Knitting 201 {Circular Needles}

Yes--that's right.  You are correct.  The "201" in the title means that we are stepping into the next arena of knitting.  If you missed the previous tutorials, click here to start at the beginning. 

Today, we are going to talk about knitting with circular needles.  Circular knitting needles come in various sizes as far as the diameter (width) of the needle, as well as the length of the needles.  My favorite brand of circular needles is addi TURBO.  I love how smoothly the yarn transfers from needle to needle, and the connecting wire bends more easily with the project.

There are two ways to knit with circular needles.  Either way you want to use them, you will cast on the stitches as you would a straight needle.

The first way you can use circular needles is just like knitting with straight needles, but they are connected at the back.  When using circular needles in place of straight needles, you cast on your stitches, then knit into the last stitch of the last row.  If you are right-handed (and knit like me) then your project will be on the left needle, and you will then grab the other needle in your right hand.  You continue to trade the two tips of the needles between each hand.  People often use circular needles to knit blankets because the circular needles can fit so many stitches.

The other way you can use circular needles is to make a tube with your knitting (like a hat), also called knit in the round.  To do this, you will cast on your stitches; you will need enough stitches to reach both tips with your stitches.  The final stitch will actually be on the needle in your right hand (again assuming you are right-handed and knit like me).  You will knit into the first stitch that you cast on.  You will continue to knit until your project has reached its required length. 

Make sure you do not twist your stitches before you connect when knitting in the round, or your project will not create a tube.

If you are going to knit in the round, you should place a marker on the needles after you cast on your stitches, but before you begin knitting into the first row.  You can use a piece of yarn in a different color, or you can buy markers from the store.  When you are knitting in the round, you will pass the marker from needle to needle each time you reach the marker.

I will be linking this to these link parties.