First Time Using Circular Needles!

#1

Hello All,

I am in a bit of a panic! I’ve just started a new knitting project (a baby blanket for my soon-to-be niece or nephew) and the pattern is on circular needles.

I’ve just worked my first three rows, but now I’m wondering if I’m not going to end up with a tube! It looks like all of the rows are joined together…i don’t know why the pattern calls for circular needles, when I can probably just as easily do it with regular needles.

Does anybody have any advice? Please let me know.

Thanks,

Aimée

#2

I to am using circs for the first time.
I think you are not supposed to join the ends. Instead, once you are done a row, turn your work and then knit onto the other side as if they are separate needles.
Using circs, you are able to get a tonne of stitches on them for sweaters, blankets etc so that is why they say to use them. You are accually to knit flat, but on the circs. I hope this helps.
I’m doing a sweater for dh that will zip at the front so it is open and knitt this same way as a blanket would be, until I get to the yoke.

#3

If you’re knitting a blanket or something flat, you don’t join, just turn at the end of the row like you do on straight needles. The circ is to get a larger number of stitches on and as it grows it won’t weigh down your arms being more comfortable to knit it.

#4

I think that you are supposed to make a tube, I’ve seen patterns this. The final result will be a double thick, extra warm, extra cushy blanket. Is there any type of boarder on it? If there is then it was not meant to be a tube. I use circular needles all the time to knit straight, just remember to turn as when you get to the end of the row.

#5

It depends how the pattern is written. Unless it says `join’ right after the cast on, it’s knit flat.

#6

Yes, it depends on what the pattern says. There are even blankets that are knit in the round (usually to facilitate stranded knitting) and then cut to make them flat. I don’t suppose you are doing that though.

#7

Also,look at the instructions. If it’s written as Rows, for example:
Row 1:
Row 2:
then it’s knit flat- no joining.

If it uses Rounds, for example:
Round 1(or Rnd 1):
Round 2(or Rnd 2):
then it’s knit as a tube, aka “in the round”.:thumbsup: