[beanie8]

I have just started trying to knit in the round, I have 16 in circulars of various sizes, which makes it hard or impossible to do the magic loop, how do you use the DPN, it seems confusing to me. Not sure I like the circulars yet.

 

[kaixixang]

You would need the 40 inch or longer circulars for magic loop. If you are doing baby/infant socks or scarves...the 16 inch is just fine. Check out stainless circulars on eBay...add 1.25mm if you want the size 0000 US equivalent circular.

 

[San]

There are great videos on UTube on how to use DPNs and circulars. I love this site: knittingtipsbyjudy.com. She is great and has knitted for the stars. Hope this helps. I learned to knit by watching Judy.

 

[Dreamweaver]

Just knit back and forth for a couple rows on your 16" and then join into a round. You can't do Magic Loop with that small a needle, but you don't need too. When the circle gets too tight at the top, due to decreases, you would need to change to DPN's because you can't stretch those few stitches around the cable... No worries,, take another circular .. closest in size as you have, and put half the stitches on each needle and countinue in circle.... OR just take a needle and thread through the remaining stitches and put up tight when you can no longer decrease...... You can use the little bit of cast-on thread leftoverto sew the few rows together at the beginning of the hat. Learnng something new is always a little frustrating, but well worth the efffort... you will end up loving them... if you hate seaming as much as I do.....

 

[MzKnitCro]

I just started using DPN's recently, and I am so happy I did, it makes a great difference when finishing a hat. My first few hats, I tried to finish on the 16" circular, and the tops were horrible . Here are some videos about DPN's, that I had bookmarked.

 

[MAS]

It took me some effort to get used to double point needles but I love using them for hats, mittens and I made this great snow people family that was so much fun. I have sets in bamboo and two lengths and I use them for stitch holders on baby sweater project in process now. Have not found much of a use for size 11 and 13 double points but they came with the set. lol

 

[kaixixang]

Use them to support the case that holds the other DPNs? <Snicker!>

It took me some effort to get used to double point needles but I love using them for hats, mittens and I made this great snow people family that was so much fun. I have sets in bamboo and two lengths and I use them for stitch holders on baby sweater project in process now. Have not found much of a use for size 11 and 13 double points but they came with the set. lol

 

[lannieb]

You probably shouldn't start using circulars with one of the more difficult lengths. Try longer....

 

[knits4charity]

great idea, Dreamweaver....using a second circular. I'm putting that idea into practice.

 

[deshka]

My mom taught me to knit when I was very young, then she saw I was having trouble with straight needles, she give me a circular and told me to try that. I loved it right off the bat. When I was about 10 y/o she told me it was time to use double pointed needles. I had watched very closely as she used them for years, so I knew how to use them. I made my first pair of booties with dpn's when I was about 11 or 12. At 13 on I was making socks for everyone. I only use circular and dpn's now, no straight needles for me. It does take some getting used to when changing from one type needle to another, so keep working at it, you'll get there, and most likely love your circulars before long.

 

[Ronie]

I have knitted 2 hats and the first one I used every method I could to get the hat done.. LOL the second one I did with 2 cables.. and it turned out much nicer and it was more fun to knit..

 

[MaryE-B]

If you do a Google search for DPN video, you will find more of them than you will be able to watch in one sitting or maybe ever. Check them until you understand or get tired. Rest, then have another go. I use mine to knit all sorts of narrow, flat items such as skinny scarves and of course, I-cord. I put fra tip protector on one end when I use them foe flat knitting.
When I first used them to knit in the round, I kept tip protectors on the end then too until I was sure the yarn wouldn't slide off the ends. It took me about half of a sock before I was willing to give up those extra tip protectors.