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Ember
Chatty Knitter
USA
112 Posts |
 Posted - 11/15/2005 : 12:21:32 AM
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I just bought some dp needles with the intent of knitting socks. When I got them home, I realized that each set consisted of 4 needles. Isn't it supposed to be 5? You divide the stitches on 4 needles and use one to knit with, right? Or do you divide them on 3 needles and use the 4th to knit?
I sure hope I don't need to buy another set of each just for the one extra needle.
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Punctuatedknitter
Seriously Hooked
819 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2005 : 01:05:00 AM
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I have some sets with 4 and some with 5. Most of my patterns that are specific about needle # mention dividing on 3.
I like having 5 better though, because I'm always losing one in the couch!
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Maybird
Chatty Knitter
United Kingdom
155 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2005 : 04:43:56 AM
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| Here in Britain they seem to ONLY sell sets of four, and it is usual to have the stitches on three needles and knit with the fourth. I've never knitted with five! Though I do wish we could get sets of five as I like to take my knitting around with me and am bound to lose a needle one day... |
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Momo
Seriously Hooked
635 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2005 : 04:50:01 AM
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You can knit them either way. Some prefer having the stitches on 4 needles for patterns stitches and the like. Also because holding a "square" is more comfortable to some people than holding a "triangle". IIRC, stitches on 4 needles is a more eastern thing and stitches on 3 is more western.
Cheers,
Charc
My Blog: Kung Fu Knitting |
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truly violet
Permanent Resident
6397 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2005 : 06:45:52 AM
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I always used 5 and knitted in the square..
I just like it better that way..
I failed at magic loop, as I didn't understand it.... and someone who is a confirmed magic loop user did try to convert me soooooooooooo hard....( with the new found enthusiasm of the newly converted-she just learned to knit and learned the magic loop)
I really would like to learn it.......but I am magic loop impaired
so dps it is
I like 5 or more
and you folks that only have sets of 4 ......get another SET....
as if you ARE going to lose one anyway.... this way you have a few spares...
( I make sets of 7 for sock dp's anyway as I step on them or roll over them with a chair)
vi
none of this will matter in 100 years.......
except I will finally be at my goal weight...vi
http://notashyviolet.blogspot.com/ ~now with chickens!
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Corrina
Warming Up
72 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2005 : 08:28:15 AM
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I find that using only 4 dpns total makes me end up with more ladders.
That said, I've totally converted to magic loop. No more lost needles! |
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lella
Permanent Resident
9701 Posts |
Posted - 11/15/2005 : 10:09:12 PM
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To test things out, tonight I removed one of the four working needles on a sock I'm making, and immediately felt the pressure in my hands. So I added the fourth needle back into the stitches.
If you are going to stay with DPNs treat yourself to another set so that you have plenty. Three sets isn't too many, really, unless you find them in sets of five. 
lella[img]http://smilies.sofrayt.com/^/9971/omelet.gif[/img]
http://zippiknits.blogspot.com |
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adalton124
Seriously Hooked
659 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2005 : 05:07:24 AM
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I prefer 5 dpns for socks, but I'm learning about 2 circs right now, so I'm not currently losing needles, just my mind. (as in d*#*! wrong circ!) haha
Angela |
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trekcelt
Seriously Hooked
USA
849 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2005 : 06:47:40 AM
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I bought 2 sets of my size 3s because the sets only had 4 needles. That said, I work the cuff and leg on a triangle because the square is too floppy until the sock really gets going. I actually use 7 needles in the gussets - no pressure on the knitting at all - and return to a square until the toe decreases where I drop back down to my friendly triangle again. All in all, I am very happy that I got the extra set of dpns.
Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup.
FO: 28, WIP: 2
trek's blog
"As for me and my house..."
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metromaples
Seriously Hooked
USA
873 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2005 : 07:08:20 AM
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I generally have the sock on three and knit with the fourth but sometimes have the sock on four and knit with the fifth, especially on the gusset. When I want to try it on I'll knit in extra needles until I have it on 7 or 8. I never pay attention to which stitches are on which needle numbers. I use markers (generally yarn rings) to remind me where to do gusset and toe decreases.
Jeri
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bcartercps
Warming Up
USA
80 Posts |
Posted - 11/16/2005 : 2:55:04 PM
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| I do the same thing ... use stitch markers to show where to do gusset and toe decreases. I found when I worried about how many stitches were on which needle, I got ladders - Yuck!!! To avoid them, when I get to the end of every needle, I knit 2 stitches from the next needle onto the current needle. I do this every time and NEVER have ladders!!! |
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SerMom
Permanent Resident
Canada
6412 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2005 : 4:35:10 PM
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I'm teaching a couple of the kids in my knitting club DPN. One of them, I started on 3 + 1, the other on 4 + 1. I found it easier, myself, to start with the 3, but since I don't really use DPN myself, I don't have enough experience to know what happens after the knitting gets a little bigger.
I had to explain to them that the reason it was awkward to me was because I wasn't used to it, not because it was inherently difficult!
Barbara
It's a feature, not a bug.
Photos:
Blog:
Fran's Site:
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Karknit
Seriously Hooked
USA
711 Posts |
Posted - 11/29/2005 : 5:25:44 PM
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I'm a 5er myself, always have always will.
karknit
My diet incentive, to knit smaller sweaters. |
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eastofeden
Chatty Knitter
USA
177 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2005 : 12:54:26 PM
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I prefer to use 4 needles. I find the triangle much more stable and less "fidgety" then the square you get when you use 5. I also like more stitches on each needle, which allows you to knit farther/longer before changing needles.
But there is no wrong or right way...just a preference which works best for you. Explore all the methods..you may learn something new which is not a bad thing! |
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Margie
Permanent Resident
1013 Posts |
Posted - 12/27/2005 : 6:40:10 PM
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I am in the group of using 5 needles. Easier on my hands and when one goes missing (it will, unfortunately) you can work with the remaining 4.
I thought someone mentioned ladders above but now I can't find it. I just knit an extra two stitchs from the next needle so the 'change the needle place' is always moving. Do this all the way round and round and round and it works. For me at least.
Margie
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