9 Reasons to Finally Try Magic Loop

Since I started knitting with magic loop instead of double-pointed needles, many things about my knitting have changed. There’s no Second Sock Syndrome, my sleeves are all the same length, and I have way fewer needles to deal with.

Magic Loop vs DPNs

Are you thinking about trying magic loop but have yet to dive in?

Perhaps we can convince you to give it a go! And if you don’t like it, hey, those double-pointed needles will forgive you for betraying them!

Waffle Hat Knitting Pattern

Photo via Craftsy member voronjonok’s Pattern Store

1. You’ll save money on needles.

One long circular can do the job of several circular needles and a set of DPNs. For instance, if you’re making the Waffle Hat pictured above using regular circulars,  you’d need two 16″ circulars and one set of DPNs. (The cuff is knit with a smaller needle to make the brim tidier, so that’s why you need 16″ needles.)

But if you were using magic loop, you could just use a long circular needle in two sizes, eliminating the need for that third set of needles. For larger projects like sweaters, you’ll really see a difference in the number of needles. 

2. You’ll need less storage space.

We’re not saying you should throw away all your double-pointed needles and shorter circulars. I actually keep most of mine in case I’m using long needle for another project or if I’m just in the mood to knit in the round the traditional way.

But in the end, fewer needles mean less storage. When one long circular can replace all circular sizes and double-pointed needles, you really only need one long circular in each size — and that’s it! 

You might decide to keep some of those other needles as extras, just in case, or you can give them to another knitter who might need them.

Josie Top Down Sweater

Photo via Craftsy member fashionworks

3. You can knit things like mittens, socks, and sleeves two at a time.

The magic loop technique is a lifesaver for sweaters like the Josie Top Down Sweater you see above. There are a couple of benefits to knitting two at a time.

  • First, everything will be the same size. No more of those oops-one-sleeve-is-longer-than-the-other moments. No more socks with different cuff or foot lengths. 
  • Also, once you’re finished, that’s it! You don’t have to finish one sleeve only to realize, ugh, you still have another sleeve to go.

4. It’s easier to store your WIP.

Double-pointed needles make quite a mess in your project bag. Once, I even had a DPN break in half right there in my bag, unraveling part of the project. Magic loop can be stored flat, though, so you never have to worry about needles breaking or slipping off your work.

5. You won’t lose needles in a set.

The problem I always had with double-pointed needles is that I had a lot of incomplete sets. One double-pointed needle might slip out of my project bag somehow, or maybe the cat played with one and rolled it under the couch.

Magic loop uses just the one needle, so there’s no set to keep up with. That’s good news for knitters who knit on the go!

6. It makes portable knitting easier.

This is great for knitters who travel a lot with their knitting, since you only have to worry about one needle instead of an entire set!

Carved in Cables Mittens

Photo via Craftsy member JMO Creations

7. Intricate patterns like cables or shaping are easier to work.

With magic loop, your work is only divided into two parts, so techniques like shaping and cables are much easier. With double-pointed needles, I was constantly shifting my stitches needle to needle in order to k2tog, for example.

For the Carved in Cables Fingerless Mitts you see above, you could knit the entire front of the mitts one one needle without needing to move anything around for the cable pattern. 

8. Ladders are not a big problem.

With double-pointed needles, each time you start a new needle you run the risk of a ladder. And since there might be three or four needles, that means there might be three or four spots where the stitches don’t look super neat.

With magic loop, though, you only have two places where the needles change. That means you can really focus your energy on avoiding ladders in just those two spots.

9. You’ll learn something new.

If none of these other benefits appeal to you, think about it this way: When you try magic loop, you’re just adding to your long list of knitting techniques! Even if you never decide to use it again, at least you can say you’ve tried it.

Are you a fan of magic loop?

Why or why not? Leave us a comment and let us know what you think.

Share tips, start a discussion or ask one of our experts or other students a question.

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