I have heard & read a lot about this debate. It's an issue that I am also debating about every time I cast on a project - should I use magic loop with the circular needle or should I just go with my dpns ?
I even taught a few classes on the magic loop & every one who attended the class love it & think that it's the greatest invention. Even 1st time sock knitters love it & would not even attempt using dpns. In my knitting groups, the scenario is the same - there are more knitters magic looping & less using dpns. WHY ?
As I cast on this pair of mittens for my niece, I was reminded again of this great debate. I just don't understand the love affair that everyone is having with magic loop. I have tried it many times & always ended up changing to my dpns as I just can't carry on pulling & pushing the cord. It's was an agony for me to finish a pair of socks & a pair of mittens for my class. I can't imagine using the magic loop for the rest of my life.
I have just cast off the mittens & enjoyed knitting every stitch with my dpns !
12 comments:
I find magic loop is more "even" for me with no ladders like DPNs *but* that being said, I do enjoy a nice knit with my DPNs too. Something about them...feel traditional or something. Pretty mittens
I still haven't really try knitting with DPNs before so can't really say I don't like them but I do enjoy doing magic loop on circulars :D
The mittens are lovely, gorgeous yarn.
I like both dpns and magic loop. For me, I find toe up socks easier with magic loop (mainly because Judy's magic cast on is easier with magic loop than dpns). You also don't have to worry about dropping a needle (eg on public transport!). And I don't get ladders with ML while I still do with dpns.
But dpns make me feel clever (heh!) and I like the shorter rows, good if you only have a minute and use that to knit!
That's the beauty of knitting though, you can use whichever technique suits you best!
I love dpns. I have tried the magic loop and two circulars but I love the way dpns arrange the stitches in convenient batches and I just like them. I love my 'square' dpns to!! Dpn knitters of the world unite!!!
I don't know I started out with dpns and thought they were fine, I did have some issues with laddering, and then I used magicloop didn't have that problem anymore. But you are tempting me to try them out for something and see if I didn't give them a fair chance.
I wonder if you love what you first learned? I learned on dpns and since I don't mind them, I've never really felt the urge to try the magic loop method. I rarely have problems with ladders unless I'm purling (and I'll post a hat soon with that issue and ask for suggestions!) so again...dpns satisfy me. Even with sleeves knit in the round...I've tried dpns and the 2 needles method (2 circular needles) and most days I'll go back to dpns...they seem more comfortable to me.
Thank you for this timely topic, as I, too, flip back and forth. I like the Magic Loop better than using two circular needles. I also like that I do not have to worry about dropping a dpn when I knit in public.
I like the feel of my wooden dpns. Using the Magic Loop helps me to minimize my ladders as does never starting a needle with a purl. I move the stitches around to accommodate this. Lately, I am using the Magic Loop but will likely start some socks for my 7 year old nephew on dpns.
I prefer dpns, but I'll use ML if my dpns are busy or if I'm traveling and I'm concerned about dropping or losing a dpn. Dropping a dpn on an airplane is a PITA... the floor of an airplane can be so disgusting.
I love knitting with DPNs and have never really grasp the Magic Loop method
Like you told me once at knitting, you don't get ladders while knitting with DPNs whereas I do. Though admittedly, since receiving a set of signature DPNs,mice been madly knitting socks away on them in the hopes of one day not having any ladders. In any case, it does block out some!
Interesting discussion... this will always come down to personal preferrence. I find that magic loop in smaller objects and finer yarn tends to distort the stitches leaving holes and gaps. I prefer to use 2 circulars as my method of choice for small socks or mittens.
I use dpns and magic loop for different types of projects, and I would want to have to switch either to the opposite method.
I use dpns for cabled gloves (natalya), tiny sock ornaments, and sleeves for sweaters. I use magic loop for socks and fleegle's sjaarte booties. The cables would be much harder to do without the space in the middle of the dpns, but the ability to knit both socks at once with magic loop is definitely a boon.
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