New to circular knitting

[DebraGail]

I've picked up a *fabulous* little book from Cleckheaton called "Bonnets and Bootees", for $0.50 at my local Woolworths.

The patterns all require knitting in the round.

The problem that I have is that I anchor my right needle at my hip and I can't do that with circular needles.

Any ideas??

[emma]

Hi Debra

I dont think there would be any way to get around that problem.  I have JUST started to knit with circulars (I created a wee willy winkie hat for my 6month old) and it felt very strange not having a piece of bamboo hitting my arms.  However, I can't begin to tell you how easy it was, and there was NO joining of seams, and I never had to purl, just constant knitting.....fabulous!!  

I am going to keep knitting on circulars, and build up my confidence so that I can eventually convert regular patterns.  The less finishing the better.

My advice would be to stick with it, as it is really quick and easy, without bulky seams, or time consuming finishing.

Hope that helps
Emma

[sarah]

I am an almost new knitter and I haven't knitted on circular needles before, but I am going to give it a try.  How does it work that you never have to purl stitch on circular needles?

[emma]

Hi Sarah

Basically, when you cast on normally, you knit across the row, then turn your work and purl back.  When it comes to circular knitting you cast on, but you just knit round and round in circles, which means that you never have to turn the work to purl, just knit knit knit.  It sounds weird, but  you have to try it to really understand how it works.  Have a play with some needles and old yarn.
Emma

[John]

Circular knitting is the greatest invention since the pointed stick!!

I have knitted a jumper before using straight needles but circular knitting is great!! I am about half way through my jumper without seams - I have a pattern for a normal jumper but am adjusting this as I go along. The only problem I can see happening is I don't know how to cast off but I will deal with that when I get there.

[Anonymous]

Can anyone tell me the advantage of straight needles over circular? Cos I can't think of any personally.

I almost knit exclusively with circular needles (even non-circular pieces). They fit in my bag and I don't end up poking people on the train.

[siven]

I've picked up a *fabulous* little book from Cleckheaton called "Bonnets and Bootees", for $0.50 at my local Woolworths.

The patterns all require knitting in the round.

The problem that I have is that I anchor my right needle at my hip and I can't do that with circular needles.

Any ideas??

What length circular needles did you use, I found it difficult to use the 40cm needles and I am unable to find shorter needles.

Thank you
Bev

[ann]

I, Too, stick my R needle under my armpit and while I have used circular needles, I am so much faster with ordinary needles not to mention the weight!. I would have thought that knitting socks and boottees would require a set of four needled for the round. My grandmother always knitted socks on four needles. But that was before the invention of circular needles. Ganseys were knitted on the round, from the top down I believe, and the cardigan I have just done was supposed to have the sleeves on the round. You need several lengths for body, yoke and sleeves.

[Cathy]

Hi, I have knitted for ages with the R needle under my R arm, it is esier for me to carry the weight and I can knit a lot quicker.Other people have seen this habit of mine and just stop their own needles just to watch,and think it odd,but I have found my knitting to be more even, and more controlable.How ever, using circular needles I find a strain on my hands,not that it stops me,and wonder how other knitters find it.
PS I havn't seen many good patterns around ,can anyone suggest any?

[shazknits66]

If you are looking for patterns knitted in the round the best ones I have found are Lopi, most of them are fair isle but you could just knit them plain.  They quite often are on ebay or hunt around your local op shop, I love op shopping for knitting patterns and tortoise shell knitting needles

Sharon
http://shazknit.blogspot.com

[Cathy]

Thanks for that,Will keep an eye out on Ebay,have seen some interesting stuff on there, Cathy

[ann]

The worst problem I fiound when I did knit in the round, eg when I knitted my fair isle yokes and a beanie, was that the knitting kept rolling outwards.     Is there a cure for this, because I think it's the principle behind roll collars. I'd hate to have this happen if I try sock knitting on 4 needles. Short of reversing and knitting purl side out. Plus the cost of all those circular needles. Yes I know The ool Shack has a mix and match set which I should have bought when I could afford it.  

[Kiri]

I can't say I enjoy circular knitting, having to push the stiches around, keeping track of beginning....I find it easier to keep track of everything when knitting on straight needles.

[raina]

I knit nearly everything on circulars, but not everything in the round, cardigans are great for instance as you do the side fronts and back all at once ( no seams) I could go on and on.   Raina