How To Knit In The Round

Knitting in the round simply means knitting in a circle.  The term “join in the round” can be frightening for most but believe me it is way easier than you think.

Knitting in the round is great for making tube shape items such as:

• hats
• mittens
• socks
• sleeves for a sweater

It can sound confusing if you have never done it before.  But I am confident that the following steps and photos will help you master the technique.

1. If your needles are brand new and just out of the package, you might want to relax the cable before starting.  I usually fill a bowl of hot water and submerge the cable into the water for a few minutes.  This will help it to relax and will be much easier to use.
   
2. Cast on the number of stitches that your pattern calls for.  Casting on is the same technique as when using straight needles.
   
3. Place a stitch marker after the last stitch that you created.

IMPORTANT!  Make sure that all stitches are sitting flat and facing the same direction.  Also, make sure there are not any twists.

4. With your left hand, pick up the needle that has the very first stitch you created.

5. With your right hand, pick up the needle that has the stitch marker and yarn ends.

6. With your right hand insert the needle into the first stitch that is sitting on the left-handed needle. Knit this stitch.

You have now created a close circle!  That is it!  You have “joined in the round”. Continue with pattern instructions, going around and around. When you get past the end of the first row, there will be a bit of a gap in the yarn. Don’t worry about this small hole, as you will be able to sew your yarn end into it and tighten it up. I recommend using a stitch marker as it helps to keep track of the pattern and completion of a row.

Here is a short video demonstrating the about photos.

RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB

To knit in the round you will need needles that are attached by a cable.  Cables come in many different lengths, so it is important know the correct size you will need.  If you have a cable that is too long, it will be hard to move the stitches along the needle and the yarn stitches will stretch. 

Here is an example of how one size knitting needle comes in 5 different cable lengths.

US17, 12mm

1. 47”/120cm cable length
2. 40”/100cm
3. 32”/80cm
4. 24”/60cm
5. 16”/40cm

I hope that I have inspired you to try knitting in the round and encourage you to do it!  This technique will open the door to many more things that you will be able to knit and create.

Now, go get your knit on!

LEARN.KNIT.LOVE