Circular needle question

#1

First I just have to say that I am learning so much here between the videos and the forums. THanks! :smiley: I am very much a beginner.

My question is about using circular needles. I am just starting out by doing dishcloths. My first one I cast on 34 stitches and used 10 inch needles. That worked fine. The one I am working on now is cast on 40 stitches. It really fills up the whole needle. Should I try doing it on circular needles so I have room for all the stitches? I really don’t think I could handle longer straight needles.

I did buy some circulars but they are so looped (does that make sense??). Is there a way to unloop them? If I were to use them it would be so hard because of the loop.

Now that I am asking this it seems so obvious, but I guess I just need confirmation from the pros. :oops:

#2

I say knit with what you are comfortable with. If you want to stick to the straights and put up with the crowding, be my guest and do that. Or you can switch to circulars. What ever you prefer :slight_smile:

As for the loop in the cord, I heard that you can hold the cord over some boiling water and that’ll help with the straightening. Or the weight of what you are knitting will straighten it out.

HIH

#3

What I do is run plain water though my coffee maker then pour that in a bowl then put your loop in the water,then when you take it out pull straight till it cools off.Don’t leave in water to long ,just keep testing it every few seconds.Works foe me every time :smiley:

#4

[color=blue]:figureditout: Have you tried a pair of 14" needles?[/color]

#5

Thanks for the replies. I will definitely be straightening out my circular needle!

I haven’t tried 14" needles. I didn’t know if they would too long to work with. I’m just geting the hang of it with the 10".

#6

eh use the circs. you will be happy (i think) that you did and probably never go back. I have never used straight needles in the year that i have been knitting. I take the cord of my circs and just run hot water over them in the sink. then i take a towel and run it over the cord from needle point to needle point “stretching” it as i go. dries it off and protects my weenie baby hands that don’t like super hot water. if they are metal needles i dump the whole thing in the water. i obviously don’t do that for the bamboo! :slight_smile:

or you can splurge for the Addis that really don’t need to be unlooped! :thumbsup:

#7

I agree. 14" needles are a pain to work with. If you already had them, fine, but if you’re looking for new needles, go with circs.