If you are a knitter then you may know what circular needles are but you may not know why they are useful or how to use them. This article will give you some information on what the benefits are and what you need to do to get started.
The Basics and Advantages
Circular needles have a lot of similarities with straight needles, there are two tips but instead of being separate they are joined by a cable. The length of this cable can vary and is usually between 40cm and 150cm in length. We will give you some information on how to use circular needles but first we have put a list of advantages below:
1. Circular needles are very practical for day to day use. They can easily be stored in a bag as they are compact and are great for getting out when you are on the move.
2. You do not have to worry about misplacing one needle because these are joined.
The Basics and Advantages
Circular needles have a lot of similarities with straight needles, there are two tips but instead of being separate they are joined by a cable. The length of this cable can vary and is usually between 40cm and 150cm in length. We will give you some information on how to use circular needles but first we have put a list of advantages below:
1. Circular needles are very practical for day to day use. They can easily be stored in a bag as they are compact and are great for getting out when you are on the move.
2. You do not have to worry about misplacing one needle because these are joined.
3. It is easier to measure your work as you can more easily spread the stitches out on them.
4. Their design means that you can hold more stitches than on regular straight needles.
5. Knitting can be more comfortable as your work will sit on your lap and does not need to be supported by your arms.
6. They can be used for top down knitting or making garments without a seam which is very useful if you want to make a fitted garment.
The above are just a few examples of benefits that many knitters have got from using circular needles and there are many personal ones, like being able to knit on the tube more easily. Detailed below is how to actually use circular needles.
Using Circular Needles
When it comes to casting on the process is the same as casting on with straight needles. Whatever method you use just apply the same process with the circular needles. Now if you are not working in the round then the process also stays the same. Work the first row and the when you get to the end, turn you work round, switching the hands that the needles are in and work the wrong side row back.
When knitting in the round the process becomes a bit more complicated. Firstly after you have cast on you need to work the first row joining the ends of the work. It is very important that you check you have not twisted your stitches, take the time to line them up before you begin otherwise it will cost you a lot more time in the future. Also the first stitch should be pulled tightly to ensure a smooth join. The final thing you need to do is place a stitch marker to show the beginning and ending of the row.
The marker that you place at the start is very important as it will help you to know just how many rows you have worke
4. Their design means that you can hold more stitches than on regular straight needles.
5. Knitting can be more comfortable as your work will sit on your lap and does not need to be supported by your arms.
6. They can be used for top down knitting or making garments without a seam which is very useful if you want to make a fitted garment.
The above are just a few examples of benefits that many knitters have got from using circular needles and there are many personal ones, like being able to knit on the tube more easily. Detailed below is how to actually use circular needles.
Using Circular Needles
When it comes to casting on the process is the same as casting on with straight needles. Whatever method you use just apply the same process with the circular needles. Now if you are not working in the round then the process also stays the same. Work the first row and the when you get to the end, turn you work round, switching the hands that the needles are in and work the wrong side row back.
When knitting in the round the process becomes a bit more complicated. Firstly after you have cast on you need to work the first row joining the ends of the work. It is very important that you check you have not twisted your stitches, take the time to line them up before you begin otherwise it will cost you a lot more time in the future. Also the first stitch should be pulled tightly to ensure a smooth join. The final thing you need to do is place a stitch marker to show the beginning and ending of the row.
The marker that you place at the start is very important as it will help you to know just how many rows you have worke
When it comes to casting on the process is the same as casting on with straight needles. Whatever method you use just apply the same process with the circular needles. Now if you are not working in the round then the process also stays the same. Work the first row and the when you get to the end, turn you work round, switching the hands that the needles are in and work the wrong side row back.
When knitting in the round the process becomes a bit more complicated. Firstly after you have cast on you need to work the first row joining the ends of the work. It is very important that you check you have not twisted your stitches, take the time to line them up before you begin otherwise it will cost you a lot more time in the future. Also the first stitch should be pulled tightly to ensure a smooth join. The final thing you need to do is place a stitch marker to show the beginning and ending of the row.
The marker that you place at the start is very important as it will help you to know just how many rows you have worked. It is also worth noting that you only work the right side rows when working in the round so knitting every row will give you st st. Sticking to the details put in this article will soon make you an expert with circular needles.
About the Author:
When knitting in the round the process becomes a bit more complicated. Firstly after you have cast on you need to work the first row joining the ends of the work. It is very important that you check you have not twisted your stitches, take the time to line them up before you begin otherwise it will cost you a lot more time in the future. Also the first stitch should be pulled tightly to ensure a smooth join. The final thing you need to do is place a stitch marker to show the beginning and ending of the row.
The marker that you place at the start is very important as it will help you to know just how many rows you have worked. It is also worth noting that you only work the right side rows when working in the round so knitting every row will give you st st. Sticking to the details put in this article will soon make you an expert with circular needles.
About the Author:
This article has been supplied by Mercedes Aspland for The Knitting Shop the best place to buy knitting yarn online.