Hi, is there anyway a pattern using the dreaded circular needles can be converted to the traditional two needle instead??? I have tried using the circulars but to no avail AND for the record I belong a Knit and Natter Club and not one of our knitters use them. I have searched through hundreds of patterns but the ones I want are all for circulars. Just hope a conversion is possible and easy. Jean 13
Hey Jean
I have converted almost all my patterns from circular to flat knitting. Perhaps not every single pattern construction can be converted but a lot can.
I only make sweaters/tops and mostly I do this:
- divide the body stitch count in 2 for front and back stitch counts, then add a selvedge stitch each end for seaming
- work sleeves flat and add 1 st each end for seaming
- leave a shoulder open (unseamed) so i can work a neck band flat (with 2 added selvedge sts) then seam the shoulder and neck in one go
- Depending on the style of sleeve cap i usually make the sleeve separately then seam it in, i have done seamless at the top and knit top down, flat, which is fine on straights for a drop shoulder. Set in is more logical (for me) worked bottom up, flat then seamed.
If you have a pattern you want to make and arenāt sure how to convert it Iām sure we can try to help. I certainly donāt mind with the sort of patterns that I understand (which is not all).
Do you use dpns at all or not? I donāt, Iām just asking as it would be useful to know if you want help converting a pattern.
I think the vintage patterns are more often flat and with dpns, depending on the era of the pattern they may be too small for more modern builds.
Does anyone at your knitting group know how to convert patterns? Or do they have a āgo toā resource for patterns written for working flat?
Some patterns call for circular needles because of the number of stitches, not because theyāre knit in the round. I expect youāre wanting to change a pattern written for in the round to flat. Generally it can be done, I do it the other way round and figure out how to knit a pattern intended to be knit flat in the round. There are long dpn available I believe. Maybe youād prefer them over circular needles.
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Can you post a pattern or two that you most would like to make? That would help us make recommendations for the conversion. Creations has given you a good start on this and an example may help with some details (lace, colorwork, etc.)
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This site looks very useful. There are several articals for knitting with straight needles but within each of those articles there are lots of patterns and even more links to further patterns, including some ravelry search results which are great. There is also a tutorial for how to work a neckband flat for any pattern which is knit flat until the neckband then suddenly needs a circular or dpns for the neck, the modification is quite straightforward.
Iāve seen adult sweaters and cardigans, kids sweaters and cardigans, hats. Itās worth a look.
Itās interesting how different we all are! I tried several times to learn to knit but could never manage it on straight needles. Someone suggested circulars, and I found it SO much easier! I would be doing as @GrumpyGramma and converting patterns the other way, but there are so many patterns available now that I can usually find something similar that works with the way I knit.
Another thing you might do, other than what has been suggested already, is use a basic pattern written for straights, and then add in the detailing from something written in the round, like the stitch pattern or neckline shaping or whatever attracts you to that design. It might be easier than converting a whole pattern.
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Hi Creations, thank you so much for the instructions and I will give them a go - much appreciated. Enjoy your Easter. Regards Jean 13
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Hi Salmonac, thank you so much for your offer - much appreciated but I managed to find a pattern in a childs size (straight needles) so I will just adjust the sizing. Emjoy your Easter. Regards Jean13
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Hi Grumpy, thanks for the advice - much appreciatedf. Enjoy your Easter. Regards Jean13
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Hi, thanks for this info - looks interesting and I will certainly save it for future projects. RegardsJean13
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Hi, thanks for the info but I will be sticking to my ever faithful straight needles ha ha!!!
Enjoy your Easter.,Regards Jean13
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Good luck with the pattern and let us know how itās going.
Itās interesting about the circular needles. I think of them as straight needles that just happen to be connected somewhere out there. Well anyway, itās your preference that counts.
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Thanks - I think I will be
I too hate circular needles. Have always used straight needles but Iām knitting a sweater with a deep v-neck and I had to use circular needles to complete the neckband. Had a difficult time doing this.
