I'm curious as to what most people prefer for small diameter circular knitting. Do you prefer DPNs or Magic Loop (or maybe the 2 circs kind like in the video on the Advanced Techniques page), or do you like a variety of techniques? :knitting:

I use 2 circs, or 'halfaloop' (http://sites.google.com/site/purplesagedesigns/techniques-1/single-loop-not-magic-loop-knitting-in-the-round), the ML single loop variation.

Neither. I like using two circular needles.

Magic Loop or 2 circs over DPN.

Hate dpns. It's magic loop or 2 circs for me -- like both of those, but prefer ML

I prefer "knitting on 2 circulars"!!! (I know that wasn't one of the choices! Sorry!)

I've tried dpn's (ack) and magicloop (meh)...but prefer 2 circs.

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I'm posting the YOUTUBE video that really helped me GET IT!
Cat's voice may be annoying to some folks, but her process and teaching is inimitable!

I like DPN's. I've tried magic loop a few times and can do it but I don't like sliding the work around.

I've not tried the two circs, because I don't have two long circs of the same needle size, and again there appears to be lots of sliding of the work.

I did write the 2 circs thing! It's in the parentheses. LOL. :cheering:

I did write the 2 circs thing! It's in the parentheses. LOL. :cheering: I'm a DPN gal..hate ML, hate 2circs...

I did write the 2 circs thing! It's in the parentheses. LOL. :cheering:

Oh, NOW I SEE IT!! :doh:

I was mainly thinking about what you'd written in the TOPIC line! :teehee:

I've only done ML and I like it :)

I use 2 circs, or 'halfaloop' (http://sites.google.com/site/purplesagedesigns/techniques-1/single-loop-not-magic-loop-knitting-in-the-round), the ML single loop variation.

That traveling loop link you posted looks really interesting!! :cheering:

So far, I prefer my DPNs to ML.

Doesn't really matter. I like DPNs but will use ML, whichever happens to be faster for the particular piece I'm working on.

It is. With a single loop you can use shorter circs than with ML, no 40", a 24-32" will work fine.

There's no diameter too small to do on them.

After my second project when learning to knit, I set out to learn how to knit in the round.I hadn't even heard of circular needles till after that and so I tried them.Couldn't quite get my head around how they were an improvement.The only time I use circular needles now is to knit those projects with the infinite amount of stitches that don't fit on other needles.

Definitely magic loop. But hearty thanks to Suzeeq for the half a loop. That's pretty obvious now that I see it, but I certainly never would have thought of it on my own. That looks even better than magic loop.

It is. With a single loop you can use shorter circs than with ML, no 40", a 24-32" will work fine.

Can you use that method for small diameter knitting, like 3-6 stitches?

I usually do DPNs but after looking at the single loop that SuzeeQ posted, I realized that I have DONE that before without realizing it was an actual technique! :mrgreen:

I was attempting ML and realized my cable was probably too short so I devised that SL method on my own.

Yeah, that's how I found both ML and halfaloop years ago. Only had 29" circs and wanted to try out something with only 30 or 40 sts.

I usually do DPNs but after looking at the single loop that SuzeeQ posted, I realized that I have DONE that before without realizing it was an actual technique! :mrgreen:

I was attempting ML and realized my cable was probably too short so I devised that SL method on my own. Yea, me too!!! I just checked it out, and I've done that too...(umm not knowing it is a technique) but I still like me dpns...:hug:

I prefer two circs. I have no problems with doing projects requiring dp as I use the two circs instead. I use my dp as hair ornaments and I found magic loop didn't agree with me and not for lack of trying, lol.

I prefer magic loop but if I can knit on short dpns I don't mind them.

The method I always go to is ML ... but I'm not sure it's my favorite. I tried the 2 circs a long time ago but didn't do much with it since you need two circs the same size - now that I have the Options and Harmonys it wouldn't be a big deal but I haven't gone back to it. However, I'm very interested to try that traveling loop technique SuseeQ posted!! I've done dpns but would rather not.

I guess I have to say DPNs at the moment since that's the only way I've tried so far. I've watched videos on the various techniques and using 2 circs looks like the one I'd pick if I can build up my needle collection to have 2 circs the same size. Otherwise travelling loop is also interesting. I think I saw a video at Knitpicks on that or something very close.

DPNs for me. Just seems quicker for me.

I learned on dpns, but I just find two circs so much more convenient. Never liked the ML method, as someone else pointed out: too much sliding!

DPN is all I use,like everyone else hated the sliding and all the dangling of the circular needles.:eyes:

I am very comfortable with DPNs but I think I will give the "halfaloop" a try. ML and 2 circs seem like too much moving.

I like ML, halfaloop and 2 circs. My fav is halfaloop (didn't know I was using it until looking at the pictures. I can use DPNs once a project is started but I can't for the life of me get a small proiject started on them...plus the DPNs feel ackward to me. I guess it's just what you're used to. Thank KH and the internet for offering so many vids to learn/choose from. :yay: :yay: :yay:

I have only ever used DPNs (and i haven't really been knitting for all that long) but i hate how they poke at me and with sock knitting there isn't that much space inside of them to work so i am definitely going to be trying magic loop or half loop in the future, 2 circs doesn't appeal to me cause i am a college kid and it seems pretty expensive to have two of the same needle when one will do...

I learned to make mittens and socks on DPNs way before the advent of circular needles. I like circulars for other projects but still use DPNs for socks and mittens. They were never not comfortable for me.

Saw an ad recently for 5" DPNs.

JudyD