[hypnotized]

Do you like to use 4 needles or 5?
Three needles with stitches plus one working needle or four needles with stitches plus one working needle.

I've switched to 5 but I find it a bit too fiddly.
I know a lot of you use magic loop but I'm curious about those who use DPNs.

 

[crispie]

I think it comes down to personal preference. The more stitches that are required for the project, the more needles I like to use. Usually, I prefer to use 4 DPN with the 5th working the stitches . I find I get less of a "gap"/stretching between needles -- just me.

 

[jael23]

I just use 4 needles. I find it easier to work with just the 4.

 

[catwhiskers44]

For me, it's either 5 double-points or 2 circulars. If the project needs to go with me, the circulars let me slip everything to the centers of the cords and be assured that no stitches will fall off the needles. I keep the front of sock on one needle and the back on the other.

 

[seamer45]

I like 5 because I find I don’t make ladders using them. And you’re right, they are cuddly, but as with fumbling with 4 you get used to it.

 

[woolywoman]

5. It's how I learned.

 

[puppe5]

I prefer 5 needles. That's how I learned as a child just never changed it. I have tried knitting socks with a short circular, it just doesn't work for me. I use the DP
needle, 2 sets and make 2 at a time my way. Its different but works for me.

 

[Magicnymph]

well I have mostly have sets that contain 5 and many sizes that I have multiple sets. I have been know to use as many as necessary. cause I don't like the old cables, I do however like circular knitting.

 

[hypnotized]

I prefer 5 needles. That's how I learned as a child just never changed it. I have tried knitting socks with a short circular, it just doesn't work for me. I use the DP
needle, 2 sets and make 2 at a time my way. Its different but works for me.

I do the same. I knit 2 at a time. Each on a separate set of double points.

 

[targa416]

When knitting anything using DPN’s I have always used 5 needles. I learned that way and find it quite comfortable. The exception might be if there are very few stitches, such as near the top of a hat, or the fingers of a glove.

 

[deshka]

My mom taught me to use 4 when I was about 10 years old, that stuck with me and I still use 4, the 5th just gets in the way.

 

[klrober]

I was taught to use 5...but in doing a very small area like socks, the top of a hat or small baby items I prefer to use just 4.....after you have knit with them for awhile you don't get ladders & they are much more comfortable imo....

 

[Twiggie]

I use 5, on six inch Zing dps. Find I get a much more even stitch with 5 and no ladders.

 

[rmgirl]

I use 5 most of the time. Sometimes I have to buy two sets to get 5, as most of those carried in stores are only 4 in a package.

 

[MMWRay]

I use 4 needles total for socks. I find it is convenient to have the sole stitches on one needle and the other two top of the foot hold each a quarter of the stitches. This puts most increases and decreases on the ends of the needles and easy to keep track of. I never have ladders.

 

[sbeth53]

I like five 6" needles.

 

[KateLyn11]

I think it comes down to personal preference. The more stitches that are required for the project, the more needles I like to use. Usually, I prefer to use 4 DPN with the 5th working the stitches . I find I get less of a "gap"/stretching between needles -- just me.

Not just you, I find the same thing.

 

[Nanknit]

Before I found the magic of Magic Loop for knitting socks, I knit with 4 needles....3 holding stitches and 1 working needle. Wouldn’t go back to double points though. Jen.

 

[farrieremily]

I have swapped to mostly doing two circulars but I prefer 5 dpn for socks. I like even numbers of stitches and symmetrical work whenever possible.

I do two at a time either way. On dpns I just work one inside the other.

 

[chooksnpinkroses]

:sm04: