While I know how to knit socks on DPNs, and I feel all fancy and special when I do it because people are amazed by the little pickup stick looking needles, I personally prefer to knit my socks with the “Magic Loop” method. The main reason is that I tend to carry my sock knitting around in my purse, and I don’t have to worry about breaking a thin birch needle or the stitches falling off – instead, I move my work down to the loop and put it in my bag with peace of mind that all will be well when I return. Plus, if I’m just doing round-and-round circular knitting, I can do it in the dark of the movie theater or in class during boring lectures. (That was how I survived Biology I last semester, and I made an “A” in the class.)
Thanks to Sara’s ExplaiKnit site (a great resource!), I found a good link to explaining the mystery of the Magic Loop: How to knit small circumferences with one long circular. It really isn’t as hard as it might seem. If you have always feared the DPNs (you shouldn’t, but I understand why you might), but want to knit socks – give it a try!
(I also found a link to a Great Baby Sock Pattern at Sara’s site. I will be adding those to my things I want to knit list for my friends with babies!)
2 replies on “Replacing DPNs with the Magic Loop Method…”
Love Magic Loop, hate tiny sock yarn. *glares at unfinished socks*
I am going to jump in and try this although for some odd reason, I do *enjoy* working on DPN’s. My main motivation to try the Magic Loop – no laddering. I’m dying to know if my laddering will become nonexistent with the magic loop method!
I’ve also been experimenting to find out the ideal sock-knitting gauge and hands down, I prefer socks that are knit on Size 1’s (US) or smaller. Thanks for the link! I am going to get my 40″ Size 1 Addi Turbos tomorrow!