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Stitching & Crafting Room:  the mystery of circular needles :)  |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
 Posted - Jan 06 2013 : 4:36:57 PM
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I have been knitting more and more this year :) mostly on dpn's -- I've tried circular needles, because I know people rave about them being so much easier -- but ??? they seem like there's so much cord in the middle, or also it is like the stitches are so tight on that I cannot even take the stitches off -- what am I missing?
I've been using 5 dpn's so stuff doesn't fall off, but i'd love to learn more about the circulars!
Thanks!
http://troutwife.blogspot.com/
http://www.etsy.com/shop/brooktroutwife |
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kysheeplady
True Blue Farmgirl
1291 Posts
Teri
KY
USA
1291 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2013 : 4:41:54 PM
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If you cast on with a circular needle, take both ends and hold them together and do your cast on over the two needle ends ... that way it is not so tight. As for the cord being to long, I don't use a very long one ... but really the ONLY row that is hard is the very FIRST row, just make sure you don't twist any stitches ... and the reast is a cake walk!
Teri
"There are black sheep in every flock"
White Sheep Farm
www.whitesheepfarm.com |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
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britchickny
True Blue Farmgirl
1048 Posts
Angie
Port Orange
Florida
1048 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2013 : 5:04:14 PM
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sheila, is the cord length just too long for the project you have in mind? (i am just learning on circulars also and have discovered that not only can you buy different sized needles, but also in different cord lengths too)
ANGIE
"Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance" JUDE 1:2
http://www.pinkroomponderings.blogspot.com/
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
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musicmommy
True Blue Farmgirl
430 Posts
Wendy
Oregon
USA
430 Posts |
Posted - Jan 06 2013 : 5:35:32 PM
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I just learned how to knit using two circulars instead of dpns. The things I'm making right now, such as knitted fingerless mitts, are two small in circumference to knit on one circular. Even the shorter ones. I googled "knitting in the round using two circular needles" and watched a few websites and read up on different explanations until it made sense. Honestly, it took me a bit to understand. Now that I've done it though, it is so much easier for me!!!
Here's a video to get you started. http://www.planetpurl.com/community/index.php?page=videos§ion=view&vid_id=100082
One good thing about music, when it hits you, you feel no pain.
Bob Marley
www.becomingwendy.wordpress.com |
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britchickny
True Blue Farmgirl
1048 Posts
Angie
Port Orange
Florida
1048 Posts |
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kysheeplady
True Blue Farmgirl
1291 Posts
Teri
KY
USA
1291 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2013 : 03:36:55 AM
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Shelia,
Picture this ... if you were to take the needle on one end of the cord and bring it over so it is right on top or next to the needle on the other end of the cord it now make the needle width bigger, cast on as you would just over the two of them. When your number of stitches is cast on, they will be bigger and easier to move and work with. slide other needle out. Does that make more sense?
Teri
"There are black sheep in every flock"
White Sheep Farm
www.whitesheepfarm.com |
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SheilaC
True Blue Farmgirl
1948 Posts
Sheila
Vermont
USA
1948 Posts |
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SarahJ
True Blue Farmgirl
198 Posts
Shreveport
Louisiana
198 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2013 : 05:54:14 AM
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The length of cord needs to be appropriate to the project, and is often given in the pattern (unless you are knitting using the magic loop method). For example, you wouldn't knit a hat on a 24-inch circular! Usually, the shortest cord is 16 inches, which is appropriate for hats, and they increase from there. If you are making socks, circular needles can be used, but only if you are using magic loop. People also use circulars for some flat projects that are too large to fit on regular needles, like baby blankets and shawls.
SarahJ
Farmgirl Sister #116
http://bayoumama.wordpress.com/ |
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Stitching & Crafting Room: the mystery of circular needles :) |
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the mystery of circular needles :)
