How to knit magic loop - tutorial for beginners [+ tips and tricks for neater results]

A step-by-step tutorial on the magic loop knitting method and plenty of tips and tricks to avoid ladders and get neater results

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Magic loop is an ingenious method that allows you to knit small circumference projects on much larger circular needles. It's a super-easy way to knit in the round. All you need is circular needles ideally around 36" to 40" long.
The idea behind the technique is that you let the excess cable stick out to either end. And once you finished knitting across one needle, you re-adjust the cables in a way they stick out on both ends as well and you can knit across the next set of needles.
Because you constantly knit across two gaps, ladders can a problem. To prevent ladders when knitting magic loop, it's important that you keep the gaps as small as possible when you knit across. Also, avoid purl stitches as the first stitch. And then, don't tighten up too much as this can reduce the size of the stitches on the cable. And be careful when you knit the last stitch, as a lot of knitters often accidentally wear out stitches. And, as a rule of thumb, I would try to stay away from knitting complicated stitches as the first or last stitch on a needle.
And if everything else fails, the traveling magic loop method can be quite helpful.

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction to the magic loop method
2:02 How to join your knitting in the round
4:08 How to knit magic loop
8:39 Magic loop tips & tricks
16:24 Traveling magic loop

[judyreel]

Norman...Norman....Norman..
once again you came to the rescue!! I am a crocheter learning to knit via your videos. Knitting a hat for my newest granddaughters birthday this month and was having a heck of a time with the DPNs...thank God I thought of your videos and with your help figured out magic loop knitting and I will be able to finish the hat!! Thank you many times over!!!

[suegurney]

I’ve cracked it ! Hooray! This is why we teach both sexes at our school ( Waldorf ) to knit because it trains the mind to think . Knitting is a simple process which forms the basis for solving patterns and techniques and lays the foundation for engineering. We teach boys as well to sew, weave, work with wood and metal not only for practical and creative reasons but to develop their thinking .You demonstrate this quality in your work, fabulous Norman!

[YvonneMaystrovich]

I have been knitting on and off for 55 or so years and have just subscribed to your YouTube channel. I am fascinated by your knitting technique, as I was taught the English way and am really quite fast, so while I love to learn new things my old fingers did not take kindly to change😊 I have now watched many of your videos and I’m learning a great deal from you. Thank you for your patience in explaining every detail and reason for everything you do. You are a fabulous knitter and instructor ❤

[annsinclair]

Best tutorial ever for beginners knitting magic loop. I watched dozens before finding this video. Norman's guidance is clear, accurate and at perfect pace for a beginner. 10/10

[vevette]

I’m an old knitter 70 years of it. Always use dpns . So my hands were “pleines de pouces “. As we say in Canada. Clumsy; so I changed to circular needles for large projects like sweaters. But I always struggled with small projects like mittens. Your technique is interesting . I appreciate that you have 2 distinct needles to help understand. Thank you

[ninjablueflame]

I always learn something from you despite the fact that I’ve been knitting for a very long time! You’re the best and I love watching your tutorials.

[fatakita]

Norman, this is the best video on the magic loop!! Thank you so much!!!

[marym]

Love your videos! I particularly like that you explain why a certain thing might happen, rather than just telling us the fix for the problem. It makes it easier for us to correct our stitching if we understand why what we were doing was giving us bad results.

[SusanATroutman]

I am so glad I found you. While continental knitting is becoming more popular in the US, most tutorials are in the English? Style aka “regular”knitting. My Swedish mom taught me long ago how to do a pot holder. Fast forward to 50 years. I am relearning how to knit thanks to you.

[anyaarcane]

Finally a good explanation!!! I've been struggling to do gloves with the magic loop

[becci]

Magic loop really is magic.

With DPN I just can’t. Before I came across magic loop I had to knit pieces that wouldn’t fit the circular needles flat. This was such a revelation 😊

[jerryglass]

Norman....you are the best. I love your videos. I started knitting 2 yrs ago after I retired and joined a monthly knitting group that sent projects via mail. I joined this one because they were local to me and offered classes in store. After the first month...the world wide C happened and all in person everything stopped. Once things reopened this store decided to remain online only. I live in North Idaho which is a great place but we barely have a Joanne's and Walmart. So I have had one in person class.
The club does put out videos on the projects but they rarely explain the stitches well.
This month is knitting fingerless mittens with the first three rows k1, p1. I just could not get the gap (ladder) to go away. I thought one had to keep the switch in the same spot all the time. Now I know better.
Enough rambling....I have learned so much from your videos. Thank you. 😊

[gardenwithhouse]

I so enjoy your tutorials, with all your attention to detail and all the nuance you add with your closing remarks. I'm an experienced crocheter who has just learned how to knit, so I get easily frustrated because I went from creating near-perfect garments in one craft to creating wonky stuff full of ladders in another. Knitting is so much harder! Also, the first project I chose was an overknee stocking from a pattern with ribbing and cables in magic loop. I didn't actually realise how advanced that was, I just went for it because I fancied the finished product and could not find anything like it for sale, nor was that possible in crochet! On top of that, I picked a fuzzy and splitty yarn in a dark colour, because the challenge was not big enough yet ... I've finished one stocking before I thought to go to YouTube for tips, and it is ... well ... full of character ;-) Now that I have watched your tutorials and knit a few swatches, I will start from scratch. Literally! Not only has my knitting become a LOT neater thanks to your tips, my gauge has also changed because now that I pay so much attention to those little details, I knit much more tightly. Oops! Anyway, I'm sure my second stocking will be a lot nicer. So thanks for everything you do, you are my knitting hero!!

[Kai-elrw]

Just tried the magic loop last night as my dpn’s were too long for my baby sweater. I can’t believe I wanted so long to try this technique. It’s so easy!

[flbass]

I had never been able to knit a PAIR of socks until I watched your videos! Somehow, your explanations clicked with me and now I have knit several pairs (no more singletons!). Your explanation of magic loop - wow! In other videos I somehow missed the fact that you are always knitting with the same needle - no wonder I was confused! Thank you for all the tips on preventing ladders too. I have learned so much from you!

[nanastevens]

Norman, you are the best at simplifying these mysteries. For my brain you can always have things make sense.

[genier]

I like the extra stitch method of joining in the round, thanks!

[OranzineKarve]

My favourite youtube channel anytime I get confused or lost in a pattern! As a knitting beginner I thank you ❤

[salemmariee]

this video has given me such peace of mind. thank you. i’m sitting here crying cause i was fully under the impression i’d need to buy DPN to knit socks and now feel so relieved

[lightbeingform]

Norman is simply the best. So much thought goes into each comprehensive video.