How to Knit A Tube With Straight Needles
Want to learn how to knit a tube with straight needles? Here are 3 beginner-friendly methods that every knitter should know about.
Unlike what you may believe, knitting in the round with straight needles is not impossible. While many knitters love a pair of circular needles that allows you to just cast on and start knitting in the round, sometimes this isn't an option.
A few reasons you may want to knit a tube with straight needles could include:
- Circular knitting needles aren't available
- Knitting a tube with circular needles would be too big
- You feel uncomfortable knitting with circular needles
Whatever the reason, there are options! It is absolutely possible to knit a tube by knitting in the round with straight needles and I'm going to show you 2 easy ways to do that.
The 2 ways to knit a tube:
- Using double-pointed needles (DPNs)
- Knitting flat and seaming together
Ready to get started? Let's dive in!
Use DPNs
The first method is to use DPNs, or double pointed needles.
This is my favorite method to knit a tube with straight needles.
Double pointed needles got their name because unlike traditional straight needles which have a point on one end and a flat end on the other, DPNs have a point on both ends, with no flat end.
More specifically, the flat end on traditional knitting needles acts as the end point. It protects the stitches from just sliding off the needle, but also prevents us from knitting in the round. That's where DPNs shine.
DPNs are straight in that there is no cord making these circular knitting needles. This method of knitting in the round with straight needles is the most similar in method to that with circular needles.
To knit a tube with double pointed needles, first cast on the amount of stitches that you need on each of the needles.
It is typical to use 5 total DPNs at a time, with active stitches only on 4 out of the 5. For example, if I want my tube to be 40 stitches in circumference, then I would cast on 10 stitches on each needle.
Then, cast on one more stitch on your last needle.
Sticking with the 40 stitch example, by casting on one more stitch, 3 of my needles would have 10 stitches and the last one I cast on would have 11 stitches, for a total of 41 stitches.
Then, join in the round by slipping one stitch purlwise from the left hand needle to the right hand needle. Slip the extra stitch over this stitch, letting it fall off the needle. Then, slip the stitch that you placed on the right hand needle back to the left hand needle. Tighten the yarn.
To practice this, check out this Free Knit Scrunchie Pattern, which uses DPNs to knit the scrunchie.
Seam the Tube After Knitting
The next option is to knit a flat panel with straight needles and then seam the end pieces together to create tube. This is the most simple way to knit a tube with straight needles. However, if you prefer a tube that is seamless, then I recommend you use the other two methods.
With that being said, a tube that is knit this way can look very polished still when done properly.
Additionally, I recommend you proceed with caution if you are using a bulky weight yarn, as introducing a seam could create bulk.
If we stick with our 40 stitch circumference tube, here are the steps:
1. Cast on 40 sts
2. Knit in stitch pattern (i.e. garter, stockinette, etc) to your desired length
3. Seam the edges of the fabric together using whatever seaming method blends best with your stitch pattern. For example, I usedmattress stitch for garter stitch to create a nearly invisible join that mimics continuous fabric.
Double Knit a Tube with Straight Needles
This is a method that I didn't include as a method to knit a tube, but I thought was worth mentioning. Here's why:
Double knitting is a method of knitting that creates a reversible fabric with knit stitches on either side. Here is an excellent tutorial that talks in depth about double knitting.
While it can form a tube-like structure, technically the bottom and the top are sealed from cast-on and cast-off, so it does not create a tube with an opening like the previous 2 other methods.
Those are the methods! This post was all about how to knit a tube with straight needles to help you with your knitting endeavors. Happy Knitting!