How to knit in the round
Knitting in the round is a great technique for creating seamless projects such as hats, socks, and sweaters. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced knitter, understanding how to knit in the round opens up a whole new world of possibilities. This method eliminates the need to sew or seam pieces together, resulting in a cleaner finish and a more polished look.
When knitting in the round, you will use circular knitting needles or double-pointed needles, depending on the size of your project. Circular needles are great for larger projects such as sweaters, while double-pointed needles are perfect for smaller projects like socks or hats. You will also need stitch markers to help keep track of your stitches and rounds.
Before you start knitting in the round, it is important to cast on the correct number of stitches for your project and join them in a circle. This ensures that your stitches will form a continuous loop. Be careful not to twist your stitches when joining them, as this will cause difficulties later on.
Getting Started with Circular Needles
Knitting in the round with circular needles is a great alternative to traditional straight needles. Circular needles allow you to create seamless projects, such as hats, socks, and sweaters, with ease.
Here are some steps to help you get started with circular needles:
- Choose the Right Needle Size: Select a circular needle size that fits your project, taking into consideration the yarn weight and gauge. It’s best to consult your knitting pattern for guidance.
- Assemble the Needle: Separate the two needles of your circular needle set. Attach the desired length of cable to one of the needles by screwing it into place.
- Cast On Stitches: Cast on your desired number of stitches onto the needle with the attached cable. Ensure that the stitches are evenly distributed along the cable.
- Join in the Round: To join the stitches in the round, place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of your round. Be careful not to twist the stitches as you work your way around.
- Start Knitting: Begin knitting your desired pattern, ensuring that you are using the correct knitting technique for circular needles. As you work, slide the stitches from the left needle to the right needle as you go.
- Continue Knitting: Once you have completed one round, continue knitting in the round as instructed in your pattern. This may involve repeating certain stitches or patterns until you reach your desired length.
- Finishing the Project: To finish your project, follow the instructions for binding off your stitches. The finished result will be a seamless and continuous piece.
With these simple steps, you can start knitting in the round using circular needles. Enjoy the convenience and versatility that this technique brings to your knitting projects!
Casting On in the Round
When knitting in the round, casting on is slightly different than when knitting flat. In order to create a seamless knitting project, you’ll need to cast on the correct number of stitches and join them in a circle.
The Long Tail Cast On Method
One common method for casting on in the round is the long tail cast on. To begin, leave a long tail at the end of your yarn, roughly four times the circumference of your project. Make a slip knot at the end of the tail and place it on one of your double-pointed needles or circular needles.
- Hold the needle in your right hand, pointing it towards the left. Take the tail and wrap it around your left hand thumb, going from front to back and crossing over the working yarn.
- With your right hand needle, insert it into the loop on your left thumb from front to back.
- Grab the working yarn with the right needle and pull it through the loop, creating a new stitch.
- Slide the new stitch onto the left needle, making sure it does not fall off the right needle.
- Repeat steps 2-4 until you have cast on the desired number of stitches for your project. Make sure to keep the stitches loose enough so that you can easily join them into a circle.
Once you have finished casting on, you are ready to join your stitches and begin knitting in the round.
Joining the Stitches
Before you start knitting, it’s important to join your cast on stitches into a circle. This will ensure that your knitting forms a seamless tube and not a flat piece.
To join the stitches, slip the first cast-on stitch from your left needle to your right needle. Be careful not to twist your stitches, as this can cause your knitting to become misaligned.
Once the stitches are joined, you can place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of your round if desired.
Now that your stitches are joined, you can proceed with the required knitting stitch pattern for your project.
Knitting Patterns for Circular Needles
Knitting in the round using circular needles opens up a world of possibilities for creating beautiful and seamless garments. With no need for seams or stitching up pieces, it’s a popular choice for knitting projects such as hats, cowls, and sweaters. Here are a few knitting patterns that are perfect for circular needles:
1. Seamless Hat Pattern:
This seamless hat pattern is perfect for beginners or knitters who want a quick project. Using circular needles, you can easily create a seamless and stretchy hat. The pattern includes instructions for different sizes and yarn weights, so you can customize it to your preferences.
2. Cozy Cowl Pattern:
Stay warm and stylish with this cozy cowl pattern. Circular needles allow you to easily work in the round, creating a seamless accessory that can be worn draped around the neck or pulled up as a hood. The pattern includes different stitch options, so you can choose from a simple rib or a more intricate cable design.
