roundknitting

Roundknitting, or knitting in the round, is a method of fabric construction in which the knitter works in a continuous loop, producing a seamless tube rather than a flat rectangle. This technique is widely used for hats, sleeves, socks, cowls, and other tubular garments, as well as for accessories such as mittens and scarves when worked on circular needles or double-pointed needles.

Tools and methods commonly involved include circular knitting needles (fixed-length circulars or interchangeable) and sets of double-pointed needles. A circular needle can be used with techniques such as the magic loop to knit small circumferences with a single needle. Work typically begins with a cast-on that creates a closed loop, after which rounds are knit continuously. In round knitting, there is no turning of the work; the fabric produced is stockinette in the round when knit rounds are used, or garter in the round when every round is purled.

Techniques for avoiding common issues include selecting an appropriate cast-on method, ensuring the join is not twisted, and managing joins on long circulars to minimize gaps. Colorwork can be incorporated in the round, and practices such as jogless methods help reduce visible joins when changing colors. Knitters may also choose alternative methods such as using two circulars or the two-needle method for different circumferences or personal preference.

Applications extend beyond garments to accessories and home textiles, with roundknitting enabling seamless construction and efficient production of tubular forms. The approach emphasizes continuous, tubular fabric and offers options for texture (stockinette or garter) and decorative techniques, depending on the chosen stitch pattern.