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How to join in the round on circular needles

Joining in the Round on Circular Needles

Circular Needle Length
Before joining in the round on circular needles, it is important to make sure you have the right length of circular needle.  Aside from the actual diameter of your needles (ex: US size 9), a circular needle has a length (ex: 32"). You'll want to make sure the length is appropriate for the number of stitches you cast on and plan to knit. 
After casting on your stitches, if they are spaced too far apart, you won't be able to spread the stitches all the way around and it will make knitting difficult if not impossible. Conversely, if you have too many stitches for your circular needle, stitches may try to jump off the edges, and it will be difficult to navigate a pattern. 

Twisted Stitches
Next you'll want to make sure that your stitches are not twisted before you perform a join. The easiest way is to start at one end and align the cast on spine towards the center of the circle formed by your needles. Ensure that the stitches are not winding around the circular needle anywhere along the cast on or else you'll end up with a mobius piece! 

Circular Needles
  • Circular needles are like straight needles that have a small plastic wire connecting the ends so you can knit continuously without turning the work as in rows.
  • The dynamics of certain stitches changes when you switch from knitting in rows to knitting in the round, because you are always knitting on the right side (RS) of the work.
How to knit in the round on 2 circular needles
two circular needles
How to knit in the round on two circular needles
Knit across each of the circular needles with the stitches on that needle when using two circular needles in a round.
Next Step >
Alternate Step: How to use DPNs and crossover join
dpns crossover join
How to use double pointed needles (DPNs) and crossover join
Double pointed needles (DPNs) are arranged to form a circle to knit around that is too small for circular needles.
Alternate Step >

Circular Knitting Needles
circular needlesCircular Knitting Needles
If your circular needle plastic is too curly, hold it over the steam of boiling water to straighten it out.

< Previous Step

Advanced Step: How to Knit an Icord
knit icordHow to knit an icord
After knitting the stitches for your icord, slip them back to the other side of your double pointed needle to knit across again.

Advanced Step >

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ssk englishHow to SSK (slip slip knit) english style
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Slip each stitch as if to knit when performing the slip slip knit (SSK) stitch. This is different than other slipping which usually occurs as if to purl.

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fix twisted stitchesHow to fix twisted stitches
How to Fix Twisted Stitches
To fix a twisted stitch, sometimes you can just knit into the back of the stitch, assuming it isn't twisted too many times. Twisted stitches can be easily fixed by adjusting stitch mount.

Fix Twisted Stitches

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