I started kntting a hat on circular needles 26" long. The pattern called for 16" long ones, but all I had were the 26" ones. Now the pattern says to join and knit in the round and now I realize my needles are too long to join! Can I transfer what I’ve knitted onto the correct size needles, and if so how do I do it??? I’m sure you’ve guessed by now that I am new to knitting, but loving it!
Sure you can, if you have a needle the right size. Just take your right size needle and use it as your right needle for your next row. It helps if you have at least one more row before your join. OR you can join using your right-sized needle as your right hand needle (knit onto it) by sliding the end that DOESN’T have the working yarn to the working end of your current needle, double it over so that the working yarn is next to your new needle, and start knitting on to that…
I know I’m making this too complicated. One of the experts will be along shortly to make more sense of the hash I made. Me, I’m off to go get a set of DPNs - I’m casting on some wrist-warmers for my mom, and Magic Loop - ooooh, we hates it, Precious. Probably because my cable isn’t long enough, and I’m fighting with it.
Thank you Trish for the quick response. Your answer and directions are perfect! I am so happy now that I didn’t knit the last row before joining because now I will do what you said and knit with the new needles on that last row. Too bad I live in such a small little town high in the Sierra’s of California (it’s dumping snow right now!) and have to order the new needles through the mail. Oh well, have other projects I need to work on today…like cleaning out the pantry-yuck! Question (silly one, but hey I’m new!)- what is a “set of DPNs” and “Magic Loop”?
Double-pointed needles = needles with the points at both ends, for making socks, smaller circular knitting, cable needles, or other assorted usefulnesses
Magic Loop = using a circular needle with a long enough cable that you can pull the cable out between two of your stitches and make a smaller circumference tube of knitting than you normally would with a circ set that large. There’s a video (I think under Advanced Tips – it’s really quite easy once you’ve got your head around it, which usually takes people 5-10 minutes, if that long) if you want to try it.
Thank you Zina for the reply. I love this website- everyone is so helpful! I just watched the video on Magic Loop knitting and went to buy new needles at KnitPicks and saw what DPN’s are, which I even have a set of! I could sit here all day reading and learning new stuff, but seriously have to get moving. Thanks again for the reply-Sharon
You can still use the 26" needles and knit in the round using a variation of ML - Modified Magic Loop
I use this way to knit hats on a 24".
Suuuure, this had to come up after I went to two stores to find a set of size 5 DPNs. 
Don’t rush off so fast next time… :teehee:
Actually, with only 45 stitches in the round, I would have a tougher time if I didn’t have the structure and shorter side length of the DPNs. And I got bamboo, so that’s making it easier.
I will post a pic of these when I’m done - if Zina doesn’t beat me to it. “Newbie makes cabled fingerless gloves!” If DH were here, I’d have him take pictures during the cable rows - 4 needles and a cable needle - I run out of fingers.
Not sure I’m following this. If knitting in the round and making SHAWL and need 32" instead of what i used, 24", can’t I just start at the end of a row knitting with the correct size? One of these days I hope to comprehend these mysterious circle needles.
If you’re knitting a shawl then I assume it’s knitted flat, back and forth, not in the round. If so, as long as the stitches fit comfortably on the needle for you then you can just use whatever length you want. If you want to switch to a longer cable then, yes, just start knitting with the longer one on your next row. If you’re using interchangeables and don’t have an extra tip in the correct size you can use a smaller tip for the left hand needle that’s already holding the stitches and just knit from it. You can then put the right size tip on the longer cable to continue. HTH