Joining in the round in knitting is a fundamental skill that you need to know when knitting in the round. This technique allows you to create seamless projects like hats, socks, and more.
Moreover, it eliminates the annoying gap at the beginning of your project and jogs when knitting stripes in the round. Whether you opt for circular needles or double-pointed needles (DPNs), the decision to join in the round depends on your project’s design.
In this guide, I’ll explain the basics of joining in the round and walk you through the step-by-step process for both circular needles and DPNs. Learn to spot and fix twisted stitches, eliminate gaps, and keep track of your rounds. With simple tips and clear visuals, joining in the round in knitting will be a breeze.
Let’s dive in and make your knitting projects seamless—and without gaps—from now on!
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Understanding the Basics
Okay, let’s dive into the basics of joining in the round in knitting. It all starts with knitting in the round where you knit in a loop instead of back-and-forth like in flat knitting. In other words, you do not turn your work but you work each row of the pattern in circular rounds.
To join knitting in the round means connecting the first and last cast-on stitches. This connection transforms a straight line of stitches into a continuous loop and eliminates the need for seams. Essentially, it’s the art of closing the knitting circle, allowing you to seamlessly work around and around without a beginning or an end.
Circular knitting can be accomplished using circular needles or double-pointed needles (DPNs). Circular needles have a flexible cable connecting two needle tips, allowing you to knit a continuous loop. When using DPNs, you distribute your stitches across multiple needles, knitting each needle by turns. You can learn more about the different types of knitting needles here.
When To Join the Round in Knitting
You use joining in the round in knitting when you want to create seamless, tubular projects. This technique is ideal for items like hats, socks, cowls, and sleeves—essentially anything that benefits from a continuous loop without seams. The decision to join in the round depends on the design and structure of your project.
For instance, if you’re making a hat or a sock, joining in the round eliminates the need for a seam running down the side, giving your finished piece a smoother, more polished look. In addition, you’ll get rid of the gap at the beginning of your project and the jogs when knitting stripes in the round.
Moreover, you can apply this technique whether you’re knitting on circular needles or double pointed needles (DPNs). Circular needles are great for larger projects, offering a smooth transition from row to row, while DPNs come in handy for smaller projects or when the circumference gets too snug for circular needles. So, whether you’re crafting on one long loop or a bundle of little needles, joining in the round enhances your knitting versatility.
How To Join in the Round When Knitting
Before you can start joining for knitting in the round, you need to cast on. Casting on is the initial step in knitting where you create the foundation row of stitches on your needle.
When knitting in the round, you will cast on as you normally would. Check the cast on method and the stitch count listed in your knitting pattern, if you’re using one. If you are not using a pattern, you can just choose a casting-on method depending on your preference and the requirements of your project. I recommend the long tail cast on for its neat and tidy appearance.
Once you have cast on the required number of stitches, you’re ready to join the round in knitting.
Joining in the Round on Circular Needles
First, I’m going to show you two different methods that will teach you how to join in the round when knitting on circular needles.
For this tutorial, I am using Clover Takumi bamboo circular knitting needles. I like their high quality and the fact that they’re smooth and light to work with. Bamboo knitting needles are highly recommended also for beginners.
When you are ready to join the round in knitting:
- Check your stitches to make sure they’re not twisted and your cast-on row is aligned.
- Make sure that last cast-on stitch along with the cast-on tail end is on your right needle and the first cast-on stitch on your left needle.
Next, it’s time to join in the round.
1. Stitch Swap Join on Circular Needles
For this method, you will need to cast on the exact same number of stitches as your pattern or project requires.
1. To begin, insert your right needle into the first stitch on your left needle purlwise (from right to left).
2. Then slip this stitch onto your right needle.
3. Next, insert your left needle into the original last cast-on stitch (now the second stitch from the left) on your right needle.
4. Then pass this stitch over the slip stitch, off your right needle and onto your left needle.
Now, you have joined in the round and you are ready to knit in the round as you normally would.
2. Invisible Join on Circular Needles
For this method, you will need to cast on one additional stitch than what your pattern or project requires.
The first three steps are the same in this method as in the stitch swap join.
1. First, insert your right needle into the first stitch on your left needle as if to purl (from right to left).
2. Then slip this stitch onto the right needle.
3. Next, insert your left needle into the original last cast-on stitch on your right needle, that is the extra stitch.
4. Then pull this stitch over the slip stitch and drop it off the needle. Now you’re back to your correct stitch count.
5. Finally, slip the first stitch (the one you slipped) on your right needle back to your left needle. Then, gently pull on the tail and the working yarn to tighten up the stitch.
You have now created an invisible seam and you can start knitting in the round.
