I have long absolutely DREADED circular needles! I'd immediately close any new pattern page if any circular needle was involved... so it was with pure relief that I've just watched your clear, straight forward video on how to knit flat with circular needles instead of straights. Wonderful done, and thank you, thank you, thank you! :-)
That’s really lovely to hear. I’m so glad my video helped. I found circulars off putting too & when I finally have it a go, I never went back! If you like knitting flat with circulars, it’s quite easy to move on to knitting in the round with them. Then you can knit any pattern you like 😊
I'm teaching myself how to do this and it's been overwhelming. And if anyone can help me do a ripple knit blanket that would be great. Watching a bunch of videos hasn't been very helpful
Thanks, I had to brush up on how to flat knit with a circular needle. I had started knitting a readers shawl several years ago and stopped this one and knitted afgans with Bernats blanket yarn for 5 family members for Christmas and/or Birthday presents. I pulled this out tonight and realized I couldn't remember how to do it. Thanks again for your help! 👍🏼🎉🙂
Thank you so much for this video. I've gotten back into knitting after a multi-year break and have had to relearn some basics, in which I kept hearing how circular needles had major advantages. I bought a very expensive multi-tip set, got them home, and then just sat there not knowing what the heck to do. My first attempts did not go well to say the least and I was having major buyers remorse. But you've cleared it all up for me now, appreciate it!
@@dorisa2797 wow I’m jealous of your fancy set & love that you can make use of them now! 🥳 I’ve never gone back to straights, even though I still regularly knit stuff flat (back & forth in rows). Welcome back to knitting & hope you have fun 😊
thank you so much for this! I actually much prefer circular knitting as I find it easier to keep my work in place when frequently setting it down/moving it but I was finding so much restriction in only making circular patterns! this is so helpful
Delighted to hear this! I still knit lots of stuff back & forth but always on circulars now - much easier on my wrists & easier to judge size while knitting
Thank you for showing such a clear, straightforward way of knitting straight with circular needles! I too have not used circular needles before but your video makes it look really easy. Thank you again.
Thanks so much for the kind words Elaine. I had a complete mental block about circulars for years and when I finally tried I couldn't believe it was just like knitting with straights after all - except better - for me at least :)
Thank you so very very much for such a detailed tutorial I've just been out to buy several sizes of circle needles I'm turning a tunic jumper into above the knee dress and I've got a lot of stitches and I thought I'm not going to understand this you've made my afternoon now and all without annoying music a million thank yous
Wow that sounds like a really interesting project Kym. I hope it works out for you & so glad this video helped. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who prefers vids without music :)
Thank you I can't believe how much I've done in the space of a few hours once I get the length of the dress length I will then go back to the main pattern I'm doing on the dress part in a 6 by 6 rib then I will revert back to the main pattern in the stocking stitch
Top work Kym! 👏 Your creativity is so inspiring. It’s so interesting to hear how you’re reworking one garment into another. Maybe you should start your own channel!
So you’re a sewing whiz too? 👏 Making TH-cam shorts by just filming your work in progress with your phone can be a fun way to start but it’s lovely to just forget all about technology and enjoy some crafting too ☺️
Once I found out I could knit flat with circular needles it changed everything as I had more control and it took weight off my waist and shoulders so less fatigue. Also the shorter tips are great for me as long needles are just super hard to control. I have never seen that cast on method before though (the using both needles to cast on) I just keep casting on normal on the right needle ond let the stitches move down the cord then rotate my work to start the first row. Do you have a tutorial on how you do it in the video?
Hi Frances, the 2 needle cast on in this demo is usually called the "knitted cast on". My channel is new so only a few videos so far, but here's a good knitted cast on tutorial from VeryPink: th-cam.com/video/IzVy8fRfOw0/w-d-xo.html A common variation on this is the cable cast on. Both give a solid edge & have the advantage of not needing to guess how long a yarn tail to cast on with so you can never come up short! But, personally I prefer the long tail cast on as I find it quicker & works nicely for most cases including ribbing. Hope this helps, Janine.
Great video. I am just starting out and I think this may help me get the hang of holding the needle and having control of the stitches. Now they are kind of doing their own thing 😂.
