When decreases make the top of a hat too small to work on your circular needles, you will need to switch to a different knitting method to finish your project. As you saw in the last lesson, you can move from circular to double point needles (DPNs). Or, you can use the Magic Loop to finish out the top of a hat that you’ve been knitting from the bottom-up. You will need a long circular needle; I prefer a 36-inch cord (which you can find on Amazon with this affiliate link). The Magic Loop will allow you to keep making decreases, reducing the length of each round; this rounds off and closes the top of your hat.
Below you will find both video and written guides to help you learn how to transition from working on Circular Needles to working in the Magic Loop.
Video Guide: How to Switch from Knitting in the Round on Circular Needles to Knitting in the Magic Loop
Written Guide: How to Switch from Knitting in the Round on Circular Needles to Knitting in the Magic Loop
Before you begin this knitting method switch, you will need to know how many live stitches are on your needles. Check the pattern you are following to see how many stitches are on your needles, or count them. In the example here, I have 48 total live stitches on my shorter circular needle.
Switch from Circular to Magic Loop, Step 1:
Work up to the point where you’d like to switch knitting methods (usually the end/beginning of a row/round is the best place to start). Set the needle in your right hand aside.
Divide the total number of live stitches on your circular needles by the number of needles to which you will be moving. Here, I will divide 48 stitches onto two needles, so my math is:
48 ÷ 2 = 24
This means you’ll need to place roughly 24 stitches on each double point needle. Because decreases are involved, this is an estimate not an exact number of stitches to be placed each needle.
Switch from Circular to Magic Loop, Step 2:
Pick up one tip of a long circular needle with your right hand.
Switch from Circular to Magic Loop, Step 3:
Begin working the live stitches off the short circular needle and onto the long circular needle tip.
Switch from Circular to Magic Loop, Step 4:
Work roughly the number of stitches you calculated in Step 1 onto the long circular needle, except stop at a decrease. When the current row/round contains decreases, remember to count the live stitches coming from the left needle separately.
Switch from Circular to Magic Loop, Step 5:
Pull the long circular needle tip in your right hand toward your left, allowing the live stitches to slide from the needle onto the cord.
Switch from Circular to Magic Loop, Step 6:
While continuing to hold the same long circular needle tip in your right hand, rotate your work so that you can continue working off the short circular needle and onto the long circular needle tip.
Switch from Circular to Magic Loop, Step 7:
Work the remaining stitches from the short circular needle onto the long circular needle tip that is held in your right hand.
Switch from Circular to Magic Loop, Step 8:
The short circular needle will now be free of the work; set it aside.
Switch from Circular to Magic Loop, Step 9:
At this point, roughly half of your total stitches should be on one tip of the circular needle and the other half should be held by the cord.
Switch from Circular to Magic Loop, Step 10:
Turn your work, placing the live stitches in your left hand. Slide the empty circular needle tip into the live stitches and prepare to start knitting in the Magic Loop. (See this lesson on Knitting in the Magic Loop if you aren’t sure how this method works.)
Practice With My Knitting Patterns
Want to follow along?
Here, I am knitting a Simple Beanie Hat. Find the pattern here.
Or, try making a Basic Slouch Hat, which is also knit from the bottom up, adding decreases at the top. Find the pattern here.
Now that you can decrease, you can make a hat. Next, I’ll show you how to take that hat off your needles and weave in your loose ends. This guide will help you end mitten tips, as well.
Go Back to the Learn to Knit Index