Success with Magic Loop

Yes, YOU CAN do this! Let me show you how I have taught many dozens of customers over the past few years how to do Magic Loop. You don't have to settle for the fuss and trouble of double pointed needles (DPNs) anymore! This episode covers the type of needle to choose, the length you need, my top tip for troubleshooting your cast-on, and the basic steps. PLEASE! Let me know if it helps you become a magic looper! (But don't sweat it if you decide it's not for you - that's what Episode 11 is for!) :)
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The style of wool needles I love - great for the basting and weaving in ends:
Knitters Pride Wool Needles: amzn.to/3RYimTV
(Yup...it's an affiliate link. 🙂)
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Patterns featured this episode:
Easy Peasy Socks for First-Timers:
ravel.me/easy-peasy-socks-for...
DK Weight Vanilla Socks:
ravel.me/dk-weight-vanilla-socks
Berry Baby Hat:
ravel.me/berry-baby-hat
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Does Grandma's Spinning Wheel have a yarn you want me to review? Let me know in the comments or send me an email.
[e-mail]
RAVELRY GROUP: iHeartYarn
INSTAGRAM: FeatherandFiber
Music: Epidemic Sound:
I Wanna Get High on You (Instrumental Version) - Elwin
www.epidemicsound.com/track/i...
Happy-Go-Lucky - Victor Lundberg: www.epidemicsound.com/track/r...
Down by the Creek - Victor Lundberg www.epidemicsound.com/track/v...
Luvsick - Collin Lim
www.epidemicsound.com/track/X...

[@JenniferHolvoet]

the basting idea was a winner. Thanks for suggesting it!

[@iHeartYarn]

You are most welcome - happy knitting! 😊

[@VML9990]

I tried to comment twice before figuring how to do this which shows how tech-challenged I am but I really got a lot out of this Magic Loop video and will try it out soon. I'm going to look for a few more tutorials while on a roll. Thank you! You are an excellent teacher!

[@iHeartYarn]

Thank you for watching! I hope it makes your knitting life easier and happier. 😊

[@christinemccoy5237]

It all makes sense now! This was brilliant, thank you.

[@iHeartYarn]

You are most welcome - glad you found it useful, and thank you for watching!

[@beverlywoodworth9164]

Excellent, excellent teaching. Thank you.

[@iHeartYarn]

You're very welcome!

[@fish8cat]

I could have bought a car with the money I spent on all of those dpns and shyed away from magic loop. I know how to do it, but when you cast on a lot of stitches, it's frustrating. Your basting tip was awesome! Thank you. I have just subscribed to your channel!

[@iHeartYarn]

Welcome! Thank you for watching, and don't beat yourself up about the DPN's...evolution is like that sometimes!

[@vickik2369]

Genius tip to prevent the twist. Thank you for this very helpful video. 😊

[@iHeartYarn]

Glad it was helpful. 🙂👍

[@belindaplayfair5971]

Thanks for all the great hacks.

[@The-Cute-One]

Yup, knitting a couple rows leaving the tail to seam up after...just like regular knitting in the round.

[@tallgrass000]

Oh my gosh, Shanna, what a brilliant idea! Thank you so much. I will definitely do the basting stitches the next time I have a magic loop project. It will alleviate all the fumbling that happens with these *mature* fingers of mine! Hope to see you in September. xo

[@tinkerbell9399]

Finally, I understand magic loop knitting. I bought myself some lovely needles with cables, but have never worked out really how to use them. Thanks so much for this video. New subscriber here. Greetings from UK

[@iHeartYarn]

Welcome! I love hearing from international viewers! I’m so glad you found the video helpful. Let me know if there are any other topics you would like me to help with.🙂

[@Kat-Knows]

I just call it 'THAT' loop! But really ur video was very insightful for keeping the stitching from getting twisted etc. I am going to definitely try this method. It just seems so logical & successful. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this video. God bless you for your patience.

