Using double pointed needles for circular knitting

Every so often, you might read a knitting pattern calling for double pointed needles (abbreviated DPN). Usually, the patterns call for 4 such needles, which is a good thing, since when you buy them they come in packages of 4.

A reference to DPNs is a clue that you will probably be knitting a small tube of some form (examples: hats, socks, mitts, leg warmers).

Here are some tips for success.

Casting on
When you cast on, ignore the extra needles. Use whichever cast-on method you want, and get all of the stitches onto one needle.

Divide the cast-on stitches
The pattern will usually say to divide the stitches evenly onto 3 needles. There will be one needle left over.

Sometimes, you will read a pattern that says to cast on a number of stitches that is NOT divisible by the number of needles. When that happens to me, my philosophy is that close is good enough. As long as the number of stitches on each needle are roughly equal, I’m satisfied.

Position the needles so that the cast-on ridges are all pointing to the inside of the triangle. At this stage, it is VERY IMPORTANT that the stitches or needles do not get twisted.




Start to knit

The instructions usually say to join in a round (you will be knitting in rounds, not rows).

The ball yarn is connected to the last stitch that was cast on. The needle holding that last stitch will not be used for a while, but the yarn will be used right away.

The most significant stitch at this point is the very first stitch that was cast on (usually the slip knot at the beginning of the cast-on process).

Hold the needle containing that very first cast-on stitch – this will be your Old or Holding Needle (usually the left-hand needle). Using the empty needle as your New or Working Needle, work a Knit stitch into that very first cast-on stitch.




Ignore, as best as you can, the other needles. Just make sure that the stitches don’t fall off of those needles. If you cast-on loosely, it might be in your best interests to put stitch protectors on both ends of the needles that you are not using.

When you finish knitting the stitches on one needle, there will be a new empty needle. This will become your new working needle, and the next needle will be the new holding needle.

Too much yarn between needles



Sometimes, there’s a really long strand of yarn between the last and first stitches. Don’t worry too much about that. This extra length will often work itself into the adjacent stitches eventually. However, a key method to achieve success is to always knit the first stitch on a needle very tightly.

Circular knitting with double pointed needles has some interesting parts, but on the whole it is not that difficult. Try it.