When knitting in the round, the hardest part is to join both ends when knitting the first row. Once you get that done, you can just keep going.
There are different ways to join in the round, and all these ways can be applied to both dpns and circular needles. This is the way I do it:
- Cast on the necessary amount of stitches.
- If you are working on dpns, divide your stitches evenly over 3 or 4 dpns, depending on your pattern. If you are working on circular needles, just ignore this step.
- Make sure that all your stitches are facing the right way, so that none are twisted upside down. Pay extra attention to this step and do not move on until your absolutely sure your row is not twisted, or you’ll have to start over later on. The best way to do this is to put your work down on a table or something. This gives you a better overview.
WRONG RIGHT - Pick up your work. Keep your knitting in front of you. With this I mean that you are knitting right in front of you, and the rest of your work is hanging behind your hands, in the back. If you do not do this, you’ll be knitting inside out. Not that this is a disaster, but it will influence your pattern.
- Pull your yarn back, so it does not get stuck in the middle of your work.
- Move the right needle from right to left under the first stitch on the left needle and slide it on to the right needle.
- Now move your left needle from left to right under the first stitch on the left needle (the one behind the slipped stitch) and lift that stitch over the one you slipped onto the left needle earlier.
- Pull tight.
- Place a marker. This marker will be situated in between the switched stitches.
- Start knitting your rows.