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You can use a stitch marker to identify where the rows end and begin. On double point needles, you can clip the marker to the loop located between your first needle and third needle. As you work each new row/round, you will need to unclip the marker and move it up to the next loop.

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 1:

Using one double point needle (DPN), held in your right hand, cast on 1/3 of the stitches called for in your pattern; here, we will use the long-tail cast on.

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 2:

Once the first set of stitches are cast, grasp the first needle between your right pointer and middle fingers.

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 3:

Pick up a second DPN and hold it between your right thumb and pointer finger. Bring your left hand back into cast-on position.

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 4:

Cast on the next stitch with the second DPN.

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 5:

To avoid gaps in your knitting, take care to bring the first and second DPNs close together as you cast on the first stitch on a new needle.

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 6:

Cast on the remaining stitches for the second needle (approximately 1/3 of the total cast on stitches).

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 8:

Next, place the first and second DPN between your right pointer and middle fingers. Pick up a third needle and place it between your thumb and pointer finger. Bring your left hand back into cast-on position.

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 9:

Cast the remaining stitches onto the third needle, ensuring you do not leave a gap between the second and third needle.

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 10:

Before moving on, ensure your stitches have not twisted, as you did in Step 7.

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 11:

Now, you will begin forming a triangle with the three needles in your hands. Turn the first needle (the top needle) counterclockwise, taking care not to twist your stitches.

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 12:

When you can see the purl-side of the first needle, you can begin turning the second needle in the same manner.

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 13:

Form a triangle by ensuring the last cast on stitch and the first cast on stitch (the slipknot) meet.

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 14:

Pick up the working yarn with your left hand, in your preferred yarn hold. Clasp the first double point needle (the needle which holds your slip knot) with your left hand; you will knit the stitches off this needle first. Grasp the fourth double point needle in your right hand and prepare to knit.

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 15:

Slide the live stitches rightward, toward the tip of the left needle. Insert the right-hand needle tip into the first live stitch on the left-hand needle (this was your slipknot). Work directly into the live stitch and move it off the left needle and onto the right.

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 16:

Following your pattern, work until you have moved all the live stitches from the left needle onto the right needle. At this point, pivot the knitting counterclockwise and place the next set of live stitches in your left hand. Move the empty needle to your right hand, then continue knitting into the live stitches.

Knit in the Round with DPNs, Step 17:

When you have worked all the stitches off three needles, you have finished one circular row or “round.” Repeat steps 14 through 17 for each pattern row.

In many of my patterns, you will be asked to switch needle sizes as you work in the round. In the next lesson, I’ll show you how to switch needle sizes when you are working with DPNs.

Switch Needle Sizes, Step 1:

Work up to the point where the pattern instructs you to switch needle sizes, then set the needle in your right hand aside.

Switch Needle Sizes, Step 2:

Pick up a needle in the new size with your right hand, ensuring the needle tips point toward each other.

Switch Needle Sizes, Step 3:

Begin working the live stitches off the old needle size and onto the new needle size.

Switch Needle Sizes, Step 4:

When you have finished working the row, your left needle (in the old size) will be free of the project.

Switch Needle Sizes, Step 5:

Set the old needles aside.

Switch Needle Sizes, Step 6:

Turn your work. Then, with your right hand, pick up the second needle in the new size and prepare to knit the next row. You have now completely switched knitting needle sizes.

It’s time to level up your knitting! In the next lesson, I will introduce you to “knitting in the round.” You will learn to make a seamless tube with double point needles. Then, you can make your first ear warmer headbands!

You can join new yarn by simply knitting it into the net stitch in your pattern. This technique, however, leaves you with extra yarn tails to weave into the project. Using a magic knot to tie the two ends together lets you continue working without making additional loose ends.

A magic knot is created by tying two small knots, which tighten against one another when the string is pulled or stretched. The knot becomes stronger the more you pull on the two ends of yarn. Because the magic knot isn’t bulky, it blends the two ends of yarn together almost invisibly

Magic Knot, Step 1:

Arrange your yarn so that the new yarn ball is on your left and the knitting project is on your right. Lay the two yarn ends parallel to one-another, with the tails pointing in opposite directions. Place the new yarn tail at the bottom and the old yarn tail at the top.

Magic Knot, Step 2:

Bring the tail of the new yarn up and over the old yarn strand.

Magic Knot, Step 3:

Lift the old yarn slightly and bring the new yarn end down and under the old yarn.

Magic Knot, Step 4:

Next, bring the tail of the new yarn up so that it crosses over itself and forms a loop around the old yarn.

Magic Knot, Step 5:

Tuck the tail of the new yarn through the loop you just made, ensuring the end of the new yarn is pointing toward the right (toward your knitting project).

Magic Knot, Step 6:

Pull the tail of the new yarn to form a knot around the old yarn.

Magic Knot, Step 7:

Pull both ends of the new yarn to tighten the knot onto the old yarn. Ensure the old yarn remains in the same position in which it started.  

Magic Knot, Step 8:

Now, pick up the end of the old yarn tail.

Magic Knot, Step 9:

Bring the tail of the old yarn down and over the new yarn strand.  

Magic Knot, Step 10:

Lift the new yarn slightly and bring the old yarn end up and under the new yarn.

Magic Knot, Step 11:

The old yarn tail should cross under itself to form a loop around the new yarn. Pick up the old yarn tail while keeping open the loop you have just created.

Magic Knot, Step 12:

Tuck the tail of the old yarn through the loop, ensuring the end of the yarn is pointing leftward, toward your new ball of yarn.

Magic Knot, Step 13:

Pull both ends of the old yarn to tighten the knot onto the new yarn. Ensure the new yarn remains in the same position in which it started.

Magic Knot, Step 14:

Once the two knots have been secured, pick up the new yarn strand on your left and the old yarn strand on your right. Pull the two strings in opposite directions; this will cause the two knots to start slipping toward each other.

Magic Knot, Step 15:

When the two knots meet, pull hard on the yarn ends to check that the knots tighten against one another and do not slip.

Magic Knot, Step 16:

When you are certain your knot is tight, clip the two loose ends away from the knot with very sharp scissors.

Magic Knot, Step 17:

Check the strength of your knot once more by pulling the new and old yarn ends in opposite directions. If your knot is made correctly, it will not come undone.

Magic Knot, Step 18:

You can now continue knitting your project.

Some patterns will ask you to change the needle size with which you’ve been knitting. Let’s learn how to switch needle sizes as you work on a flat knitted project next.