Knitting In The Round:

Magic Loop Method

Knit small items in the round on only one circular needle

Are double-pointed needles (dpns) a pain in your backside? If so, simplify knitting small items in the round with using one long circular needle in the place of four short sticks.

This method is really quite simple, and uses the least number of needles of any method for knitting in the round. Simply use a circular needle with a very long cable and work one half of the stitches at a time.

You may also want to check out my Joining Yarn in the Round tutorial.

Text: Work in the Round: Magic Loop - Knit small items in the round on only one circular needle. Image: A partially completed lace sock on a circular knitting needle that's too long for the circumference. My Secret Wish Knitting
 

How to do it:

 

Basic Principle:

You’ll be working around in a circle by splitting your working stitches in half on one extra-long circular needle and working one side at a time.

 
 

Principles of use:

  1. Use a circular needle that is around forty inches (100 cm) long.

  2. When you’ve finished casting on the appropriate number of stitches, move them to the middle of the cable.

  3. Split the stitch count in half and pull a loop of cable between the stitches.

  4. Move the stitches on the non-working needle side up onto the tip to prepare to work. Pull enough cable through the stitches on the working needle side to give you room to knit onto the tip.

  5. Work one half of the stitches at a time, adjusting the cable as you go to maintain the even split of stitches.

If you’re decreasing while working a larger project, you can easily use this method to prevent having to go down to a shorter needle.

A green cabled Trailfinder Hat on an extra-long circular needle next to a potted plant on a weathered wooden surface.
 
 

Try our patterns: