I am trying to figure this out, and using the video, and not getting very far, even on scrap yarn.
The pattern says to JOIN before I start stitching, only there is nothing in the video about this, and I can’t figure out how to do this.
Can anyone explain?
Basically, all you have to do is just start knitting into that first CO stitch, and that makes it into a round, or a circle. Those first few rows, I find, are quite awkward, but once you get past that, you get it. Keep trying! Practice with your scrap yarn until you feel comfortable with it.
Make sure all the stitches are going the same way, not twisted around the needles.
Hope that helps - good luck! The first time I knitted with dpn I swore I’d never do it again, but now I like them a lot! lol.
Lynn in NH
When you are doing circular knitting, “joining” and starting to knit are kind of the same thing. You will form your circle, then stick your needle in the starting stich and knit as usual. This joins the circle together. It is more clear, I think, when you are using circular needles - the DPNS can be confusing, but once you get through those first few rows it gets a lot easier 
Holly
If you watch the video again you will see that Amy is holding the needles so that the last stitch of her cast on is on the needle in her left hand and the beginning of her cast on is in her right. Then she knits into the first stitch on her left hand needle (which is the last stitch that was cast on) and pulls her stitches tight. This joins the stitches in a circle. It helps to put a marker on after you knit the first stitch so you can tell when you are starting a new round.
Then you just knit your way across the needles until you come to the marker again and you have completed your first round.
Hope this helps!
Susan
Cast on 32 sts and divide onto 3 needles, with 8 sts on first needle, 16 sts on 2nd needle, and 8 sts on 3rd needle. Join, being careful not to twist.
Work even in St st until piece measures 20 inches from cast on edge.
My work wasn’t twisted, and now it is, after joining on the last needle. 
And if that is what it meant, why is Join the first instruction after casting on and dividing the work?
can you try that again, zkimom? I have watched this video like 20 times, pausing as I catch up to her, and it isn’t working
I will note that I do have a visual handicap and that is why using videos to try stuff like this is extra hard for me. Thanks
I pm’ed you.
Let me know if you have any more questions!
Best,
Susan
Join happens right after you cast on and divide sts because it gets the knitting in the round started.
Is there some kind of secret to this? I am okay as I knit the first two, okay, maybe not as tight on the first stitch as I should be, but I can deal with that, but everytime I try to knit the 3rd needle in the first round, my needles end up twisted together, my work falls off the 3rd needle which is the one I am trying to work with.
What am I doing wrong?
Sunny,
I had some difficulties with dpn’s at first but don’t give up.
A pattern I found online suggested the following technique, so this is how I do it now when I’m casting on for a sock and I find it much easier to get started. Maybe it’ll work for you… if I can explain it clearly.
When you cast all your stitches on 1 needle, cast on one extra stitch. So if your pattern calls for 32 stitches, cast on 33.
Then, instead of dividing your stitches by slipping them onto your other needles and then joining, you start knitting right away and knit the specified number of stitches onto the additional needles. So, if you’re making a sock that starts with a ribbing pattern you would cast on 33 stitches on your first dpn. Then using your next dpn, you would knit your 8 stitches (in whatever your pattern calls for, like k2, p2 ribbing), pick up your next dpn and knit in pattern 16 stitches, and using a 3rd dpn knit in pattern 8 stitches. The original needle the cast on stitches were on will now have one stitch left. Put this last stitch on the beginning of the 1st needle, knit 2 together for the first stitch on that needle (that’s your join) and then continue on.
This way seems to give you a little bit more to hang onto and it seems to be much easier to be sure that your stitches aren’t twisted when you do join.
Good Luck!
as far as making sure the stitches aren’t twisted, just make sure all the “knotty” side of your stitches are on the inside of the circle when you start, and they won’t be twisted.
I completed about 3 inches - and then realized at some point - I had somehow flipped my work? Not quite sure how or what happened, but what had been stockinette originally was now reversed? um I don’t know how to explain but maybe some one gets what I mean anyway. What happened and how do I keep this from happening again?
It does happen, just make sure your needles tips are closer to you, not pointing away. Flip the work inside out and it’ll be fine.
try again, suz? what did I do?
I had about half in stockinette and half in the back side of stockinette. I know it isn’t supposed to be like that.
This this tiny 2 ply yarn which I am using for the first time, I decided to just start over. So if you can explain what I did so I don’t make the same mistake it would help.
Also, my gauge was correct until I started working with all 4 needles, now it is too small. Is this normal between working straight and in the round? I originally swatched on just one needle, working a straight stockinette like the pattern said, but now instead of 2 3/4 inches it is about 2 inches for the same amount of stitches.
Sounds like you picked up the needles and knit backwards. In circular knitting the needle with the yarn coming off it always goes in your right hand.
Many people do knit tighter in the round than going back and forth, no purling. You can make swatches in the round, which is like doing a giant I cord, only leave the yarn loose across the back.
I knit backwards?
thanks, I’ll watch for keeping my work going in one direction instead of both.
This yarn is so fine. I have never even [I]seen[/I] yarn this fine in real life before, never mind worked with it. I discovered I do better when I have natural sunlight as well as overhead light. I can see my stitches easier, both the ones on the needle and the completed work.
Try this http://www.knittingatknoon.com/demos.html maybe that will help…
I knit backwards?
Going the other direction, yes. If you picked up the tube and started to knit like you do at the end of a row of flat knitting with the yarn off the left needle, you went back the opposite direction to how you knit before.
Thanks for the explanation.
I am going to try again, at point 0 tomorrow, during the day. I’ll try to watch better what I am doing so I don’t fall into the same trap.