So glad you found it helpful. Hang on in there. Once it clicks it clicks like riding a bike. Even though you may feel you’re not quite in control yet, every practise helps & think of the progress you have made from your very first go.
Lol my normal knit style is weird basicly I don’t swap my needles around and stay on the left hand? It’s just how I got taught 😅. I’m curious if the way I’m doing it has a name.
@@christenagervais7303 very nice! Which ones? I’ve mainly interchangeables too (knitters pride /Knitpro symfonie wood) but I’ve been building them up over the years as I need them for projects
@@craftfixblog I have the Takumi bamboo set. I'd like to get the Xiao Xiao aluminum set. The one nice thing about the Xiao Xiao set, is that you can use the little tightening hole to put in a lifeline in your knitting. You can't with the Takumi.
@@christenagervais7303 thanks for the info. I confess I’ve rarely bothered with lifelines 🫢 I’m sure it’s lovely having everything in one needle set all neat & pretty 😍
Me: I'm going to make my second ever knitting project with circular needles. I can totally do this. Also me: How do I do the next row again? *heads to TH-cam* I'm self-taught, so TH-cam and a good friend are my best friends with my knitting ambitions.
I've given up trying to figure circular needles out: the short tips are impossible for me to control; i have to hold on to them for dear life, and the cord messes with my wrist movement and how I hold the yarn. I don't think it's for me, sadly.
Once you enjoy the way you knit that’s all that counts. Each to their own 😊 If you would like to use circulars, there are several types and brands etc with different length tips & quality. My Knitpro / knitters pride metal ones have quite long tips in fact. So if you have only tried one brand or cheaper ones, that might be the issue. If you have a local yarn store or yarn group, you may be able to try out different needles there & some might feel just right 🤞
@@craftfixblog Oh how nice of you to reply! I bought two different ones at very good yarn shops; they were in fact really pricey, but I'll see if I can try longer tip ones 🙂
@@ThePolypam that’s a shame to spend good money & not have it work out. Because needles are such a personal choice & particularly pricey for complete sets of circulars etc, some yarn stores have sample needles you can try out. As an example of longer tips, I’ve a few of these knitters pride zing circulars www.yarn.com/products/knitters-pride-zing-24-fixed-circular-needles I’m not that keen on them as I find the tips too long & prefer wood to metal. We’re all different but it’s lovely when you find needles you love as it makes knitting such a treat 😊
The scarf I’m knitting requires an odd row of garter stitch to begin with. But every time I cast on my circular stitches (both slingshot or cable cast on) I begin row 1 and do the knit stitch. But I keep ending up with the v shape knit rows like stockinette in my very first row. I can’t figure out why I can’t get the Purl bumps of garter. Any ideas why ? 😭😭 I’ve tried so many times and can’t understand why I can’t get both Purl sides bumps 😭
If this is a traditional long scarf you could knit on straight needles (not a cowl or infinity scarf shaped like a ring knit in round) you would need to knit every row to get garter stitch at the start. If you are getting stockinette knitting flat, you’re knitting the odd rows & purling the even or vice versa. If you can share the start of your pattern instructions (or the pattern link) I can review & give more help.
I find circular needles much harder as I knit with one needle under my arm, I even struggle with knitting round in double points because of this..... no socks for me then 😨.
I don't know of any way to knit socks or other small circumference items in the round with one needle under your arm, but there are several different in the round methods. As well as DPNs, there is magic loop with 1 long 40 inch+ circular, 2 shorter 15-24 inch circulars or 1 very short circular. These all feel quite different from knitting a wide piece like a sweater body anyway, and different strokes suit different folk. Even though I first knit in round on DPNs, & have used magic loop the last few years, I only recently tried 1 short circular for sleeves & think that may be my fave. So maybe see the different approaches in action on youtube & try out one that appeals and see how you go? It could open up a whole new world of knitting fun :)
@@craftfixblog How amazing to get a reply, I love your channel. I knit Scottish style, long needles with one under arm...I have done sweaters, scarves, mittens and fingerless glove etc... but the sock and I are not good friends. I went on a sock knitting course, I cried and came home frustrated. Probably because the teacher had to many students and was trying to run 2 classes at once... the other folks were doing fair isle and we were socks using magic loop The teacherspent more time with the other group. I spent most of the class waiting when I was stuck so did many other students...and that was very frustrating.... In short, I think I have sock PTSD. Maybe one day with enough therapy I will try again.
