Knitting in the round is an important skill for any knitter to learn. Lots of items can be knit flat and then seamed, but if you learn to knit in the round you can speed up your knitting and avoid having to seam things like hats, cowls, socks, and more. Here are four common ways to knit in the round. Try them all to figure out which one is your favorite for circular knitting.
Circular Needles
Circular needles come in many different lengths and are perfect for every project that needs to be knit in the round. Use a smaller circular, like a 9” circular for the sleeves of baby sweaters or when knitting a sock. Longer circular needles (16”, 24”, 32”, 40”, and beyond) can be used on everything from hats to adult sweaters.
Double-Pointed Needles
These needles have points on both ends, making them ideal for knitting in the round. Double-pointed needles (DPNs) can be configured in a variety of ways, depending on your needs. For socks, I prefer to have my stitches on three needles and use the fourth needle for knitting. For bigger items, like hats, I will have my stitches on four needles and use a fifth needle for knitting. Play around with the DPN configuration that’s best for you!
Two Circular Needles
You can use two circular needles to knit in the round. Typically, the stitches will be split up with half of the stitches on each circular needle. I like using this technique for items like hats, as you don’t have to switch to double-pointed needles as you decrease for the crown of the hat.
Magic Loop
Using one long circular needle, you can knit in the round using the magic loop method. The stitches are split in half, much like using two circulars, but the long cord is holding half the stitches, while knitting across the other half of the circular piece.
I’d love to know: what is your preferred method for knitting in the round?
Related Videos: Neatly Weave in Ends on Circular Knitting, Knitting in the Round with a Circular Needle, Knitting in the Round Using the Magic Loop Method
Magic Loop is my favorite!
I am looking forward to seeing more information about knitting. I am a beginner and I am learning on my own. I saw your text message about knitting and fell in love with it.
I love magic loop. From the smallest item to the largest. No matter what I am knitting I always use my interchangeable needles. I just change the length of the cord. The Knitting Circle is great by the way.
Prefer circular and double point
Find it difficult not to twist the first round when using circulars
Want to learn more about knitting in the round.
Was interested in knitting socks with circular needles
My favorite method is the magic loop
Hmmmmm…I am a member but I can only find an article, not a video??? Help!
Same! I thought it was just me lol.
I never mastered the 2 circular or the last one. I sometimes loose stitches on the double pointed needles. Is there a trick to holding them on?
Thanks
I perfer to use circular needles but if I had to I would use double point. I hate to use the magic loop it takes too long to use this method.
My work tends to lean to the left when knitting in the round. What am i doing wrong. How can i prevent this? or is this normal?
Hello Patty,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
For many people, it is normal, and can be fixed with blocking. However, you might try changing your needle type or yarn type to see if that makes a difference. For example, depending on the twist of the yarn plies, it can cause the fabric to bias one way or the other.
Sincerely,
Sarah
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
As in most of your videos, your instructors knit the English way. I knit the Conventional way, was taught this way over 65 years ago. I find your videos very hard to follow in the English style.
Hello Karen,
Thank you for your feedback. I have forwarded your comment to the proper department. We value your opinion, and it will help with the development of our online streaming community. We will continue to listen and work hard for your complete satisfaction.
Sincerely,
Sarah
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
I agree I aldole
I also learned to knit the Conventional way over 60 years ago. I agree it is hard to follow the English style. I don’t know why anyone would want to knit the Scottish way. If you crochet off your left hand why wouldn’t you k it the same way.
I do socks on two circs; sweaters on one circ. Mittens I may use double points or two circs. I do nearly all my knitting with circs regardless of what I’m making. Do use bamboo straights for knitting cotton dish cloths, though.
I like either using one circular needle or two, I do not like to use double pointed needles
Magic loop always!
I used double pointed needles , single circular needles and double circular needles – depending on project – most I am doing now are small enough for double pointed needles
Magic Loop always!!!
I am sorry for the question of 7/14/21. I did not see your previous response. I will have to wait!!
I would like a video that shows the transition from circular needle to DPNs. This is where I get confused.
Hello Linda,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
We will add this to our list of video requests. Great idea! We do have a hat knitting class coming out soon that will cover this topic as well!
Please let us know if you have any further questions
Sincerely,
Sarah
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
I enjoy the magic loop method .
I love knitting in the round. I have learned all the methods you mention in your article.
When I first learned the magic loop, I struggled to make it work..now it is truly my favourite method.
It would be interesting to do a poll of your members!
I am looking for a pattern of a beanie.
Hey Gailene,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
We have lots of beanie patterns in the shop!
https://www.theknittingcircle.com/?s=hat+pattern
Please let us know if you have any further questions
Sincerely,
Danesha
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
I like 9 inch circular needle for socks. I have tried dpn and magic loop and not finished one sock with those two methods. It is my short coming on both unused methods and that I just don’t get the jist of how to turn and move needle or needles if using two on magic loop. Dpns are just too many sticks pointing all different ways
Hello Olivia,
Thank you for contacting us.
Glad to hear you like the 9-inch circulars. It’s important that you find the tools that work best for you!
If you ever want to explore DPNs or Magic Loop again, we have some premium videos that you might find helpful:
https://www.theknittingcircle.com/video/using-double-pointed-needles-to-knit-socks-018482/
theknittingcircle.com/video/knitting-in-the-round-using-the-magic-loop-method-018470/
If you have any additional questions, please email or contact Customer Service at 1-833-622-6523.
Sincerely,
Lindsay
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
4 Double pointed needles seem to have a mind of their own and get away as soon as possible leaving you with empty stitches.
I am knitting socks right now. I have only knitted for a few months and have undone my project many times after realizing errors in alignment of my stitches in the pattern. I was told by a friend that the first million stitches are practice (haha) which I am sure is somewhat true. I have only used circular needles since trying at first to use four needles and feeling like I had all thumbs, just couldn’t get use to the handful. Anyway I live “twist” needles which I was introduced to. They are amazing!! So looking forward to learning much more from you all.
Socks are an ambitious project for a new knitter. There are sock looms on the market that make it easier to create the heel which can be the frustration. Missed stitches gives you the spot to show that the socks you made are not machine made. Throw a button over the mis-stitch and a matching one on the second sox. Enjoy.
Need tutorial help with joing in the round with 3dpn. Like to knit leggings
Hey Alice,
Here’s what the experts had to say about your question:
We have a premium video that explains how to knit socks in the round on double-pointed needles. The concept would be exactly the same for leggings: https://www.theknittingcircle.com/video/using-double-pointed-needles-to-knit-socks-018482/
We also have a photo tutorial PDF for a mini mitten ornament knit on double-pointed needles. You may find that helpful as well: https://go.knittingcircle.com/A25357/
Please let us know if you have any further questions
Sincerely,
Danesha
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
I liked the video on magic loop knitting, but how do you prevent the look of a seem between the two sets of stitches. Do you just pull a little tighter when you switch sets?
I use either DPN or one circular. Enjoyed the video and article.
When knitting in the round I prefer using circular needles.
Since I learnt the magic loop method 5 or 6 years ago it is the only one that I use. Bootees to afghans, my interchangeable needles are always in use.
Do you have the same laddering issues using two circular needles as you do with magic loop?
Hello Cynthia,
Thank you for contacting us.
It really depends on the person and their style of knitting. Most of the time, laddering can be resolved by tightening down slightly on the first and second stitch on the needle.
If you have any additional questions, please email or contact Customer Service at 1-833-622-6523.
Sincerely,
Lindsay
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
Can you demo finishing a hat using double pointed needles?
Hello Margie,
Thank you for contacting us.
That’s definitely something we can add to the list of things to bring to The Knitting Circle in the future! We do have a free mini mitten pattern that was knit using double pointed needles, that you might find helpful for hat knitting on DPNs. The general concept of knitting in the round is the same. The pattern is here: https://go.knittingcircle.com/A25357/
The video is here: https://www.craftsy.com/post/5-days-of-merry-making-mini-knitted-mittens-ornament/
If you have any additional questions, please email or contact Customer Service at 1-833-622-6523.
Sincerely,
Lindsay
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
Circular needles
My favorite way to knit in the round is with dpn’s but if it is a larger item, I like to use traveling loop.
In the past I’ve always used dpn for knitting socks, but will try magic loop on the next pair. It seems most patterns for straight knitting are using circular needles I’m thinking it has to do with new construction methods for sweaters, etc.
I love the magic loop. I have less needles to buy. You can work arm, body or a sock with the same needles.
I joined the knitting circle but can’t remember what password I used
Hello Gillian,
Thank you for contacting us.
Please contact our customer service at: 1-833-622-6523 or email knittingcircle@program-director.net so they can reset it for you.
If you have any additional questions, please email or contact Customer Service at 1-833-622-6523.
Sincerely,
Lindsay
The Knitting Circle Video Membership
I just love knitting in the round because I don’t like to seam. Anxious to try using two circular needles and also the magic loop.
Magic Loop, every time!
I prefer using two circular needles most of the time. I’ll use a single circular as well.
Love to learn new method of magic loop.
Other wise I prefer use circular needles when possible/ when I have them in correct size
Very useful info. Thanks
I am partial to using two circulars for socks, sleeves, hats, etc. I will use dpn’s when necessary. I dislike magic loop.
I will be back to spend more time, lots of help here. Thanks Marlene
I love all of these pointers and videos. Thank you!
Very helpful as I’m getting ready to knit my first pair of half fingered gloves!!
I need to actually find the video on knitting socks on circular needles
Very helpful! Thank you!
Excellent Knitting in the round video. Takes the fear out of it… :-)