Knitting the Magic Loop Tutorial

Knitting circular projects can be easy & fun with the Magic Loop Method... 

You can knit hats, socks and more without using double-pointed needles and your projects will be seamless.
This method does take a little bit of practice, but once you learn it you will never go back! 
I love to knit hats with the magic loop. You can knit any size hat (infant to adult) on the same circular needles. 
My next goal is to make socks with magic loop.

Before getting started... 

You will need circular knitting needles with long, flexible cables, 40-47 inches in length is good.  
(Note: I use an interchangeable needles from Knit Picks. They are good quality needles that
make changing needle sizes easy. I got them for Christmas a couple of years ago and I love them. 

They are a great investment for an knitter.)

Follow the picture-guided tutorial below to get started...

STEP ONE.

Cast on the amount of stitches needed for your circular project.

STEP TWO.

Divide stitches in half and bend the cable in order to gently pull it through the
middle of the stitches, making a big loop. Half of the stitches will be on one needle
and the other half on the other needle.

STEP THREE.

Hold the needles so that the needle with the first cast on stitch is closest to you and 

the needle with the working yarn is to the back. Make sure that the stitches are 

all pointing down and not twisted.

STEP FOUR.

Pull the back needle out so that the stitches are on the cable and the needles is free 

to knit with. At this point you will begin knitting and you will knit to the end of 

the first side of the round. The cable will be looped on either side of the stitches. 

Note: If you begin with a knit stitch make sure that the working yarn is in  front of the 

back needle before knitting. If you begin with a purl stitch, make sure the yarn is 

behind the back needle.

STEP FIVE.

Once you have finished the first side of the round, push the now empty needle 

through, so that it will now hold the unworked stitches. Turn your work to the 

other side. Hold the needles so that the unworked stitches are on the needle that 

faces you and the needle with the working yarn is to the back. Then, once again, 

pull the back needle out so that the back stitches are on the cable and there is a 

loop on either side of the work. Begin knitting for the other side of the round.

Once you finish the second side, you will be done with the first round. 

Continue in this way through your project, even as you decrease!

For additional assistance, YouTube video tutorials are very helpful.

Download the PDF of my Magic Loop Tutorial...

Recipe: Lemon Coconut Cookies

Lemon Coconut Cookies

Ingredients...

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 lemon, zest & juice

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups flour

2/3 cup shredded coconut

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions...

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar, until light and fluffy. 

Mix in lemon juice, zest, egg and vanilla. In a small bowl, combine flour, 

coconut, baking soda, and salt. Add in the flour mixture gradually, 

until all is combined. 

Chill the dough for a few hours, or overnight.

Preheat oven to 350° and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Using a food processor, pulse together 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup coconut. 

Pour into a small, shallow bowl. Form the dough into 1 1/2 inch balls and 

coat with the sugar/coconut. Space the cookies out on the cookie sheet 

and bake for approximately 10 minutes. Allow cookies to cool and enjoy!