DPN’s all the way, ML is very awkward to me…the tricky part is getting getting the “join”… May I suggest start with Large dpn’s ( US 10 or up), thick yarn and a good video…that way you can “see” the concept.
I’d recommend large needles and thick yarn for learning (almost) ANY technique. (I’m sure there are exceptions, don’t get excited…)
I suspect that DPNs are simply the lowest common denominator, which is why pattern writers favor them. Well, that and probably the really big name pattern writers have probably been doing this for decades or learned at the feet of someone who has, so that’s what they know. No tin foil hats required here.
Personally, I’m perfectly content to consign DPNs to the realm of I cord and cables and the occasional piece of flat knitting or repair work. There are times when they’re uniquely suited to a particular purpose, but given another option I’ll use it. Because I have enough trouble with stitches falling off ONE end of a needle – I don’t need to increase the chances of that happening any further.
…not sure what all the “hype” is regarding patterns etc…The question in this thread is “how to use dpn’s” and BTW I happen to own 5 metal (sticks,used as needles), US…000 from the early 1930’s used for sock knitting (or any small diameter knitting)
I wanted to learn to knit socks, so I bought a book (Ann Budd Getting Started Knitting Socks) and went to JoAnns and bought some cheap yarn and a couple of pairs of dpns. I’m not an advanced knitter and haven’t tried lots of different needles and lots of different techniques so I just did what the book told me! You only use two needles at a time anyway, the rest just holds the stitches not being worked, and I’ve never had an issue with the stitches dropping off the ends of the unused needles either. I started with bamboo needles as they’re more grabby and I’ve only just very recently bought a couple of pairs of metal ones. I would just try it and see, it took me months to pluck up the courage to try and now I wonder why I wasted so much time and made so much fuss!!
Please explain to me WTH you are talking about…yes, it’s knitting and no “tin foil hats ARE NOT required” …No, we didn’t acquire a PHD in this craft, but this site just happens to be “light”, fun and enjoyable… oh and informative too… …I knit for fun and relaxation…AND TO TAKE A PIECE OF STRING AND MAKE A BEAUTIFUL, EVERLASTING ITEM FROM IT…
I decided to try again and I am currently working on a project using 5 DPNs; I’m tolerating it. It’s not fun for me,
I just wanted to suggest you try 4 dpns, in case you haven’t heard of that or tried it. Some people find one or the other method to be much easier for them personally than the other. It seems like such a small thing that it couldn’t matter, but it does, for some of us at least. I prefer 4 unless there is a real need for the extra needle.
You have just given me a great reason to try knitting on two circs! I hate knitting sleeves down from a sweater - all that twisting!
Well, Well, I’m gonna go look for a video on this!
It’s not the number of needles, it’s that I really don’t like knitting in the round. 
However, I find the multiple needles easier to manipulate than the cable, so I almost enjoy it. It’s better too since I passed the ribbing and am doing all knit stitches now.
Thanks for the suggestion, although I really don’t want to drop any of my needles. I hold two needles alongside each other to do the stitches from one needle to the next, with the other two needles forming a triangle, and I don’t think that would work as well with one less needle.
I actually prefer using 5 DPNs, so try both 4 and 5 needles and see what you like.
I’m trying to picture how you hold the needles alongside each other. Unless your needles are extremely slippery your stitches should stay put after a few rounds. IME even with aluminum dpn they will stay where they’re supposed to.
I just hold the two together so it is almost as if I am knitting them on one needle. They overlap a bit, but it’s just for a few stitches. I’m not a tight knitter; I am afraid that if I don’t do something to artificially keep the stitches close together, I may end up with ladders. So I hold them together until I’m confident that dropping the previous needle won’t pull any extra yarn in the gap.
I’ve not used dpn much but I find that if I tuck the end of the last needle under the tip of the needle I now have in my left hand, just making sure the stitches are close together and tightening the 2nd st. just a little takes care of laddering. If what you’re doing works and isn’t awkward, that’s great. I just can’t imagine me doing it that way. Have you watched videos so to see how others handle the needles? I’m not a really tight knitter these days.
No, I’ve never watched a knitting video. I learned to knit at my (now closed) LYS and at that time my instructor told me that she had never seen any hold their needles the way I did, but it seemed to be working for me so she didn’t try to correct it. :oops: I’ve been told the same thing about the way I hold a crochet hook, so I pretty much figure everything I do knitting and crocheting is not quite right. :teehee:
Generally I agree that “if it aint broke don’t try to fix it”, but you might find knitting in the round easier and more enjoyable to knit if you practice holding your needles different. Of course if you don’t mind seams and seaming then it’s really no problem. 
I agree with Jan. In the interest of helping you look at other ways if you’re interested:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9OrDriAmtI (skip up to about 6 min. to see how he knits if you want to skip him casting on and joining)
There are lots of other videos if you don’t like this one.
That was Jan…
Thank you. I’m sorry about that. Please don’t revoke the blessing you bestowed, it seems to be working! 
I apologise to Jan, too.
What are you two talking about?:??
Oh I see…you edited it. Ha!
:roflhard: No no, wouldn’t think of it…
This place is so fun! You get help even when you don’t need it! :roflhard:
I just find stockinette/garter stitch tedious and somewhat boring; I don’t enjoy straight knitting that’s all garter stitch either. :teehee:
However, as I am both trying out DPNs for the first time AND a project where I am making two identical object (legwarmers), I did not want to take on too much by trying a stitch pattern more complicated than a simple rib. (I’m doing stockinette on the leg part and rib at each end, needlessly fearful that they will end up uneven and lopsided. :shock:)
This is in-the-round project #3; my first two (a baby hat and a dog sweater) were done using magic loop. I swore off round knitting after the dog sweater but then decided to give DPNs a chance. I’m having a much better experience, even though I find it a bit tedious when I don’t have any other distractions (like conversations or TV.)
Thanks for the helpful and well-intentioned suggestions! 
What I really need though is a way to make an all knit stitch project less tedious – that’s the part I’m not enjoying so much! :knitting: