By Claudia Ostrop
Not too long ago, most sweaters and cardigans were knitted in separate pieces and then sewn together. Rounds were mostly reserved for hats, socks, and gloves. Over time, seamless knitting for tops has become more popular. Pascuali patterns also embrace this construction method.
Who here learned to knit on those long, inconvenient jacket needles that always seemed to be in the way? Besides the advantages of seamless round construction, knitting on circular needles is gentler on the joints and requires less space. In this blog post, we will explain the basics of knitting in the round, share tips and tricks, and introduce different types of circular knitting needles.
The Basics of Knitting in the Round
When knitting in rounds, your project is worked in a continuous spiral motion without turning the work at the end of a row. Instead, you knit continuously, round after round. This method eliminates the need for laborious sewing of individual pieces and allows for easy fitting checks and adjustments when knitting from top to bottom. This can help avoid unpleasant surprises!
What do you need for knitting in the round?
Knitting in the round isn't much different from regular flat knitting when it comes to equipment and supplies.
First and foremost, you'll need circular knitting needles. These consist of two short needle tips connected by a flexible plastic cord. Needle tips come in wood, bamboo, plastic, or metal; the connecting cords vary in length from very short to extra-long, suitable for every project.
To clearly mark the beginning of the round, you'll need stitch markers: These little rings help keep track of increases and decreases.
While you can create makeshift markers from yarn scraps, using metal or plastic stitch markers is usually more convenient and, let's face it, they look much nicer too.
It's also helpful to have scissors on hand and a yarn needle for weaving in ends. A tape measure or row counter can also be handy.
And of course, you can't forget the most essential item—yarn!
Casting On Stitches
Casting on stitches for knitting in rounds is similar to casting on for flat knitting. You can use various methods, from the long-tail cast-on to provisional cast-ons. The key is to choose a cord length that roughly matches the circumference of your project to ensure your stitches are just right—not too tight or too loose.
Joining to work in the round
The crucial point in circular knitting is connecting the stitches: Once you've cast on the last stitch, slide the cast-on stitches from the beginning onto the left needle tip and start knitting the initial cast-on stitch. Be cautious; it's easy for the stitches on the circular needle to twist. Before joining in the round, lay the needle straight in front of you and check if everything is in order. With very thin yarn, twisting may not be obvious, so you could knit a row first and then join in the round later.
Tricks for an Invisible Join
For a seamless transition when joining in the round, consider these two simple tricks:
One method is to hold the stitch from the working yarn and the one form the tail together when knitting the first stitch of the new round. Then drop the tail yarn, and you can adjust the join by pulling the tail slightly.
Another method involves casting on an additional stitch, then moving the first cast-on stitch onto the other needle. The additional cast-on stitch is lifted over the first cast-on stitch, creating a smoother join.
The First Round
If you're using a stitch marker to indicate the beginning of the round, place it on the right needle tip. Begin knitting in the specified pattern. The first round might feel a bit awkward, similar to the first row, due to the lack of elasticity in the cast-on stitches. When you reach the end of the round, slip your stitch marker and double-check the alignment of your stitches to ensure they're all facing the right direction and no unintentional spirals are formed before continuing as per the pattern.
Types of Circular Knitting Needles
Let's talk about the main tool for knitting in the round: circular needles. There are various types of circular needles available for knitting in the round, which you can find in our shop.
Fixed Circular Needles
These consist of two needle tips connected by a fixed plastic cord of various lengths.
Interchangeable needle tips/cable systems
For those who often knit with different needle sizes and varying cable lengths, interchangeable needle systems are the ideal way to flexibly respond to all knitting needs without having to maintain a large stock of knitting needles. In these systems, available from various manufacturers, the needle tips are not permanently attached to the cable but are screwed or clicked together. One can repeatedly combine tips and cables anew and, for example, even change the tips or cable while knitting if the pattern requires it. In our shop, you will find numerous sets that provide you with a good basic equipment. Additional needle tips or cables can be purchased individually at any time.
Double-Pointed Needles (DPNs)
DPNs are classic for knitting socks and often referred to as "sock needles." They typically come in sets of five short, straight needles with points at both ends. The stitches of the round are evenly distributed on four needles while the fifth is used for knitting. DPNs work well for small circumferences, although managing five needles simultaneously might not be everyone's preference.
Flexible Double-Pointed Needle System
A hybrid between DPNs and circular needles, this system consists of two short needle tips connected by a short, flexible cord, forming a slight C-shape. Work is done on three needles; two hold the stitches, and the third is used for knitting.
Types of Needle Tips
Needle tips come in various materials such as metal, wood, bamboo, or plastic. Each material has its pros and cons, making needle choice a matter of personal preference based on your knitting experience.
In addition to material, needle tips can vary in shape. Apart from standard tips, there are lace tips that taper to a finer point, suitable for delicate stitch work.
Tips and Tricks for Knitting in the Rounds
The Right Cable Length
Most patterns specify how long a circular knitting needle should be for the particular project. In general, the length must match the circumference of the garment or specific knitted piece, ideally a bit shorter than the item's circumference. If the circular needle is too long, knitting becomes very uncomfortable because you have to laboriously shuffle or pull the stitches to get them onto the left needle tip. This is not good for either your hands or the knitting itself. On the other hand, if the needle is too short, the stitches are crowded in a tight space – also not enjoyable.
For small circumferences like sleeves or socks, there are extra-short circular knitting needles available. They have very short needle tips correspondingly and can be a bit challenging. If this is too fiddly, switching to double-pointed needles or flexible double-pointed needles is an option. Or you can try the so-called Magic Loop method.
Magic Loop Method
The Magic Loop technique allows you to knit small circumferences using a long circular needle. The cord should be at least 80 cm long and flexible for this method to work smoothly. With Magic Loop, all stitches are cast on and distributed on the cord. The cord is pulled out in a loop in the middle of the stitches to begin the method. Check out this tutorial video for a detailed guide on how to do the Magic Loop technique.
Jogless Stripes
When knitting stripes in the round, there's often an unsightly misalignment at the color change. One way to achieve seamless stripes is by simply slipping the first stitch of the second round in the new color instead of knitting it. This technique creates what are known as "jogless stripes," where the color transition appears smooth without any noticeable steps. We've previously explained in detail these and other techniques for creating invisible stripe transitions here.
Avoiding Ladders
When moving between two needle tips (such as when using double-pointed needles or the Magic Loop method), you might notice visible gaps known as "ladders" forming at the needle junction. To prevent this, try pulling the first stitch on the new needle a bit tighter. Another handy tip is to switch up the transition point to avoid consistent stretching at the same spot during stitch changes.
Using Stitch Markers
To keep track of your work when knitting in the round, stitch markers are essential. They are particularly crucial at the beginning of each round because the further you get from the cast-on edge, the trickier it becomes to pinpoint where the round ends or begins. Stitch markers are also necessary for marking increase and decrease points within the round.
To Sum up
There's no need to feel intimidated by the prospect of knitting in the round. Hopefully, we've demonstrated that circular knitting is not as daunting as it mayseem, compared to knitting flat. It offers the convenience of skipping the seaming step and eliminates the need for purl stitches (just knit stitches in rounds!). Plus, trying on your project-in-progress becomes a breeze. If you've been primarily knitting back and forth in pieces, we encourage you to try knitting in the round. Starting with a cowl, hat, socks, or even a sweater can be a great way to begin.
So, don't hesitate! Jump into the exciting world of circular needles and dive headfirst into the joy of knitting seamlessly in the round!
