Hi all:
I’m making a chemo cap for my aunt and I would like to know of any suggestions you have for avoiding laddering between stitches when using dpns. It occurs at the stitch between the dpns when switching out the needle (I hope this makes sense!). :?? Does anyone have any suggestions? I would really appreciate it. Thanks!
For me, trying to knit looser/tighter/etc. didn’t make any difference with that problem. Then I read of staggering the ‘joins’, and this is how you do it. Knit as usual to the end of the first needle, then with that same needle (ie. the one you just knit onto) knit the first 2 stitches of the needle 2. Then take your empty needle and finish needle 2. At the end of needle 2, continue with that needle and knit the first 2 stitches off needle 3. Take empty needle and complete needle 3. Keep doing this around and around, the joins will be staggered and un-noticeable and you’ll have no more ladders. Just be sure to put a marker for the beginning of your round because that will rotate too.
I do what knitqueen said (you said it very well too! :cheering: )
I also try to never start with a purl, meaning if I have to add more stitches to the needle to get to a knit that’s what I do. It gets the # of stitches off a little sometimes but I just work to get it even again. Does that make sense?
That is what I do also!
It also helps to pull the two stitches on either end of the needles super-tight. Twisted stitches also make the joins tighter.
Tab over to “Advanced Techniques” on this site and scroll down to “Small Diameter Circular Knitting” and look at the two circular needles method. There is nothing, repeat nothing, that works as well to eliminate ladders as switching to 2 circs. The reason is not only because you only have two needles instead of 3 or 4 but also you can tighten the yarn from the last stitch on one needle on the cable thereby making it smaller than a normal stitch. Then when you inevitably stretch the yarn to switch to the other needle, it evens out and becomes invisible.
I did my first pair of socks on dpns and was very disappointed in the ladders. I had tried all the techniques to minimize them also. Then I did a pair on 2 circs and no ladders!
Tab over to “Advanced Techniques” on this site and scroll down to “Small Diameter Circular Knitting” and look at the two circular needles method. There is nothing, repeat nothing, that works as well to eliminate ladders as switching to 2 circs. The reason is not only because you only have two needles instead of 3 or 4 but also you can tighten the yarn from the last stitch on one needle on the cable thereby making it smaller than a normal stitch. Then when you inevitably stretch the yarn to switch to the other needle, it evens out and becomes invisible.
I did my first pair of socks on dpns and was very disappointed in the ladders. I had tried all the techniques to minimize them also. Then I did a pair on 2 circs and no ladders!
Knitqueen, do you not still get a ladder when you change to the empty needle? do you pull this one tighter?
I just watched the video on knitting with 2 circular needles. Does that means you have to buy 2 sets of circular needles the same size for all your work? Can you do it on two smaller circular needles than shown in the video?
Yes, you do need to have 2 sets of needles in the same size. That is the main drawback. They do not however, have to be the same length. You can use one that is 16" and one that is 24". It’s up to you. I find this method so much easier and the results so much better looking that I don’t even mind having to buy more needles!
THANK YOU EVERYBODY! 
That’s great advice. I am going to check out the 2 circs video now and I will definitely think about purchasing another set of circs to try it out.
Have a great day!
How about magic loop? I find it easier and less cumbersome than 2 circs. You only need one long circ instead of two. JMO.
P.S. If you have interchangeables, you can do the two circ method even if you only have one set of needles in your size. I think Amy explains how in her video.
I just checked out the video and I think I will go get another pair of circs today. That is a really great method! I had tried the staggering method before and it seemed to work okay, but I think I am going to give this a try. It will really come in handy for hats (like I’m doing now) and also for socks. Thanks Calamintha! And thank you Knit Queen, CarmenIbanez, psammeadred, and MAmaDawn. You ladies rock! I can’t tell you helpful everyone on this forum is. Whatever questions I have you always come through! :happydance: :cheering: 
YAY!!!
Well maybe you do, but it’s just not noticeable because it’s never in the same spot two rounds in a row. That’s what’s so great about it!
Magic loop is another method, pretty much the same as 2 circs. I personally prefer magic loop and haven’t had problems with ladders since switching. In fact, sometimes it’s the opposite if I’m not careful - the stitches at the switch can sometimes be too tight. I’d rather have them a bit tight though rather than loose and laddery.
If you are making an adult size hat you can probably just knit on one 16in circular needle which will eliminate any ladders. Once I switch to DPNs for the top part the ladders don’t seem to be a problem at that point in the hat.
When making little hats with DPNs I do get ladders. I used the staggered join method like the others, but I only do it every 4 or 5 rows so it’s quicker. In the end you can’t tell here the ladders are/were.
If I tighten the [color=red]second[/color] stitch on each DP as I knit it appears to make the ladder disappear.
That doesn’t work for me. No matter which one I tighten I get them. I have noticed though that they are most obvious closest to the needles so it’s not a huge problem for me and staggering occasionally does help.
You have all been so helpful! Thank you so much! Does anyone know when using the 2 circ needle method if when switching to the other circular needle, are you turning the work over like you would when knitting a flat piece of knitting? It looks like Amy turns the knitting to the other side when switching needles, so I would assume that if you’re knitting in stockinette stitch, you would alternate knit and purl “rows”. Is this correct? :??
I would appreciate your help! You always come through!