When to Use Double Pointed Needles

• There is really no right or wrong time to use them. You have probably picked up a pattern that calls for them. In knitting instructions, this set of needles is often referred to by its abbreviation, "DPNS."
  
  Most commonly, DPNS are used when knitting hats and socks. For hats, they are used when you have to start decreasing for the crown of the head and the yarn no longer fits on your circular needle. In socks, they are used the entire time because they never fit onto even the smallest of circular needles.
  
  DPNS can also be used when knitting a scarf in the round or small ornaments. Basically, whenever you have a project that requires knitting in the round and it cannot fit onto a circular needle, bring out the DPNS.
  
  

Working with DPNS

• The trickiest part about DPNS is making sure your yarn and needles are always where they should be. Learn a few tips to keep in mind as you try to become more comfortable, working with DPNS.
  
  Strive for no twisted or tangled yarn. This is more important to remember when you are starting your project with DPNS. If you are making a hat and switching to DPNS, this should not be a problem.
  
  Do not pack too many stitches on your needles. It may seem overwhelming to go from using two needles to four or five, but it is better to have more needles in your hand then to constantly worry about stitches falling off the ends of your needles because you put too many stitches onto one or more of them.
  
  Remember where you are in the pattern. This is where you either have to have a good memory or get to add a new fun tool to your knitting world--removable stitch holders. Similar to regular stitch markers, only they go directly into a stitch to mark the end/beginning of the round, or specific pattern notes you need to remember and follow.
  
  Keep the ends of the needles close together. This keeps you from having large gaps in your project from where the needles change. Pull the yarn slightly tighter between those stitches just to make sure everything is clean and hole-free.
  
  

Flat Knitting and the Little Details

• Now that you know how to use your needles, it is time to learn other uses for them. Just because they are primarily used to knit in the round does not mean that is all you have to use them for.
  
  Use them to make I-cords. Either attach the I-cords to the sides of hats or use them as straps on bags. Take two of your DPNS and cast on the number of stitches the I-cord pattern calls for. Knit one round. Instead of turning your work (as you would in in normal knitting), push all the stitched to the other end of the DPN. Now knit another round. Because the yarn is coming from the opposite end, your knitting should start to curve and form a cord.
  
  If you want an even simpler way to incorporate DPNS into your knitting, just replace your straight needles with two DPNS. This is helpful when you are knitting in public and do not want to risk poking someone.
  
  Whatever you are using your DPNS for, make sure to have fun and let your creativity determine what you can knit and not how many needles you have in your hand.