All products were chosen independently by our editorial team. This review contains affiliate links and we may receive a commission for purchases made. Please read our affiliates FAQ page to find out more.

How to knit with double pointed needles

Circular knitting doesn't have to mean using circular needles! Find out how to knit with double pointed needles in our beginner's guide.

6 issues of Simply Knitting magazine for £14.99|Save 72%

Sarah Winsper

Published: April 13, 2021 at 10:48 am

Learning how to knit with double pointed needles (DPNs) can be a bit fiddly to start with, but practice makes perfect and you’ll soon be able to knit hats and socks with ease! Working in the round on double pointed needles uses the same techniques as working on a circular needle, plus a few more.

Our examples will show you how to use five DPNs. If you’re working with a set of four DPNs instead, the same techniques apply. No matter how many DPNs you’re working with, you’ll always need to use one as the working needle (like the right needle in row knitting) and the others as the holding needles (like the left needle in row knitting). Use the working needle to knit all the stitches from another DPN, leaving that needle empty. The empty needle then becomes the working needle. Continue knitting with each DPN in this manner, all the way around and back to the start of the round.

How to knit with double pointed needles, fabric — Learn how to knit with double pointed needles to make seam-free knits in the round.

You might notice 'ladders' of looser stitches forming where the different DPNs meet, and particularly at the end of the round. When you work the stitch that joins the round, make sure you pull the yarn a bit tighter (but not too tight, as this could distort the surrounding stitches). This will make sure the join in the round is neat and not visible. Whenever you change to a different DPN, you’ll need to pull the yarn a bit more tightly again, to avoid gaps.

When learning how to knit with double pointed needles, the first few rounds might feel awkward or like you’ve done it wrong, but don’t give up! Once you’ve knitted a few rounds, it will become much easier and you’ll be able to see the results. So grab your yarn and DPNs, and we'll begin…

In this guide we'll show you how to knit in the round with double pointed needles. Here's what you'll learn:

Casting on double pointed needles
How to knit with double pointed needles
Double pointed needles: what to buy

Casting on double pointed needles

When casting on to knit with double pointed needles, you don’t have to cast directly on to three or four DPNs. Many knitters find it easier to cast on all the stitches onto one straight needle, as usual, and then transfer them to DPNs. We’ll show you how to do this below. If you don’t have too many stitches, you can cast on to one of the DPNs – you can always use a point protector if you’re worried about losing your stitches.

Our steps shown below describe casting on double pointed needles if you’re using a set of five DPNs. If you’re working with a set of four DPNs instead, cast on 27 stitches and follow the steps below until you have all your cast-on stitches on three DPNs.

However many DPNs you’re using, you’ll need one empty DPN after you’ve cast on, to act as your working needle. As with casting on to circular needles, just be careful not to twist the stitches!

You will need:

Yarn
Knitting needles

Step 1

Cast on 36 stitches onto a straight knitting needle, using the cast-on method you prefer (see how to cast on knitting for ideas). With an empty DPN in your right hand, slip nine stitches from the cast-on needle onto your DPN.

Casting on double pointed needles step 1

Step 2

Now take the next empty DPN and slip the next nine stitches from the cast-on needle to the empty DPN. Make sure you support the first DPN in your right hand or on a table so the stitches don’t fall off it.

Step 3

Repeat the same process to slip the next nine stitches onto the third empty DPN. If you’re using a set of five DPNs, repeat the process again to slip the next nine stitches onto the fourth empty DPN.

Casting on double pointed needles step 3

Step 4

Now your stitches will be evenly divided over the DPNs. Arrange the DPNs as above and check that the stitches aren’t twisted. You will be left with a ‘spare’ needle, ready to work the first round.

Casting on double pointed needles step 4

How to knit with double pointed needles

Once you’ve cast stitches onto your set of DPNs, it’s time to knit the first round. Before you start, add a stitch marker to show you where the end of the round is. Then check, check and check again that your stitches really aren’t twisted!

Using the ‘spare’ needle as the working needle, knit the first stitch of the first round, pulling the yarn tightly for an invisible join. Knit all the stitches from the first DPN until that needle is empty. The empty needle now becomes the working needle. Continue like this all the way to the end of the round. Every time you change to a new DPN, pull the yarn tightly again.

Some knitters prefer to cast on stitches onto a straight needle, but then knit the first round off that needle using DPNs. This means they’ve worked the first round and arranged the stitches onto DPNs at the same time. Try both techniques and use the one that suits you.

If you find that placing a stitch marker at the start of the round is too fiddly, you can always place it in between the first and second stitches instead. The important thing is that you know where the round starts and finishes.

Here’s how to knit with double pointed needles: