roundknitted

Roundknitted is a term used in textile crafts to describe fabric and garments produced by knitting in the round, yielding a seamless tubular knit. In roundknitting, work is joined to form a continuous circle using circular needles, double-pointed needles, or long circulars, allowing construction without side seams. The technique contrasts with flat knitting, where pieces are knitted flat and later joined together.

Techniques and tools: The tube is created by joining the live stitches at the start of the first round and continuing to knit rounds in the chosen stitch pattern. Common methods include the magic loop technique, two circular needles, and multiple double-pointed needles. Patterns such as stockinette, ribbing, or simple colorwork can be executed in rounds. Shaping is typically achieved with increases and decreases within rounds, occasional short rows, or by knitting pieces in the round for specific sections and then joining.

Materials and applications: Roundknitting supports a wide range of yarn weights from fingering to bulky. It is especially suited to hats, socks, mittens, cuffs, and sleeves, as well as seamless sweaters and bags. The seamless nature provides a smooth wear and reduces finishing work, while gauge must be managed to fit dimensions. Some patterns require careful planning to avoid jogs or ladders at color changes, and certain shaping tasks may still be done by modifying stitches within rounds.

Terminology and history: The term roundknitted is used in contemporary knitting discourse to denote tubular, seamless fabric produced by knitting in the round. While knitting in the round has a long history, roundknitted as a label emphasizes the finished tubular form rather than the flat panels that are later joined. It is commonly discussed alongside standard methods such as circular knitting, tube-knitting, and seamless garment construction.