I introduced here the different methods one can use to knit small pieces in the round. For those of you who are still not sure which one to choose, here is pros and cons of the two popular ones: magic-loop and double-pointed needles (dpns).
La collection de doubles-pointes de Fanny.
The needles
Magic-loop
The magic-loop method is worked with circular needles. They exist in metal, bamboo, wood and carbon, choice is up to you. The critical point here is the cable length. To use the magic.loop method, you need to have enough room to create “ears” with your cable on both side of your work. I recommend to start with a 80 cm-long cable. This way you’ll have enough cable to knit any kind of project. When you’re more comfortable with the process, you can also use 60 cm-long needles for socks. That’s my favourite if I’m working one-sock-at-a-time. Enough cable to work easily and it doesn’t whirl too much.
The big hidden feature here is the needle costs. If you’re using interchangeable needles and magic-loop to knit a sweater, you’ll be able to use the same tips for both sleeves and body, only switching between cables. And let’s face it, a cable is way less expensive than needles! Less money spent on needles means more money spent on yarn 😁
Double pointed needles
You can find dpns in all kind of materials: metal, bamboo, wood, carbon. You’ll also find different lengths, depending on how big is your work but it’s definitively not a necessity.
It may be a bit redundant to buy dpns to knit the sleeves of a sweater when we already have a circular needle of the same size (to knit the sweater body), but if you prefer to knit small diameters in dpns, it totally worth it. And you can use them to knit mitts too 😉
Toutes les mailles sont bien sagement sur le câble et ne risquent rien.
Transportability
Magic-loop
This is a big big pro in the magic-loop corner. With the magic-loop, your stitches are secured. When you stop knitting, you just have to put your stitches on the cable (just pull them) and they will most likely stay put. I can count how many times I had to stop to knit out of the blue and squeeze everything in my bag. Well, thanks to the magic-loop, I only had a couple of accidents (mainly because my keys got caught up my knitting).
The second big pro here is the reduced number of broken needle you’ll end up with. WIth dpns, I broke several needles because my bag was to packed or someone (grrr!) sat on my knitting which was laying on the couch… It still happens with circular needles but quite less often. Circular needles came with a cable which ensure flexibility. And flexibility prevent them to broke that often. And again, less money spent on needles means more money spent on yarn 😁
Double pointed needles
I have to admit, dpns are not the best choice if you wabt to carry your knitting everywhere. It’s far from being impossible (I do it really often) but you have to be motivated: if your stitches are too close from the needle tips when you put it back in your bag, they can fall of the needle. And if you do want to finish your needle or your row before the the next stop, you have to be synchronized with your train to avoid panicking when you’re reach the station. Obviously, you also have to be careful not to drop a needle. The worst is yet to come: if you’re not super-uber careful when you’re grabbing your knitting in your purse, you can grab a needle which hold stitches instead of the spare dpn and loose of those stitches! 😢
I’m not a big dream purveyor here, but trust me, those are not big problems. Once you’re used to it, you know when to stop in your train and how to fold everything perfectly to secure those lovely stitches of yours. And you learn to check twice before picking up the spare needle!
Working with patterns
Magic-loop
The magic-loop is great when your pattern is worked on half the stitches as in my Happy Dance or A River Life socks. It can quickly turn into a nightmare if you constantly have to move stitches at the beginning of the needles. It’s not difficult to execute, it’s just a bit fiddly.
Double pointed needles
Dpns are great to work all kind of patterns including crossed stitches and decreases. Chloé’s note: Knitting my Champagne sock is easier on dpns than circular needles because there’s a decrease at the beginning of a few rows in the leg pattern.
Cela ne vaut pas que pour les chaussettes. Ici par exemple, un hexagone de la couverture Beekeeper Quilt.
Cast-ons
Magic-loop
The first time you cast-on using the magic-loop it can be a bit overwhelming. But once you get it, you can use whatever cast-on you fancy. There’s trully no limitation here: elastic cast-on, long-tail cast-on, picot cast-on, JMCO to work socks toe up…
Twisting stitches is something to be aware but not afraid. It happened to me a couple of times but it was more due to a lack of attention than anything else… Oups 🙄😂
Doubles-pointes
I find it easier to cast-on with dpns when you need to cast-on a certain amount of stitches. To work socks from the cuff down for example. Figure-eigh cast-on or its cousins, which allows you to start your socks from the toes are really tricky on dpns. The cast-on itself and the rows after it.
BUT, I never twisted my stitches. And this is priceless!
Mon astuce lors de l’enfilage : avoir les aiguilles au niveau du début du rang. On peut alors tirer un peu sur le fil de l’autre côté et ça donne une bonne idée de la tension finale du tricot.
Trying on your knitting
Magic-loop
As I said, cable meand flexibility. It’s a huge benefit of this method. You can try on socks, mitts, sleeves, tights, everything and anything 😊
Double pointed needles
Let’s be straight, trying-on with dpns is not always easy… Easy peasy for fingerless gloves. Sleeves are a bit more labourous but nothing to be really worry about. Socks are a whole different ballgame. Worked from the cuff down, they’re hard to tr on while you’ve not turned the heel, after that it’s not a big deal. Worked from the toe up, you’ll be able to try them on until you reach the heel, after that it’s a bit difficult. I can count anymore how many wood needle I broke while trying on some socks 😕
There’s another big difference we didn’t discuss here: how you can work two socks or sleeves at the same time. Really simple with dpns, it’s a bit more technical with the magic-loop. We will walked you through it next week 😊
Which one is your preferred technique? Did you try both? Do you carry your knitting everywhere as we do?
