Joining stitches in the round is a fundamental technique in knitting. It allows you to seamlessly connect the edges of a knitted piece, creating a continuous loop. Whether you’re knitting socks, hats, or sweaters, mastering this technique will elevate your knitting skills and open up a world of possibilities. The process is simple yet crucial, ensuring that your knitted creations have a polished and professional finish.
To join stitches in the round, you start by placing two adjacent needle tips side by side, with the stitches from each needle facing each other. Using a third needle or crochet hook, carefully lift the first stitch from one needle and place it onto the other. Repeat this process with the remaining stitches, one by one. As you join each stitch, pull the yarn tail snugly to secure the connection. Once all the stitches are joined, you will have a continuous loop, ready to be knitted in the round or worked in a different stitch pattern.
Joining stitches in the round not only provides a seamless transition but also eliminates the need for a bulky seam. This technique is particularly advantageous for garments that are meant to fit snugly against the body, such as socks or hats. By joining stitches in the round, you create a smooth, continuous surface that conforms to the wearer’s shape comfortably. Additionally, this technique allows you to knit in a spiral pattern, creating a visually appealing texture that can add interest and depth to your projects.
Gathering the Stitches
When working in the round, it’s essential to gather the stitches correctly to ensure a seamless transition and prevent gaps or overlaps. Here are the steps for gathering the stitches:
Joining the Beginning and End Stitches
To start, place the first stitch of the round on the left-hand needle and the last stitch on the right-hand needle. With the yarn attached to the left-hand needle, insert the left-hand needle into the purl bump of the first stitch from back to front. Hook the yarn and pull through to make a new stitch on the left-hand needle. This stitch is now the first live stitch of the round.
Next, insert the right-hand needle into the purl bump of the last stitch from front to back. Hook the yarn and pull through to make a new stitch on the right-hand needle. This stitch is now the last live stitch of the round.
Lifting the Stitches from the Holding Needle
For circular knitting, the stitches may be held on a holding needle. To lift the stitches, transfer them back to the working needles. Insert the left-hand needle into the next stitch on the holding needle from back to front and hook the yarn to lift it onto the left-hand needle. Repeat this process for all the stitches on the holding needle, transferring them to the right-hand needle. Ensure the stitches are oriented correctly, with the purl bumps facing forward.
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Place first and last stitches of the round on working needles. |
| 2 | Knit the first stitch to make the first live stitch. |
| 3 | Purl the last stitch to make the last live stitch. |
| 4 | Lift stitches from holding needle onto working needles if necessary. |
Holding the Knitting Needles
The way you hold your knitting needles can affect the comfort and efficiency of your knitting. There are two main ways to hold knitting needles: the pencil grip and the knife grip.
Pencil Grip:
Hold the left-hand needle in your left hand like a pencil, with the point resting in the crook of your thumb and your index finger and middle finger extended along the shaft of the needle. Hold the right-hand needle in your right hand with your fingers slightly curled around the shaft of the needle. The needle should rest on the fleshy part of your palm, just below your thumb.
Knife Grip:
| Left Hand: | Right Hand: |
|---|---|
| Hold the needle in your palm, with the point resting against the base of your thumb. | Hold the needle in your fingers, with the point resting in the crook of your thumb. |
| Wrap your thumb and fingers around the needle, with the needle resting against the fleshy part of your palm. | Wrap your fingers around the needle, with the needle resting on the tips of your fingers. |
| Use your thumb to guide the needle and your fingers to control the tension. | Use your thumb and fingers to control the needle and the tension. |
Ultimately, the best way to hold your knitting needles is the way that feels most comfortable and allows you to knit smoothly and efficiently.
Inserting the Left-Hand Needle
**Step 1: Hold the needles parallel.** Place the working needle in your right hand and the left-hand needle in your left. Align the needles so that the points are parallel and facing each other.
**Step 2: Insert the left-hand needle into the first stitch.** With the tips of the needles aligned, slide the left-hand needle into the first stitch on the working needle. The needle should enter the stitch from the front (as if you were knitting a stitch).
**Step 3: Hook the yarn and pull it through the stitch.** Once the left-hand needle is inside the stitch, use the tip of the hook to catch the working yarn and pull it through the stitch. You should now have a loop on the left-hand needle.
