Hatred for Circular Needles

heatherg23 · 04-25-2008, 01:41 PM

I bought my first circular needle. It's completely inter-twind with itself. I did 3 rows and the plastic part was then getting so tangled with the yarn I took it all apart. My stitches are tight on a regular needle but with a circular they are being stretched. I can't keep the stitches tight when they are on the plastic part of the needle. Im using 8.00mm size needle.

The only reason I bought it is because I have to do an 8 x 8 inch piece. I had to cast on 29 stitches and it took up the entire needle including the tip and I can't have stitches falling off. That was very frustrating. I tried those super long needles and I kept poking myself. I poked my poor dog that always lays on my lap. I can't knit in my hammock chair because it gets stuck in the net. I have to find a way to make the square using regular needles. I guess i'll try a smaller size needle and see how much room they take up.

Heather

MAmaDawn · 04-25-2008, 06:47 PM

Try dipping the cable in boiling water and the hold it straight. Or if you have work on it heat it up with a hair dryer to straighten it out.

Sorry you are having a hard time with them.

suzeeq · 04-25-2008, 06:49 PM

What you need to do is straighten out the needle; it coils up from being that way in the package. Dip the cord only in very very hot water for a minute or two. Then let it cool off while you putll it straight. That should get most of the kinks out of it and after you knit with it a bit, the weight of the knitting will help too.

You don't have to keep the stitches tight on a circ, the cord is much smaller than the ends and that's okay, it's just a stitch holder. The tips are what determine the size of the stitches, don't worry about them after you've knit them.

mwhite · 04-25-2008, 07:06 PM

Yep, do what Suzeeq says or you'll really hate them forever. Believe me, it does correct the problem of the twirling cord!

Wanda Witch · 04-25-2008, 07:19 PM

Originally Posted by mwhite

Yep, do what Suzeeq says or you'll really hate them forever. Believe me, it does correct the problem of the twirling cord!

Don't give up with the circular needles. Do as Suzeeq (and the others) wrote. I would never go back to straight needles now. Good luck and keep trying...

suzeeq · 04-25-2008, 07:21 PM

Yeah, I can't stand to work with straight needles. Even the 10" ones get in the way.

Shewhoknits · 04-25-2008, 07:29 PM

I was thinking of buying some circular's to do a sweater. How long does the plastic string need to be.

Plantgoddess+ · 04-25-2008, 07:33 PM

I think a 24" would be fine. If it's knit in one piece and is very large or bulky you may want to go to a 32".

Shewhoknits · 04-25-2008, 07:35 PM

I am new to this, how do you know if anyone has responded to your message?

Mirl56 · 04-25-2008, 07:49 PM

I just come back often enough to check any posts I'm interested in.

But, while you're in the box typing you message, look to the next box below that says "Additional Options" - there is a drop-down box whre you can choose to get an e-mail notification when someone posts to that topic.