Beginner Basics: Knitting in the Round

It can seem awkward, starting a project that is knit in the round with just a few stitches. Here are some tips to make it easier. To begin, cast on all the stitches onto one double-pointed needle, then slip them onto the other needles, evenly dividing them. Or, you can work the first row onto the other needles (knit 3 or 4 stitches onto each needle).

1. Make sure all the stitches are untwisted and arrange in a circle, as shown.

2. Pick up the two end needles as shown, allowing the other needles to rest on a flat surface so their weight doesn't pull on the stitches. Join to work in the round by slipping the last stitch on the left needle over the first stitch on the right needle. Then slip the first stitch to the end of the left needle. (In other words, the two stitches will change places.) Continue to work in a clockwise direction, with the outer "rim" of the circle facing you.