[faith burke]

Help!!!!! I am a very new beginner knitter and I believe I can do the garter stitch, but was told to use circular needles for making a prayer shawl. After I cast on and knit one row for some reason, I always end up with my stitches connecting and making like a basketball net. I am so frustrated, have torn out and started over several times, but still end up with a hoop net. Am I holding the needles wrong? Help, Help. Faith

 

[Zie]

Yes you can knit a prayer shawl using circular needles. Once you get to the end of a row just turn and start knitting the other direction, don't continue on in a circle. Use the needles use like they were straight needles, turn at the end of each row. Hope that makes sense. I use my circular for everthing I do, never use the straight needles.

 

[Sallyflymi]

Zie gave you the best way to handle knitting on circular needles. If you forget place round circle to remind you to turn. I use circles to to remind of something.
Sally

 

[tippy]

wanted to try socks with a circular but try a 16 inches was too long what can I do

 

[basikblk]

Try using either a "Magic Loop" or two circs. If you've never used two circulars before there are some great videos on youtube that demonstrate it. Ravensky23 has some really clear ones and so does Cat Bordhi.

Hope this helps :thumbup:

 

[lovethelake]

Salutations

When I first began I casted on using straight needles, did a row or two and then switched to circular. Just remember when you get to the end of a row and all stitches are on the right needle put the right needle in your left hand and with your right grab the old left needle and clockwise swing it around to the right. Clear as mud right? Just like with straights, you have to switch the needles to the other hands at the end of the row.

Keep at it.

 

[tippy]

thanks will try it

 

[LEE1313]

Hi,
You sure did exactly what most of us have done. connected the beginning and end of the row.
LOL ok it isn't funny when it happens but next week you will be hooting with us.
Relax.
Cast on. Knit across. NOW TURN and go back. When you get to the end TURN and go back.
It sure will get easier. And cirs are so much easier to work with. The weight of your project will rest in your lap, and not be a weight on the needles. You will see the difference.

Good luck and we are here for you. PM me if you need help.
You are not alone. You have boarded the Knitting Ship. Sadly you may not get off.LOL.
Linda

 

[kknott4957]

try tying a piece of scrap yarn on one end of your circular needle. That way, when you get to the piece of yarn you'll know you're at the end of your row and have to turn your work.

 

[nanaf]

Wow I'mm glad I read all that!~ I'm just getting ready to try a circular needle for the first time. In other words when you get to the end of your first row you put what WAS in your left and is now in your right hand UNDER (clockwise?) your left and your left over the top to your right??? Does that sound right? When you place the marker, does it go on your right needle as you first start, because the right needle fills first? Hope I've got it, you mayhave saved me hours of frustration!

Nancy

 

[kknott4957]

when you finish casting on for your project, place a yarn marker at the end of the cast on. turn your work, slip the marker to the other needle and knit the first row. when you finish that row turn your work and knit to the yarn marker. turn your work and knit to the end of the row and so on. is that clearer? just think of the marker as a stop sign.

 

[kknott4957]

when you finish casting on for your project, place a yarn marker at the end of the cast on. turn your work, slip the marker to the other needle and knit the first row. when you finish that row turn your work and knit to the yarn marker. turn your work and knit to the end of the row and so on. is that clearer? just think of the marker as a stop sign. if it's easier you can put a yarn marker on each end of your work. that way you'll always know that the yarn marker means turn your work, until you become more comfortable with knitting with circular needles

 

[missblu]

I co straight needles, work a couple of rows then switch to circular.

Another thing to be very care of is not to twist the yarn of the circular - make sure your row is straight. You can have a pretty interesting look and will have to frog.

Also, be careful to remember which way you are going if you have to put your work down and come back to it later. That is even more interesting when you realize later and wonder why your pattern is not coming out the way it should.

Just some additional hints. Been there and done that too.

Enjoy your knitting. It's meditation for the soul.

Carol

 

[AllyMu]

Check out the you tube videos of knitting in the round using circular needles. They are very informative and show you step by step. You could also go to www.ehow.com and check out the circular knitting techniques. Try googling (spelling?)knitting in the round with circular needles. If you remember to TURN your needles at the end of the row, you shouldn't have a problem. You will see that there is a space between the stitches, they are not connected, if you turn your work the right way.
Good luck.

 

[cleosmum]

I have made several pairs of socks,,all sizes ...I use a 9, 11, and 12 inch circ. Grandson only wants tube socks so have made him 6 pairs...so easy and then I use the 9 inch for childrens socs...hope this helps.

 

[Katie Largent]

Another advantage to using circular needles: you can't drop one, possibly into the lake, and lose it. The needle is always connected to the yarn and to the item you are knitting. On the other hand, I can knit faster with straight needles, as I can hook the right needle under my arm after I have done a few stitches at the beginning of the row. It all depends ...

 

[sockyarn]

You need one circ. needle in size required and about 47". That way you can do both socks at the same time. There are some books out there that are very good and have clear start up pictures. One is "Two-At-A-Time". YouTube is great also.

wanted to try socks with a circular but try a 16 inches was too long what can I do

 

[sparky60]

Isn't that the truth!? It's my latest addiction! And it's helping me get away from mindless eating, which was another addiction. Thanks to all of you who write and respond, it's a highlight of my day to check this forum.

 

[josiehof]

I think it might help if you marked the right side.

 

[josiehof]

Quick hint. I use bits of contrasting yarn to mark my way. When I have a lot of stitches on circ or stright needles I mark every ten stitches so if I make a mistake I don't have to rip out all the stitches. Good luck with circs.