How do I convert a flat knitting pattern to a circular knitting pattern?

Answer 1

If your sweater is plain stockinette, it is fairly easy, add up the total number of stitches front amd back in the body, subtract two and that works for the body, although you do have to be a bit more careful in the ribbing, because you need to remove one full multiple of these stitches ( k1, p1 is 2 stitches, but k2, p2 is 4 stitches you have to remove). You can work in the round right up to the armholes on this, and even to the neck if your sweater has a yoke or a raglan sleeve (knit the sleeves to the underarm seperately here and join them to the body at the row above the underarm, placing markers if necessary). If you have a set in or saddle sleeve you'll need to work fronts and back seperately from the underarm to the shoulders.

Now if you have a patterned body it is a little more complex, because you have to accommodate the pattern repeats without the extra stitches that surround the total and remember that the reverse side rows are worked in the opposite stitches from the outer side. These may be best done from a circular pattern from the outset.

A good reference book for working sweaters in the round on your own is Jackie Fee's *Sweater Workshop*. Jackie is a delightful lady and the fact that this book is still in print and widely available 25 years after it was first printed is a testament to the good, practical advice it gives knitters who want to work in the round. While I've met Jackie and belong to several lists where she is a member, I don't have any financial interest in her book.

Answer 2

Generally, I'd just figure out how many stitches are cast on to each side of what eventually would have been seemed together anyway and just cast them on all at once and then just knit in the round.

otherwise, it's possible to knit flat while using circulars, if they're just the only kind you have. Just turn the knitting around when you finish a row.

You might want to say what kind of thing you are making. or add a link to it if it's available online. (it would make it easier on both yourself and the answerer to be able to give specific help.)

Also, can't you just find something similar to what you want to make but that is knit in the round? (the, generally, friendly people here, including myself, would probably be glad to help you look) (the generally is because I dug up another troll today)

Answer 3

Subtract a stitch from each edge of each section that will be converted to knitting-in-the-round. This eliminates the seam allowances.

On what would be the "wrong" side, reverse the order of stitching from right to left *and* knits become purls and purls become knits. That's about it.

Answer 4

ever somany you skip a stich it will start forming a bowl shape