Circular needles are just what they seem; they give the knitter the opportunity to work in a circle and are useful for knitting round objects, such as caps and knobs. Knitting with circular needles isn't quite the same as with straight needles, so it's best to read this article to learn how to use them.
Steps
Step 1. Get some circular needles and some thread
Step 2. Make a slip knot and pass it over the needle
Step 3. Mount the points
Mount the stitches by any method you know. It is recommended not to use the inverted ring method, as the ring may turn and fall apart.
Step 4. Group all the stitches on the left needle, or where you started stitching
Make sure all of your stitches are straight on the needle and facing the same direction.
Step 5. Join the dots
This means that you need to join the yarn to the work so that it is a continuous circle. Hold the iron where you started stitching in your left hand, and the other in your right hand. Start working with the working yarn, make sure you are joining the yarn at the beginning and creating a circle.
Step 6. Keep the joining points pulled and the first ones below
Otherwise you could create a stretch where you joined the yarn and you don't want that to happen.
Step 7. Place a marker on the right needle to mark the start of the round
If you don't have a marker you can use a paper clip. This is not entirely necessary, however, since you can see where your round begins with the edge of the thread, but it is useful if you are working a complicated pattern.
Step 8. Continue working in a circle
A tubular structure to start is best.
Step 9. Disassemble the stitches as you normally do
Step 10. Finished
Advice
- You can also work straight, flat pieces with circular needles. Just don't join the stitches and turn the piece after every row.
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Here is the list of points and how to do them when you work in a circle:
- Garter stitch: one straight needle, one purl needle. And repeat.
- Jersey stitch: straight for all rows.
- Reverse jersey stitch: purl for all rows.
- You can also work in a circle with double pointed needles. Try both methods and find out which one you prefer.
- Remember, when working in a circle, never turn the piece.
- If your needles are too large for the project you want to do, they will pull the yarn and your finished project won't look very good. Look at the moving stitch or magic ring method, which allows you to knit small objects with long circular needles.
