How to Knit Magic Loop for Beginners: Step-by-Step Knitting Guide
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Magic loop is a knitting technique that allows you to knit small projects (like socks, mittens, sleeves, and baby hats) using a single long circular needle.
Instead of juggling double pointed needles (DPNs) or knitting with micro circular needles, you can knit comfortably with one circular needle.
This is nothing short of revolutionary!
Because of magic loop, my 16” and 24” circular needles are collecting dust. And I basically never use my DPNs.
I don’t need to spend money on short cable lengths or DPNs because just one 40” circular needle can cover all the small and large circumferences I’ll ever knit. I can even use it to knit flat!
The incredible versatility of the 40” circular needle has made it my go-to needle for every project.
In this guide, I’ll walk through exactly how to knit magic loop for beginners, including the tools you need, step-by-step instructions, and common mistakes to avoid.
The Benefits of Magic Loop
While I admire the history and ingenuity of DPNs and even created a whole guide on how to knit in the round with double pointed needles, I have to admit that DPNs are my least favourite way to knit.
I find the transition from needle to needle clunky and awkward. And managing 4 needles can feel like a juggling and contortionist act.
Micro circular needles and 16” circulars cause my hands to cramp up after long stretches of knitting.
For these reason, the advantages of magic loop are obvious:
- get rid of double pointed needles
- knit more ergonomically
- save money by just buying one needle length instead of double pointed needles and smaller circular needles
Materials Needed
Before you start, gather these materials:
- Circular needle: choose a needle that’s at least 32″ long. 40″ is even better for beginners
- I’m using 4mm Addi needles for this tutorial. I love them!
- Yarn: choose a smooth, medium-weight yarn (worsted or aran) to practice
Magic Loop Video Tutorial
Watch my video tutorial where I walk you through all the steps for magic loop, including tips and common mistakes.
Magic Loop Step-by-Step Instructions
Set-Up Steps:
Cast On Stitches
- Cast on sts using the long tail cast on
- Pull the sts onto the cable
- Position the side of the stitches with the working yarn attached farther away from you
Divide the Stitches in Half
- With the stitches on the cable, fold the cable in half
- Pull the cable out from the stitches at the halfway point, splitting them in half
Magic Loop Steps:
1. Get into “Starting Position”
- Push the stitches onto the two needles
- Point the two needle tips to the right
- Ensure the working yarn is coming from the first stitch of the back needle. This is the “starting position” for magic loop
2. Don’t Get it Twisted
Make sure the stitches are not twisted. Ensure all the stitches are facing the same direction. Untwist any twists you see.
3. Free the Back Needle
Pull the back needle off of the stitches. This is the working needle.
4. Go Under the Yarn
Bring the working needle underneath the working yarn. This ensures you don’t create an accidental yarn over.
5. Double Check the Yarn Placement
- Insert the working needle into the first stitch on the front needle
- The cable attached to the working needle creates a loop. Make sure the working yarn is not inside the loop. If it’s inside the loop, grab the whole ball of yarn and take it outside of the loop to prevent creating a yarn over.
6. Knit Into the First Stitch on the Front Needle
Knit into the first stitch on the front needle. Tug on the first stitch to ensure it’s snug. This prevents laddering.
7. Knit all the Stitches on the Front Needle
Continue knitting all the stitches on the front needle. These are half the stitches on the round.
8. Rotate the Needles
- When all the stitches on the front needle are knit, rotate the needles so they are back in “starting position”
- Push the front stitches onto the needle close to the tips
Repeat Steps 3-8
Tips for Magic Loop Knitting
1. Tighten the first stitch
When knitting into the first stitch on the front needle, give the yarn a little tug to prevent ladders (loose gaps) from forming. Do this every time you knit into the front needle.
2. Beware of Twists on the Second Round
After knitting the first round, the stitches are not that stable. As a result, they can still be twisted.
As you slide them from the cable to the needles, make sure they remain untwisted before starting the second round.
After the second round the stitches should be stable enough that they won’t be twisted.
3. Use a Soft Flexible Cable
When choosing a needle for magic loop, test out the flexibility of the cable. The more supple it is, the better.
Stiff cables cab be hard to manoeuvre
4. Use the Leftover Yarn Tail as a Stitch Marker
While you can use a removable stitch marker or safety pin to mark the beginning of the round, I like to use the leftover yarn tail from the cast on to remind me of the beginning and end of the round.
This is an easy way to keep my knitting clutter-free.
(Yes, I consider an unnecessary stitch marker “clutter”!)
Common Mistakes with Magic Loop
Some of these points are mentioned in the tips above, but they bear repeating because of how easily they can sneak into your work.
Using a Needle That’s Too Short
If your cable isn’t long enough, stitches will feel cramped and hard to manage. It’s not a comfortable knitting experience.
Choose a needle that’s at least 32” if not longer. My preference is a 40” needle as that length covers most small circumference projects.
Accidental Yarn Overs
Make sure the working needle goes underneath the working yarn before knitting into the front needle.
The working yarn should be outside the cable loop when knitting. Refer to Step 6 above for more detail.
Twisting the Stitches
Always double check that the stitches are not twisted before joining in the round and on the first two rounds of knitting.
Ladders Forming Between Needles
If the knitting tension is too loose when transitioning between the back and front needles, a gap will form between the two needles on every round.
This results in a vertical line of gaps, called “laddering” because of its similarity to a ladder.
To prevent laddering, pull the working yarn firmly after knitting the first stitch on the front needle. This will prevent gaps forming in the knitting.
Play around with the tension so you have enough tension to prevent a gap, but not so much tension that you struggle to move the stitches from cable to needle.
Good luck on Your Magic Loop Journey!
Learning how to knit magic loop may feel awkward at first, but with just a little practice it becomes second nature. You’ll be able to knit any size project in the round using a single circular needle.
And, like me, you might never go back to double pointed needles!