Understanding the Essentials of Circular Knitting Needles
Are you wondering what circular knitting needles are? They’re long, flexible needles that are handy when you’re knitting in the round or working on larger projects. If you’re unclear about why they’re versatile, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about using circular knitting needles, including what they are, how to select the right size, and how to knit a sweater with them.
Selecting the Appropriate Size of Circular Knitting Needles
The size of your circular knitting needles impacts the size of your stitches, which affects the finished product’s look and shape. Needle size selection is either a personal preference or indicated in the pattern you will be using. When it comes to selecting knitting needles, the specific yarn you’ll be using matters. Choose the correct needle size for the yarn weight and recommended gauge, as specified in the pattern or on the yarn wrapper.
Knitting a Sweater with Circular Knitting Needles
When knitting your sweater in the round, always ensure that your stitches face the right way. Ensure that all of your stitches face the same direction each time you begin a new circular row. By default, the Right Side of the work should face the same direction at all times, as indicated by the pattern. It’s also critical that your joins in the circular rows are even and snug to prevent unsightly gaps or uneven appearance in your work.
Understanding Patterns with Circular Knitting Needles
When knitting with circular needles, it’s crucial to understand patterns. If the pattern is written for straight needles, you cannot use it while working on a circular project unless modifications are made. To customize a straight-knitting pattern for circular knitting, you must convert the directions to work in the round.
The Finishing Touches of Knitting a Sweater with Circular Needles
When you’ve completed the final row and all of your pieces are knitted together on your circular needles, it’s time to complete the finishing touches. A significant advantage of knitting in the round is the lack of seams, making the finishing touches much easier. You can use a tapestry needle to weave any loose ends into the knit and block it to size using warm water, but don’t forget to include extra stitches to attach the sleeves together.
