#knitting trick

Sometimes I'll see an in-the-round pattern that's perfect, but I don't have the right size of round needles, and it's not in my budget to buy some. Luckily, some in-the-round patterns can be converted to flat knitting to get sides sewn together later. First, cast on two more than the pattern calls for, one extra on each end to give space for stitching. Always knit/purl these end stitches like stockinette, with the pattern in between. Next, convert every other row/round to its opposite. This is because with round knitting, you're always working on the right side of the fabric. With flat knitting, you alternate between the front and back of the fabric with every row. It's kind of hard to explain, so here are some examples. A pattern that looks like this: CO 6 stictches, Rounds 1-4: Knit

Would turn to this: CO 8 Stithes Row 1: Knit Row 2: Purl Row 3: Knit Row 4: Purl Similarly, if a pattern alternates increase/decrease/fancy rows with a knit row like this: CO 6 stitches Round 1: kfb all sts Round 2: knit Round 3: *k1, kfb; repeat from * Round 4: knit It can be turned into this: CO 8 stitches Row 1: k1, *kfb; repeat from * until one stitch remains, k1 Row 2: Purl Row 3: k1, *k1, kfb; repeat from * until one stitch remains, k1 Row 4: Purl