Double Pointed Needles

When knitting with double point needles in the round – the more needles you use the less obvious your ladders (stitch that bridges the work between needles) will be. If you are a beginner however it’s often easier to use three plus one working needle because the three in the work form a triangle.

Cast On for Double Pointed Needles

If you are trying to cast-on using double pointed needles and the instructions say to “divide stitches evenly”, it’s not an easy task. So that the needles don’t slide out while you are manipulating those stitches and needles, use small rubber bands. As you distribute the stitches, put the rubber bands on both ends of the needles to keep things from slipping. When you knit the first round, remove the bands as you go keep them on for a few rounds until the needles will stay as you knit.

Holding Stitches

When a pattern calls for putting stitches on a stitch holder and you don't have one, use a double pointed needle instead. Stretch a rubber band figure 8 like around the ends of the needle to hold the stitches. When you come back to knit those stitches, they are already on a needle ready to knit.