How To
Little Lessons: Join, Being Careful Not to Twist
How many times have you read that pattern instruction to “Join, being careful not to twist”?
If you are a newer knitter, perhaps this is the first time you’ve come across that instruction. And if you hang around with knitting patterns for long enough, I doubt that this will be the last time you see it!
I think it’s a knitter’s rite of passage to, at least once in their knitting career, discover that they are working on a twisted tube. It’s also quite likely that the more experienced you are, the more stitches you will have cast on, before discovering your error (ask me how I know that).
It is SO FLIPPING ANNOYING!
Never fear though! I’m here to show you what that instruction means if you’ve not tried before. And I’m also going to give you a few tips on avoiding the dreaded twist, which I hope will be useful even if you’re a seasoned knitter in the round.
This little lesson will be helpful no matter what project in the round you choose to work on, but it’s going to be SUPER helpful if you are working on the Debut Pullover by Karida Collins, from Field Guide No. 18: Beginnings.
Yes, we want one in every color of Organic Studio DK too.
Off to a brilliant start
The Debut Pullover (Ravelry link) has you start by working the sleeves using double-pointed needles. I love patterns that start with the sleeves! It’s like a nice amuse-bouche to get you going before the main course of the body.
The instructions tell you to cast on your stitches, and then there’s that classic line: Join, being careful not to twist sts. In this first video tutorial I show you how to join, how to check for a twist, and how to check for a twist at the end of the first round and remove it if needed. I’ve also included a top tip if you find it tricky to see whether the cast-on edge is twisted or not. Spoiler alert: you can knit the first row flat, before joining into the round.
Video notes: If you are watching on YouTube, you can hover over the time bar to see the different sections of the video, which is handy if there’s a particular thing you want to re-watch. The video also has subtitles which you can display by clicking on the CC button.
No-fear join on circular needles
Once you’ve made your sleeves, it’s on to the body of this elegant sweater, and there it is again! That line: Join, being careful not to twist sts. This time it’s the circular needle edition!
The happy news is that it’s actually a bit easier on a circular needle, as you don’t have to worry about the joins between the double-pointed needles. Everything is just on the one needle and you simply have to bring the tips together. Without twisting.
Our video tutorial shows you the way to fearlessly join and ensure that you don’t get anything in a twist, let alone those stitches.
Once again there are instructions on getting rid of a twist after the first round, as well as that top tip for working the first row flat if you fancy a bit of extra security. We have you covered knitters!
Go forth and knit your Debut Pullover. Whether it’s actually your first garment, or simply the first garment this month, you will be joining in the round like a pro.
Happy knitting!
This Could Come in Handy
Come Shop With Us
Definitely saved this one ! It has not happened to me in a long time, but is is ever annoying (&$#% !) when it does !
It never occurred to me that I could just flip the twist out at the end of the first round when I have one sneak in there. Thank you!
I am not sure I even saw this correctly. She didn’t use an empty needle to start knitting. That idea has never crossed my mind; I think juggling that fifth needle is so tricky at the beginning. I will be pulling out the dpns again this afternoon!
If I have a large number of stitches to cast on, I use a spool of brightly colored lacey trim and as I cast on, I place a loop of the trim on my needles every 10th stitch. Stitches do not twist and I have an easy way of counting the stitches. I drop the loops of trim as I start knitting and roll it back on the spool for next time. I came across the hint a long time ago and can’t remember who to credit but it’s a wonderful way to keep your stitches from twisting.
That is brilliant!!
Can you do the sleeves of that sweater with the magic loop method? I hate using double points and don’t do a very good job with them
Thank you Donna! You asked my question and I am waiting with bated breath for the answer! I like the efficiency of being able to do both sleeves at the same time.
You absolutely can use Magic Loop! For any small circumference knitting. I don’t even own dpns. More than 2 sharp pointy things in my hands is a danger to self and others;)
It’s nice doing the sleeves first, because they’re like an extra gauge swatch before the body of the sweater. No matter how experienced you are, the twisted row is very annoying. Check, check, triple check!
My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different website and thought I may as well check
things out. I like what I see so now i am following you.
Look forward to looking at your web page repeatedly.
Thanks for your publiction. Another element is that being a photographer will involve not only difficulties in taking award-winning photographs and also hardships in getting the best digicam suited to your requirements and most especially challenges in maintaining the standard of your camera. This can be very real and visible for those photographers that are into capturing this nature’s fascinating scenes : the mountains, the forests, the actual wild or the seas. Visiting these amazing places definitely requires a camera that can surpass the wild’s tough landscapes.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your website. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Exceptional work!
I do love the manner in which you have framed this particular difficulty and it really does give us some fodder for consideration. On the other hand, from what I have witnessed, I basically hope as the actual reviews pile on that individuals stay on point and in no way start on a soap box regarding some other news du jour. All the same, thank you for this fantastic point and while I do not necessarily agree with the idea in totality, I value your point of view.
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your site. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more pleasant for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a developer to create your theme? Superb work!
I was just looking for this information for a while. After 6 hours of continuous Googleing, at last I got it in your site. I wonder what’s the lack of Google strategy that don’t rank this kind of informative websites in top of the list. Usually the top sites are full of garbage.
I am really enjoying the theme/design of your weblog. Do you ever run into any internet browser compatibility problems? A small number of my blog readers have complained about my site not operating correctly in Explorer but looks great in Opera. Do you have any ideas to help fix this problem?
Thanks for the ideas you talk about through your blog. In addition, quite a few young women exactly who become pregnant will not even attempt to get medical insurance because they are concerned they might not qualify. Although many states currently require that insurers provide coverage in spite of the pre-existing conditions. Prices on these kinds of guaranteed plans are usually greater, but when taking into consideration the high cost of medical care it may be a safer approach to take to protect the financial potential.