Socks are one of my favorite things to knit. I love making them from start to finish. A sock is small enough to fit conveniently in my bag and travel with me wherever I go. Although sock knitting keeps me calm in stressful situations, it can be frustrating when my stitches slide off my double pointed needles. I have always knitted socks with double pointed needles, but sometimes no matter how tightly I pull my yarn, joined ladders form between the knitting of separate needles.
When I mentioned my problem to a friend who works at the yarn shop in my hometown, she suggested magic loop knitting. I thought… what on earth is the magic loop?! About a month later I arrived at Berroco, and the magic loop method was still foreign to me.
Last night, longing to start a new sock, I decided I would finally take the time to learn the magic loop.
Check out my how-to video & try it yourself:
I really like this way of knitting in the round – it’s great for traveling with your knitting, the stitches don’t fall off and you could do a whole project from start to finish on your circular needles!
I am going to practice knitting my next pair of socks using the magic loop method (with no fear of throwing my socks-in-progress in my purse). What do you like to knit using this magical method?
Happy Knitting!
Emily
I tried magic loop years ago and didn’t really like it. I think my problem was that the Clover circs I was using had too stiff a cord. I’m currently knitting a cotton cardigan. I’m on the first sleeve and for the very first time am having tension problems where I switch from one dpn to the other. I think it’s the first time I’ve knit cotton on dpns too – I’m so used to the forgiving stretchiness of wool. So last night I decided to give magic loop another try with some better needles.
Perfect timing I thought when I saw your post! Except I can’t play the video. When I hit play, the screen goes all snowy with “This video is private” displayed in the middle.
Sorry about that! Just made the video public : )
The video works now. Nice overview and good to get confirmation that my memory of how to magic loop was correct. Thanks!
I have been very interested in what magic loop is and this video was great! I am still terrified of the “heel flap” and “gusset” on socks no matter what method you are using. A video on that would get wonderful!
Thank you for this wonderful video. I had heard of this method but didn’t understand the instructions. I finished a lace weight sweater on 4mm doublepoints and could not avoid laddering. I will rip those sleeves out and use this method. Yay…I can make it look so much better now.
Yay! I am so glad you found this helpful!
Reblogged this on Rahymah Handworks.
Where do you find magic loop needles at? Please let me know? I live in Central Calif. Thank you,
Kat. :0)
Hi Kat,
For magic loop knitting you actually just use circular needles that you would normally use for knitting in the round! In my video I used circular needles that were 24″ long (the length of the cord) but you can use longer cords depending on your preference. Most local yarn shops will have just what your looking for and I am sure will be happy to help : )
Emily, you are a genius at teaching! There’s nothing you’ve shown that I can’t understand, and everything you explain is done perfectly. Your deliberate pace and clear explanation, as well as the excellent photography, all make your demonstrations completely clear and effectively shown. Thank you so very much for all the help I’ve gotten from you. (I think maybe being a retired teacher, I’m especially appreciative of the gifts you have and share with us so beautifully! )
Wow, thank you Jane. Good teachers mean a lot to me too, I have been very lucky learning from wonderful teachers/mentors in my life, and you’re kind comment means so much to me. I am so happy that you find the information helpful : )
You’ve got very well information right.
Thanks! I’m glad you found it helpful : )