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It is sometimes easier
to make garments in the round working
with circular or three or more double
pointed needles. This will produce a
seamless garment, and the front of the
work always faces you making patterns
somewhat easier to follow.
Circular needles are
used from the beginning when knitting
a garment, but a set of double pointed
needles will be more useful when picking
up stitches such as when knitting necklines
or when working small areas such as
fingers for gloves. Two circular needles
can also be used for flat knitting on
very large items.
The most important
thing to remember when working in the
round is that to achieve stocking stitch,
you must knit every row because the
outside of the work always faces you
when working stocking stitch.
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Using a circular
needle
A circular needle
is a flexible nylon tube which
has two pointed metal ends (needles)
sized in the normal way. You cast
on stitches in the usual way and
knit into the first stitch to
make a continuous round. You should
always mark the beginning of a
new row.
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Using double
pointed needles
Sets of double pointed needles
are sold in traditional sizes.
Normally bought in fours, as many
as six needles can be used if
the area is large, the number
of needles required will normally
be specified in the pattern. When
knitting with double pointed needles,
the stitches are divided among
all but one of the needles. The
remaining needle is used to knit
off, so that each needle in turn
holds stitches and then is used
to knit off.
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To knit, divide your
stitches equally over the needles and
knit a round. To close the circle, knit
the first stitch with the working yarn
from the last stitch. Keep your last
and first needle as close together as
possible. Make sure your first knitted
stitch (you should mark this)is close
to the last needle so that you do not
end up with a gap in the knitting.
Continue to work rounds
in this way, using your empty needles
to knit off and keeping the stitches
evenly divided. Hold the two working
needles as usual, and drop the others
to the back of the work when not in
use.
Stitch
Gauge |
Casting
On |
Casting
Off |
Holding
the needle & yarn |
Basic Stitches
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Increasing
Stitches |
Decreasing
Stitches |
Cables
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Knitting
in the Round |
Working
with More Than One Yarn Colour
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Button
Holes |
Edges
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Seams
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Finishing
Techniques |
Abbreviations
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