Knitting in the round for advanced beginners: tips to avoid seams

Are you ready to take your knitting to the next level? You've already mastered the basics (knit stitch, purl stitch, stockinette stitch…), and now you're thinking: "What if I knitted in the round , seamlessly, for a neater, smoother, more professional finish?" 🌟
At Knit-sis (hi, it's Lenny & Louise!), we've been there too. We learned from our grandmother and aunt, we made mistakes, we started again, and today we happily share our best tips for knitting in the round so you can confidently move towards seamless designs.

👉 In this article:

▪️ Why knit in the round (advantages, myths).

▪️ The main methods (circular needles, double-pointed needles, Magic Loop) and how to choose them.

▪️ Practical tips for advanced beginners: avoid seams , succeed at joining, achieve a perfect finish.

▪️ Links to our patterns adapted for knitting in the round + a printable bonus.

Why adopt circular knitting?

The advantages of knitting in the round (seamless)

Knitting in the round means working without turning the work, forming a continuous tube.
Here's what this means for you:

▪️ Less sewing to do at the end → you save time and avoid the often dreaded "finishing" part.

▪️ A smoother , more polished look. The work already has a "professional" feel.

▪️ Fewer purl rows / purl stitches if you are doing stockinette stitch : in the round, you often work all the stitches in knit.

▪️ More comfort & portability : circular needles, cable, less weight on the wrists.

Anecdote: Louise remembered her first knitted vest "flat"... two sleeves, two fronts, two backs... and the final sewing took her longer than the knitting! Since then, she has switched to knitting in the round and never goes back.

Key takeaway: Knitting in the round is a real lever for moving from "I knit mainly for myself" to "I knit a garment that I will wear, without fighting against the seams".

How to choose your method & equipment for knitting in the round?

Circular needles, double-pointed needles, or Magic Loop needles?

Here are the main options:

▪️ Circular needles (cable + tips) : widely used for wide pieces or small tubes. Advantages: comfort, less weight on the needle, good handling.

▪️ Double-pointed needles (DPN) : often for small diameters (sleeves, hats). More technical at first, but useful.

▪️ Magic Loop : a hybrid technique using a long circular needle to make small tubes. Practical when you only have one set of needles.

👉 Knit-sis advanced beginner tip : start with a circular needle of the correct length for your project, use a beginning-of-round marker, make sure your stitches are not "twisted" before joining the first round (we'll come back to that in a moment).

The right reflexes: equipment & preparation

▪️ Check that the length of the circular needle cable is suitable for your body or sleeve measurement.

▪️ Test the start of round marker to locate the first point of the round.

▪️ Make a round sample , as you would do flat, but in a circle: this allows you to check the tension, the circumference, and avoids unpleasant surprises.

▪️ Make sure no stitches are twisted before joining the round. One unexpected twist, and your project will spiral!

Key takeaway: The right equipment + the right preparation = a stress-free project start.

Essential tips to avoid seams and successfully complete your circular projects

Tip 1: Choose a "round-friendly" model

Opt for patterns designed to be knitted in the round without requiring seams at the end. At Knit-sis, for example, our Festi pattern (an accessible circular knit vest) was designed for this purpose.
A good "top-down circular" construction often eliminates side seams, which saves time and provides a professional finish.

Tip 2: Carefully manage the separation areas (armholes, raglans, sleeves)

Even when knitting in the round, certain areas like sleeves or raglan sleeves require careful consideration. Here are our tips:

▪️ Use markers to identify increases or decreases.

▪️ If the pattern requires separating the sleeves, prepare the joining well : a cut, or a temporary stop, then attach the sleeves in the round.

▪️ Check the symmetry : even if you are working in the round, the length / fit must be balanced.

▪️ Never skip the "try on" step, even if it's circular. Nothing replaces a quick fitting to check the length or fit.

Tip 3: Perfect, seamless finishes

▪️ Locate the round joins : the point where you joined the circle. Often, a slightly loose stitch or a difference in tension will appear.

Solution: at the junction, tighten the mesh or use a technique called "invisible join".

▪️ Block your work after assembly: knitting in the round tends to stretch differently than flat knitting.

▪️ Weave the threads carefully, but only before wearing the garment. A seamless knit without proper finishing loses all its potential.

▪️ If you want zero seams but a well-defined structure (e.g., armholes, necklines), consider picking up stitches and making a rolled edge or a simple rib to avoid inset seams.

Key takeaway: Knitting in the round doesn't mean "careless." Finishing touches remain crucial for a professional result.

Knit-sis inspirations & patterns ideal for getting started

Here are three great models to apply your new skills:

▪️ Festi : a round vest, accessible and modern, perfect for starting round construction.

▪️ Cardichou (The Cabbage Vest) : an easy, modular, top-down raglan model perfect for seeing how you work without side seams.

▪️ Tulip Vest : seamless knitted sleeveless sweater, pretty intarsia pattern – a great goal after gaining confidence.

👉 If you want to try it right away , subscribe to our newsletter and receive a "Knitting in the round - advanced beginner checklist" sheet.
👉 And don't forget to visit the Knit-sis collection of seamless patterns to discover other designs created for knitting in the round.

Conclusion

Knitting in the round opens up a new dimension to your knitting practice. Less sewing, more freedom, a more professional finish—and always the joy of having created a unique piece with your own hands. At Knit-sis, we love supporting this transition because we know that once you've finished your first seamless project, you won't go back. 😉

🎯 Take action now:

▪️ Explore our collection of patterns designed in the round

▪️ First try a simple model like " Festi " or " Cardichou ".

▪️ Sign up for our newsletter to receive tips, exclusive offers and upcoming models.

Thank you for being here, thank you for knitting with us, and most importantly… have fun! Sending you lots of love (with a ball of yarn in each hand) 💌
— Lenny & Louise, Knit-sis