Complete guide to knitting with circular needles

How to Use Circular Knitting Needles: Step by Step

1. Cast on the stitches

Casting on stitches with circular needles is no different than with straight needles. You just need to keep in mind that, being circular, the stitches are distributed along the cable.

Steps to cast on the stitches :

• Place the cable over your shoulders, so that the cable is long enough for you to knit comfortably.
• Begin by casting on the stitches as you normally would on a straight needle, but make sure not to pull the thread too tight, as the stitches need to be able to move freely along the wire.

2. Join in a circle (if necessary)

If you're knitting a project that requires working in the round (like a hat, for example), it's important to join the stitches correctly to avoid twisting.

Steps to join without twisting :

• Make sure all points are evenly distributed and that there is no twisting in the cable.
• Hold the work with both hands, with the left needle at the bottom and the right needle at the top.
• Push the points towards the cable to ensure everything is properly aligned and without twisting.
• Begin knitting in the circle as you normally would, following the pattern of your project.

3. Knit in the round or flat

Depending on the project, you can knit in the round or flat.

• Knitting in the round : Simply continue knitting from one end of the cable to the other. This type of knitting is perfect for items like hats, sweaters, and large blankets, as you won't need to join the pieces at the end.

• Flat knitting : If you need to work a flat piece (like a scarf or part of a sweater), you can knit back and forth over the cable, without forming a circle. This is possible because the cable on circular needles is long, giving you enough room to work flat.

4. Change needle (if necessary)

If you're working on large projects or if your pattern requires using different sized needles, you can easily change the needles.

• Remove the old needles and place the new needles on the cable, keeping the stitches in the same place.
• Make sure the points don't slip off the cable while you're making the change.

5. Close the job

When you've finished your project, you'll need to bind off. The bind-off process is similar to knitting with straight needles, but remember that you'll need to work with the same length of cable.

• Use a yarn needle to bind off the stitches if you are working on a garment that has no seam.

Tips and Tricks for Knitting with Circular Needles

1. Avoid twisting : When you set up the stitches and start working in the circle, make sure the cable is not twisted, as this can cause the work to look uneven or become tangled.

2. Use long cables for large projects : If you're knitting something large, such as a blanket or poncho, use circular needles with longer cables to ensure the stitches have enough space.

3. Needles with interchangeable cables : Consider investing in circular needles with interchangeable cables. They are ideal for those who work on projects of different sizes and materials, as you can change the cable according to the size of your project.

4. Save your work on the needle : Circular needles are excellent for saving your work in progress. You can leave the stitches on the cable without them falling off, and you don't have to worry about losing stitches when you set your project aside.