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liebekatja
Chatty Knitter
USA
262 Posts |
 Posted - 07/02/2002 : 11:35:13 PM
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Hello everyone,
This may seem like a silly question, but what are the advantages and disadvantages of knitting on two circular needles as opposed to four or five double pointed needles? Everyone seems to be knitting socks on 2 circs these days-- am I behind the times or out of fashion still to be using dpns? I really like using my dpns as well, but are circs somehow better?
Happy knitting all,
Katie 
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BessH
Permanent Resident
3095 Posts |
Posted - 07/03/2002 : 12:13:59 AM
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These are my personal lists of advantages vs. disadvantages and are not to be construed as definitive in any way:
ADVANTAGES:
Faster - you change needles only once instead of 2 or 3 times
No ladders - When you finish knitting with one needle you push the stitches to the cable which is thinner than the needle part you are moving to. this automatically tightens the stitches so I don't have to pull tightly as I move from needle to needle
Don’t accidentally grab wrong needle when going to next needle, and pull it out of the stitches.
Less likely to drop stitches when setting knitting down and wandering off to do something else. I automatically tend to shove the stitches onto the cables.
Less hand fatigue - I happen to hold DP's in a way that presses on a nerve in my right hand and after a while I have to stop using them. No matter how hard I try I can't seem to train my hands to hold DP’s in a different manner. I don't seem to hold circs. this way.
Needle music - I simply love the sound of those Addi turbo metal tips clicking together. Just a quirk, and certainly a personal one.
DISADVANTAGES:
2 circs cost more - roughly twice as much more and if you are picky and want the Addi’s it will be something like $22 in needles instead of a nice $6 or so with some good dp’s.
They aren’t as impressive. When I’m using DP’s WOW do folk sit up and look. It’s fun to show off.
Hope this helps
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Hello Knitty
Permanent Resident
1069 Posts |
Posted - 07/04/2002 : 10:16:24 AM
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Whatever works as long as the finished product looks good!
I learned DPNs because everyone I know who knits does it that way and I never thought of it as hard or tricky because DPNs were the way to go for mittens! I didn't even know about circulars til I joined this forum! The only thing I've ever made with circs is a hat but I had to switch to DPNs to finish the top. I enjoyed using the circulars but truthfully, for me, I don't think it would matter which type of needle I used. One advantage I discovered if that using circulars makes your project portable!
I think it's great to know different ways to make things and you should just see which one works for you.
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BLN3320
Permanent Resident
USA
3808 Posts |
Posted - 07/04/2002 : 12:22:22 PM
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Hi, Katie: No such thing as a silly question. I haven't knitted socks the about 100 years and in those days you could do it on one small circular or four or five double pointed (usually four). I can tell you knitting on those small circulars wasn't all that easy as the cable between the points was metal. I still have some someplace in my "treasures." They belonged to my mother. Now about knitting with two circulars I really don't know anything about it but I did get the book. Haven't opened it yet but it is there when and if I ever get around to it. Procrastination is the name of my game--I am a charter member of the club. Tee hee.  Beverley
"Be kind to your neighbor, he knows where you live."
Bev |
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Alissa
Seriously Hooked
USA
632 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2002 : 8:50:13 PM
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My favorite part about knitting on two circular needles is that you can try your sock on at ANY point of the knitting!
Happy Knitting,
Alissa
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phlame
Permanent Resident
USA
1547 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2002 : 09:06:22 AM
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Just my feelings about 2 circs......I love them! I got really tired of picking the 4th needle up off the ground  and pulling the needle out of my stitches! With the two circs you can knit anything round and you don't have the ladders going up the side.
Shirley 
Too much is not enough! |
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Patience
Permanent Resident
USA
1076 Posts |
Posted - 07/07/2002 : 1:36:54 PM
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Well I can finally comment on circs vs. dpns because I just recently figured out how to get going with the socks on circulars. However, I'm only doing one at a time....after all, first things first. 
I thought I just had to learn how to do socks on circs because everyone was raving about how much quicker, etc. they are and while that's probably true, I had another pair going at the time, on my dpns and I gotta' tell you that I was much more comfortable on the dpns. To me there was just more flow and consistency, but perhaps that's because I haven't been knitting socks on the 2 circs for very long. I'll get back to you after I've done a couple pair, and let you know my final answer (don't I sound like I'm on Who Wants to be a Millionaire). 
As a friend of mine said so well: "Learning to use 2 circs for socks is a bit like knowing how to use a crutch...it's a handy thing to know, but if your leg isn't broken, you don't have to learn." She was telling me that since I'm perfectly comfortable with dpns, why drive myself crazy trying to learn the circular method? I think of her saying that often, and have to agree. I've got enough challenges to last me a lifetime, so why go looking for more. Just MHO.
Warmest Regards, Patience |
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marnita
Chatty Knitter
USA
348 Posts |
Posted - 07/08/2002 : 09:26:35 AM
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I have tried both methods with much success. I have to say that I prefer dpns. (Please don't throw anything at the freak!!! ) I like the fact that there are fewer stitches on each needle. That means I don't have as far to go to get to the end of a row. With the circs, I had a problem of the needles getting tangled up in the yarn or with each other. For socks or slippery yarn, I use birch or bamboo needles which hold the yarn nice and snug so I don't grab the wrong needle or drop stitches. Most of all, I like to be that crazy lady that has needles sticking out of the project from every angle!
But, I would like to reiterate that whatever method works best for you is the way to go. I say give them both a shot and decide on your own.
http://marneysworld.blogspot.com |
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liebekatja
Chatty Knitter
USA
262 Posts |
Posted - 07/10/2002 : 1:54:00 PM
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Hmm, I think I'm going to have to give circs a try! I am awfully partial to DPNs (like you, Marnita!), partly because they look so impressive to non-knitters! I also knit socks fairly tightly on bamboo so the stitches don't often fall out. I have tendonitis in my wrists, though, and I think the DPNs may be making it worse-- somehow, I hold them funny and it hurts. So I'll give it a shot.
Thanks for all the advice, everyone!
Katie
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linda ball
New Pal
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2002 : 10:33:48 AM
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i definitely agree that dpn is a crowd pleaser. and who says you can't take dpn socks with you. i justs cap them together with those cute little teddy bear needle covers and away i go!
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bogrady
Warming Up
Canada
68 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2002 : 10:41:12 AM
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I have just knit my very first ever sock -- and on circular needles. I won't give double pointed needles another look. My next project is to make mittens using circulars. I always stayed away from knitting sweaters in the round because the circular needles were always a struggle when the needle length was too long or small for the circumference of the sweater. Problem solved by using two circular needles! Good for sleeves too.
Bev |
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edonnell
New Pal
8 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2002 : 11:09:57 AM
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| Well, I'm using one circular-- I got tiny flexible plastic circulars last year-- they are sort of bracelet sized, and I love them. Haven't figured out how to do the heel flap, so I go onto dpns at that point, but then I am right back onto the singles. They are made in Japan and imported by Clover. Wouldn't knit socks if didn't have these. |
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MarionB
New Pal
30 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2002 : 11:58:20 AM
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For me, it's circs wherever and whenever! I knit loosely enough that the stitches slide easily on my needles. When I knit with dpn (often at meetings) I was always dropping needles out of my rather loose stitches. Of course, they would slide out of reach and I'd be crawling around on the floor trying to retrieve them unnoticed, Ha!
I didn't have 'ladders' because I learned early on to snug up the first stitch or two on the new needle, but when I'd transport a project, these needles had a tendency to find new ways to comport themselves in my bag or purse. I feel I wasted a lot of time getting errant stitches back onto needles along with tracking the fallen needles.
I ask, "If you were knitting a large flat item, would you want to do it on 4 or 5 needles or just 2?" It seems to me that a sock is a small, flat item that curves around a foot. I prefer doing it on 2 circs rather than fiddling around with 8 to 10 ends needing caps to transport easily/safely.
I do agree that my investment in circular needles is considerable. I wish I could invest more wisely from way back when Joyce Williams first brought this idea to Elizabeth Zimmermann's knitting camp.
For sensitive individuals, skip this, I'm going to be judgmental: Knitting with a lot of needles to impress people? Hmmmm. I'd rather people be impressed with what I produce.
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sabknits
New Pal
USA
27 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2002 : 11:58:57 AM
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I've used dpns, 2 circs, even 1 circ (Clover has some molded plastic circs out in 8 inch lengths...but only sizes 4, 6,8 & 10 at last check) and found that I really liked using 2 circs best for larger items (felted slippers), dpns for small Christmas stockings....I found the short circs difficult to control...one too many stitches will most definitely slip right off the needle!...but they really ARE wonderful for starting or finishing at hat (top down-bottom up), or anywhere else where knitting in the round would normally be forced onto dpns. I agree that it depends totally on knitter preference, type of yarn, size of project, relative humidity and how much interest the cat might have at any given moment! :-D sab
sab |
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Knitnluv
New Pal
11 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2002 : 12:03:04 PM
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I've tried two circ needles, but found it to be a cumbersome method. Perhaps I would improve if I did it longer, but I am satisfied with what I have been doing for years. I make the same pattern over and over and always have a sock on the needles in my purse. i think two circs would be difficult to carry w/ me so I am sticking with what I've always done. HOWEVER, I did buy the book (from Amazon through KR) and enjoyed reading it.
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maryc
New Pal
1 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2002 : 12:49:51 PM
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Hi, I definitely vote for 2 circulars. I do use Addi Turbos as well and I really love them. All the points listed on previous posts, I ditto them and I add: I can finally stop stabbing myself with the DPN's! I don't really know how I manage to keep doing that but with those nice soft flexible needles hanging out of the way...well, THAT'S not going to happen again! |
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linda-gail
Permanent Resident
USA
1052 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2002 : 1:02:36 PM
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Hi, everyone. I have yet to try 2 circs for socks - just because I like the DPN's. I try to avoid metal needles of any kind because I'm always putting my knitting down or knitting in the dark, and I loose stitches. So, it's wood for me. I happen to be a fine wood fan, so right now I'm slowly accumulating ebony and rosewood needles, but also have many bamboo and birch, as well as pony pearls - no breakage with those!, especially good for size 0,1,2.
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catspaw@intelos.net
New Pal
3 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2002 : 1:02:48 PM
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| Cast one more vote for dpn's. I've learned both methods and much prefer dpn's. For me it's faster, more comfortable, less annoying (no waggly, wavy ends) and the results are fine. I seldom get ladders and in fact, had much more trouble with laddering on the circs. Actually, I don't really like circs for much of anything (although I do use them), probably because my rather Scots knitting style makes them uncomfortable. By the way, use 5 dpn's instead of 4 and it's just as easy to try your sock on. Portability? No problem! I take mine everywhere. But hey, knit them anyway you want so long as it's fun. |
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perkinscalvin@bellsouth.net
New Pal
1 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2002 : 1:10:44 PM
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Hello All,
I am new to the forum and this is my first reply. I use dpns for sock knitting and I love them. I also like the way people are amazed at how one can use 4 or 5 needles to produce socks. I haven't tried circulars yet. I do have the book and eventually will get around to it.
Gwen |
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Ditzy Girl
Permanent Resident
USA
4712 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2002 : 1:38:28 PM
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Hi, I have been reading and enjoying for months, but my first time or second to join in. When you are knitting socks are circs what size cable are you using. I also bought the book and some wonderful varigated sock yarn, but do not have two circs the same size or the correct Dpn size. So if I order addi turbo 2 circs, what cable lenght do I order. I love reading all the chatter. I pretty much look in everyday. Hope I did this correct.
ZOLA MYERS |
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mykoh
New Pal
USA
11 Posts |
Posted - 07/11/2002 : 2:40:40 PM
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I have done both methods -- and I'm not sure which I prefer! At first, I definitely still liked knitting on DPNs better - because I felt like I could just set them up and then cruise around and around! The two-circ needle approach was difficult for me to get the hang of. Plus, although it's not that tough, sometimes it's a little bit of a hassle to convert a regular pattern to be used on two-circs.
Now that I've done a couple pairs on two-circs I will say I like it quite a bit. I've gotten used to it and while I can't say I'm faster on two circs, it's certainly easier to carry the work around. I'm working on building a full set of 2 circs in each size I usually use for socks.
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