How to Start Knitting

One of the scarier moments that all beginning knitter's face is when they graduate from knitting with two needles that have one pointed and one slip proof and, to using more than two needles and needles that are pointed on both ends. You can be scared to death that your work is simply going to slip off of the bottom of other needles. But once you know how to do knitting in the round with double pointed needles, it's not all that difficult at all. Here's a few tips to get you well on your way to knitting in the round.

You'll want to cast on in the usual way by using a single needle. For large projects with a lot of stitches you might cast on using several needles, just make sure that the number of stitches on each needle is equal.

Next, make sure that your stitches are straight and not curling around the needle before you begin to knit. Your first stitch should join the first cast on stitch and your last cast on stitch so you'll need to add a couple of stitches before adding that fourth needle. Slide your fourth needle up through the waiting stitch just like you would at any other time. However, it might feel pretty awkward first time you're trying to handle three or four needles when before you've only been using two. As a matter of fact, it might be best to sit in a spot where the needles that are not currently in use can rest on something such as a table until you become more adept at handling all four needles.

You always want to go a couple of stitches extra when knitting in the round. When your left needle runs out of stitches put it somewhere easily accessible, this is the point you'll need to add a stitch or two before you add the fourth needle back in. If you don't make these extra stitches, you can end up with little gaps in your work until you get better at making compensation for the natural pull and slack that can occur at the end of each needle.

Yes, it can be a little scary, but also very exciting when you find out that you can knit in the round which is perfect for things like socks and bags. With just a little bit of practice, and rolling and those extra stitches, you'll soon feel comfortable and confident when knitting with double pointed needles in the round.