I agree that most of the patterns that i like are knitted using circular needles, so will probably need to adapt.
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Hi Knitpick, yes most patterns now call for circulars URGH. I belong to a Knit and Natter Club and all our ladies are experienced knitters and not one uses the dreadful circulars. I tried but got in such a taffle - it was like knitting on string. Good luck with your knitting. Regards Jean13
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I have also, at times, used a circular to get around a bend (neck, sleeve cap) whilst knitting flat. I realised though that even this can be avoided if needed/wanted by knitting the neck band separately, then seaming it on. This would work for the v-neck if your needles hold enough stitches (there are different lengths of straight), and even if your needles didnāt hold enough the band could be made separately in 2 sections with an additional selvedge stitch at the back neck, then seamed at the back neck (some patterns have a seam or graft here anyway so itās not unknown or any kind of substandard design).
Circulars arenāt superior, theyāre just different. They throw up different problems to overcome (twisted sweaters with all the tension pulling one way, less structure, ladders, and more), some of the same challenges of working with straight dpns, some different. All the different types of needles and knitting styles are personal preference and itās great we have options.
I am another who prefers to knit flat on straights, but i invested in circulars so now Iām using them. I almost always knit flat with them and even then I am frequently annoyed by the pull of the cable, i hate it tugging on my working needle and it causes me to have to go slower and use more grip which is less relaxing. I often think of buying some new straights (my budget set i started out with lasted well but are past their best) but i feel like i should just use what Iāve got.
I have benefitted a whole lot more from learning to read charts (lace, colour work, cables), read my knitting, tink, frog well, fix errors, adapt for gauge differences and sub yarn than I have from working with circulars.
Either, both, mix them, whatever suits.
I have given up on some patterns because the stitches get caught on the cable and wonāt slide onto the needle it seems to happen more with lace and cables, I hate the way the slim cable lets the stitches change size, pulls on the fabric, pulls on my needleā¦ Iām with you.
Despite still using circulars to work flat (almost always) I grumble about them.
I saw an interview with Hazel Tindle (known for speed knitting fairisle) who uses long straight DPNs and a knitting belt, and she said she tried circular needles a few times and hated them, the stitches distorted on the cable and wouldnāt move from cable to the shaft of the needle smoothly enough, there was repeated stopping and tugging at stitches. She ditched them and kept her straights.
So you have good company 
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I too belong to a knit and knitter group and only one younger lady was using circular needles. I was taught to knit in the mid 80ās on straight needles (better knitter back then than I am now after a long hiatus) and didnāt know circular needles existed. So maybe it comes down to what weāre initially used to.
I had to frog the v-neckband on my sweater 3 times using the circular needles. After 3 attempts, one side looked ok whilst the other side looked ālooserā even though my tension was the same.
I want to try and knit the ranunculus pattern but have been put off because itās knitted on circular needles. It has a circular yoke so donāt think it can be adapted to straight needles.
I thought I was odd not liking circular needles as some knitters love them. Thanks Jean13 on your thoughts.
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Thx for the tip on knitting the neckband separately and then seaming it. My first attempt at circulars and even after frogging it 3 times was not happy with the outcome (looser on one side than the other).
I want to knit the ranunculus pattern next so I may be forced to use circular needles for this project.
Main thing is to enjoy knitting with whatever type of needles youāre using.
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When i browse patterns, which is far too frequently, Iām often drawn to beautiful looking sweaters with round yokes. The photos are lovely and many of the stitch patterns in lace and colour work are stunning but, as with just about everything, we all have different tastes and our own particular reasons for choosing one thing or another. For me, i disregard all circular yoke patterns, i donāt think they fit well, never mind that they are worked on circulars.
I think if you really like the ranunculous you should give it a go, you might enjoy it more than you expect, maybe dpns would be wore comfortable than circular needles? It could help you decide if you like round yokes, making them and wearing them, or if you donāt. Either way it is something learned and helps to guide future decisions on patterns and projects.
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