Magic Loop Hat Decreasing

How-to Questions
1

Greetings,

I am going to knit my first hat using the Magic Loop. Does anyone know what types of decreases I should use when I get to the point of decreasing every eight sts toward the top of the hat? (I am knitting a full-term baby hat – casting on 66 sts.) Are there certain decreases that should be used when knitting using the Magic Loop as I know certain decreases slant to the right and to the left?

Thank you,

Amy

2

Nope just use the same decs you’d use with dpns or other ways of knitting in the round. You make sts the same way with ML, it’s just another method to knit in the round.

3

Hi Sue.

I should have added that this is also my first time knitting in the round. I use circular needles to do flat knitting. Would you mind shareing the types of decreases you use when knitting in the round with dpns or with circular needles?

Thank you,

Amy

4

I totally agree. Just what the pattern calls for. If you do it without a pattern, make them all the same (my beginning-hat-knitter-advice). If you need a pattern, we help you find one.

When working with magic loop or with double pointed needles it MAY be necessary to rearange your stitches (how many in which section, not the order of stitches) for getting it done.

With magic loop that is very easy: just let the stitches all glide onto the cable and decide, where the new “middle” is.

5

Whatever it says to do in the pattern; for a hat usually that’s k2tog. If you come to the end of the first set of sts and one of the 2 you’re to knit together is on the first needle and the other is on the other needle, just move the last st over to the other side and knit them together. There’s really no secret stitch for knitting in the round, the sts, decs and incs are done the same way as knitting flat. The only difference is you don’t turn at the end of the row.

6

Thank you. The pattern calls for knitting the hat with a seam (flat knitting) though the option is given to knit the hat using dpns. I just re-read the pattern which states that within one inch from the top, begin decreasing sts (k2tog) every three sts in the remaining rows (k3, k2tog, rep).

So, this would mean I would be able to divide the sts so that there are 33 sts on each needle using Magic Loop, correct?

And, by using k2tog for each decrease, all decreases will slant in the same direction, correct? You would not try to have half of the decreases slant in the other direction using SSK decreases as well?

Thank you,

Amy

7

Yes, you can put half the sts on each side of the needle, but don’t worry if one side has a couple more than the other, they don’t need to be exactly equal. The decs will all spiral the same direction. You’ll see how it works once you start working on it.

8

Thank you, Sue. I am able to visualize what you are writing now.

I appreciate your help :slight_smile:

Amy

9

you will show it a picture, will you?
In doubt, just trust the pattern!