It should come as no surprise to anyone who visits this page regularly that I've got circular knitting on the brain this week, which leads me to a circular knitting related question: which kind of needles do you prefer for circular knitting?
Let us know by answering this poll, and if you've got any great tips for making circular knitting a little easier, add them to the comments.
Poll:Circular or Double-Pointed Needles?
Let us know by answering this poll, and if you've got any great tips for making circular knitting a little easier, add them to the comments.
Poll:Circular or Double-Pointed Needles?
- Circulars.
- Double-pointed.
- I like both.
- Depends on the project.
- I don't like either.
- I don't do circular knitting.
Comments
I prefer to use two sets of dpn’s if I have a large project. Circulars tire my wrists.
I prefer circular needles and use them for just about everything. I love to travel and they go with we very well.
I can’t stand either of them; I use straights exclusively with the exception of necklines and then only if I am just about forced to.
I use circular needles exclusively. Otherwise, I’d have mis-matched needles everywhere. It just helps to have them connected.
I also like the fact that I can drop a sock on circulars into my purse and not have to worry too much about stitches falling off, like I’ve experienced with DPNs.
I love my Denise Interchangeable set and use them exclusively as circulars. I have also found a technique called magic circle (or something of that sort) eliminates the need for dpn work.
My mistake: Magic Loop is the technique. It is awesome!
I love using circular needles. For years I only likes straight medal needles then I went through my Mom’s craft supplies after she died and kept the ones she had. It was still several years before I used them and now I have converted to them; I love them!!!!
I alsways used them for heavy Arans. Also, I cast on with a straight needle then continued on circular.
I do a lot of “baby” knitting. For hats I absolutely love the shorter 12″ circulars and I finish the top with double pointed needles. I just started doing dps with five needles. What a neat way to go. Much smoother and no lines.
I use circular for absolutely everything. I use two short sets size 1 or 0 for socks and have adapted many patterns calling for 5 dpn to the double set of circulars. If you like the interchangable ones try the sets that Knit Picks offer called “Options” the cables are very simular to Addi Turbo’s.
I have Rhumatoid Arthritis in just about every joint and Ostio-arthritis in my hands. Circular needles have been a God send for me. I have the Boyds set, but they keep falling apart so I am getting the Denise and the extra cord set so I can do the Magic Loop technique that Faith mentioned. Can’t wait to get them. Found them the cheapest I’ve ever seen in the Patternworks News summer 2007 edition. I considered Knit Picks Options, but they have a screw connection and was afraid they’d be like the Boyds.
i would like to know how to knit socks on circular needles. do you have an article that you could show with pictures so i could see how it is done. thanks cynthia
I use two circulars for just about anything I can. Less changing of needles than double points, and it works for big or small.
I love working with both but do get tangled in yarn and needles when first starting a project. I have found that when working with double point that i have less trouble and keep the needles from falling out if I put the stitch tips on them first.
What is this Magic Loop you are all talking about? I haven’t heard of it.
Cynthia – try these websites -
http://www.az.com/~andrade/knit/socks.html;
http://www.az.com/~andrade/knit/twocirculars.html for instructions;www.panix.com/~iliaine/socks.cgi for customized sock instructions and http://www.fuzzynoodleknits.com for a good basic sock pattern. The sock pattern is a variation of Cat Bordhi’s.
I use double point needles for nearly everything, even sometimes for flat knitting. I do a lot of knitting in the car and find they are short enough not to get caught in my sleeves (I am quite talented at getting caught in things).
I use Clover’s bamboo needles, lighter and easier on stiff joints, no clicking and clanking, they don’t slip around either. Good tip to joining the first round, cast-on an extra stitch, move the first stitch on the right needle to the left needle then knit the first and last together tightly. This helps to prevent that unsightly gap where the rounds join up.
I use Addi Turbos exclusively no matter whatn I’m knitting–from the smallest baby booties to the biggest afghan. I use 2 24 inch circulars to knit in the round in whatever size is called for or for Cat Bordhi’s mobius bags I use a 48 or 60 inch. Since discovering the ease of knitting with Addi Turbos, I haven’t picked up straight needles for anything. They’re great!!!
I have used circular needles or DPs for over 30 years. Recently I converted to the ones from Knit Picks. The connection is extremely secure as they provide a little gizmo that resembles an Allen wrench to hold the needle as you attach the point.The join is very smooth. For socks I still use short wood DPs, though one day I’m going to try the Magic Loop method. I have no idea why I’m hanging on to a load of straights! For silk & other slippery yarns I use bamboo needles.
Please explain what the Magic Loop method. I am really curious.
There’s a video of the magic loop method here: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/advanced-techniques
I actually did this out of necessity before I knew there was a name for it. I use this fairly often for circular knitting on big needles where I might not have a set of DPNs.