How to Use the Magic Loop Technique

Our very own Jeanne stars in this knitting instructional article about how to use the magic loop technique. We hope you enjoy it!

Do you have a copy of the Magic Loop booklet, but are having trouble visualizing how to even get started? If so, don't worry... We've all been there. The Magic Loop is a terrific alternative to double points, but can take awhile to get the hang of - so we put this video together in hopes of bringing life to this fabulous (and altogether ingenious) technique.

1. Using the long tail cast-on, cast on the required number of stitches (in our video, Jeanne casts on 20 total stitches)

2. Once the stitches are cast on, pull the stitches down onto the soft cable part of the needle and count to the halfway point. In our example, Jeanne cast on 20 sts and will be dividing her stitches into 2 groups of 10.

3. Divide the stitches into 2 parts, gently bend the cord, and pull the cord up through the halfway point: you'll now have 10 stitches on one half of the cord/needle and 10 stitches on the other half.

4. Put your stitches in the "home position": the goal is to move both sets of 10 stitches towards the tips of the needles. You'll end up with 10 sts on one needle and the other 10 stitches on the 2nd needle.You can do this by pulling on the cord (while holding onto the stitches) and/or pulling on both sets of stitches (while holding onto the cord).

5. Once the stitches are "home", you'll always want to use the back needle as the working needle (the one used by your right hand)- and needle that is closest to you will be the one holding the stitches that will be worked (for me, that's the needle that will be in my left hand).

6. Pull on the back needle ... enough so that those 10 stitches eventually rest on the cable, not on the needle. (Notice that your working yarn is coming from the back.)

7. Using that back needle, start knitting onto the 10 stitches from the front needle! Be careful not to knit with the tail!

8. Knit as you normally would and then when you get to the end of the first 10 stitches, gently pull on the cord and move both sets of stitches to the home position.

9. Flip your work around, so that the points of the needles are facing your right hand - and then repeat steps 6-8.

10. Continue repeating steps 6-9 for the length of the cuff.

p.s. We think it is a good idea to snug up the first stitches (between the last and the first stitch) so you don't get ladders appearing!

Posted by Laura of Jimmy Beans Wool