Knitting in the Round – Beginner vs Experienced

When I started designing patterns I looked into what was considered what experience level. I was startled to learn that knitting in the round is considered experienced level. I really thought that knitting in the round was a beginner level. Not necessarily easy beginner but definitely only needing a little bit of experience with getting to know the knit stitch and purl stitch to graduate to knitting in the round. Other than taking a look to make sure that the knitting isn’t twisted on the needles, knitting in the round is just a matter of placing a stitch marker and start knitting at the first stitch on the needle(s).

A good first in the round project is a simple ribbed stockinette cowl. The ribbing will keep the ends from curling up. Cowls are really on trend right now and that’s a perfect project to learn knitting in the round. Cast on desired stitches, depending on yarn size, needle size and the gauge you knit at.

For example, on size 6 needles with a worsted weight yarn (4) cast on about 80-90 stitches (keeping it an even number will make ribbing simple to keep track of because the round will always end on purl so you start new round with knit every time) Check that the stitches didn’t twist, then just start knitting into the first stitch on the other end of the circular needle. 

That’s it.

Go ahead and knit that entire first row. A few rows or a few inches of 1x1 or 2x2 ribbing will help keep the ends from curling up. Then just knit around and around until you have the height you want and do the same number of rows or inches of ribbing as at the start. Bind off loosely.

Voila! A cowl knit in the round. As simple as can be. It’s when we start with the special cast ons and bind offs and some stitch patterns that it gets into the experienced range. Don’t worry about that with the first project.

I think knitting should be fun. If it’s not fun the knitting needles just get dusty. Knitting in the round should be considered beginning level. Maybe not an easy beginning but definitely a "few projects under the belt" beginning. Give it a shot! When in doubt, bring out that nice smooth, inexpensive yarn, and don’t be afraid to rip it out. But I think you’ll find that working a ribbed, straight stockinette cowl in the round is a doable beginner project.