Magic Loop vs. 2 circular needles...

[sonuptosondown]

is there an advantage to using 2 circs that I'm not seeing?

I've learned both ways now and have a little experience doing each. I'm trying to figure out which needles to invest in--16" and 24" for the 2 circ method or 40" for MLing.

ML seems to do the same thing as 2 circs--small circumference knitting without using dpn's--but I only have to deal with one needle rather than two.

So it seems that ML is better, right?

I haven't done two socks (or two anything) on ML, but I have using 2 circs. Are they about equivalent when working on two socks?

I just can't figure out why I should use two needles instead of just one--can anyone educate me?

Thanks!!
Deb

[yogachick79]

Honestly its all about personal pref. I've used and am comfortable with all three methods and think that each have their up and down sides. ML and two circs are nice because they reduce ladders and have a lot less hand poking involved. Plus on the two you can do two at a time (not tried yet). However, I've found that both of those are more "fiddly" than just going round and round on two circs.

I much prefer two circs for toe up and either ML or DPNs for cuff down

[littleteapot]

I was a big magic loop fan for years until I finally sat down and really finished a project with two circulars: WAY easier and way less laddering. Now I'm a convert.

[laf512]

I think it's all a matter of personal preference and what you are more comfortable with. I've used both magic loop and two circulars. I prefer the two circulars and find it less fiddly than magic loop.

[bandyr]

I picked a simple legwarmer pattern to teach myself ML with and bombed! It almost made me through the whole lot out of a moving vehicle I was so angry. How the heck to you keep from developing giant gaps with ML??? At the LYS they said I could fix it with blocking. Huh?!? I could have driven a semi through there!!!


SAHM to 2 nurslings

[laf512]

Originally Posted by bandyr

I picked a simple legwarmer pattern to teach myself ML with and bombed! It almost made me through the whole lot out of a moving vehicle I was so angry. How the heck to you keep from developing giant gaps with ML??? At the LYS they said I could fix it with blocking. Huh?!? I could have driven a semi through there!!!


SAHM to 2 nurslings

The trick to avoiding ladders is to pull the SECOND stitch on each needle extra snug. This keeps the first stitch from getting really loose. Blocking will help some, but I'm guessing they would still be noticeable if they were really bad.