Knitting with circular needles

Video: Circular Needles Knitting in 5 Easy Steps

Content

To step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing circular needles
Part 2 of 3: Starting a straight or round knitting project
Tips
Necessities

Circular knitting needles are provided with two knitting needles that are connected with a cable. You can knit round with such knitting needles, making them ideal for sweaters, hats and sleeves. You can also knit straight with circular needles by working back and forth across the central cable, which is ideal for making blankets, scarves and shawls. Choose circular needles that are appropriate for your project and then start your round or straight knitting project. Complete your project by decreasing, tying off, or a combination of the two.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Choosing circular needles

Select the needle size required for your project and thread type. If you are using a knitting pattern, check the pattern for a needle size recommendation. If you are not using a pattern, you can check the thread label for a needle size recommendation. This is a specific number next to an image of knitting needles.
- Needle sizes are the same for straight and circular needles, so if you are using a pattern for a pair of straight needles of 5.0 mm, you can use the same size circular needles instead.
Choose circular needles with a small cable. round knitting needles have a cable between the needles and come in many different lengths. Check the cable length of the circular needles before you buy them. You can also refer to your knitting pattern (if you are using one) to see which length is recommended.
- For example, if you are knitting a hat with a finished circumference of 50 cm, you could do with a pair of 40 cm circular needles.
- If the cable is too long for what you want to knit, you will not be able to finish the project properly. It will also make it much more difficult for the stitches to move around the cable.
Purchase a set of double pointed needles to enlarge or reduce. If you need to start or end your project with a small outline, such as for a hat, mittens or sleeves, then you should use double pointed needles together with circular needles. Choose a set of five double pointed needles in the same size as the knitting needles you are using.
- For example, if you are using a pair of 4.5mm circular needles, use the same size double pointed needles.

Part 2 of 3: Starting a straight or round knitting project

Note the direction of the stitches when knitting in the row. Knitting in the row can be difficult, especially in the first few rows, as there is a risk that the stitches will be twisted. Make sure to check the direction of your stitches often when you do the first few rows to make sure they don't get twisted.
- It may be helpful to adjust the stitches after about every 10 stitches to make sure they are straight.
Tie and cut the excess yarn. After you have finished casting off the stitches, cut the working yarn about 6 inches from the last stitch. Tie a knot through the stitch, then cut the yarn about 1 cm from the last stitch to secure it.
- If desired, you can also weave in the end of the yarn instead of cutting it. Thread the end of the yarn through the eye of a needle and weave it in and out of the stitches along the edge of your project.

Tips

A good beginner project for learning to knit with circular needles is socks. See articles on wikiHow on knitting socks with circular needles, for instructions.