Using 5 needles

Winny

I cant catch on to using double point needles. I drop stitches at ends and have loose spots. Any tips for how to do this or good directions?

bevcustom

I highly recommend the Magic loop on a long circular needle. It works best for me, I dont get "laddering" or loose stitches with this method. Its easy once you get the hang of it.

tophatty

Oh, double-pointed needles (DPNs) can be such a tricky little beast! I totally understand your frustration—I've had my fair share of dropped stitches and loose spots, especially when I was first learning to work in the round. But once you get the hang of it, it’s like riding a bike (just with a little more yarn involved, ha!).

Here are some tips to help you gain more confidence with DPNs:

1. Choose the Right Size DPNs for Your Yarn

Sometimes using DPNs that are a size too big or too small for your project can make things a little harder. Try to match your needle size to the recommended size for the yarn you're using, and don’t be afraid to go a little bit smaller to get a tighter fabric, especially around the ends.

2. Cast On and Distribute Evenly

When you’re casting on, make sure you’re distributing the stitches as evenly as possible across all your needles. I usually divide the total number of stitches by the number of needles (e.g., 12 stitches per needle for a 4-needle setup). Don’t worry too much if the first couple of rounds feel tight or awkward, though, it’ll loosen up once you get going!

3. Keep Tension Even

This is where a lot of people struggle! When you get to the end of a needle, be careful not to let your tension loosen up too much. If your tension’s too loose at the joins, it’ll create those pesky gaps. The best thing to do is to make sure you pull the working yarn snug but not overly tight as you transition between needles. You can also “close the gap” by pulling the yarn tight after the first stitch on the new needle.

4. When You Reach the End of the Needle

When you’re about to start a new needle, it can be tempting to just zoom through to the next one, but be careful not to rush. Make sure to shift your stitches over on the needle so that you aren’t trying to stretch your stitches too much, which can cause them to pop off.

One thing I always do is to double-check that the stitches aren't twisted when I switch needles—if your work is twisted, it can mess up your pattern and cause some real headaches.

5. Don’t Forget the “First and Last” Stitches

I know I’ve mentioned it before, but it’s a great habit to get into: when you start the first stitch on a new needle, pull the yarn a little tighter than usual. This helps close up any gaps that might appear. Similarly, when you're done with the last stitch on a needle, make sure the working yarn isn't too loose either.

6. Use Markers to Mark Your Rounds

If you’re knitting in the round, I cannot stress enough how helpful stitch markers are. They tell you exactly where a round begins and ends, and help you stay focused on your stitch pattern. Plus, if you're working a patterned project, it's great to keep track of where you are without getting lost in the needles.

7. Switch to Magic Loop or Two Circulars (Optional!)

If DPNs really just aren’t clicking for you, I highly recommend trying the Magic Loop method or two circular needlesinstead. Magic Loop uses a single long circular needle to work in the round by pulling the cable through the stitches. It's much easier for some knitters than using four needles. I’ve switched to Magic Loop for smaller projects like hats and socks, and it makes me feel more in control of the tension and stitch placement.

8. Practice, Practice, Practice

I know, I know—everyone says this, but the more you practice, the easier it gets. I would recommend trying it on a small project first, like a simple hat or a small cozy, just so you get used to the motion and how the needles move. I’ve found that knitting small sections, like doing a few rounds of stockinette or garter, really helps me feel comfortable with the rhythm.

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I really do hope one of these tips helps! Double-pointed needles can seem a little intimidating at first, but once you get into the groove of things, it becomes second nature. If you’re still feeling a bit lost, don’t hesitate to ask more specific questions about where you’re getting stuck—I’m happy to help. And if all else fails, there’s always a cup of tea and a warm batch of cookies to comfort you while you troubleshoot! ?

Fred24482

I second the magic loop method!

qwerty01234

Thank you for sharing!

qle

THANK YOU VERY MUCH

CraftyLouAnna

I would suggest finding a method that works for you by practicing.   It does get easier.
When I finish a needle I move the stitches to the middle of the needle this keeps them from sliding off.
Needle tip protectors will also keep the stitches from coming off the ends.  Longer double pointed needles will also make it less cumbersome.  If I have
a lot of stitches I use a circular needle.   Socks and sleeves I use double pointed needles as there are less stitches on the needles.  There is also the magic loop for knitting in the round; I
have watched some tutorials, but Ive not tried it yet.  

WeepingAngel

I use rubber bands at one end when casting on double point needles or else I use a circular needle and a double point one to cast on (European style) because it saves heaps of time.

Winny

CraftyLouAnna 2018-4-9 13:00
I would suggest finding a method that works for you by practicing.   It does get easier.
When I fini ...

Thank you. :D

softdough

I try to avoid double pointed needles too. Magic loop is much easier for me.

toomuchreading

If you are insistent on using double points, I would suggest putting either rubber bands or point protectors on those needles you are not using.  That will keep your stitches on your needles.  When moving from one to the next needle, make sure you tighten your wool between the two needles.  Your stitches should even out when you block your work.  I always had trouble with double points and this helped me, but when I moved over to magic loop, no more problems.  I use magic loop for everything now instead of double points.

allegra

I use a circular needle.Socks and sleeves magic loop :D

claratejeteje

You should practice and practice and practice. To avoid dropping stitches at ends, take care of putting them at the center of the needle when you change of needle, this is only a matter of method.

PatternSquirrel

I really like double points. The thing is to knit tightly enough to keep the stitches from sliding off the needle. Using,5 is definitely better than 4. I dont have a problem with ladders but if you do you can knit one extra stitch on each needle each round so that the junction moves over every round. You might find that wood or bamboo is a better choice for you if you are having stitches slip of as they grab better. If you truely hate them there are some really small fixed circulars available. I switched to them when my kids were babies as they were always pulling the dpns out of my work:@ but you have more flexibility with dpns