DPN Cast-On, Join, and Knitting

Hello:

I seem to be having trouble with DPNs and my cast-on and joining in the round.
I can do the cast-on, no problem, but when I go to join them in the round, the needles twist themselves around each other and I lose my starting place, get confused and have to start all over. I do the long-tail cast-on or the slipknot/knit cast-on, and the same happens with either one. Am I doing something wrong? It’s very frustrating, because it is stopping me from getting things started. Please help with any suggestions.

You can always knit the first couple of rows flat, on straight needles, and transfer to the DPNs (or cable needles). The short seam is almost invisible.

Thanks Becky! I don’t know why on earth I didn’t think of that in the first place! A friend of mine told me I was using too many needles. I was/am using four needles to cast on 60 stitches, and the fifth one to knit. She said to use only three needles to cast on, because I need the item to stretch out, and with four it was too tight. I will try her method, and if doesn’t work, I will definitely try yours!

Your friend’s suggestion pretty good, you might be able to get away with putting the sts on just 2 needles, join and knit one round with the 3rd needle, then add the 4th on the next round, and the 5th one later.