Here’s an easy circular center start method that begins on just 2 needles.
It might feel like cheating, but will still produce a neat, tidy center.
Circular lace doilies and shawls usually start in the center with 6 or 8 stitches. Attempting to knit the first couple of rounds circularly with so few stitches on a set of 4 or 5 needles can be fiddly and frustrating. Here’s an easy center start method that begins on just 2 needles. It might feel like cheating, but it will keep the fun in your knitting while still producing a neat, tidy center.
Tip: Use non-slippery needles to start the center if you have them (e.g. bamboo, wood, or coated metal).
I’ll be using the 6-repeat circular pattern Pinwheel Flower Doily from this month’s KAL to demonstrate. Patterns of this type begin with 6 stitches at the center; i.e. one stitch for each repeat.
Tip: Use smaller needles than called for in the pattern to start the center. This eliminates extra bulk caused by the bunching of the stitches around the center, and thus avoids the possible dimpling/puckering you might have experienced before if starting with the (larger) needles as called for in a project.
Cast on: For the Pinwheel Flower Doily, we cast on 6 sts to a US 3 needle. I know you are going to ask … No, it doesn’t really matter what type of cast on. I usually use long tail cast on for this, but you could alternatively use your favorite knitted-on cast on.
Foundation row: Using a 2nd double point needle, turn to WS and purl across the 6 stitches.
Increase row: Still using only two double point needles, turn to RS and work as follows — [yarn over, knit 1] 6 times. You now have a total of 12 stitches on one of your double point needles. Note: This row replaces the first increase round on typical 6-section doily patterns.
12 stitches on one needle
Lasso the cast on stitches: Beginning with the cast-on st the furthest from the cast-on yarn tail, pull tail through lower loop of each cast-on st using either a threaded tapestry needle or crochet hook.
Pulling yarn tail through lower loop of furthest cast on stitch
Pulling yarn tail through lower loop of next cast on stitch
Pulling yarn tail through lower loop of final cast on stitch
Yarn tail has been pulled through all cast on stitches
You can go ahead and pull the yarn tail loop smaller, but not so snugly yet as to interfere with doing the next step of arranging the stitches on double point needles for circular knitting.
Pulling the yarn tail to close the loop
Distribute stitches on three of your double point needles (i.e. 4 stitches on each needle).
Distribute sts on three of the US 3 double point needles
Arrange double point needles for circular knitting.
Plain round: With your 4th US 3 double point needle, knit the 12 stitches. Note: This is the plain round 2 of typical 6-section doily patterns.
With 4th US 3 double point needle, knit a plain round
Cinch ’em up: After completing the round, pull the cast-on tail to close circle snugly. Do not cut the yarn end yet as it will be easier to see if there is any need to tidy up the center after the knitting of the doily has been completed.
Tip: I also like to use the yarn tail as a convenient way to mark the beginning of round.
Round 2 completed and yarn tail being used as beginning of round marker
Continue pattern: Now you can change to the larger needles called for in the pattern (size US 6 needles for the Pinwheel Flower Doily), and continue knitting circularly starting at round 3.
Round 3 completed on larger needles (18 sts)
Note: The same method can be extended to 8-repeat circular patterns that begin with 8 stitches.
p.s. The HeartStrings Lace Doily Beret also uses this Easy Center Start in the pattern instructions.
HeartStrings FiberArts
Knitting Bits of Lace on Facebook
Ravelry Store
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How cool! Thanks for this tutorial. I’m gonna try it next time I knit in the round.
This is a GREAT tip! I have shied away from center starts in my older years, as I remember all too well the Keystone Cops effect of juggling several slippery small needles! This encourages me to give it a go, perhaps making a Flower Doily washcloth for a gift basket. Many thanks.
I can not get the beginning circle————- is there something else I can try,double point and I don’t get along :-(————————Please Help———-I so want to make this
As a learning project, I strongly recommend you use yarn that is sport or DK weight as planned for the project (or even worsted weight). After get the technique nailed down and become comfortable, then you can go to thinner yarn and smaller needles like the size 20 thread you want to eventually use.
Jackie,is it possible to pick this up magic loop after you have started? Really have never done well with double points !
Or anybody else that can answer this question,also wanting to make this out of #20 cotton,how small will they be and what size needle should I use,how many repeats should I do,etc?
Thanks,
Sis
Sure, you can use magic loop if you want.
If using size 20 crochet cotton, I would guestimate US 0 needles. You’d still do the same number of repeats, assuming you want a circle that lies flat. It just will be smaller.
Thank you for this great tip!
Jackie, this is brilliant. Thanks for making the tutorial so detailed and easy to understand. I will no longer shy away from knitting that starts with a few stitches in the centre.
This resembles the magic loop start to crocheting in the round. You crochet your first row and then pull the strand to tighten the circle just like you did her. How cool that it can be used for knitting. Now I think I can tackle this type of pattern. Thanks.
I had the same thought.
Thank you for this tutorial! What a beautiful start! I will try this one today once my garden chores are done!!
Thank you so much! You have made my life so much easier when it comes to knitting on double points and small projects.
Elaine
Thats so cool . I`ve been knitting over 60 years and would never have thought of doing this, it`s so easy. So this old dog (pussycat really) just learnt another new trick..Thank you for sharing your clever ideas and tips.
You are such a wonderful teacher! Thanks so much for the great photos and tips! Love this pattern!
Vel
This is wonderful! thank you so much!
This is genious! Centre cast-on is so tricky. I will be sure to try this way next time I do it. Thanks for the tutorial.
Your technique is great – thank you so much – I have struggled with lumpy centers when knitting circles – I have made 4 of the pinwheel flowers and the centers are perfect!!!!
Glad that the easy center start technique helped you so much that you’ve already enjoyed making 4 perfect-center pinwheel flowers. Good for you!
Wonderful idea and makes this pattern SO much easier to start.
Thank you for sharing with us!
Thank you, Jackie – I’m going to try this!