Circular knitting or knitting in the round is a form of
knitting that creates a seamless tube. Work in the round is begun by casting on stitches as for
flat knitting
Flat knitting is a method for producing knitted fabrics in which the work is turned periodically; that is, the fabric is worked with alternating sides facing the knitter. Another method of achieving the same result is to knit alternately from ...
but then joining the ends of that row of stitches to form a circle. Knitting is worked in rounds (the equivalent of the rows in flat knitting), which forms the tube by winding around in a
helix
A helix () is a shape like a corkscrew or spiral staircase. It is a type of smooth space curve with tangent lines at a constant angle to a fixed axis. Helices are important in biology, as the DNA molecule is formed as two intertwined helic ...
.
Originally, circular knitting was done using a set of four or five
double-pointed needles. Today, knitters often use instead a
circular needle, which resembles a pair of short knitting needles connected by a cable between them. Circular knitting can also be performed by
knitting machines: a double-bed machine can be set up to knit on its front bed in one direction and then its back bed on the return, which creates the tube. Specialized knitting machines for sock-knitting use individual latch-hook needles to make each stitch in a round frame.
Many types of sweaters are traditionally knit in the round. Planned openings (arm holes, necks, cardigan fronts) are temporarily knitted with extra stitches, reinforced if necessary. Then the extra stitches are cut to create the opening, and are stitched with a sewing machine to prevent unraveling. This technique is called
steeking.
Magic loop technique
Invented by
Sarah Hauschka
Sarah (born Sarai) is a biblical matriarch and prophetess, a major figure in Abrahamic religions. While different Abrahamic faiths portray her differently, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all depict her character similarly, as that of a pio ...
and first described in Beverly Galeskas’s booklet ''The Magic Loop'', this technique uses a long circular knitting needle (for instance 40 inches) to knit projects (of any circumference substantially less than the needle length) in the round. The key is pulling a loop of extra cable out between the stitches halfway through the round.
The magic loop technique also allows knitting two-at-a-time projects like pairs of socks or the sleeves of sweaters. This knitting both pieces at once makes it easier to render the two as similar as possible.
Notes
Further reading
*Allen, Pam, Trisha Malcolm, Rich Tennant, and Cheryl Fall (2002). ''Knitting for Dummies''. New York: Hungry Minds, Inc.
*Breiter, Barbara, and Gail Diven (2003). ''The Complete Idiot's Guide to Knitting and Crocheting Illustrated, 2nd Edition''. New York: Alpha Books.
*Galeskas, Bev (2002). ''The Magic Loop: Working Around on One Needle''. Fiber Trends. (Sixth edition )
*Hiatt, June Hemmons (1989). ''The Principles of Knitting: Methods and Techniques of Hand Knitting''. New York: Simon & Schuster.
*Rutt, Richard (2003). ''A History of Handknitting''. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press. (Reprint edition )
*
Zimmermann, Elizabeth (1972). ''Knitting Without Tears''. New York: Simon & Schuster. (Reprint edition )
External links
"Large and Small Diameter Circular Knitting videos"from KnittingHelp
from WeebleKnits
from WeebleKnits
from WeebleKnits
{{Knitting
Knitting