Will a circular needle work for making this blanket?

Using a circular needle for flat knitting when there are lots of stitches
by Jackie E-S

QUESTION —

I am hoping to adapt the Elegantly Simple Baby Blanket to a full size, about 48" x 60" to donate to the Baddeck Rest Home. To make the 45" x 45" baby blanket you advise 4.5mm needles. Would that be regular length needles? I'm wondering if 240 stitches, or more for an adult size, would fit on a needle. I have never used circular needles and I'm wondering if they'd work on this pattern.

ANSWER —

When there will be many stitches, I like to work with circular needle even if just working back and forth as in this blanket. You'd knit from one needle point to the other with a circular needle just like you'd use straight needles. The only difference is that stitches will remain on the cable of the circular needle between the points.

There's an additional benefit in using a circular needle for work like this in that the weight of the blanket remains in the center of your lap rather than hanging off the end of one needle or the other. It's a lot less tiring than holding up the weight of the blanket. Try it – I bet you will like it!

If you have a question about a knitting technique or a skill you'd like to improve, please email me and I will consider it for one of the upcoming Q&A Skill Spotlights.

Do you have a Question about knitting technique or skill? Please email me and I will consider it for an upcoming Q&A.

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