Make A Design On A Circular Needles By Videos

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Knitting flat with circular needles – In this post, you will learn why this is so great plus a photo and video tutorial.

Sometimes projects may need you to work flat – knitting back and forth like you would with straight needles, but using circular knitting needles instead.

There are so many great ways to use your circular knitting needles, from working on projects that have a huge number of stitches, to when you don't have a particular size knitting needle that is straight.

Make It Easier On Yourself

If you have a project that is very large like a huge cable knit blanket or a shawl, you will probably find it easier to work on circular needles.

When your project grows width-wise, it's so much easier to accommodate all of those stitches on circulars, rather than struggling to keep them all on straight needles.

Big projects can also become very heavy and working with the circulars can help to take some of that weight.

The cable will hold the weight, which makes it easier for it to lay on you while you work.

chunky cable knit blanket on large circular needles

More Great Reasons To Use Circulars To Knit Flat

I use circulars to knit flat (back and forth) all of the time, here are some reasons why:

I like how it takes the weight of projects that use bulky or super bulky yarn.
I find it easier on my arms, wrists and hands for the movement and I have less strain.
It's great for knitting shawls or sweater pieces so you can easily try them out on yourself or your tailor's dummy – to see if it fits etc.
Sometimes I don't have a straight needle size but have that size in my circulars so use those instead.

As you can see in the photo below of the dog sweater knit on straight needles, I needed the circulars to hold stitches while I worked on other sections of the sweater.

Interchangeable Circular Knitting Needles

I use my set of interchangeable circular knitting needles for my projects, they are really easy to work with and allow you to swap needle sizes easily.

I have two sets, one is made from wood – Knit pro Symfonie and the other are Knit Pro Zing (also known as Knitters Pride in the US).

Both are easy to work with but for some projects, I much prefer the Zings as they allow me to have a smoother workflow.

Knit pro zing set — Knit Pro Zing Interchangeable Circular Needle Set

Great For Knitting On The Go

Using circulars are also great for knitting flat when you don't have a lot of space, for example, when you travel.

The circulars can make your project easier to carry and pack, plus if you work in the car or on a train you will be less likely to bump anyone sitting next to you!

It will also be less likely that a needle will fall from your hands or that you will have trouble with stitches falling off the ends of the needles.

This is because when you are done, you can slide the stitches further onto the cable, so they will not fall off.

So How Do You Do It?

Working with circular knitting needles while knitting flat is the same as working with straight needles.

You knit back and forth – knitting along one side, then when you are done, turn the work to continue knitting the other side.

You will not join in the round and in the pattern if it suggests using circulars to knit flat, it will normally say – you do not join in the round.

When you start using circulars to knit flat, you will see how easy and comfortable it is and probably (like me) end up using them for all of your projects!

hat on the knitting needles — **How To Knit A Hat For Beginners – Step By Step**

Tutorial

Take a look at the photo tutorial below or watch the video tutorial over on my YouTube channel here.

For more tutorials please see this relate post: Knitting Lessons.

Time needed:1 hour and 10 minutes.

Knitting Flat With Circular Needles

Cast on your stitches and insert the needle
When you have cast on your stitches, insert your needle into the first stitch and knit one row.
Knit the row
You will knit the row just the same as you would knit the row if you were using straight needles.
When you finish that row, turn the work
Then, when you finish that row, turn the work to continue knitting the next row.

Circular Needles FAQs

Can you knit straight on circular needles?

Yes! Circular knitting needles are great for knitting flat (back and forth) as well. The long cable is great for holding a large number of stitches on the needle as they can move freely along the cable and take the weight of your project.

Can I knit a blanket with circular needles?

Yes! Circular knitting needles are great for knitting blankets, as they can hold a large number of stitches and also take the weight of your project. You will work back and forth – as though you are knitting with straight needles but it will definitely make it easier for you.

What size circular knitting needles do I need for a blanket?

I would suggest using 40″ (100 cm) for worsted/Aran or bulky/super bulky yarn. This size cable is commonly used for flat-knitting, it's used for adult cardigans and sweaters as well as shawls or blankets.