@@sighthound5449 thanks for the kind words. Yes in Ireland some traditionally knit that way too - known as holding a needle ‘under your oxter’. If you did gloves in the round, you should definitely give socks another try! Fingered fingers gloves are far more fiddly & socks and mitts are similar sized tubes. Some knitters quickly get addicted to making socks & that’s all they make! 😃 I think you may be able to make a sock the same way you’re comfortable making mitts? Sure a cuff down sock is just a tube like a mitt until it’s time for the heel. Best of luck 🍀
I have long absolutely DREADED circular needles! I'd immediately close any new pattern page if any circular needle was involved... so it was with pure relief that I've just watched your clear, straight forward video on how to knit flat with circular needles instead of straights. Wonderful done, and thank you, thank you, thank you! :-)
That’s really lovely to hear. I’m so glad my video helped. I found circulars off putting too & when I finally have it a go, I never went back! If you like knitting flat with circulars, it’s quite easy to move on to knitting in the round with them. Then you can knit any pattern you like 😊
I'm teaching myself how to do this and it's been overwhelming. And if anyone can help me do a ripple knit blanket that would be great. Watching a bunch of videos hasn't been very helpful
Thanks, I had to brush up on how to flat knit with a circular needle. I had started knitting a readers shawl several years ago and stopped this one and knitted afgans with Bernats blanket yarn for 5 family members for Christmas and/or Birthday presents. I pulled this out tonight and realized I couldn't remember how to do it. Thanks again for your help!
👍🏼🎉🙂
So glad it helped. Going back to an old work in progress project can be wild! 😜 So well done & I hope your enjoy knitting the rest of your shawl
This is a brilliant tutorial! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I’m buying my first circular knitting needles!
Fantastic! 🥳 Thanks so much for this lovely feedback. I hope you like them as much as I do & have a lovely year of knitting ahead 😊
Thank you so much for this video. I've gotten back into knitting after a multi-year break and have had to relearn some basics, in which I kept hearing how circular needles had major advantages. I bought a very expensive multi-tip set, got them home, and then just sat there not knowing what the heck to do. My first attempts did not go well to say the least and I was having major buyers remorse. But you've cleared it all up for me now, appreciate it!
@@dorisa2797 wow I’m jealous of your fancy set & love that you can make use of them now! 🥳 I’ve never gone back to straights, even though I still regularly knit stuff flat (back & forth in rows). Welcome back to knitting & hope you have fun 😊
thank you so much for this! I actually much prefer circular knitting as I find it easier to keep my work in place when frequently setting it down/moving it but I was finding so much restriction in only making circular patterns! this is so helpful
Delighted to hear this! I still knit lots of stuff back & forth but always on circulars now - much easier on my wrists & easier to judge size while knitting
Thank you for showing such a clear, straightforward way of knitting straight with circular needles! I too have not used circular needles before but your video makes it look really easy. Thank you again.
That’s no nice to hear Christine thanks. Hope you enjoy giving them a go
Such a excellent tutorial. Often the basics are overlooked, but your clear instructions make this step easy. Thank you
Thanks so much for the kind words Elaine. I had a complete mental block about circulars for years and when I finally tried I couldn't believe it was just like knitting with straights after all - except better - for me at least :)
Omg this will make making bigger blankets so much easier
Cool! Yes it’s very handy for that although I crochet blankets instead as I’d never have the patience to knit one! 😂 Fair play to you! 👍
Thank you so very very much for such a detailed tutorial I've just been out to buy several sizes of circle needles I'm turning a tunic jumper into above the knee dress and I've got a lot of stitches and I thought I'm not going to understand this you've made my afternoon now and all without annoying music a million thank yous
Wow that sounds like a really interesting project Kym. I hope it works out for you & so glad this video helped. It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who prefers vids without music :)
Thank you I can't believe how much I've done in the space of a few hours once I get the length of the dress length I will then go back to the main pattern I'm doing on the dress part in a 6 by 6 rib then I will revert back to the main pattern in the stocking stitch
Top work Kym! 👏 Your creativity is so inspiring. It’s so interesting to hear how you’re reworking one garment into another. Maybe you should start your own channel!
I wouldn't even know how to do TH-cam as I'm a bit of a technophobe give me my knitting or sewing machine
So you’re a sewing whiz too? 👏 Making TH-cam shorts by just filming your work in progress with your phone can be a fun way to start but it’s lovely to just forget all about technology and enjoy some crafting too ☺️
Once I found out I could knit flat with circular needles it changed everything as I had more control and it took weight off my waist and shoulders so less fatigue. Also the shorter tips are great for me as long needles are just super hard to control. I have never seen that cast on method before though (the using both needles to cast on) I just keep casting on normal on the right needle ond let the stitches move down the cord then rotate my work to start the first row. Do you have a tutorial on how you do it in the video?
Hi Frances, the 2 needle cast on in this demo is usually called the "knitted cast on". My channel is new so only a few videos so far, but here's a good knitted cast on tutorial from VeryPink: th-cam.com/video/IzVy8fRfOw0/w-d-xo.html A common variation on this is the cable cast on.
Both give a solid edge & have the advantage of not needing to guess how long a yarn tail to cast on with so you can never come up short! But, personally I prefer the long tail cast on as I find it quicker & works nicely for most cases including ribbing. Hope this helps, Janine.
Great video. I am just starting out and I think this may help me get the hang of holding the needle and having control of the stitches. Now they are kind of doing their own thing 😂.
So glad you found it helpful. Hang on in there. Once it clicks it clicks like riding a bike. Even though you may feel you’re not quite in control yet, every practise helps & think of the progress you have made from your very first go.
I loved your tutorial it was easy to follow.
Thanks a lot I’m so glad it helped
Thank you! Exactly what I needed to know!! 😊
@@bonniemooney3283 so happy to hear this Bonnie ❤️ thanks & happy knitting
This is such an easy tutorial thank you
That’s lovely to hear thanks Angela
Thank you! Excellent, informative lesson :)
Great you found it useful. Let me know if you would like a video on anything else thanks
Lol my normal knit style is weird basicly I don’t swap my needles around and stay on the left hand? It’s just how I got taught 😅. I’m curious if the way I’m doing it has a name.
I can't even picture this?! 🤔 It's cool there are so many ways to knit 😊
I've begun using circular needles for flat knitting. I find it stores much easier than 2 long needles!
Cool - how do you store your circulars? While they take up less room than straights I don’t have a great way of organising my growing collection.
@@craftfixblog I have a set of interchangeable needles. My husband spoils me!
@@christenagervais7303 very nice! Which ones? I’ve mainly interchangeables too (knitters pride /Knitpro symfonie wood) but I’ve been building them up over the years as I need them for projects
@@craftfixblog I have the Takumi bamboo set. I'd like to get the Xiao Xiao aluminum set. The one nice thing about the Xiao Xiao set, is that you can use the little tightening hole to put in a lifeline in your knitting. You can't with the Takumi.
@@christenagervais7303 thanks for the info. I confess I’ve rarely bothered with lifelines 🫢 I’m sure it’s lovely having everything in one needle set all neat & pretty 😍
11May24. Thank you, very clear instructions. Should be easier with 120 stitches. Very long needles are so uncomfortable.
Sorry, it is 07.10 in my country.
Glad it helped. Yes a circular can fit many more stitches & all the weight is on the cable as well which I find much easier on my wrists, neck etc
Thank you...I just subscribed 😊
Thanks so much Leslie. Let me know if you would like videos on anything else
Me: I'm going to make my second ever knitting project with circular needles. I can totally do this.
Also me: How do I do the next row again? *heads to TH-cam*
I'm self-taught, so TH-cam and a good friend are my best friends with my knitting ambitions.
Love this! Where would we be without TH-cam? I’ve no idea how anyone managed to learn how to knit or crochet just from a book back in the day
Thank you.
You’re most welcome Keryn. Happy knitting 😊
I've given up trying to figure circular needles out: the short tips are impossible for me to control; i have to hold on to them for dear life, and the cord messes with my wrist movement and how I hold the yarn. I don't think it's for me, sadly.
