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Magic Loop for Knitting in the Round with a Long, Circular Needle (with Video)

May 31, 2023 Leave a Comment

Learn about the magic loop method for knitting in the round. Using the magic loop allows knitters to work in the round with a single, long circular needle at a range of circumferences. This post features a video tutorial as well as information explaining the technique, how and why to use it, and when it came to be.

Normally I like to have these blog posts come out within a day or two of the video I produced to go with them, but this month, I needed to dedicate some time to organizing my studio once and for all, and we had some household company for about a week as well. Life happens, but eventually, I always find my way back to knitting. :) Delay hand-wringing aside and without further ado, I’m excited today to explain the what, why and how of knitting with the magic loop method. Soon, I’ll also have a post & video tutorial on troubleshooting common magic loop problems like laddering and jogs (and what the heck they are), so stay tuned.

Throughout this article and on this blog, I use asterisks (*) to cite my sources, which are linked at the bottom of this post under “useful resources”. Bloggers aren’t exactly held to MLA or APA citation styles, and as a former public librarian, I feel it’s helpful to mention what those mean, and where I am finding my information. I do this just as much to appropriately credit my fellow craft writers as I do to offer additional resources for the curious. Just a heads up. :)

Learn about the magic loop method for knitting in the round. Using the magic loop allows knitters to work in the round with a single, long circular needle at a range of circumferences. This post features a video tutorial as well as information explaining the technique, how and why to use it, and when it came to be.

What is the Magic Loop in knitting?

In knitting there are a few different ways to knit in the round, but with the advent of circular knitting needles in the nineteen-teens*, new methods presented themselves for knitting in the round. Circular knitting needles are a set of straight knitting needles that are connected at the non-pointy end by a flexible cable of varying lengths. Circular knitting needles and the magic loop method allow knitters to use a single pair of circular knitting needles to knit a project at almost any circumference they wish.

A picture from the first technical knitting series/knit along I did in 2014, featuring a couple of swatches on DPNs.
Here’s an example of double pointed needles. / This picture is from the first technical knitting series/knit along I did in 2014, featuring a couple of swatches on DPNs.

Magic Loop is the name for knitting in the round using a single pair of circular knitting needles connected by a long cable, and the technique became popularized in the early 2000s.* Instead of using the once-traditional set of five double-pointed needles (DPNs) arranged in a circle to accommodate working in the round, a circular needle is used and allows for stitches to be worked on the needle tips thanks to the additional length of the cable. A cable measuring 32″/80 cm is the recommended minimum length to use for this technique. (Before writing this article I confess I only ever eyeballed how long of a cable I’d need to work in the round, just in case you’re crying with a 28″ cable in hand reading this.)

Learn about the magic loop method for knitting in the round. Using the magic loop allows knitters to work in the round with a single, long circular needle at a range of circumferences. This post features a video tutorial as well as information explaining the technique, how and why to use it, and when it came to be.

Why use the Magic Loop in knitting?

  • You don’t have a pair of circular needles on hand with an ideal cable length.
  • If you’re using circular needles without the magic loop method, knitting at especially small circumferences can be a challenge or impossible.
  • You’re increasing or decreasing a lot of stitches in your project and don’t want to have to switch cables (If you’re using circular needles with interchangeable cables, switching cables can be slightly annoying depending on your patience level.)
  • There’s no shame in it – many knitters fear working with double pointed needles. (With the popularity of circular needles and the magic loop technique, I can understand why many knitters never learn.) Even if you don’t fear them, knitting on-the-go with DPNs is precarious. It’s really easy to lose a needle and then be unable to knit at all. With circs, you don’t risk having to knit with a needle that’s hit the floor.

If I missed any other reasons, let me know in the comments, and I’ll add to this list!

Learn about the magic loop method for knitting in the round. Using the magic loop allows knitters to work in the round with a single, long circular needle at a range of circumferences. This post features a video tutorial as well as information explaining the technique, how and why to use it, and when it came to be.

How to do the magic loop method

Video tutorial:

Useful Resources

  • *Going in Circles: A History of Knitting in the Round – Piecework Magazine
  • Why knit with magic loop? – Önling
  • Magic Loop Technique: How to Knit in the Round Using a Single Long Circular Needle – Tin Can Knits
  • Learn the Knitting Method That’s Totally Magic – Craftsy
Learn about the magic loop method for knitting in the round. Using the magic loop allows knitters to work in the round with a single, long circular needle at a range of circumferences. This post features a video tutorial as well as information explaining the technique, how and why to use it, and when it came to be.

