What is the Difference Between Flat and Circular Knit?

What is flat and what is circular knitting? Which one is better? Which knitting needles are best for which type of knitting? What should I put attention on? For which projects is flat and for which circular knit suitable? Yes, there are a lot of questions regarding flat and circular knits.

There are many big differences between flat and circular knit. The necessary tools alone, i.e. the knitting needles, differ and also the technique because flat knitting is knitted in rows and circular knitting in rounds, which makes a big difference. It is therefore also important to know which type of knitting is best suited for which project. In this blog we would like to list some important questions and differences between flat and circular knitting for you.

Flat Knitting

For beginners, the terms flat and circular knitting are perhaps not even known. Flat knitting, as the name suggests, is a flat knitted project. Single pointed knitting needles are mainly used here. The piece has a front and a back and these are knitted back and forth alternately in rows.

Flat knitting is particularly popular with beginners to get started with knitting.

Circular knitting

Circular knitting involves crocheting in rounds to create a circular tube. Ideal for projects such as sweaters, loops or hats. Circular knitting also requires circular knitting needles, either fixed circular knitting needles or interchangeable knitting needles. But you can also crochet in rounds with double pointed knitting needles, these are perfect for smaller projects such as baby hats or classic socks.

Stitch markers are an indispensable accessory for circular knitting, because you crochet continuously in rounds, you often have to mark important points such as the beginning of the round. Our circular knitting needle sets always contain all the accessories you need for your circular knitting projects.

An advantage of circular knitting compared to flat knitting is that you don't have a seam for loops or hats and so you can avoid the annoying sewing together. And one advantage of the fixed or interchangeable circular knitting needles is that they are suitable for both flat and round projects. In principle, circular knitting needles are just short straight needles that are connected to each other with a cable and are so flexible and allow you to crochet in rounds.

For small projects such as socks and arm warmers, the circular knitting needles are usually too large in size and it becomes difficult to knit small pieces with them. Here the Double Pointed knitting needles are the more suitable choice. Double Pointed knitting needles come in sets of five needles and have pointed ends on both sides. The total number of stitches is divided into 4 needles and the fifth is knitted to create the rounds.

Should I knit flat or circular instead? What is the better choice for me?

We recommend that you try out both techniques at least once to get a feeling and to be able to decide better which type of knitting is suitable for you or for your project. Try out our fixed and interchangeable knitting needles to get a feel for which one is more comfortable for you. Some projects are only knitted in flat and some only in circular, so it won't be that difficult for you to choose.

"Imagination is everything. It’s the preview of life’s coming attractions." -    Albert Einstein

What type of knitting do you choose or do you prefer? No matter which one you like to choose, at Knitterspride you will find the best knitting needles that promise you an incomparable knitting experience.

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