Circular needles allow for knitting in the round, which is especially useful for projects like hats, and can also be used for flat knitting. The provided reference mentions that they make knitting items like hats quicker and more enjoyable (0:20).
Here's a breakdown of how they work:
- Construction: Circular needles consist of two short needle tips connected by a flexible cable. This cable can be made of various materials like nylon or plastic.
- Stitch Distribution: The stitches are distributed around the circumference of the needles and cable. This allows you to hold a large number of stitches comfortably.
- Knitting in the Round: To knit in the round, you cast on stitches and then join the first and last stitches to form a continuous loop. You then knit around and around, creating a seamless tube of fabric. This is much faster for projects like hats (4:39).
- Flat Knitting: Circular needles can also be used to knit flat pieces. You simply knit back and forth, turning the work at the end of each row, just like with straight needles. The long cable makes it easier to manage a large number of stitches.
