting used to, but with practice, it’ll become second nature.

Knitting in the round gives you the freedom to create intricate colorwork patterns, such as Fair Isle or stranded knitting. It’s also great for creating ribbing or textured stitches that wouldn’t be possible with flat knitting.

Once you’ve finished knitting in the round, you can either bind off your stitches or continue knitting in a different direction, such as for adding a brim or collar to a hat. The possibilities are endless, and knitting in the round opens up a whole new world of creativity.

So, grab your circular needles or double-pointed needles and give knitting in the round a try. With some practice and patience, you’ll soon be creating beautiful and seamless projects that will impress everyone.

Try different knitting techniques

Once you’ve mastered the basic knitting stitches, you may want to try your hand at different knitting techniques to add variety and excitement to your projects. Here are a few techniques you can experiment with:

Cable knitting: This technique involves crossing stitches over each other to create a twisted cable effect. It adds texture and visual interest to your knitted fabric.
Lace knitting: Lace knitting involves creating intricate patterns with holes and eyelets. It requires careful attention to stitch manipulation and can produce delicate and beautiful results.
Colorwork knitting: Colorwork knitting allows you to incorporate multiple colors into your projects. Techniques like stranded knitting and intarsia can be used to create striking patterns and designs.
Fair Isle knitting: Fair Isle is a traditional knitting technique that originated in the Fair Isle of Scotland. It involves working with two or more colors per row to create intricate patterns.
Slip stitch knitting: Slip stitch knitting is a simple technique that creates textured patterns by slipping stitches without knitting them.

Exploring these different knitting techniques can open up a whole new world of possibilities for your knitting projects. It may take some practice and patience to master these techniques, but the end results are well worth it. Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with different patterns and stitches to create unique and beautiful knitted items.

Finish your knitting project

After putting in hours of work and effort into your knitting project, it is crucial to properly finish it to ensure a polished and professional result. Here are some steps to help you finish your knitting project:

Weave in ends: Use a blunt tapestry needle to weave in any loose yarn ends left from joining yarn or changing colors. This will prevent your project from unraveling and give it a neat finish.
Block your project: Blocking is an essential step in finishing your knitting project. It helps to even out stitches, relax the fibers, and give your project its final shape. Follow the instructions for blocking specific to your yarn type.
Seam or join pieces: If your project involves multiple pieces, such as a sweater or blanket, you may need to seam or join them together. Use a mattress stitch or preferred seaming method to join the pieces with a flat and invisible seam.
Add embellishments: If desired, you can enhance your knitting project by adding embellishments such as buttons, beads, or embroidery. Sew them on securely and make sure they complement the overall design.
Finishing touches: Take a final look at your project and make any necessary adjustments or corrections. Trim any excess yarn or loose threads, and ensure all edges are neat and even.

Remember to take your time and pay attention to detail when finishing your knitting project. Proper finishing will enhance the overall appearance and durability of your work. Once finished, you can proudly display or wear your completed project or gift it to a loved one!

FAQ:

What materials do I need to knit around?

To knit around, you will need knitting needles, yarn, a yarn needle, and a pair of scissors.

Is it difficult to learn how to knit around?

Learning how to knit around can be a bit challenging at first, but with practice and following step-by-step instructions, it becomes easier.

Can I use any type of yarn to knit around?

You can use any type of yarn to knit around, but it’s recommended to choose a yarn that is easy to work with and suitable for the project you have in mind.

What are the benefits of knitting around?

Knitting around allows you to create seamless projects without the need for sewing or joining. It also gives your knitted items a smoother finish and eliminates the visible seams.

Learn How to Knit Around