I'm not very far in to my fetchings and I have to say, so far, I'm not convinced about knitting with dpns. I find it cumbersome and my fingers ache. I'll wait until I have finished the gloves before I decide whether I love or loathe it though.

Have you tried knitting on two circs or the magic loop and if you found it easy to learn/do. What size circs are best for each method? I'm wondering whether to try one of these methods when I do the socks if I really hate knitting with dpns.

Perhaps it's because you are tense and holding the sticks too tight. Loosen up a bit man, give em some slack :hihi: I found it very un-comfy at first, but are getting used to dpn's now. ;) Hey, I reset a Harry Potter wand with one today. Something long and thin was needed to stick down a hole and reset the wand and I just happen to have one handy :D- give them another go Doodle

I have tried 2 circular needles and the magic loop is not so different. They just need practise. But I am a convert to dpns. I have just, and I do mean just, got the knack. Like you I found them rather irritating at first but they do get easier and now I would not use anything else. There are many types of dpns and lengths. You may need to find which you prefer.

With dpns I find that I have to have knitted about an inch before things stop feeling awkward. I have tried knitting socks with both 2 circulars and the magic loop. For 2 circulars I think I used 60cm ones (or I might have had 1 60cm and 1 80cm one cant remember now - although you could use a pair of 80cm ones quite comfortably). For the magic loop dont try it with anything under 80cm - you just wont have enough cable to play with. I did the Gretel hat using magic loop. Either technique is easy to get the hang of and I found using circulars stopped you getting the annoying ladder that you get with dpns (although saying that I like dpns too).

I think there is an old thread about this - I will see if I can find it:)

....heres one http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=245029&highlight=magic

I haven't tried magic loop but I prefer DPN's. Like everyone else has said I found them really cumbersome at first and couldn't male my fingers work around them but after finishing Fetchings (that was my first project on DPN's too) I felt much better about them. Sometimes when I haven't used them for a few months (although that's quite rare) it's really awkward until, like lisa says, I've knit an inch or so. I found placing a cushion on my lap helped me with DPN's because it didn't feel like I was holding the knitting in the middle of the air with nothing to balance on!

Keep plodding on with them and give them a second chance! :)

Thanks for the info on the 2 circs and magic loop. I'm still plodding with the dpns and reserve final judgement until I have finished the fetchings.

I might try putting a cushion under my arms and see if that helps too.

Thanks for the info on the 2 circs and magic loop. I'm still plodding with the dpns and reserve final judgement until I have finished the fetchings.

I might try putting a cushion under my arms and see if that helps too.

I have just moved from 20cm dpns to 15cm and I much prefer them. They are easier to control and don't get in the way or scratch your wrist! I don't need to rearrange the needles after every section has been knitted so it is much quicker too. I also tried the bamboo needles but pefer metal as I am quite a tight knitter and the bamboo bends. My bamboo dpns are now banana shaped:D

My bamboo dpns are now banana shaped:D

Mine to :o I was thinking of taking them back to the shop but do you think it could be my fault :huh:

I like the short ones too for socks - I think my faves are 16cm but they seem to have developed a splitty bit in the end of one:(

I like the shorter bamboo ones, metal ones that thin seem to hurt my fingers. My only problem with bamboo is that it works out quite expensive when the cat keeps biting them! I'm busy ignoring her atthe moment as she has just bitten TWO of my bamboo dpns! :rant::mad:

I like the shorter bamboo ones, metal ones that thin seem to hurt my fingers. My only problem with bamboo is that it works out quite expensive when the cat keeps biting them! I'm busy ignoring her atthe moment as she has just bitten TWO of my bamboo dpns! :rant::mad:

I know how that feels - I have taken to locking stuff away :help: They just have no remorse at all do they :confused:

Mine to :o I was thinking of taking them back to the shop but do you think it could be my fault :huh:


Which shop.......? It's your fault......:D

I like the shorter bamboo ones, metal ones that thin seem to hurt my fingers. My only problem with bamboo is that it works out quite expensive when the cat keeps biting them! I'm busy ignoring her atthe moment as she has just bitten TWO of my bamboo dpns! :rant::mad:

Get her her own set :rolleyes:

Well after my moan on here, I'm a bit reluctant to say that I've actually enjoyed doing my first glove on dpns. I think it got easier towards the end and also at the beginning when you are doing the cable bit, you end up with all five needles and they go everywhere. So after my moan, I take it back and I will have a go with the dpns to do the sock. :D

Yay! I'm glad you persevered...it does get easier!

What I use depends on the size of the needles. For 3mm and under I use dpn's, for anything over that I use magic loop.

Which shop.......? It's your fault......:D

Are yours as bad as this though JillM :confused: Do you think the shop owner would take pitty on me :help:

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Wheezy_photos/DSCF4245.jpg

Are yours as bad as this though JillM :confused: Do you think the shop owner would take pitty on me :help:

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Wheezy_photos/DSCF4245.jpg

:lol: You must knit tight to get them to do that:hihi:

Are yours as bad as this though JillM :confused: Do you think the shop owner would take pitty on me :help:

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Wheezy_photos/DSCF4245.jpg

Lol :hihi:

Are yours as bad as this though JillM :confused: Do you think the shop owner would take pitty on me :help:

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Wheezy_photos/DSCF4245.jpg

I doubt it some of these shop keepers are round the bend ::::::: :)

Are yours as bad as this though JillM :confused: Do you think the shop owner would take pitty on me :help:

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r65/Wheezy_photos/DSCF4245.jpg

:hihi::hihi::hihi: My shop was a fruit and veg shop before I took the lease. No - it really was. Did you buy these back then??? Mine arent as bad as that but I am surprised at the extent of that curve - especially as they must be about 30mm dpns.......:huh:

Are yours as bad as this though JillM Do you think the shop owner would take pitty on me

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r...s/DSCF4245.jpg

Ive seen it all now!