Don’t forget, I’ve got another post & video tutorial on troubleshooting common magic loop problems coming soon, and I’ll link it here when it’s up. Happy knitting!

Learn about the magic loop method for knitting in the round. Using the magic loop allows knitters to work in the round with a single, long circular needle at a range of circumferences. This post features a video tutorial as well as information explaining the technique, how and why to use it, and when it came to be.

Filed Under: Knitting Tagged With: dpns, how to knit in the round, knitting in the round, magic loop, magic loop knitting, video tutorial

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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Helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010
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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts
Wow! I am floored by the awesome response to the S Wow! I am floored by the awesome response to the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest. Thank you. 🙏🏻❤️ If you love this pattern & didn’t know already, we are going to be doing a knit along (KAL) from October 1-29 featuring this spooky sweater vest & lots of tutorials, especially for the intarsia part. 
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Later today my newsletter will be coming out with additional Knit Along details, so if you’re not already signed up, now is a great time - the 🔗 is in my b1o. 
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Pictured: My Spiral Hill Sweater Vest pattern from the new Nightmare Before Christmas knitting book by @tanisknits. Model is wearing size 1 with 2” of positive ease, knit in @brooklyntweed Imbue Worsted. Vest images via @insighteditions 
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#spiralhillsweatervest #handsoccupied #nightmarebeforechristmasknittingbook
At long last! I can share the Spiral Hill Sweater At long last! I can share the Spiral Hill Sweater Vest, my contribution to the new book Disney Tim Burton’s Nightmare Before Christmas: The Official Knitting Guide to Halloween Town and Christmas Town, out now! 🎃💀 
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I’m hosting a knit along (KAL) October 1-29 for anyone who’d like to knit this vest along with a group & learn a little about intarsia while we’re at it. I’ve got weekly tutorials planned to help you knit this worsted weight sweater vest, and there’s a prize package giveaway at the end for KAL participants too. Details are on my site - you know where to find the 🔗 I think. 😉
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Book by @tanisknits 
Publisher @insighteditions 
Yarn @brooklyntweed Imbue 
Find it wherever fine books are sold. 
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#handsoccupied #nightmarebeforechristmas #intarsia #sweatervest #knittingpattern #knittingbook #spiralhill #knitting_inspiration #knitting
Since there was some interest in stills of my WIPs Since there was some interest in stills of my WIPs closet after this weekend’s quick tutorial, here are few. ✂️ The tutorial is one post back in my feed as a video.
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As you can see, I didn’t worry about the wire hangers all being perfectly uniform, but it doesn’t matter to me. Also, this closet holds a lot! Despite that, it is already at capacity. Since the hanging bags don’t appear to be recyclable, I want to reuse them as long as possible. Who knows, maybe this will be a way to limit my WIPs? 😅
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P.s. In the third photo you can see how I use this system to store the original swatches, scraps, yarn ball bands, & notes from a design project all together. 
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#handsoccupied #wips #craftstorage #yarnstorage #yarncrafts #knitting_inspiration #craftstudio #craftroom #craftcloset
How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with jus How to convert a closet into WIPs storage with just a few supplies ✂️
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When I was a librarian, we would use these hanging bags to circulate books with audiobook CDs. They came to mind when I wanted to develop a filing cabinet-like system for my differently-sized WIPs. To fit in my studio closet, a standard bedroom closet, they just needed custom hangers. 🤙🏻 
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HOW TO MAKE THE HANGERS
1. Carefully cut approx. a 9” (23 cm) length of flexible 3 mm aluminum wire.
2. Near the end of a large knitting needle or dowel, wrap the wire around it as you would a twist tie. 
3. Bend the other end into a hook shape, perpendicular to the circle shape you just created. 
4. Hang like a hanger in a closet, as shown. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadelife #knitting_inspiration #craftcloset #craftroom #craftroomorganization #craftroomstorage #craftroomdecor #crocheter #latchhook #knittersofinstagram #wip #wips #hangingstorage
It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! T It’s time for the monthly review and giveaway! This go around, get to know two new sister yarns from @manosyarnsusa, Marla and Sami, and enter to win a skein of each to try for yourself. 
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What makes these yarns sisters is that, while dyed differently, they’re the same weight and come in intentionally coordinating color palettes. For my review, I opted for a sky-inspired combo of Sami in Natural and Marla in Nube. 🌧️ 
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Check out the full review & enter the giveaway at the link in my bio. 
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#handsoccupied #yarnreview #manosdeluruguay #knitting_inspire #crochet #yarngiveaway #knitters #yarn #crochetersofinstagram
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