Learn How to Knit in the Round Without a Gap at the Join with this expert guide. Keep your stitches neat and your project smooth.
When you knit in the round, you might see a small gap between the first and last cast-on stitches. You can fix this later by weaving in the yarn tail, but there are also ways to join your stitches at the start so the gap doesn’t appear at all.
How to Knit in the Round Without a Gap at the Join
1. Cast On One Extra Stitch
Cast on one extra stitch than you need and set up your needles for knitting in the round.
Slip the last extra stitch onto the left needle. Knit it together with the first stitch on that needle. This removes the extra stitch and pulls the work neatly into a round.
2. Pull the yarn tail through the first cast-on stitch
Cast on the number of stitches you need and set up your needles to knit in the round.
With the yarn tail, knit the first stitch on the left needle, but don’t slide it off. Pull the loop you made until the tail comes through the stitch. This undoes the knit, but the tail stays inside the stitch. Gently pull the tail to tighten it.
Now drop the tail and use your working yarn to knit that first stitch again. Continue knitting around as usual, and give the tail a gentle tug to keep the join neat.
3. The Twist-and-Join Method
Before knitting your first stitch, twist the last stitch over the first stitch on your needle. This locks them together and prevents the yarn from stretching out. Then continue knitting, usually in the round.
4. Knit Two Stitches Together
Another option is to slip the first stitch onto the right needle, knit the next stitch, and then pass the slipped stitch over it. This reduces the gap and ensures your stitch count matches the pattern.
5. Use Stitch Markers
A stitch marker helps you keep track of the beginning of the round. Place a marker right after the first stitch. This way, you won’t mistakenly stretch the join while knitting, which can cause the gap to become larger.
6. Adjust Tension at the First Few Stitches
Sometimes, the gap is caused by loose tension. You have to pay extra attention to the first three or four stitches of each round. Keep the yarn snug but not too tight. This small habit makes a big difference.
How to Fix a Gap After Knitting
If you notice a gap only after you have knitted a few rounds. You can use the cast-on tail or a piece of yarn to sew the join closed neatly. Just weave it through the stitches with a tapestry needle until the space disappears.
The first few times you knit in the round, a small gap may still show up. Do practice and you’ll find which method works best for you. Some knitters always use the extra stitch method, while others prefer sewing up later. Try different techniques and choose the one that gives you the smoothest results.
