Joining in the Round
Joining a flat cast-on into a round of knitting is a small operation but a critical one — done badly, it leaves a visible step or twisted join that no blocking can fix.
Recommended A printable technique cheat-sheet for your knitting bag.
Method
Cast on the required stitches and confirm that the cast-on edge is not twisted around the needle (look at the bottom edge — it should run smoothly with no twists). Place a marker for the start of the round. Knit the first stitch from the cast-on with the working yarn from the last stitch — joining the two ends.
Avoiding twists
A twisted join cannot be fixed without ripping back. Before joining, lay the work flat on a table and confirm the cast-on edge runs smoothly with no twists. Some knitters cast on one extra stitch, knit the first round, then drop the extra and pass the now-loose stitch through to neaten the join.
In partnership Tools and supplies that make this technique easier.
Tightening the join
Pull the working yarn extra tight on the first 2–3 stitches after the join to close any gap. The join should be invisible from the right side after blocking.
Marking the start
Always place a stitch marker at the start of the round. Without it, you will lose your place after a few rounds and have to count back to find the start.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| CO | cast on |
| st(s) | stitch(es) |
Tips
- Always confirm the cast-on edge has no twist before joining.
- Pull the first 2–3 stitches after the join extra tight to close any gap.
- Place a stitch marker at the start of the round and never remove it.
In depth
Joining in the round transforms a flat row of cast-on stitches into a continuous loop. The join itself is mechanically just the first stitch of the second round, but the gap between the cast-on tail and the working yarn must be closed by tight tension on the first few stitches.