Using Double-Pointed Needles to Knit Socks

There are many methods for knitting in the round. In this video, knitting expert Corrina Ferguson explains how to knit in the round using double-pointed needles. Using this technique for knitting in the round can be used on a wide variety of knitting projects, but it’s especially useful on small circumference projects like knitted baby hats, sleeves, and socks. Corrina discusses specifically how to use double-pointed needles when knitting socks, but the same method can be used for any small circumference knitting.

When working with double-pointed needles (dpns) for knitting socks, you can arrange them in such a way that you’re using a total of four or five needles. Corrina prefers to use a total of five needles, and that is what she demonstrates in the video. She begins by casting on her stitches and working two rows of the ribbing flat (back and forth in rows) all on one needle. She then distributes the stitches evenly on four dpns by slipping the stitches the stitches purlwise onto the other needles. The fifth needle remains free to be used as the working needle.

Once the stitches are evenly distributed, the needles are arranged with the working yarn attached to the fourth needle. The needles are brought together in a square or cross-hatch and the first stitch is knit by bringing the working yarn from the fourth needle up to the first needle to knit the first stitch on the first needle. This joins the work in the round.

Now that the piece is joined in the round, Corrina begins working the ribbing pattern across the first needle. Once all the stitches have been worked on the first needle, that needle is now free and is used to work the stitches on the next double-pointed needle. This process is repeated for the remainder of the sock.

Corrina also discusses how use dpns when working a heel flap for a sock, a popular heel construction for top-down socks. She prefers to move all the heel stitches to one double-pointed needle by slipping stitches purlwise to get the heel stitches together on one needle. The heel flap would then be worked back and forth in rows.