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Knitting in the round using the magic loop
Replace 3 DPNs with cable needle to knit in the round via the magic loop. It's a tricky little technique to get to grips with, but once you do it's a total lifesaver for making gloves, socks and hats - DPNs don't even feature in my knitting these days now I've mastered this bad-boy!

Posted by rainbowjo86 from Liverpool, England, United Kingdom • Published 17th November 2015 • See rainbowjo86's 14 projects »

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rainbowjo86 published her project Magic Loop 17 Nov 06:00

Step 1
Cast On you first row*

*I cast on an additional stitch so that I can join via a k2tog to start.
Step 2
Move your stitches onto the cable and split evenly* pulling the cable through the middle so that your stitches move back onto the needles.

*If you're going to use the k2tog join like me, you'll have an odd number stitches. Make sure your extra stitch is on the needle closest to you.
Step 3
Joining

Using the k2tog join:
The needle closest to you is your 'working needle' and you should have an extra stitch on this one.

Move this extra stitch to the furthest needle (the 'top one')

Using your 'working needle' knit 2 stitches together.

Your stitches should now all been connected in a loop over 2 needles.

Place a stitch marker on your working needle to show you where the piece begins.

You've set up the loop and can now begin following your pattern.
Step 4
With your 'working needle' in your right hand begin knitting each stitch as usual.

When you get to the end of the row you'll have 1x row of stitches you've just worked on your right needle and a row of unworked stitches on your cable.

Pull the cable so that the unworked stitches are moved to the 'furthest needle' and repeat the process.
Step 5
As you repeat the process the work will begin to 'push out' into and here is where I always get myself confused.

Depending on what you're knitting and what pattern you're following you need to remember that you're either always knitting right side or wrong side (back or the front of the work). My tip is to always work on the inside of the pattern so that any errors can be hidden on the inside of the piece, but make sure that you amend your pattern to reflect this.