Joining in the Round on Double Pointed Needles
Double-pointed needles offer another approach to joining in the round in knitting. Next, I’m going to show you two different methods that will teach you how to join in the round when knitting on double pointed needles.
For this tutorial, I am using birch DPNs similar to these Knit Picks Double Pointed Knitting Needles. I like that they are smooth enough so that stitches glide along the needle easily, but not too slippery. Just like bamboo needles, also wooden needles are great for beginners.
After casting on, distribute your stitches evenly across three or four needles. I’ll show how to join for knitting in the round with four DPNs and use the 5th needle as my working needle. If you prefer, you can very well also use three DPNs with a 4th needle as your working needle. In my example, I have cast on 40 stitches.
Here’s how to do it:
- Take one needle and then slip 1/4th, or ten, of your cast-on stitches on this needle as if to purl by inserting the needle into the stitches from right to left.
- Then pick up another needle and slip 10 more stitches on this needle.
- Next, take a third needle and transfer another 10 stitches on this needle.
- Now you have the same number of stitches on all four needles.
- Place the four needles in front of you so they form a square. Pick them up so that you’ll hold the 1st needle in your left hand and the 4th needle with the cast-on tail end in your right hand.
Before joining into round, make sure you haven’t accidentally twisted your needles and your stitches. Your cast-on edge should point towards the center without twisting around the needles.
Now you’re ready to join the round in knitting.
1. Stitch Swap Join on Double Pointed Needles
For this method, you will need to cast on the exact same number of stitches as your pattern or project requires.
When joining in the round with a stitch swap join with DPNs you would do basically the exact same as if you were using circular needles. But since the needles are different, it will look a bit different too.
1. First, insert your right needle (or your 4th needle) into the first stitch on your left needle (or your 1st needle) purlwise (from right to left).
2. Then slip this stitch onto your right needle.
3. Next, insert your left needle into the original last cast-on stitch (now the second stitch from the left) on your right needle.
4. Then lift this stitch over the slip stitch, off your right needle and onto your left needle.
And just like that, you have joined in the round and you can begin knitting in the round. Simply pick up your working yarn and use your 5th needle to work around all four needles.
2. Invisible Join on Double Pointed Needles
For this method, you will need to cast on one additional stitch than what your pattern or project requires. You will have the one extra cast-on stitch on your last needle, that is your 4th needle, which is on your right hand.
When joining for knitting in the round with an invisible join with DPNs works basically the same as if you were using circular needles. However, it will look a bit different due to the different structure of the needles.
Here too, the first three steps are the same as in the stitch swap join.
1. To begin, insert your right needle (or your 4th needle) into the first stitch on your left needle (or your 1st needle) as if to purl (from right to left).
2. Then slip this stitch onto your right needle. Make sure to secure the cast-on tail end so that the last stitch doesn’t accidentally unravel.
3. Next, insert your left needle into the original last cast-on stitch on your right needle, that is the extra stitch.
4. Then lift this stitch over the slip stitch and drop it off the needle. Now you have again a correct number of stitches.
5. Finally, slip the first stitch (the one you slipped) on your right needle back to your left needle. Then, gently pull on the tail and the working yarn to tighten up the stitch.
You have now joined in the round and you can start knitting your rounds.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Joining for knitting in the round can sometimes present challenges. Here’s how to avoid and fix common issues:
- Twisted Stitches: Double-check your cast-on edge to ensure it’s untwisted. The cast-on edge should point towards the center in one continuous line without twisting around the cable or the needles. If you find a twist, gently rotate the cast-on edge back into the correct position. Verify the alignment after a few rows to catch any twists early. Because if you continue knitting with a twist, the only way to fix it is to unravel your work and start from the beginning.
- Visible Gap: When connecting the first and last stitches while joining for knitting in the round, gently pull on the cast-on tail and the working yarn to tighten up the stitches. Also, when you come back to the beginning of the round on the first couple of rounds, really tighten the join, especially when knitting with double pointed needles. These will help you avoid a gap and endure a snug join.
- Loosing Track of Rounds: After joining in the round when knitting with circular needles, remember to place a stitch marker to show the beginning of the round. This way, you don’t loose track of where the first stitch of each round is located. Otherwise your project will end up looking wonky and changed shape and you can’t fix it without frogging.
Conclusions
That’s a wrap on joining in the round in knitting. With the skills to connect those first and last stitches, you’re ready to create hats, socks, and more without the hassle of seams. You can do it with circular needles or double pointed needles, whatever suits your project.
Now that you know the basics and handy tips, you’re all set for a seamless knitting. Try the different methods and find out which works the best for you. Spot and fix twists, kick gaps to the curbs, and keep those rounds in check.
So, grab your needles, pick your yarn, and let’s knit without seams. Happy knitting!
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