Question about converting knitting in the round to straight needles

How-to Questions
1

Is there a trick to converting pattern directions from circular needles to regular straight needles? I have trouble with the circular needles; they get all twisted. Help!

2

If your circular needles are curling, try dipping the cord in boiling water and then hold them straight–a world of difference.

If you really want to convert a circular pattern to straight, you have to read the wrong-side rows backwards and reverse the stitches from knit to purl and vice versa.

You also should add a stitch to each edge that would be seamed to allow for that.

Circular knitting is so easy–I think you should give it another shot!

3

I agree with Ingrid. Circular knitting may seem hard, and it’s funny to get used to, but it’s really easy. It’s a lot easier than trying to convert your pattern too!

4

I agree about giving the circulars another chance. I’m making a yoga mat bag for a friend of mine and I wish I had smaller circulars to work with instead of the double pointeds I’m using!

Just this week I was watching an episode of Knitting Gritty on the DIY network and there was a suggestion about working the twists out of your circular needles: Cast on and work a row or two on straight needles, then switch to your circs and join. Making the first rows on straights will eliminate the twisting problems when you switch needles.

Hope that helps!!

5

Thanks, I will try the circulars again (after dipping them in boiling water!)

6

Wow, I’m going to have to try that (knitting the first few rows on straights) because my knitting gets very twisted and I end up giving up. THANK YOU!

7

Hi
I love circular knitting and love it more since I started using the Addi needles. The cable doesn’t twist and they make knitting even more of a pleasure. They are a little pricey, but I’ve seen some good buys on Ebay.

8

Thanks to all who have posted advice/encouragement about knitting with circular needles.

I tried for the first time (still a relatively new knitter) and I have the same problem as with straight needles. I can’t seem to figure out how to keep the ends tight and neat. Why is this?!

I thought that my stockinette stitch was coming along nicely with the double circular needles method. Then I looked at the ends and there were TWO places were I had big gaps. Then I dropped a stitch right in the gap area and it was all over.

Any tips for making the ends tighter and neater, for both circular AND regular needles?

Thanks