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Permalink Reply by Vickey on October 27, 2009 at 1:27pm

I don''t know that this will help much, but for years it really frustrated me to try to knit with DP needles. I had learned the two needle and circular without problem but the beginning cast on, etc drove me batty. Finally I did the cast on on circular needles (Don't forget to trade the first stitch on each side before starting the rows so you don't have a loose 'ladder' between one needle and the other...also knit a tiny bit tenser in the first two stitchs to avoid a 'ladder look" After 3 or 4 rows are knit on circular, start knitted 'X amount' of stitches on the number of DP needles you will be using and it will work just fine. Hope this helps

Permalink Reply by L Hutch on October 27, 2009 at 1:35pm

This is not the answer to your question, but it might be the answer to your problem. Using two circular needles enables you to do absolutely anything that can be done on DPNs, without the hassle of DPNs.

This web site http://www.knittinghelp.com/ has lots of videos showing many different techniques. Also YouTube has an endless array of knitting tutorials.

Permalink Reply by Agnes Cleary on October 28, 2009 at 3:53pm

Thanks so much. I'm going to take a loot at that video. I have tried using the circular needles instead of the DPNs, but found that for very small circumferences, like baby hats or children's sleeves, it just didn't seem to work. Maybe I just need to practice more, like a few people here have suggested. But in the meantime, I'll take a look at the video...Or maybe just give up on hats! After all, winter can't last forever...

Permalink Reply by Ann Hirsch on October 27, 2009 at 2:26pm

The hardest part is making sure you don't twist the stitches when you join the first row to make the circle.If there are a lot of stitches it sometimes helps to cast onto one long straight needle and then slip onto three.Always put a row marker at the join so that you know when row is complete. Keep trying you will eventually get the hang of it.

Permalink Reply by Sue Militello on October 27, 2009 at 4:38pm

I use the DPN for sleeves when knitting from the neck down on sweaters and I've found the best solution for doing this is just practice. It is a bit awkward knitting on the four needles but with a bit of practice you will wonder what all the grief was about. LOL, it is so much fun. My suggestion is just practice. Have fun doing it too, that helps!