Question about circular and DPNS.

2200 Views 21 Replies 15 Participants Last post by samiyah, Apr 3, 2011

Tonyalw

Discussion Starter · Mar 30, 2011

I want to knit a hat and the pattern says to start out with circular needles then switch to DNPS. Do I have to or can I start out with the DPNS and not have to worry about switching? I tried a hat before and switched to DPNS and ended up knitting in the reverse direction. I was soooo mad! Plus dealing with the makers at the same time it was nerve racking.

1 - 20 of 22 Posts

Loistec

· #2 · Mar 30, 2011

I have accidentally reversed my stitching using circulars, didn't realize it for several rows.
I would say to use whatever you are comfortable with, and check to make sure the yarn is coming from the direction of the right, not left, needle.
Its easy to get turned around, gets better with time and patience.
Have fun knitting!

Tonyalw

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 30, 2011

It just makes me mad I read the instructions at least 5 times before I even start to make sure I know what I need to do and I still screw up. Thanks!

e.ridenh

· #4 · Mar 30, 2011

Tonyalw said:
I want to knit a hat and the pattern says to start out with circular needles then switch to DNPS. Do I have to or can I start out with the DPNS and not have to worry about switching? I tried a hat before and switched to DPNS and ended up knitting in the reverse direction. I was soooo mad! Plus dealing with the makers at the same time it was nerve racking.

e.ridenh

· #5 · Mar 30, 2011

((((((( Sure, you can hunt up a top down pattern.

It is possible to reverse the bottom up pattern to a top down should you really like your existing pattern.

Enjoy!
~~~~~~~~~~~

e.ridenh said:
Tonyalw said:

I want to knit a hat and the pattern says to start out with circular needles then switch to DNPS. Do I have to or can I start out with the DPNS and not have to worry about switching? I tried a hat before and switched to DPNS and ended up knitting in the reverse direction. I was soooo mad! Plus dealing with the makers at the same time it was nerve racking.

Click to expand...

TammyK

· #6 · Mar 30, 2011

Tonyalw said:
I want to knit a hat and the pattern says to start out with circular needles then switch to DNPS. Do I have to or can I start out with the DPNS and not have to worry about switching? I tried a hat before and switched to DPNS and ended up knitting in the reverse direction. I was soooo mad! Plus dealing with the makers at the same time it was nerve racking.

You can work the entire hat on dpn's if you want to, as long as there won't be too many stitches. (I do it all the time.) If the stitches are too crowded on the needles you may have a hard time keeping them from dropping off the wrong end of the needle as you work. If your stitches won't all fit comfortably on just one set of dpn's and you have more than one set of needles in the same size you can work on more than just the 4 or 5 dpn's that come in a set.

molliebonsai

· #7 · Mar 31, 2011

I have knit for over 50 years and have never mastered dpns. I always had trouble with stitches falling off the back end of the needles no matter how small a project I was working on. I actually use circs for everything I make, even flat stuff knitting back and forth on the needles. That way you never loose one needle and even if you drop a needle, it's right there on the other end.

A real boon to my knitting prowess was learning the Magic Loop method of knitting. If you use it you never have to switch to dpns. Right now I'm making my granddaughter a pair of toe socks (separate sock toes for each foot toe) and am using Magic Loop, and finding it super easy. If you don't know Magic Look just Google it and you can find easy tutorials.

ScrappyMom

· #8 · Mar 31, 2011

I just finished a chemo cap. The pattern called for using dpn but I'm always dropping those stitches. I was wanting to learn to use the magic loop method so I used it for the hat. voila! Worked beautifully, I learned to use the magic loop method and the cap turned out great. Never despair. There's always a ways to make things work.

Good luck.

Tonyalw

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 31, 2011

I have been thinking about doing the magic loop method.

linda1

· #10 · Mar 31, 2011

do macgick circle with extra long circular needles no need to change just & just enjoy

linda1

· #11 · Mar 31, 2011

magic loop is the best way you save a lot of mony on needles & can buy more yarn

Sorlenna

· #12 · Mar 31, 2011

I had the problem of stitches sliding off the ends with dpns, too--then, I decided to put a point protector on each non-working end as I went around. It just takes a couple of seconds and is a lifesaver for me; I also have some 9" circulars that I transfer to as soon as I can, but I still use the point protectors when dpns are unavoidable.

BarbaraSC

· #13 · Mar 31, 2011

Magic loop is the way to go. You can knit in the round on any number of stitches from hundreds down to nuthin' without worrying about stitches falling off the ends or switching from "circulars" to dpn. I started making socks (2 at a time) only after learning magic loop; making sleeves in the round (no sewing underarm seams!); cutting knitting time down making hats........Best technique I've learned since I first started knitting 50 years ago.

Hatmaker

· #14 · Mar 31, 2011

The Magic Loop is great for those who catch on quickly I however was not one. I have found the alternative of using 2 circlars at one time. It is very easy. I have gotten where I always use 2-circulars now when asked for DPNS even for socks and toys. My trick is to use 2 different lengths so I can tell them apart. (Always knit with the same needle)

I so agree with BarbaraSC it is great for sleeves and sweaters in the round.
I am a long time knitter and thought I would never change from DPNs as they were one of my favorites but I gave all my DPNS to my Daughter

Tonyalw

Discussion Starter · #15 · Mar 31, 2011

I was watching a video on Youtube and there is a woman on there that was teaching how to use to 2 circular needles and I think I'm going to use that method. I just need to buy more circular needles.

martyr

· #16 · Mar 31, 2011

molliebonsai said:
I have knit for over 50 years and have never mastered dpns. I always had trouble with stitches falling off the back end of the needles no matter how small a project I was working on. I actually use circs for everything I make, even flat stuff knitting back and forth on the needles. That way you never loose one needle and even if you drop a needle, it's right there on the other end.

A real boon to my knitting prowess was learning the Magic Loop method of knitting. If you use it you never have to switch to dpns. Right now I'm making my granddaughter a pair of toe socks (separate sock toes for each foot toe) and am using Magic Loop, and finding it super easy. If you don't know Magic Look just Google it and you can find easy tutorials.

I am hoping to learn the magic loop, but I haven't yet. So, here is trick I found for dealing with DPNs slipping out. My larger DPNS are all metal, and when I was knitting chemo hats with soft yarns they were falling out all over the place. So when I frogged back to decreases and tried again I put point protectors on one end of the DPNs. You have to remove them on the next round, but I only had a few rounds to go. Worked great! I think seeing all the great ideas on the forum is incresing my creativity!

Oops, see someone else thought of this too

StnFlwr

· #17 · Mar 31, 2011

Tonyalw said:
I want to knit a hat and the pattern says to start out with circular needles then switch to DNPS. Do I have to or can I start out with the DPNS and not have to worry about switching? I tried a hat before and switched to DPNS and ended up knitting in the reverse direction. I was soooo mad! Plus dealing with the makers at the same time it was nerve racking.

Yes, you can start and end with DPNs.

Tonyalw

Discussion Starter · #18 · Mar 31, 2011

Thanks

ChocPieMom

· #19 · Apr 1, 2011

http://www.bernat.com/pattern.php?PID=2996 is a baby hat knit from top down. Adjust to 88 stitches and size 8 needles or whatever you have close to that for a woman's hat.

sockteacher

· #20 · Apr 2, 2011

Of course just knit the whole hat on your dpn's. The only difficulty may be the large number of stitches some hats start with you might get them all onto 3 but perhaps use 4 and knit with the 5th needle. You can also do the magic loop method where you would just continue to follow the pattern, this method will take you down to even 2 stitches. Just need to get instructions and try it. Have fun

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