Circular knitting needles were invented for the purpose of smooth knitting in the round. But, once knitters started working with them, they prove to be very useful for knitting flat patterns. In fact, knitting with circular needles so widely accepted that it is now become a common method to knit. Think of any project such as blankets, shawls, scarves or even dishcloths, with the right circular needle you can easily work on a project. The right length when it comes to circular knitting needles is calculated from one tip to the other including the cable. For a flat project it should be a length that easily accommodates all the stitches but not over lengthy that you struggle with the cable length. It offers several advantages, such as the ability to accommodate a large number of stitches and reducing strain on your wrists.
Here’s how you can knit flat using circular needles:
Start with a slip knot on the knitting needle.
Cast on the desired number of stitches on one tip of the circular needle, just as you would with straight needles.
Once you’ve cast on, turn your work so that the cast-on edge is facing away from you. The working yarn should be on the right-hand side.
Slide the stitches to the right tip of the circular needle, so they’re bunched up near the tip. The left tip of the needle will remain empty.
Hold the needle with the stitches in your right hand, and using your left hand, insert the right tip of the circular needle into the first stitch as if you were going to knit.
Knit the first stitch, pulling the yarn through and completing the stitch as usual.
Repeat steps 5 and 6 for each stitch across the row until you reach the end.
Once you’ve completed the row, your working yarn will be at the left-hand side. Slide the stitches to the right tip of the circular needle again, so they’re bunched up near the tip, and turn your work. You’re now ready to work the next row.
Repeat steps 5 to 8 for each subsequent row until you’ve reached the desired length or completed the pattern.
If you’re using a pattern that requires a purl row, follow the same steps as above but purl the stitches instead of knitting them.
When you’re ready to bind off, simply work the bind-off stitch on the last row and complete the bind-off as usual.
Why Knit Flat with Circular Needles?
Knitting with circular needles has various advantages and it is not restricted to the purpose it was invented for. The knitting needles allows seamless projects as well as pieces that are knit flat (back and forth every row).
Now for knitting flat, circular needles are proven to be blessings. Here are a few reasons.
Keeps Weight off your Wrists and Needles
Knitting with circular needles allows e weight of the project to be evenly divided all over the length. If you have a project that is very large like a huge blanket or a shawl, you will probably find it easier to work on circular needles. When working with heavy-weight yarns projects, it is much easier to knit with circulars.
Accommodates a large number of stitches
Circular needles can accommodate a large number of stitches on its entire length. Say for example if you have a 300-stitch blanket, only circulars can work for such. When your project grows width-wise, it’s so much easier to accommodate all of those stitches on the long needle lengths that can be changed in the case of interchangeable circulars.
Great for Knitting on the Go
It is much easier to pack a knitting project and circulars for your regular commute or on a holiday and pretty much everywhere on the go. The ergonomic design makes it less likely that a needle will fall from your hands. Also the pointy tips are busy knitting so it won’t be accidentally poking or hurting anyone.
With practice, knitting flat with circular needles will become second nature, and you’ll enjoy the benefits of using circular needles for larger, flat projects.
