How to Join in the Round for Circular Knitting

Circular knitting refers to the style of knitting in seamless rounds. For knitting in the round, you can either choose a set of five double-pointed knitting needles or a pair of fixed circulars or interchangeable circular needles. The general rule of knitting in a circle is that the circumference length must be bigger than the needle length, especially for circular knitting needles so that the stitches are not stretched and the knitter can work comfortably. For example, if you have a 20-inch circumference, you can easily knit with 16" circular needles. Or, another way to accommodate a small circumference is the magic loop where you knit with a long circular needle of 40 - 47 inches. To knit a tubular project you need to join the round, in fact, that is how you can knit in rounds.

There are many ways to do so but do you have no clue how to start? Or, did you finish your hat or sock only to notice there’s a weird gap or overlap right at the beginning? To make things simpler we’ll walk you through the steps of joining knitting in the round with double-pointed needles or circular knitting needles without a gap or jog.

Anyway, let’s dive right into it.

To join a round, you need to join the first and last cast-on stitches together. Start with cast-on stitches as you normally do. Make sure to read the knitting pattern for the stitch count and the cast-on method. Different projects instruct different ways to cast stitches. Socks, hats, and sweater necklines would require stretchy stitches while home décor would require a constricted cast-on that would retain its shape. Cast an extra stitch, this would help later. The only rule you need to follow is to avoid twisted stitches. Align all the stitches. Twisted stitches mean you'll have to start over and no knitter would like to do that.

Let’s look at the methods to join the round.

Method 1: Stitch Swap Join

Knitters love this particular method for its simplicity but beginners may find this overwhelming. Simply follow the steps.

• Cast on the required number of stitches. Make sure to keep the stitches loose and neat. If you are working with double-pointed needles, divide the stitches evenly. And, for circular needles spread the stitches but do not stretch them.
• Insert your knitting needle tip into the first cast stitch. The slip knot is counted as the first stitch.
• Slip the first cast-on stitch on the left knitting needle as if to purl.
• Then, insert your needle into the last cast-on Pass this stitch over the other.
• Now, begins the most important step to join the round. Pass the first stitch on the knitting needle over the stitch you just slipped.
• Insert your right needle into the first stitch on your left needle and begin knitting in the round.

Method 2: Double Strand Join

This method to join the round works for both double-pointed as well as circular needles. But, this lessens or reduces the stretchiness of the cast on stitches.

• Cast on only the required number of stitches on one DPN or one tip of a circular needle.
• Grab the yarn and the yarn tail together and begin knitting.

While you can knit with the doubled yarn for a few stitches, it is recommended to knit the entire round so that the yarn tail is secure enough. Working this method prevents you from having to weave in that pesky yarn tail later and also creates a strong join.

Method 3: Invisible Join

Using this method, you'll cast on one additional stitch than what your pattern calls for.

• Slip the first cast stitch (not the slip knot)
• Pass the extra stitch over the slipped stitch and drop it off the needle for the invisible join.
• Then, slip the first stitch back on the knitting needle.
• Move this stitch back to the left needle purlwise to create the invisible join.
• Now, with the active yarn and the yarn tail, cinch up the excess yarn. This will create the invisible join.

The cast-on stitches are joined so begin knitting in the round.

Method 4: Add 1, Decrease 1 Join

This method of joining the round is easy just remember to place a stitch marker to show the beginning of your round.

• Cast on an extra stitch. If your pattern asks for say 50 stitches, cast 51. Do not miss this step whether you knit with double-pointed needles or circular needles.
• Move this extra stitch to your needle with first cast-on stitches purlwise.
• Add 1 stitch, and decrease 1 stitch to join the round.
• To compensate, knit two together (k2tog) and continue knitting.

Your round is joined, you only have to follow the pattern instructions.

With these methods, you can knit with your set of double-pointed needles or circular needles. Get to your favorite socks or hat without a weird join.

Source by- https://medium.com/@lanternmoonhandcrafted/how-to-join-in-the-round-for-circular-knitting-45f8d3442ada