[@iHeartYarn]

You are most welcome - thank you for watching!

[@kathleenblaes-garcia3024]

Thank you so much for telling the part about keeping the yarn in the middle when the 2 needles are parallel before pulling out the top needle. I was getting my yarn caught in the middle of the right loop and creating my yarn getting all twisted around that loop!! It was so frustrating!!! WHew!!! I got it now. Much appreciated!!!

[@iHeartYarn]

You are so welcome! 🙂

[@sparkyin3d]

I will definitely use it ! Thank you ❤!

[@iHeartYarn]

You're welcome 😊

[@therancholoco]

Great and clear!

[@iHeartYarn]

Glad it was helpful! Thank you for watching!

[@MyRedLeaf]

Excellent video, thank you! 🧶

[@iHeartYarn]

You are most welcome - thank you for watching!

[@lmcbinbin]

Thank you so much for your videos I have watched so many KZbin videos and had such a hard time following because I need Continental and watching someone throw yarn just gets so confusing so thank you thank you I am now actually able to use a magic circle and I'm getting better at it so thank you I'm so grateful to find instructions and videos done in the Continental knitting style

[@iHeartYarn]

Welcome! I am so glad you found it helpful - and I can commiserate - because I am a crocheter first, trying to learn American style knitting made me more than a little crazy. If there are any other techniques you’d like me do a video on, please let me know!

[@annblachly8068]

@@iHeartYarn Ditto. Crocheter first, and even watching right hand feed of yarn for knitting exhausts me. I found Russian Speed Knitting videos my life saver when I was learning to knit 13 years ago.

[@jackiereilly7841]

I love this tip! I will be doing this on my next project! Thank you for the great tip!

[@iHeartYarn]

You are so welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@MsGinahidesout]

Best video for this!! TY

[@iHeartYarn]

Thank you so much! Glad you found it helpful. 🙂

[@barbararosselot2025]

This is a wonderful tip!

[@iHeartYarn]

Glad you found it helpful - thanks for watching!

[@a.sobriquet6220]

Basting…brilliant!!!

[@terryannsweeney4428]

Thank you 😊 thank you! I am starting my first hat …I totally love ❤️ the basting tip!! Hopefully I can do this as easily as you made it look 😊 new subscriber here!

[@iHeartYarn]

Welcome! I hope you find it helpful- it takes just a tiny bit of practice, but it sure cuts down on the frustration of getting started in the round. Happy knitting!

[@deborahmartyn97]

Hello, I just joined your channel. thank you for this encouraging clear education. I have been using two circular needles for small circumference projects but I will definite revisit magic loop knitting after watching this. I also thank you for thee basting tip. It is so frustrating to need to rip out those carefully cast on stitches when I twist them. I look forward to more material. Happy, sweet living to you!

[@iHeartYarn]

Welcome to my channel! Thank you for watching, and I hope this helps simplify your knitting life just a little bit. 🙂

[@theresalucas776]

Wow! I’ve been knitting for 3 years. I learned from you tube . Seaming the cast on edge together temporarily- that is genius. I’ve never seen this before!! Tightening before pulling the back needle out is a good one and it’s not mentioned very often in other tutorials. Great video!!

[@iHeartYarn]

Thank you so much - I'm so glad you found it helpful! :)

[@skyhowie54]

Basting! WOW! I never would have thought of that, so thank you for that fantastic tip.

[@denises9455]

Learn something everyday, about basing the cast on… very cool. Thank you. I’ve only knit one magic loop pair,

[@iHeartYarn]

Glad it was helpful, and thanks for watching. 🙂

[@annblachly8068]

Thank you for sharing this. As a pick knitter, I don't see techniques shown in this style very often. If I could give this video 2 thumbs up, I would for all the extra tips for success given. Subscribed and liked.

[@iHeartYarn]

Thank you so much - glad you found it helpful! The first time I tried to learn to knit was back in 2010, and there was pretty much nothing on YT at the time showing Continental/picking, and trying to learn throwing/American style made me borderline homicidal! 🤣 Welcome to iHeartYarn and thanks for watching!

