making: how to work in the round

this is one post in a series of technique blog posts. you can also find how to knit cables, how to knit lace, knitting socks, and knit that sweater in this series. each blog post gives a couple of pointers, some helpful links, and suggests a collection of patterns to build up your skills. if you want to spend some time practicing a specific skill, these posts are the ones for you!

working in the round is one of those essential skills as a knitter. while some items benefit from being knit flat and then reinforced with a sewn seam, there’s no denying the satisfaction in casting off a wip and truly being finished (sans maybe a couple of ends to weave in and a quick blocking). it’s also exponentially easier to knit comfortably in public when all of your stitches are centred on a cable rather than weighing down one side of your body on a straight needle. whether you work with a set of double points (dpns, as they’re commonly referred to), interchangeable cables, or fixed circulars, working in the round will revolutionize your knitting experience, i promise. fun fact: i knit everything on circular needles, even my flat projects, because i love having all my stitches easily captured on one cable!

my main trick for working in the round is:

investing in a good cable. this is especially important if you do the magic loop method, but even if you don’t, a flexible cable will make your experience a lot more comfortable for your hands and wrists. i like chiaogoos because they have a metal cable covered in a slick nylon coating with a seamless join on their interchangeable sets. it’s flexible, doesn’t need to be warmed up like the old plastic cables (extra important living here in the north), and never gets a kink in it.