One of my New Year's resolutions was to learn to knit in the round. I had looked at loads of patterns that required this skill, and at first dismissed it as something that was far too complicated. I mean, look at the picture. That's a lot of needles. I was also put off trying earlier by my personal knitting expert, my mum. She's been knitting for years, and has given me loads of good advice. She suggested that, certainly for hats, all she does is knit back and forth on straight needles, and then seaming it up the back. While this is easier than learning a new technique, it has a few downfalls.
Firstly, you obviously get a seam. that's not so much of a problem, but it does look a bit conspicuous, and it makes that side of the piece a bit less flexible.
Secondly, you can't use that method on everything. If you want to knit a pair of socks, for example, or a pair of gloves, then it's no good at all.
Lastly (if you can think of any other reasons not to knit a round project back and forth, please comment on this post), there's never any harm in trying something new when it comes to knitting.
Well, today was the day for me. I got a set of double-pointed needles, and set to work. I followed instructions from books and websites, and got myself into a bit of a twist at first. But perseverance had the victory, and I'm now 5 rows into my little masterpiece.
I've been knitting sleeves for take-out coffee cups for a couple of weeks now. I got the idea from a friend who adapted a swatch she'd made, and then was inspired further by a pattern in the fantastic book
Knitting with Balls by Michael del Vecchio.
I'd been making these things like crazy - trying out different patterns and designs; attempting to get the gauge right...
I figured that maybe this was the right project to jump off the deep end into. You know, not too big, something I've had a bit of practice at...
Well. I started on the subway this morning, and it quickly became very confusing. I was accidentally knitting back and forth instead of in the round, even though I was using the double pointed needles. I was confused as to how to move to a new needle. I was in pain from stabbing myself in the hand with all the extra needles.
But a bit of practice later, and I was well on the way to making my first seamless piece. It's not done yet, but I'll let you know how I get on.
As always, if you've got any tips, advice, questions or anything else to say, leave me a comment, or email me at salvatordarling@gmail.com
Look. I'm aware of the fact that I've said I don't like knitting in the round. I've made my reasons clear, and I'm sticking to them. They are all valid arguments for sticking to long straight needles. But I can't stop! I put the finishing touches to the Dashing gloves a couple of weeks ago, started a hat for Beth, did a bit of the scarf for Brett, worked on a pattern for a hat for Liz, but I couldn't resist the temptation to knit Mel's fingerless gloves. I'm back on the double pointers. They're addictive. 
And look at the results. Beth and I have been using them to keep our hands warm in the late winter days here in Toronto. We both busted them out for a day on Bloor Street a week ago. It was warm today, and I still wore mine, because I think that they look fantastic. 