[@annblachly8068]

@@iHeartYarn I had no patient to learn the stop and start throw method either. Exhausting just to watch a co-worker knit that way.

[@christielamb2894]

I sure do wish i had access to this video a long time ago. Your clear and quick instruction and helpful hints are great. And, I never felt like an idot at any point along the way. 😊 I think I'll check out your other tutorials too. Thank you, for sharing your time and knowledge. It's most appreciated. 💜✌️🧶

[@iHeartYarn]

You are most welcome, and thanks for watching! 😊

[@terrifeltey5954]

Genius!!!!

[@iHeartYarn]

Thank you! And welcome to my channel!

[@bonnievanpelt-cq4bi]

Id like to see the pick up your stitches portion of a sock on magic loop.

[@iHeartYarn]

I think I might do a follow up round, and can show that part then. Anything else you’d like me to show more detail on?

[@jessicacollins8049]

Im still knitting socks i started in june.

[@iHeartYarn]

Lol...it's not a race, so no biggie right? :D

[@biaberg3448]

I prefer using 5 dpns, not magic loops. But I do it in a far more efficient way than shown in the intro. For instance I hold the needle in the left hand close to the left index finger, actually the needle can be touching the finger. And you must know how to hold the needles and how to change them. When you know how to do it, it’s like a dance, and one can easily use several treads ( colors) simultaneously. But you have to pick the tread, not throw. If you want to be a fast knitter, hold the left needle close to the left index finger, no matter which needle you use.

[@iHeartYarn]

I’m a “whatever works for you” kind of person, and would rather have DPNs than nothing. But I am actually quite proficient with DPNs, and just find Magic Loop far less fussy. About 1 out of 10 experienced knitters who learn Magic Loop at the shop decide to stick with their DPNs, while the rest abandon them with gusto. (Although I would never get rid of mine…they are too useful for swatches, parking stuffie components, and they are perfect for making these: ravel.me/beaded-stress-ball) Happy knitting, however you do it! 🙂

[@AnnaBaas]

The basting trick is really smart and I'll definitely be doing that! I can get frustrated by magic loop because sometimes my needle won't slide back into the stitches to be worked easily - the last two stitches get stuck. Bit weird since I'm a loose knitter and usually have to go down a needle size. Am I pulling too hard on the stitches while they're on the cable?

[@iHeartYarn]

Lol...I had that trouble too initially. Yes, that is probably what is going on. You'll find the balance point with practice. 🤣

[@MissPigRat]

First of all: Thank you! I had the vision of a bistitchual hat. So I crocheted the top and then I went ahead to buy cables - but I've never knitted in rounds before, so this was a huuuge help! Secondly: Where do I get a pair of these cute little snips? 😍

[@iHeartYarn]

Have fun with that hat! 😁 Here is a link to some little snips a lot like my little Octopus snips...they are amazing for travel! amzn.to/3RDb2MM

[@MissPigRat]

@@iHeartYarn Amazing! Thanks a million! And keep doing what you do, I love learning from you 💜

[@dlk6g]

Great tutorial! Thank you. I don' t see the link for the needle you used for basting. Do you have that? Thanks!

[@iHeartYarn]

Thank you so much for asking! I should have thought to add it. I'll be sure to mention those in th Q&A follow-up episode I'm putting together. Here is one of the two types we carry at the shop (yes, Amazon affiliated link.) I'd send you to the GSW website, but we are out of those right now and probably won't have them back in stock for a couple of weeks yet. Knitters Pride Wool Needles: amzn.to/3RYimTV

[@lahibs]

Thanks for the video.. very helpful. Is it possible to make a video of making the colourwork in sleeves using this method. I tried it many times and I end up with either too tight or too loose stitches.

[@iHeartYarn]

Great idea! I have a colorwork book to review anyway, so I'll do that soon. Thank you for the suggestion, and thanks for watching!

