Tuesday’s Knitting Tip – Preventing Ladders
Thanks to Kirsten Hipsky, our Design Manager, for offering us some great tips on how to avoid ladders. Ladders are gaps created in your knitting when using double pointed needles. They can be prevented using one of a few simple tricks.
“Laddering” is definitely a common dreaded foe when working with double pointed needles. They’re essentially caused by the distance between the two needles, which is greater than the distance between the other pairs of stitches. If you purl looser than you knit, that could also result in more yarn in the gap between needles when working reverse stockinette. Here are some tips for minimizing or eliminating ladders.
– Tighten up your stitches when moving from one needle to the next by giving the yarn a little extra tug after working the first and second stitches.
– Using a set of 5 needles rather than 4 will divide tension more evenly, keeping strain off of the stitches themselves.
– If you’re still having trouble, try knitting a couple of stitches forward from the next needle onto the one you’ve just finished. This will shift the point of tension and help keep a vertical line from forming.
– I myself have had luck eliminating ladders entirely by knitting in the round on one long circular needle using the Magic Loop method. The circular cord is usually thinner than the needle, so instead of using extra yarn at the gap between needle and cord, it just borrows some yarn from the stitch on the cord. When it comes time to knit that stitch, it expands again to fit the needle, taking up the slack. Others have also had luck using two circular needles instead of Magic Loop.
How do you avoid creating ladders in your knitting? Do you have a trick, or have you stopped using double pointed needles all together?
- Tuesday’s Tip – Keeping Track of Alternate Increase Rounds - March 25, 2014
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Tags: circular knitting, how to, knitting needles, knitting tips, Tuesday's Tip
July 24th, 2012 at 10:27 am
Magic loop works best for me when working on big things. However, sometimes with stocks, using a set of 5 DPN’s and pulling the end stitches extra tight work well as well.
July 24th, 2012 at 10:50 am
For me, laddering sometimes happens because I an pulling the first stitch too tightly rather than too loosely. I have been trying not to tug on the first stitch at all, and then pull harder on the second stitch to even things up. This still isn’t perfect, but it is much better–the small tension difference usually blocks out.
July 24th, 2012 at 1:33 pm
I’m like Lauren…..I tug the second or third stitch. I get ladders when I go from knit to purl….my ribbing and my cable patterns tend to look really goofy!!
July 24th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
Sometimes I have ladders, and sometimes I don’t. I don’t know why. But I don’t like magic loop or 2 circulars, so I stick with my dpns and do the “knit ahead a few stitches” as I finish each needle routine.
July 25th, 2012 at 10:10 am
I use magic loop as well but I still get laddering if not careful. I tug on the second stitch of the next needle, works better than tugging the first stitch.
July 25th, 2012 at 10:20 am
yup. 2nd/3rd stitch tugging works for me. i gave up on DPNs years ago. i use ML for everything: hats, sleeves/socks (2 atta time). no ladders
July 25th, 2012 at 10:22 am
yup. i tug on 2nd/3rd sts. also gave up on DPNs years ago. ML for everything: hats, sleeves/socks (2 atta time). no ladders
July 25th, 2012 at 10:27 am
I love my double pointed needles and don’t generally have issues with laddering. Not sure why but one trick I learned that may or may not be related is when joining the stitches into a circle I take the stitches on either ends and flip them onto the opposite needles. This helps to bring the two ends tighter together righgt at the start and it may eliminate the looseness that would otherwise occur at the point where the stitches are joined in the circle?
July 25th, 2012 at 10:31 am
Good tips!
I used to get ladders when I first learned to knit in the round. But I found that after knitting dozens and dozens of pairs of socks they just magically went a way. phew!
I’m accustomed to DPNs and find two circs or magic loop fiddly. That is a great thing about knitting, we can all do what is comfortable for us and get the same (or similar!) results.
July 25th, 2012 at 10:41 am
I’ve used all 3 of your suggestions but usually I am just being extra paranoid trying to avoid ladders. My problem has always been knitting too tightly, so I don’t tend to get ladders.
I’ve never understood the appeal of the Clapotis shawl and other patterns that insert ladders on purpose. I don’t think it is any more attractive than getting a ladder in your stocking!
July 25th, 2012 at 10:45 am
I really hate using DPNs and try to use circular needles at all costs. Still trying to figure out how to knit small things like socks with a circular needle….. still not really sure how is done, but have found some tutorials that I intend to memorize before my next small project. 8)
July 25th, 2012 at 10:49 am
I like to use Addi 12″ CN instead of DPs. They take some getting used to as they are more finger tip type needles. The tips are not long enough to put your whole hand on.
July 25th, 2012 at 10:54 am
they now make a 6 inch circular for creating small things. Clover is the brand I think.
July 25th, 2012 at 11:06 am
I tighten up first and last stitches between DPN and loosen up the remaining stitches on the DPN
July 25th, 2012 at 11:08 am
I’ve tried all the tips for avoiding ladders and I still get them. I even tried combining two of the tips, tugging on the stitch and knitting a couple of stitches forward. What I end up with is a spiral of bad stitches going around my work! 🙁 I have to say though that I do not particularly like knitting on double pointed, and I can’t stand magic loop, they just don’t work well for me. ::Sigh:: I’ll just keep knitting on straights which makes me happy anyway! 🙂
July 25th, 2012 at 11:14 am
Elizabeth Zimmerman addressed uneven stitches in “Knitting without Tears” when she said that through wearing and washing, the stitches would even up and the holes would go away. When I used to use DPN’s (now I use a long circ or two circs for circular knitting) I found that the ladders would go away on their own, no effort needed.
July 25th, 2012 at 11:32 am
I actually use the “try knitting a couple of stitches forward from the next needle onto the one you’ve just finished” approach all the time. It definitely takes away the ladders and I adopted the idea when I started using the needles out of paranoia. I also try to use 5 needles instead of 4 whenever possible.
July 25th, 2012 at 11:51 am
Hi Jeanne – thanks for your post! Do you mean to actually criss-cross those stitches? I can’t quite picture what you’re describing here. Do you know of a post or video anywhere that would have actual pictures of this? I’m all for ANYTHING that Xs out those ladders! I love all the wonderful designs that USE the DPNs, but hate USING them!!
Also – anybody – know of any links for the 2 other techniques listed here (the Magic Loop and knitting on Circulars for working in the round)? Thanks!
July 25th, 2012 at 12:33 pm
Magic loop is my favorite method. I’m still at that “experienced novice” stage and feel much more at ease with magic loop than dpn’s. I’m going to try the two circular method next.
July 25th, 2012 at 12:40 pm
Knittinghelp.com has great technique videos, I think that is where I learned magic loop. I think Jeanne means when joining the first round she literally switches the first stitch with the last stitch on the needles. If you were marking the end of your rounds the stitch marker would go between them then. It’s a good way to join when working in the round.
July 25th, 2012 at 12:42 pm
I’m a 2 circular girl. I’ve stopped having ladders and issues since using this method.
July 25th, 2012 at 1:42 pm
I really prefer my DPNs when knitting socks and mittens and have never had a problem with ladders. I think is is because I knit continental/picker style, Using circular needles seems to involve too much need to push and pull on the item. I do use 2 circulars when knitting socks on an airplane. Less chance of a needle dropping and rolling to the back of the plane. I also use circular never straight needles for every other kind of knitting.
July 25th, 2012 at 3:59 pm
Found a video that might help you visualize ths technique!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNlOY407S3M&feature=youtube_gdata_player
July 25th, 2012 at 7:27 pm
I like using 2 circular needles
July 25th, 2012 at 7:32 pm
I really enjoy double pointed needles my “trick” is to always start the next needle with a knit stitch. I adjust my stitches so I can do this and I never have ladder trouble anymore!
July 25th, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Thanks so much, Jeanne! Will check that out at my first opportunity! =D
July 25th, 2012 at 10:54 pm
Looking forward to checking out this resource! Thanks so much! =D
July 26th, 2012 at 1:18 am
I use two circs and give an extra tug with the first stitch on the next needle.
July 26th, 2012 at 5:13 am
I do get ladders and I like really like magic loop. Honestly I dread double points all together and try to find any way I can to not have to use them.
July 29th, 2012 at 4:06 am
What I learnt at school: at the end of the needle, put the two last stitches you just knitted on the free needle. Than knit the next needle.
July 29th, 2012 at 1:20 pm
I use one circular, Magic Loop method. Even on decreasing, you can decrease all the way to 2 stitches if you want and still use Magic Loop.
July 29th, 2012 at 1:21 pm
The book by Cat Bordhi “Socks Soar on Circular Needles” is a fabulous book to learn how to knit a sock using the 2 circular needle method. Years ago when I first learned to knit socks I learned on DPNs. I was okay at it but hated the extra needles. So I learned the circular method from this book. Made life so much simpler 🙂
Her method of joining in the round is exactly the one described by Jeanne. The book has black and white photos and is easy to follow. Essentially 2 stitches change places on the ends of 2 facing needles (point to point). The stitches form an X over each other.
P.S.: now I use DPns, circular needles
July 29th, 2012 at 9:35 pm
I tried tightening up my stitches but that didn’t quite get rid of the problem. I solved it by starting the next row by inserting my needle “over” the previous needle instead of under it.
October 15th, 2012 at 3:21 pm
I have been using 2 circulars for a few months now and this is the first time I have gotten ladders. I am hoping in the blocking they won’t be so noticeable.
February 10th, 2015 at 3:55 pm
I agree with u. I have tried everything. Done hrs of research and watched thousands of videos. I’m just a beginner knitter but can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong or how to fix it. Which is preventing me from getting better or going further with my knitting. I wish someone out there could post a video from the very beginning with detailed explanation of what they do correctly n what they don’t do n show everyone the correct way. All the videos I have found are the same n don’t help at all.
February 15th, 2015 at 12:59 pm
I took a sock class from the Yarn Harlot, and she suggested throwing the yarn the opposite way for the first stitch of each needle, that is, front to back. It only works with knit stitches, and it results in a twisted stitch, but as long as you know it’s there its not a problem. The rationale is that the yarn travels a shorter distance. Works for me….
February 15th, 2015 at 9:44 pm
Don’t know if this has been posted already but, when the ladders appears, I pick up the ladder as if I’m M1R, then I K2T. It may look bulky but , the ladder disappears . I prefer DPN’s for socks and mittens, but magic loop for cowls & sleeves.
February 15th, 2015 at 11:00 pm
I would always have the same problem until I learned to knit continental, without ‘throwing’ the yarn. This somehow keeps your stitches tidier. Give it a try!
February 15th, 2015 at 11:23 pm
Yes, knitting socks on a plane seems like the perfectly-sized project. It is, until your fifth needle drops into the crack between the two seats. And it is now gone forever to nowhere. I now stuff the space between the seats with anything I have. And still knit socks with 5 dpns. I do carry an extra set of dpns onto plane, however, just in case one flips into oblivion. It happens.
January 31st, 2016 at 10:37 pm
When going from the knit stitches to the purl stitches where the ladder occurs I purl the first purl stitch with the yarn wound
clock wise instead of counter clockwise.
February 28th, 2016 at 5:06 pm
Post 30 from mommabear saved my knitting life. I am still on my first pair of socks, two at a time, toe-up on a circular needle. I have a miserable seam all the way up and am now past the heels and it’s showing up again. Mammabear’s suggestion to put your last two knitted stitches as the first two when you turn around and start again from there has eliminated my problem. It’s forcing me to keep the gap small, as well as keep moving the loop around so the very small gaps do not line up, I know just what to do with the next pair, I will start out two at a time for the toes, then when I am ready to just fly to the heel I will separate and keep rotating the position of the loop with that method. Keeping them going two at a time seems to take me longer now that I am getting faster at knitting because there is so much movement and adjusting both socks for each row when I should just be able to keep going around. Two at a time is great for the difficult part of the pattern which for me was the toe, but held me back after that.
February 23rd, 2017 at 9:34 am
I knit w doublepoint needles in I guess what you call the continental way (being Norwegian). When I am finished knitting one needle I will continue to knit the next 2 (or more) stitches from the next needle, before I switch to the empty needle. The only issue I have had doing this is to keep track of the beginning of the round, but I keep a marker there (ie piece of yarn).
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