Once you enjoy the way you knit that’s all that counts. Each to their own 😊 If you would like to use circulars, there are several types and brands etc with different length tips & quality. My Knitpro / knitters pride metal ones have quite long tips in fact. So if you have only tried one brand or cheaper ones, that might be the issue. If you have a local yarn store or yarn group, you may be able to try out different needles there & some might feel just right 🤞
@@craftfixblog Oh how nice of you to reply! I bought two different ones at very good yarn shops; they were in fact really pricey, but I'll see if I can try longer tip ones 🙂
@@ThePolypam that’s a shame to spend good money & not have it work out. Because needles are such a personal choice & particularly pricey for complete sets of circulars etc, some yarn stores have sample needles you can try out. As an example of longer tips, I’ve a few of these knitters pride zing circulars www.yarn.com/products/knitters-pride-zing-24-fixed-circular-needles I’m not that keen on them as I find the tips too long & prefer wood to metal. We’re all different but it’s lovely when you find needles you love as it makes knitting such a treat 😊
The scarf I’m knitting requires an odd row of garter stitch to begin with. But every time I cast on my circular stitches (both slingshot or cable cast on) I begin row 1 and do the knit stitch. But I keep ending up with the v shape knit rows like stockinette in my very first row. I can’t figure out why I can’t get the Purl bumps of garter. Any ideas why ? 😭😭 I’ve tried so many times and can’t understand why I can’t get both Purl sides bumps 😭
If this is a traditional long scarf you could knit on straight needles (not a cowl or infinity scarf shaped like a ring knit in round) you would need to knit every row to get garter stitch at the start. If you are getting stockinette knitting flat, you’re knitting the odd rows & purling the even or vice versa. If you can share the start of your pattern instructions (or the pattern link) I can review & give more help.
Thank you 🙏 ❤
Glad you found it helpful. Let me know if you would like videos on anything else thanks
Thank you very much..I am interested in teaching new technologies💝🌹@@craftfixblog
It's great for shawls and blankets too!
Yes! You can knit a much wider piece on a long circular. I’ve yet to find a downside for using a circular needle instead of straights.
I find circular needles much harder as I knit with one needle under my arm, I even struggle with knitting round in double points because of this..... no socks for me then 😨.
I don't know of any way to knit socks or other small circumference items in the round with one needle under your arm, but there are several different in the round methods. As well as DPNs, there is magic loop with 1 long 40 inch+ circular, 2 shorter 15-24 inch circulars or 1 very short circular.
These all feel quite different from knitting a wide piece like a sweater body anyway, and different strokes suit different folk. Even though I first knit in round on DPNs, & have used magic loop the last few years, I only recently tried 1 short circular for sleeves & think that may be my fave.
So maybe see the different approaches in action on youtube & try out one that appeals and see how you go? It could open up a whole new world of knitting fun :)
@@craftfixblog How amazing to get a reply, I love your channel. I knit Scottish style, long needles with one under arm...I have done sweaters, scarves, mittens and fingerless glove etc... but the sock and I are not good friends. I went on a sock knitting course, I cried and came home frustrated. Probably because the teacher had to many students and was trying to run 2 classes at once... the other folks were doing fair isle and we were socks using magic loop The teacherspent more time with the other group. I spent most of the class waiting when I was stuck so did many other students...and that was very frustrating.... In short, I think I have sock PTSD. Maybe one day with enough therapy I will try again.
@@sighthound5449 thanks for the kind words. Yes in Ireland some traditionally knit that way too - known as holding a needle ‘under your oxter’. If you did gloves in the round, you should definitely give socks another try! Fingered fingers gloves are far more fiddly & socks and mitts are similar sized tubes. Some knitters quickly get addicted to making socks & that’s all they make! 😃 I think you may be able to make a sock the same way you’re comfortable making mitts? Sure a cuff down sock is just a tube like a mitt until it’s time for the heel. Best of luck 🍀
I always have problem with circular needles !
What problems do you have? I’d like to try & help
Too much mouth noise
Thanks for the feedback. This was one of my first videos & I use a different mic now which hopefully is an improvement