I am sorry to say that I do not like working with double pointed needles. That is not to say that I haven’t been successful knitting with them, but I did not enjoy it.
I recently remodeled my home and put new windows in the music room, so with all that new woodwork framing those beautiful windows, I just had to have a new white round tablecloth for the table that sits in front of the window.
I found just the pattern in “Modern Lace Knitting” by Marianne Kinzel. The pattern I chose was called “English Rose.”
Of course, the first instructions were to pickup the double pointed needles to start the center. However, my inclination was to make a crocheted Magic Loop-which I did, replacing the DP needles with a 47 inch circular needle.
Here is a photo of my work in progress. In the photos below I hope I can explain the process I used simply enough that you will be encouraged to try it, if you haven’t already done so.
Create your Magic Loop.
Insert tip of circle needle into crocheted loop.
Using the crochet hook, insert hook through Magic loop, yarn around hook and draw through to front, yarn around hook again and draw through loop on hook. Place this loop on the knitting needle. I repeated this process 10 times, as this pattern calls for 10 stitches to be cast on.
Take up slack in the Magic loop.
Once all the stitches are on the knitting needle, I pull the needle all the way to the left, leaving only a small amount of cord to my right. Next, I divide the stitches up as instructed in the pattern. In this case there were 3 sections, 4, 4, and 2. I simply bent the cord and pulled it through, allowing a loop to form. I did the same for the next 4 stitches, then the two that remained were my last unit.
Once this was completed, I closed the Magic loop to form the center ring.
To begin the first round, pull the left needle into the “start position.”
Pull the right needle though and make a clockwise circle, positioning the needle in the start position to begin knitting off the needle in your left hand. Be sure to make the first stitch snug to the cord of the right needle..
Personally, once I have knitted all the stitches off the left needle, I pull my right needle through so that the stitches rest on the cord. Next, I pull the left needle back so that it is in position to knit the next group of stitches. I adjust my loops for comfort, before I begin the next section. I have never lost a stitch doing it this way.
When you first try this it is best to work on a table top. It helps you to keep the work from twisting. I admit it takes a bit of practice, but I think it is worth it. I also don’t have to go back and fix the center.
Here you can see the loops as they have diminished in seize. Once the needle is full, I changed to a 60 inch circle to finish the project.
Happy knitting- KT
Creative Knitting - Beyond Knit and Purl 