**Step 4: Transfer the loop to the working needle.** Gently slide the loop off the left-hand needle onto the working needle. The loop should be transferred to the same side of the working needle as the other stitches in the round.
**Step 5: Knit the transferred loop.** With the loop now on the working needle, knit it as you would any other stitch. This will create a new stitch in place of the first stitch.
**Step 6: Repeat for all stitches.** Continue inserting the left-hand needle into each stitch, hooking the yarn, pulling it through, transferring the loop, and knitting the loop. This will join all the stitches together in the round.
Pulling the Yarn Through
To pull the yarn through, follow these steps:
1. Hold the left-hand needle in your left hand and the right-hand needle in your right hand. The needles should be parallel to each other, with the points facing away from you.
2. Insert the left-hand needle into the first stitch on the right-hand needle. The needle should enter the stitch from the back, between the two strands of yarn.
3. Hook the yarn around the left-hand needle from behind. The yarn should be pulled through the stitch, creating a new loop on the left-hand needle.
4. Slip the new loop onto the right-hand needle. The two loops on the right-hand needle should now be side by side.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 with the next stitch on the right-hand needle. Continue pulling the yarn through the remaining stitches until you have joined all the stitches in the round.
Here’s a summarized table for the fifth step:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Insert the left-hand needle into the first stitch on the right-hand needle from the back. |
| 2 | Hook the yarn around the left-hand needle from behind. |
| 3 | Pull the yarn through the stitch, creating a new loop on the left-hand needle. |
| 4 | Slip the new loop onto the right-hand needle. |
| 5 | Repeat steps 1-4 with the next stitch on the right-hand needle. |
| 6 | Continue pulling the yarn through the remaining stitches until you have joined all the stitches in the round. |
Joining the Round
Now that all of your stitches are on the needle, it’s time to join the round. This will create a seamless loop so that you can work in the round, without having to turn your work.
Using a Slip Stitch
To join the round using a slip stitch, follow these steps:
| Step | Instructions |
|---|---|
| 1 | Insert the left-hand needle into the first stitch on the right-hand needle. |
| 2 | Wrap the yarn around the left-hand needle and pull it through the stitch. |
| 3 | Slip the stitch off the right-hand needle. |
| 4 | Repeat steps 1-3 for each of the remaining stitches on the right-hand needle. |
| 5 | When you reach the end of the round, pull the yarn tight to close the loop. |
You can now continue knitting in the round, working from left to right.
Ladder Stitch
This is a basic and straightforward stitch that can easily join the ends of any knitting project. It creates a virtually invisible seam making it perfect for both beginners and experienced knitters.
Materials:
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Yarn | The same weight and color as the knitting project |
| Yarn needle | A large-eyed needle is recommended for easier threading |
Instructions:
1.
Insert the yarn needle into the first stitch on the left-hand needle
2.
Pull the yarn through to create a loop
3.
Insert the yarn needle into the second stitch on the left-hand needle
4.
Pull the yarn through to create a second loop
5.
Insert the yarn needle into the third stitch on the left-hand needle
6.
Pull the yarn through to create a third loop
7.
Insert the yarn needle back into the second loop on the yarn needle
8.
Pull the yarn through the second loop to close it, creating a stitch
9.
Insert the yarn needle into the fourth stitch on the left-hand needle
10.
Pull the yarn through to create a loop
11.
Insert the yarn needle back into the third loop on the yarn needle
12.
Pull the yarn through the third loop to close it, creating a stitch
13.
Repeat steps 9-12 until all stitches have been joined
14.
Tighten the yarn to secure the seam
15.
Weave in the loose ends to finish the join
Mattress Stitch
The Mattress Stitch is a virtually invisible seam that is often used to join pieces of fabric together in the round. It is similar to the Whip Stitch, but it is worked in a slightly different way that creates a more secure and durable seam.
Materials
To complete the Mattress Stitch, you will need the following materials:
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Yarn needle | A yarn needle with a sharp point and a large enough eye to accommodate your yarn. |
| Yarn | The same type and color of yarn that you used to make the pieces of fabric that you are joining. |
