join knitting double pointed needles

join knitting double pointed needles

Could I have help understanding this part in a knitting pattern?

I am knitting some gloves. The directions call for double-pointed needles. I was wondering how i would arrange the 34 stitches on 3 needles when the directions say to "arrange needles so that the beginning of the round is NOT at the edge of a needle."

Here are the casting-on directions word for word:

"CO 34 sts in MC
Arrange on needles so that the beginning of the round is NOT at the edge of a needle. This will make it easier to carry the extra colors up the inside edge and snug up the joins from one color to the next."

THANKS!

Using 4 DPNs, I'd put 6 on Needle 1, 11 on Needle 2, 11 on Needle 3, and 6 more on Needle 1. I'd put a marker between sts 1-6 and 29-34 (between the first st and the last st) to mark the beginning of the round.

The reason I'd put the center of the round there is that's the center of the palm. You'll be shaping a thumb gusset between the center of the round and the edge of the glove, and it will take 3 stitches. That leaves 3 between the thumb gusset and the side of the hand to relieve the strain from knitting in the thumb. When you do the other glove, you'll shape the thumb gusset in the other direction and likewise have 3 sts between the edge and the gusset.

When you use DPNs to knit a tube, there's an extra strain put on the sts at the ends of the needles, and often a "ladder" forms between the needle-end sts. Changing color at the needle ends will add a bit of strain and a challenge for a smooth transition. Since one can start a round anywhere--you just need to mark it so you know where the start of round is--it makes sense to move the strain points away from the start of the round.

Another way to eliminate the strain points and control the start of the round is to use a long circular needle (at least 48") to knit in the round. I like this method (Magic Loop knitting method) because I can then make both gloves at the same time and be sure that I have mirror-image gloves (plus when they're done, they're done--no casting on to start the directions over only in reverse).

Peter Buchanan-Smith