[@CptLainey]

I'm a ding dong when you said magic loop on Tuesday I was thinking Magic ring no wonder i was so confused XD

[@iHeartYarn]

Lol… Don’t worry… I have bad brain days sometimes too! 😁

[@elainemcnamee3953]

Do you have a video showing two at a time I have been trying to teach myself fingerless gloves two at a time. I wanted to make them as Christmas gifts for my three nieces. Thank you

[@iHeartYarn]

Thank you for the request...I will put two-at-a-time on my schedule as a follow-up, and sooner rather than later. Thanks for watching! :)

[@iHeartYarn]

Wish granted! Hope it helps!

[@biaberg3448]

If the knitting is twisted, you can just put it right if you haven’t knitted more than once around, maybe two as well.

[@iHeartYarn]

Lol… I am still just enough of a perfectionist that doing it. That way makes me a little crazy. But yes, sometimes that can work. 😁

[@katiematthews1873]

Would love to learn socks do you have a pattern pattern for beginners

[@iHeartYarn]

Hi there! Here is one of the patterns I recommended in the first magic loop episode. While I haven’t done this one myself, more than 2000 people have and say it’s a very good pattern to learn on. Good luck with your first socks and thanks for watching. 🙂 ravel.me/easy-peasy-socks-for-first-timers

[@katemaclennan521]

Great video and I feel very confident that I can do start this later today! Guess I won’t have to worry about stabbing the hubby with the dpns now 😂.

[@iHeartYarn]

Lol...I guess my work here is done! (Glad the video helped, and thanks for watching!)

[@suzannakoizumi8605]

I need magic circle!

[@iHeartYarn]

😁👍❤️Yes, You CAN do Magic Circle / Magic Ring! (CROCHET) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJ7HpaiKj9p3qJI

[@jennifermiller7986]

I am a bistitchual and multicraftual, I would say panstitcraftual even 😂😂😂

[@jennifermiller7986]

Also… I love your leather cuffs!!!

[@iHeartYarn]

I tell folks I come from a long, proud line of Chronic Craftsmen. No such thing as too many skills/hobbies!

[@WoolRevival]

This was great, thank you! I love the basting technique. Totally brilliant! I’d be grateful to see you do magic loop on a sleeve. ☺️🧶

[@iHeartYarn]

You got it! I'm planning a follow-up episode, so I'll put that on the list.

[@JuliaBecker-ws3rr]

How come I keep knitting on the wrong side the second half? Do I have to push the whole piece inside out each time I turn it?

[@iHeartYarn]

When do Magic Loop you are always working in the round, so you are always working on right side of the fabric. Email me some clear pictures of your project at [e-mail] and I’ll see if I can identify what is going on for you. 🙂

[@marinamorales5049]

😅😅😅

[@missyjuju1697]

So no extra stich needed to join the loop? 🤔

[@iHeartYarn]

You can if you want to…I find it unnecessary on socks done this way. I still tend to do that on larger objects made with heavier yarns, like hats, mitts, cowls and such.

[@missyjuju1697]

oh ok i will try with the next pair. thank you@@iHeartYarn

[@msullivan3531]

I honestly don’t get the obsession with magic loop. I find double points and 9” circulars much easier.

[@iHeartYarn]

For people who just find DPN’s and super short, circulars, problematic, magic loop is a great fit for them. I am a “whatever works for you is good” kind of person. Some people end up adoring magic loop, and others choose to stick with their double points. Whatever gets the project done!

[@jayeclements6452]

I agree. I use 9" circulars for things like sleeve cuffs and mittens and dpns for teeny things like glove fingers. But chaque à son gout.

[@terry916]

​Nice idea, but my problem is I'm using a thinner yarn. I hope this helps mine.

[@gizmodog51]

Just found your channel. What a great idea to do the basting line. Thank you🧶

[@iHeartYarn]

Welcome! 😁