How to use long circular knitting needles to knit a blanket...
Once in a while knitters are a bit confused about the concept of using long circular knitting needles to knit a blanket.
Often, knitters learn to knit with straight needles and find it a bit challenging to switch to circular needles….or have a hard time visualizing how to use circular knitting needles to knit a blanket.
Using circular needles to knit a big blanket is really like using super long straight needles... that happen to be connected by a long wire cord.
Knitting flat, back and forth with circular needles is the same as knitting with two straight needles… but the two needles are connected by a long cord. The project shown is my Looking Forward reversible blanket knitting pattern.
To start, cast on stitches the same way you would with straight needles.
Then, start knitting the same way you do with straight needles. When you get to the end of the row of knitting...just turn the knitting around the same way you would with straight needles.
In this method the circular needles are used to work "flat", back and forth. This is especially helpful when working with a lot of stitches such as knitting a blanket.
Another benefit of using circular knitting needles is being able to spread out and view your knitting as it progresses as shown below…
One benefit of knitting a blanket with circular needles is being able to spread out the project and see how it looks. This is my Northern Trail blanket knitting pattern for worsted weight yarn.
NOTE: THIS IS NOT KNITTING IN THE ROUND
Circular needles are often used to make hats, socks or a sweater. In those cases the knitting is connected in a circle to create a ‘tube’ of knitting. The knitting is worked continuously around and around and around so all of the rows are connected…and there isn’t an edge. This technique is called knitting in the round.
Sometimes I see knitters describe their blanket project as ‘knitting in the round’…but it’s not. The phrase ‘knitting in the round’ applies if the stitches are connected in one continuous circle.
Using circular knitting needles to knit "flat" - it's easy! Here I have just a couple more rows to finish my Dance on the Breeze blanket.
SPACE FOR ALL THE STITCHES
When I was making the yellow blanket shown below…my Making Plans blanket…I had more than 110 stitches on my knitting needles. With circular needles there was plenty of room for all of the stitches.
Knitting flat...back & forth...on circular knitting needles. This cheery yellow blanket is my Making Plans blanket knitting pattern.
Note that the knitting is not connected in a full circle so this is not knitting in the round.
Knitting with circular needles…working ‘flat’ back and forth…not in the round.
It can take a little practice and patience to get used to working with circular needles. Sometimes the first few rows seem to go a bit slow. But, once you have a couple inches of knitting on the needles it’s easy to get used to having plenty of room for all of the stitches!
LENGTH OF CIRCULAR NEEDLES
The needles do not have to be the same length as the width of your project. A 36” length circular needle can be used to knit an 8” wide winter scarf or a 45” wide blanket.
For my Making Plans blanket (in yellow above) I used US size 8 knitting needles Knitter’s Pride Nova Platina circular knitting needles.
A circular needle that is about 32” - 36” long is a great length for many projects.
If you plan to knit very large afghans… you might prefer a circular needle that is at least 40” long.
In recent years, I have purchased several sets of Knitter’s Pride Nova Platina needles in the 32” length and the 40” length. The Knitter’s Pride cords are very flexible and do not stay curled up.
Click here to see my PDF digital download knitting patterns for blankets, scarves, pillows and more!
INTERCHANGEABLE NEEDLE SETS
For the ultimate in flexibility of cord length, there are circular needle sets with interchangeable cord lengths.
There are many interchangeable circular needle sets available! Here’s a few options to look at:
Knitter’s Pride Nova Platina Interchangeable set with US 4 - 11 needles (from WEBS Yarn)
Knitter’s Pride Karbonz Interchangeable needles with US 2.5 - US 10 needles with long tips
Lykke Grove wood US 3 - 15 needles with 3.5” tips (I recently purchased a set of these needles. They are lovely!)
Lykke Driftwood needles US 3 - 10.5
Things to think about when purchasing a set of interchangeable needles include:
range of needle sizes included
length of the needle tips
preference for type of needle (metal, wood, etc.)
number of cords included
flexible cords (some cords are stiff and can be annoying to work with)
shape of the needle (there are some newer needles that are ‘cube’ shaped)
style of the case
price
If you have a yarn shop near you… you might check with them to see if they carry sets of interchangeable needles. It’s worth taking a look at sets in person.
CUTE GIFTS FOR KNITTERS:
Fifty Four Ten Studio has a Zazzle Shop that offers cute, thoughtful gifts for knitters including knitting themed tote bags, cute coffee mugs, inspiring journal notebooks, and more!
These cute gifts for knitters, can be purchased from the Fifty Four Ten Studio Zazzle Shop. Thanks for taking a minute to check out the selection!
Happy knitting!
