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Tips for working in the round:
Most berets are worked in the round to keep them fluid and seamless. There are some important differences between working in the round and working a piece flat.
The first thing to remember is that you need to use circular needles that are smaller in circumference than the piece you are working, or use double-pointed needles. Small items such as hats and socks can be worked using double-points throughout. However, when you work a large piece, like a sweater, in the round you will need to start on circular needles. If the piece grows or narrows in circumference, you might need to switch to a circular needle of a different circumference, then change to double points when you come to narrow parts like sleeves and neck.
When casting on to knit in the round, make sure that the stitches aren’t twisted, that they are all facing the same direction. Then bring the needle points together, place a marker and begin to work in pattern. Continue to knit until you reach the marker (end of round), slip marker, make sure that the stitches are not twisted and pull the yarn firmly before knitting the next stitch. If the stitches are not all facing the same way, the piece will end up with a twisted, mobius style. Ripping out is the only remedy.
Stitch patterns that are worked in the round are written differently than those for flat knitting. There are no RS and WS rows, there are only rounds (rnds). The marker placed at the join of the two ends of the cast-on row signifies the beginning and end of a round. Rounds are almost always worked with the RS always facing. For example, if you were to work stockinette stitch in the round, you would knit all stitches on every round--never any purls. The purl bumps will show up on the inside of the piece.
When reading a chart for a pattern worked in the round, follow the chart from right to left for every round. In flat knitting, charts are read from right to left on RS rows, and left to right on WS rows.
To bind off a piece knitted in the round, bind off as for a piece knitted flat until there is one stitch on the left needle that has not been bound off. There will also be one stitch on the right hand needle that has been bound off. Take the stitch from the right needle and slip it to the left needle, then pass the stitch that has not been bound off over the stitch just moved to the left hand needle. Thread the yarn thru the remaining stitch and pull tight.
For hat’s like Melissa Lynn’s that are knitted in the round from forehead to crown, the final stitches don’t need to be bound off. Instead, cut the yarn leaving a 10” tail, and thread the yarn through the remaining stitches. If you pull the yarn through twice and then weave in the end, this will provide a secure closure.
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