12 inch circulars

#1

What can you make using 12 inch circular needles? Could you make mittens? Just wondering.

Thanks,

Knitaholic :thinking:

#2

You might be able to make the main part of the mitten, but you would have to use DPNs or magic loop or 2 circ method at some point.

I use my 12" US8 for tubular scarves.

#3

Thanks, I was just trying to get out of using DPNs–do you know if there are shorter cables than 12"? I’ve tried the 2 circ method, but so far, have not tried magic loop. I wonder which method is easier? I do not like DPN knitting (guess I’m not used to it).

Knitaholic

#4

I’ve made hats and legwarmers with the 12 inch circs. I don’t like DPNs either, so these were a decent alternative. Geez, I don’t know if there’s a shorter cable that 12 inches :thinking:

#5

apparently there is one place that has 8 inch circs but i don’t remember who has them. the thing that you have to remember is in order to make them circ you have to have enough cable to bend into that circle. and with an 8 inch that means you couldn’t have more than like 2 inches in tip to work with. DPNs would be waaaaay less of a pain…or any of the other small diameter methods for that matter.

#6

Wouldn’t it be nice if someone could invent a very small cable for those of us who don’t like DPNs–like maybe a 4" or 2". I don’t know if this would work, but sounds good. Still might not work.

Knitaholic

#7

yeah but you would also have to invent someone else to use it for me because i can not imagine how unpleasant it would be to try to bend it and knit with it at the same time. :shock: i am not a huge fan of DPNs either but i have found that the most trouble i have had with them was when i was using sets that were too long for the project i was working on. i haven’t had occasion to try the Magic loop or two circ method yet but i will with the next project i have that is small diameter! :smiley:

#8

My next project just might be mittens on DPNs (maybe). But, then, I might try this on circs–just thinking.

Knitaholic :thinking:

#9

I think 12" would be too big for mittens, but good for sleeves, hats, scarves, or small bags. I just bought a Susan Bates size 10 11.5" circular (the gal at the craft store said they aren’t even made any more) and knit up some Lion Brand Landscapes (superbulky) on it to make a small bag, and I could EASILY fit my entire arm through it, I think I had CO 36. I had started a hat for it for my baby girl on them, but could tell it was going to be way too big, but that was more a gauge issue than anything since they’re size 10 and think the yarn recommended a size 8. They would work for bigger kids hats though I think.

#10

I was at Ram Wools today and I was going to pick up a 12" addi to make mini-HP scarves for my two youngest. Even the lady working there suggested that I use dpns for it. For something like a scarf, I was worried about ladders, which is why I wanted the circ. I took the needle out of the package, and it would have been difficult to use with the worsted weight yarn I have. Perhaps if I had sport or DK yarn I would be willing to try, but it just seemed like too little needle and too much hassle.

#11

I’ve used 12" circs, and once I get used to them, they’re ok. But there still comes a point on sleeves that I need to switch to using two circs. I like dpns for very small diameter, but will be eternally greatful I learned to use the two circs.

#12

I use 12" circulars for felted mittens. I am very comfortable with the size and enjoy using them.

#13

I’m going to try them on some mittens just to see if it’ll work. If they’re felted, are they larger to knit? I’ve never felted anything before.

Thanks,

Knitaholic

#14

Yes, they are bigger when you knit them and then they shrink down when you felt them. The first pair I made I did on US8 12" and they were not all that much too big, but doing them even just on the US9 made them enough bigger for me to felt. I used a pattern out of Felted Knits. I believe it calls for a size 10 1/2, but the lady that taught me to knit said that she does them on the size 9 (addi turbos do not come any bigger then 9 in 12" to my knowledge) all of the time just to avoid the dpn, and they always turn out fine. So I gave it a try and really like how they turned out! I am really glad that I tried out the 12".

#15

Thanks for the info–this has been a great help!

Knitaholic

#16

I am learning how to knit socks. A good friend bought me yarn and needles(dpn) for Xmas. She knits all of her socks with the 12" circs. She’ll teach me how when I get better, as I am not crazy about dpn. She’s a Master Knitter, so I will learn a lot from her. We teach at the same school, and we teach each other’s sons.

She also has great felted mitts that she will give me the pattern for me to try out, I’m sure where it’s from though.

#17

Thanks for the info–let me know how you like the 12" circs and if this is any easier. I tried regular mittens on the 12" with worsted yarn, and it was very difficult and tight to knit, so I “frogged” that project–the yarn was so stretched on the cable that I could barely knit it. But, it just seems like, somehow, this would work, but I don’t know the secret.

Thanks,

Knitaholic

#18

If you or anyone you know likes HP scarves, here’s the pattern site. We recently found out though that the pattern that’s posted here was wrong, compared to the movie. However, it’s really warm and won’t let you down! The site is http://knit.atypically.net/scarves/azkaban/pattern.shtml. Also, go explore the site for other great patterns!