What length circulars do I need?

[Buddhamom]

What length circulars would I need to cast on 162? I am fairly new to circulars and the pattern calls for straights, but instead of doing two pieces and having to seam the sides I decided to do the lower part of the top on circulars and have no clue what length I would need to hold that many.

[sonuptosondown]

You could do it on 16" but they'd be really bunched up--I've done it, though.

I cast on 144 yesterday on a 40" and that was ok. 27 or 32 would be what I would choose.

[mary3mama]

It might depend on the yarn.

I did a baby blanket last week -- Cascade eco-wool worsted weight.

At the widest point I had 126 stitches on the needles.

On my 24" circs that was getting crowded but I could fit more. I *think* getting 162 on there would have been challenging.

So, that's my answer. I'd personally go bigger than 24" if I could.

HTH,

[Buddhamom]

Oh, I forgot to mention that it is the Lion Brand Recycled Cotton. I am making this top http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70302AD.html and am doing the bottom part before the yolk on circulars and then placing the back half on a stitch holder and working the front on straights and then doing th back the same way so i have less seams.

[sonuptosondown]

That top is so cute!!!

I agree with pp--go bigger than 24 if you can.

[Buddhamom]

I will be knitting in the round and I wasn't sure if that makes a difference? I heard that you want an close a length to the amount cast on as possible and not too much longer. Is that true?

[sonuptosondown]

I haven't read a "rule", but I do know that if you use a circular needle that is too large, you physically won't be able to join the round to make a circle. For example, 40 worsted stitches on a 24" circ wouldn't reach all the way around the circle.

You can't really choose a circ that is too small--all that will happen is that the stitches will be bunched close together in order to fit on the circle. You'll be able to join the round and knit, it's just a little of a pitb.

I bet if you cast on a 32" circ needle, you will be ok. When you go to join the round, you will know immediately if the circ is too long--you won't be able to knit the 1st and last stitches together or it will be very hard.

And if you choose a circ that is shorter than comfortable for you--so the stitches are bunched up--you can always just knit onto a larger circ the next round.

Did that make any sense?

[flapjack]

Look for a length that is fairly close to the waist circumference of the finished item, or the person you're knitting for.

[Buddhamom]

It is a swing top and I did the math and it came to about 36". When I say the math I mean that I would be casting on 162 st. and the pattern calls for 18 st. to 4" in the swatch so I divided the 162 by 18 and got 9 so I multiplied that by the 4' and got 36" so I was thinking of using 32" because it is better to be a little bunched then pulling.

[lnupermom]

If you go with a 32 you are going to run into a problem when you start decreasing because you dec down to 24" prior to splitting for the armholes.

Your best bet unless you own/want to invest in lots of needles in the same size, is going to be to "tough" it out with 16" or 20" if you can find a 20 easily. Honestly I would use my 16" circ and not think twice about 162 stitches on it.

If you wanted to magic loop it, you would need a super long needle(think 60") to maneuver comfortably while doing the 36" skirt.

You could always use the 2 circ method as well.

[Buddhamom]

I was planning on doing the yoke part on straights and then just seam up that short part on each side.