7 Tips to knit with Double-Pointed Needles like a Pro
Knitting with double-pointed needles is fun. You can smoothly knit even the smallest circumference. B it socks, hats, or other projects they quickly grow on a set of four or five needles. The first time you try knitting with double-pointed needles (DPNs) it can feel like juggling or wrestling with a porcupine because of the multiple pointy tips. Whether you are knitting with DPNs for the first time or for the nth time, with these tips you will enjoy knitting and always have neat projects on hand.
1. Cast on stitches on one needle and then divide evenly
Many knitters and videos will tell you to cast-on stitches on all the DPNs that you will be knitting with for the seamless project. But, this becomes tough and tricky. It’s best that you cast the stitches on one needle and transfer them to other stitches. For example, if you need to cast 30 stitches, do it on one needle and then divide them evenly- 10 stitches on three needles. If you need to work with four needles for the circumference, divide 8 stitches on the two needles and 7 stitches on the other two. Make sure to not drop any stitches while you transfer and tug the yarn tightly.
2. Tighten up the second stitch on every knitting needle to avoid laddering
Ladders are a common knitting problem when you work with double-pointed needles. Avoid this gap by tightening up the second stitch. Making tight stitches at the start of the round is not recommended, either the second stitch on every knitting needle or the last stitch of the round.
3. Invisible join by slipping a stitch
When joining the DPNs for a round, do not knit the last stitch but slip the stitch on the next needle. It will make a neat and invisible join. You need to plan this at the very start of the project. You need to cast an extra stitch. There are also many other methods to join the yarn in rounds but trying this trick will help avoid ladders which are a common problem when knitting with double points.
4. Move the stitches on the needle arrangement
When working with DPNs a trick is to move the stitches on the needles after every round. Just make sure the working needle (the one needle you knit with) is on top of the knitting project. While you move the stitches, make sure that you have placed a stitch marker to mark the start of the round.
5. Always knit a gauge swatch
A trick to knit like a pro with not just double-pointed needles but any knitting needle is always knit a gauge swatch. A swatch will help you in multiple ways. You can calculate how much yarn you’ll need for a project, your knitting tension, and how the yarn behaves with the needles. It is much more helpful if you knit the gauge in the round too.
6. Add Stitch Markers the Right Way
Stitch markers assist with knitting. When working with double-pointed needles for knitting in the round, the tail of the yarn used to cast-on stitches will always help you identify your first needle. Using stitch markers on
7. Invest in the Right Set of Double Pointed Knitting Needles
Good ingredients are very necessary to produce high quality knitting needals. Double-pointed knitting needles come in different materials. For example, if you’re using needles that seem difficult to control the stitches, either they are slipping off the needles too easily or not slipping easily, it is recommended to change the needles in terms of material. Try knitting with bamboo, or wood needles from Symfonie and Ginger range as they have a grab on the yarn. For the smooth flow of stitches, if you love the feel of metals, the Zing series is quite popular for it. For mindful knitting, the range of stainless steel needles is worth trying. If you want to explore ergonomic knitting needles the Cubics range has a line of square-knitting needles. It’s a matter of personal preference, and there is no wrong option here so experiment until you find the right fit for you or keep them all for their multiple purposes.
The same goes for other knitting accessories aka knitting essentials such as scissors, stitch markers, row counters, needle sets, etc. Invest in quality as they will reflect their finesse in the projects.
If you follow these 7 knitting tricks, very soon you’ll be reaching out for your double-pointed knitting needles for any seamless knitting projects. If you want to invest in your craft, knitting needle sets are your best bet. One kit contains multiple sizes and even lengths that allow you to tackle multiple projects.