3. Top-Down Sweater Pattern:
If you’re ready to take on a larger project, a top-down sweater is a great option. Knitting the sweater in the round from the top-down allows for easy fitting and customization. With circular needles, you can easily try on the sweater as you knit, ensuring the perfect fit. The pattern includes detailed instructions and sizing options.
Remember to always check the gauge and follow the pattern instructions carefully when knitting with circular needles. With practice and patience, you’ll soon be creating stunning and seamless projects using circular needles.
Decreasing and Increasing in the Round
Decreasing and increasing in the round are two essential techniques in knitting that allow you to shape your work. Whether you’re working on a hat, a sweater, or any other circular knitting project, learning how to properly decrease and increase is important to achieve the desired fit and design.
Decreasing
To decrease in the round, there are several methods you can employ, depending on the desired effect and stitch pattern you’re working with.
1. Knit Two Together (K2Tog)
This is the most common method of decreasing in knitting. To perform a knit two together decrease, simply insert your right needle into the next two stitches on your left needle as if you were going to knit them, then wrap the working yarn around the right needle and pull it through both stitches, slipping them off the left needle.
2. Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK)
The SSK decrease creates a left-leaning decrease. To do this, slip the next two stitches individually, one at a time, as if to knit, onto your right needle. Then insert the left needle into the fronts of these two slipped stitches and knit them together.
3. Central Double Decrease (CDD)
For a centered decrease, the central double decrease is often used. To perform this decrease, slip the first two stitches knitwise onto the right needle, knit the next stitch, then pass the two slipped stitches over the knit stitch and off the needle. This creates a neat nosedive effect and is commonly used in lace and cable patterns.
Increasing
When it comes to increasing in the round, the most commonly used method is the knit front and back increase (KFB). This increase creates a new stitch by working into the front and then the back loop of a single stitch.
To execute the KFB increase, insert your right needle into the front loop of the next stitch on the left needle and knit it as usual. But instead of slipping the old stitch off the left needle, insert the right needle into the back loop of the same stitch and knit it as well. Finally, slip the old stitch off the left needle. You have now increased by one stitch.
With the knowledge of these decreasing and increasing techniques, you can confidently tackle any circular knitting project, adding shaping and design elements to your work like a pro!
Joining a New Ball of Yarn
Joining a new ball of yarn while knitting in the round is a simple process that can be done seamlessly.
Here are the steps for joining a new ball of yarn:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Once you’re running out of yarn, leave a tail measuring about 6 inches. |
| 2 | Take the end of the new ball of yarn and hold it together with the tail of the old yarn. |
| 3 | Knit the next stitch in the round as usual, using both strands of yarn. |
| 4 | Continue knitting with the new ball of yarn, leaving the old tail hanging. |
| 5 | Make sure to keep the tension consistent as you switch to the new yarn. |
| 6 | When you finish knitting the entire round, the new yarn is securely joined. |
By following these steps, you will be able to join a new ball of yarn seamlessly while knitting in the round without any interruptions. Happy knitting!
Binding Off in the Round
Once you have completed your desired number of rounds in your knitting project worked in the round, it’s time to bind off or cast off your stitches. Binding off in the round is slightly different than binding off in traditional flat knitting because you will be working with a continuous loop of stitches.
Step 1: Cut the Yarn
To start the binding off process, cut your yarn, leaving a long tail – approximately 6-8 inches should be sufficient.
Step 2: Thread the Yarn
Thread the end of the cut yarn through the eye of a tapestry needle. Make sure the needle is large enough to easily thread the yarn.
Step 3: Slip the First Stitch
Insert the tapestry needle through the first stitch on your left-hand needle as if to purl, and slide the stitch off the left-hand needle.
Step 4: Slip the Second Stitch
Insert the tapestry needle through the second stitch on your left-hand needle as if to knit, and slide the stitch off the left-hand needle.
Step 5: Pull Tight
Gently pull the yarn tail through the stitch. You may need to tighten it slightly to ensure that the stitch is secure but avoid pulling it too tight, as this will make it difficult to work subsequent stitches.
Step 6: Repeat Steps 4 and 5
Continue repeating steps 4 and 5 until you have bound off all stitches. You should have one stitch left on your right-hand needle.
Step 7: Weave in the Ends
Once you have only one stitch remaining on your right-hand needle, cut the yarn tail, leaving another long tail. Thread the tail through the last stitch, pull tightly, and weave in the ends of the yarn to secure them.
And there you have it – you have successfully bound off your stitches in the round! Now you can finish your knitting project with confidence.
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