Using Circular Knitting Needles

Dear users, dear designers,
do you have any tips for working with circular knitting needles?

Yes... check out elizzza’s YouTube videos on Magic Loop and Magic Loop with 2 circular needles (I’d start with those), and then try Magic Loop with 1 circular needle. It’s a bit challenging at first, but once you get the hang of it, it’s really easy, and Elizzza explains it great for beginners using circular needles. After that, knitting with circular needles is very simple and no harder than with straight needles. I recommend Knit Pro circular needles because I personally get along well with them.

When working with circular needles, I like to use a stitch marker so I always know where my new round begins.

To do this, I use a long piece of yarn in a different color

Here are my tips:
- Use self-untwisting needles or needles with a steel cable (HiyaHiya and Chiaogoo are my favorites because they have nice, sharp tips)
OR run the standard circular needles through hot water so they don’t keep twisting.
- If you’re knitting in the round or long rows on a circular needle, always use a cable that’s slightly shorter than the required circumference. That way, you don’t have to keep sliding stitches—which is really annoying.
- Stitch markers, as Petra says, are always a good idea!
- Stitch stoppers or corks are great for travel; thicker needles can also be secured well with a rubber band.
- I also find the Magic Loop very practical if you don’t have a suitable cable.
- When knitting 2 socks on one needle, make sure the total length is at least 100 cm; otherwise, it’s annoying.