I want to knit a short jacket, kind of like a shrug. The pattern calls for circular needs, but can I use straight needles instead if they're long enough? I would think so because it's just a jacket. I'm a beginner and I'm sick of scarves but I'm scared of circulars.
2007-09-10 16:02:04 · 5 answers · asked by wojohowsky 2 in Games & Recreation ➔ Hobbies & Crafts
Zephr makes double pointed knitting needles. They come in the different sizes regular needles come in. You get four to a package. If your pattern calls for 90 stitches, you would put 30 stitches on each of three needles. The fourth would be used for the knitting as you would normally use the second needle. Use a different color thread, make a loop and put it on the first of the three needles so you know the beginning of your work.
2007-09-11 04:18:18 · answer #1 · answered by Mommiedearest 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are two major reasons for circular needles, one is for knitting in the round. The other is that they're more flexible even when you're just knitting back and forth.
How wide will you be knitting? Are there straight needles long enough for that? Will you be knitting in locations where excess needle length won't be a problem?
One of the traditional British knitting methods always uses longer needles. The left one is usually tucked into ones left armpit allowing *both* hands to be available for the wrap and knit, rather than needing to drop the right needle with each wrap. This method is reputed to be a fast or faster than the so-called Continental method.
Circulars are usually easier to manage than multiple dpn's. To give yourself a trial with circulars, just knit something back-and-forth on them, maybe a face cloth or a hot pad (cotton for face cloth, wool for hot pad, same pattern).
2007-09-10 23:58:44 · answer #2 · answered by h_brida 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have substituted circular needles for straight, but not the other way around. If you need to knit around and around, you have to use circular, or double ended needles. If you are just going back and forth, it shouldn't matter.
2007-09-10 23:44:35 · answer #3 · answered by Yarnlady_needsyarn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't be afraid of circulars. Check your local Value Village or thrift store. Try out a pair; it doesn't matter what size, you just want to get a feel for it to see if you like it. If you do, then you can invest in new ones in the size you need.
2007-09-11 16:05:13 · answer #4 · answered by gracel313 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
no..if the pattern calls for circular it's because the pattern needs to be held on the needles that way...
2007-09-10 23:05:17 · answer #5 · answered by Chrys 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