The 'Improved Magic Loop' or travelling loop technique

[@ksio5853]

This is how I’ve always done it and couldn’t figure out why no one else did! I’ve watched so many magic loop videos but they never include this technique. It’s a great method that fixed all my laddering woes.

[@lianel664]

Man macht es in der Regel nicht, weil man das Problem mit den Leitern nicht mehr hat, wenn man es ein wenig übt. Was relativ schnell geht, wenn man dran bleibt. Ich persönlich hatte diese Leitern früher, ganz am Anfang, auch mal, das hat sich aber relativ schnell gelegt. Weshalb ich den Magic Loop lieber auf die klassische Weise nutze. Das hier wäre mir auf die Dauer auch zu umständlich, ich würde es als Anfänger vllt übergangsweise nutzen, solange alles andere noch schwierig ist, aber dannlieber lernen keine Leitern mehr zu stricken und die Geschicklichkeit beim Stricken auszubauen.

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thank you. I was also recommended this method by another knitter I was teaching in one of my workshops. I found it works so well. Happy knitting!

[@EsmereldaPea]

Same. I've instinctively done this whenever I've had to use magic loop. But I'm one of those strange creatures who prefer DPNs.

[@FoxDenStitches]

Where has this been all my life! I hate magic loop because my tension is quite tight and shuffling the stitches around is always quite hard. This looks like a godsend! Can’t wait to try it.

[@cyndylee544]

I've never had an issue with the ladders fortunately. I always hold the wire of the back needle as close to the forward needle as I can when I start knitting on the forward needle and it works. I know many people do however, so this is a nice trick to try definitely.

[@janderson5224]

No ladders here, either. I use your technique plus, before I pull out the back needle to begin knitting, I put my left index finger on the first back loop. I keep up the pressure as I pull the needle out and that maintains the size of the loop. I knit that first stitch gently and then give a little tug to the second stitch, which takes care of any sloppiness in that first stitch.

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thank you. There are lots of great techniques and tricks when knitting with Magic loop. Happy knitting!

[@lieslb71]

I love this so much and needed the info for my current project! Thanks so much for sharing.

[@karena5975]

This is called a travelling magic loop, I have used it for a long time and it really does work well.

[@MrsBoochito]

Same, this is the only way I magic loop

[@toscatattertail9813]

I misplaced my 32" fixed 2.5 mm needles, i used a 24" needle with the Traveling concept and it worked better with the shorter cable.

[@barbaraortiz-corliss1920]

yup….have been using the traveling loop for quite some time :)

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thank you. I had not come across this method before, so I'm really pleased to have found how well it works. Happy knitting!

[@ramisabashar7217]

Mind blown!! Thank you so much for sharing this! 💛 I find it tricky to keep tension with the typical traveling loop method

[@aries81dp]

This is going to be a game changer. Thank you so much for sharing with instructions.

[@crivensro]

Interesting! I have done it instinctively to avoid the dreaded ladder and I am very happy that it is validated here

[@lauriecorson1037]

I think I will always prefer 2 circulars for knitting in the round even though I must buy 2 of the same size. No ladders and no pulling wires through stitches.

[@KarenWoodruff-g5o]

Now that is something I’d like to see!

[@carolmelancon]

I also prefer two circulars unless it's a small project, like a hat from the top down. The extra needles clacking around sometimes irritates me and then I like the option of magic loop.

[@KarenWoodruff-g5o]

SIMPLY BRILLIANT! Thanks for sharing!!!

[@lynncage6059]

That's brilliant! Thanks for sharing.

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thank you. Happy Knitting!

[@thegratefulfarm]

Thank you so much for sharing this!

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thank you

[@margaretsparksrittenhouse8787]

Brilliant! Beautiful yarn. Thank you.

[@pathowes32]

Great tip, but I would use a marker to show the beginning of the round

[@arlisarohloff2622]

She has a marker… 🤦🏼‍♀️ do you not see it?

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thank you. I have used a BR marker, but forgot to mention it in the video ;)

[@chingachgook9718]

Thank you for passing this on. Magic loop is still fiddly, but you've solved the ladder problem!

[@karendiesner5008]

Brilliant idea! Like others, I can’t believe I didn’t think of it myself. Thanks for sharing!

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thankyou.

[@pollyfoofoo8703]

Clever clever! Thank you for sharing!

[@theastewart6721]

Interesting technique. Thanks for sharing.😊

[@julietierney2516]

This is great! Thanks for sharing this!

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thank you. Happy knitting!

[@collmarz]

This was very helpful! Thank you

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thank you

[@beckyisabell4324]

Thanks for sharing

[@JADufault21]

Ladders are not a problem for me, except for maybe the first pair of socks I made. Like another commenter, keep the first stitch on the front needle close, and as I learned from someone, snug up the 2nd stitch.

[@madeinwinchester6599]

It is great to hear all the difference tricks and techniques for avoiding a ladder. Happy Knitting !

[@stilllookingfortreasure]

I've been doing something similar. I call it a traveling triangle method. Because instead of splitting the stitches in half I split it into approximate thirds.

[@brandijohnson2098]

What a clever yet simple technique. Thank you for sharing. (Can’t believe I never thought to do that- ha)

[@madeinwinchester6599]

I was also excited when I was shown this technique. So simple but really effective :)

[@greenmanatee6462]

Thanks for making it look so easy ❣️

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thank you

[@normaski]

Wonderful tip!!!!

[@karensemones7784]

I have never mastered using the magic loop, but this clarifies the process. Thank you.

[@ileanaleah2545]

Great technique thank you

[@KarensYoutubeChannel]

This is what I do when using circular needles. I first started doing this when I use double pointed needles...I slip two stitches from the last worked needle onto my empty working needle and go from there. I don't have to do this with all yarns or needle sizes tho, just the slippery stretchy yarns.

[@DanielWSonntag]

Great technique!!

[@Beeautiful3233]

Thank you

[@chrissy24-7]

I do a similar thing but I just squeeze a different section to get a loop out and go on from there. Actually though I'd much prefer to work on smaller circs lol

[@sarahvenz3654]

BRILLIANT

[@lynnewillette2654]

I’ve never had a problem with ladders either with magic loop method or double point needles. However, if using the travelling loop method, I think I would want to use a BOR marker.

[@sherriheare8425]

I will try this. I have tried magic loop many times and I always have ladders. It is very frustrating.

[@jilldykehouse9021]

I would love to try this. My question is how to I keep track of my rounds with this technique?

[@ksio5853]

Stitch markers where the end of the needle would be. I use a distinctive one for BOR.

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Give it a go, it really works! I have added a BOR marker, so even though you keep rotating the work you can always keep track of how many rounds you have completed. Happy Knitting !

[@maureenclutton6351]

I've tried this method. Can be a little confusing when adding increases along length of sleeve though.

[@Top-g919]

Brilliant

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thank you

[@mariejackson3212]

That’s a good idea!

[@asharp6591]

Thank you for this trick. May I ask what yarn and colors you are using? It’s beautiful.

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thank you. The yarn is Malabrigo Rios in Azul Profundo (dark blue) and Denim (light blue)

[@ccpperrett7522]

Great!❤

[@Yt-hb4wh]

Awesome!

[@mistakkesweremade]

Travelling loop is even easier if, when you get to the end of one working needle, just choose a new place to pull the cord through. Well less problematic wear and tear at the join, too

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thanks, I will give it a go too.

[@gillianrolland4305]

Brilliant. I needed this today I was just thinking last night can I not work it that Im not tightening my yarn round the wire instead of a needle. I dont usually get ladders but go the other way and can get my stitches over the needles.

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thank you. Pleased it works well for you.

[@scrapperchris6461]

I have used this method and while it works I do have issue accidentally stretching the stitches where you pull the loop through. Personally I have better luck knitting the first two sts after turning then tightening to barrel of needle.

[@breeze0300]

What needles are you using? My wires aren't that flexible. Thanks for the tip.👍

[@madeinwinchester6599]

I am using Knit Pro Symfonie Interchangeable needles.

[@cheryldemea2509]

Love this idea!, Yea!,🎉❤

[@SheilaElmes]

That’s very good😊

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thank you

[@susanweber581]

Clever

[@KarlaGustafson-vq1ch]

Clever! Thank you.

[@stitchy_linn]

I see a problem with rhis technique in that it will quickly affect the integrity of your cable to needle join even on an interchangeable set of needles. I simply pull my yarn taut on first and especially second stitch at BOR and needle change if i see a ladder beginning to form.

[@madeinwinchester6599]

So far, it seems to be working well for me but obviously there are lots of alternative methods to use. Happy Knitting!

[@biaberg3448]

I prefer to use 5 dpns. Then the knitting is just running around and around without fighting with cables. But I don’t think it works so well with the English knitting method; throwing the yarn. You have to keep the yarn on the left index finger. But if I had to use magic loop, this way is is obviously the best.

[@sherriheare8425]

I love the DPNs too. I have not mastered magic loop yet because of ladders but this may help me.

[@zoedoodle]

Thank you for showing this. I can see that this would be a very effective way of preventing ladders! The only thing is that I think that bending the cable at the join like that over and over would eventually weaken and break the needle/cable join. I just recently saw another option that is simple and only requires that you knit the first few stitches from behind the cable cord. Hard to explain but here is the video on this is at kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHW1aYV4Zriel8k and the actual technique tutorial starts at around minute 3:38. I think it's really wonderful that everyone in the knit community shares their ideas, allowing each of us to find what works best for us.

[@madeinwinchester6599]

Thankyou for sharing. I will give it a try! I always enjoy looking for new ways to improve any techniques.

[@joanneminnie3581]

You won’t get ladders if you pull your yarn tight after the first and second stitches of the new needle.

[@knitgirl.7676]

Agreed. I never get ladders- that pulling on the second stitch as well is key.

[@madeinwinchester6599]

I agree, this was certainly the way I have always worked magic loop, but I now prefer this method :)

[@annemcginn1086]

Thank you, I HATE magic loop, this method might change my feelings about it

[@madeinwinchester6599]

It is now my go-to method when working magic loop. Give it a try!

[@lynne9870]

This isn't new...commonly called 'travelling magic loop ' has been around several years...

[@madeinwinchester6599]

I realise it is not a new technique, but it is new to me! Happy Knitting.

[@isiseungella4688]

Mark the start of your row or you will lost count.

[@madeinwinchester6599]

I have added a BRM but forgot to mention this in the little video :)