What do you think?
Rate this book
Circular Knitting Workshop: Essential Techniques to Master Knitting in the Round
Discover the pleasures of knitting in the round! Margaret Radcliffe presents classic circular knitting techniques — including Fair Isle, helix, and tubular — in detailed step-by-step photographic sequences. This comprehensive guide provides directions for 35 demonstration projects, so you can practice each technique on a miniature hat, mitten, or sweater before applying it to a larger project. With tips on how to adapt any straight-needle pattern for use with circular needles, Circular Knitting Workshop opens up endless possibilities.
320 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2012
255 people are currently reading
454 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
September 26, 2023
I despise knitting patterns. I like: here's my yarn, here are my needles, here's my gauge... now bring it!!
This book teaches you how to make things a la Elizabeth Zimmerman where you learn the general structure and proportions of things so you can make knit garments without a pattern, and all of it circular knitting. Hooray for no sewing up bits and bobs at the end!!
It is a fabulous book for learning without the time investment that goes into a full-sized project and without the stress of will it fit? will I botch it? will my favourite yak/silk/unicorn yarn be wasted?
I've made the vest sample and full-size, the colour work vest sample and am working through sock samples now. I've made jumpers before (thank you Elizabeth Zimmerman) and socks, but it takes too long to know what you've done right/wrong and usually when I'm done I need a break so I don't put my new found knowledge into play. This way I really feel I've learned something and can put my skills to use in a full-sized version right after the sample. Plus those samples are so cute and perfect for dolls!!
Highly recommend!! And her other books are awesome too.
This book teaches you how to make things a la Elizabeth Zimmerman where you learn the general structure and proportions of things so you can make knit garments without a pattern, and all of it circular knitting. Hooray for no sewing up bits and bobs at the end!!
It is a fabulous book for learning without the time investment that goes into a full-sized project and without the stress of will it fit? will I botch it? will my favourite yak/silk/unicorn yarn be wasted?
I've made the vest sample and full-size, the colour work vest sample and am working through sock samples now. I've made jumpers before (thank you Elizabeth Zimmerman) and socks, but it takes too long to know what you've done right/wrong and usually when I'm done I need a break so I don't put my new found knowledge into play. This way I really feel I've learned something and can put my skills to use in a full-sized version right after the sample. Plus those samples are so cute and perfect for dolls!!
Highly recommend!! And her other books are awesome too.
April 17, 2016
I've been knitting circularly for many years, but there's always something new to learn from Margaret Radcliffe. This isn't really a pattern book, it's a teaching guide and reference book, with many useful techniques and tips, and comparisons between various methods for different aspects of circular knitting, from cast-on to bind-off, and including a basic introduction to knitting on two circulars, double-points, and magic loop. There are patterns, but most of them are teaching patterns, to help learn a new technique. However, there are some excellent if simple patterns for full-size projects; e.g., she shows how to knit circular shawls both from the center and from the outer edge. And she has a very good section on how to adapt stitch patterns from flat knitting to circular, with samples ranging from simple knit-purl patterns to cables and slip-stitch designs. One moral I took away already: as much as I hate to seam sweaters, some stitch patterns are really going to be easiest done flat and seamed.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
April 15, 2012
Circular Knitting Workshop Essential Techniques to Master Knitting in the Round
by Margaret Radcliffe
First starts out with what looks like colorful doll sweaters and vests as if I needed any enticing to continue on.
Like the comparisons it shows from circular to straight knitting, the ribbings.
Hands on diagrams make it easy to see so you can do what they are talking about in each chapter.
Multiple means of casting on and working with magic loop method is described along with binding off methods.
A chapter I was looking forward to was the converting flat knitting to circular. I just really like to knit with
circulars, especially on a plane so I'm not apt to lose one of my 4 double pointed needles.
Shows basic chart knitting if you need a refresher or are a newcomer to that method of following a pattern.
Patterns for potholders, bags and hats are included.
Love just the different patterns and am thinking of another baby afghan I have to make this week looking at the diamond pattern vs. the one I am currently using will be a nice selection.
Always am telling my blind friend that you can knit with needles and make a circle but that you'd have to then sew up the seam-she can't do the circulars but this book gives me another idea on how to achieve it.
Shawls and scarves, socks and mittens and gloves, vests and sweaters. Something for everybody in this book, beginning or experienced knitter.
Other abbreviations, glossary and index are at the back of the book.
by Margaret Radcliffe
First starts out with what looks like colorful doll sweaters and vests as if I needed any enticing to continue on.
Like the comparisons it shows from circular to straight knitting, the ribbings.
Hands on diagrams make it easy to see so you can do what they are talking about in each chapter.
Multiple means of casting on and working with magic loop method is described along with binding off methods.
A chapter I was looking forward to was the converting flat knitting to circular. I just really like to knit with
circulars, especially on a plane so I'm not apt to lose one of my 4 double pointed needles.
Shows basic chart knitting if you need a refresher or are a newcomer to that method of following a pattern.
Patterns for potholders, bags and hats are included.
Love just the different patterns and am thinking of another baby afghan I have to make this week looking at the diamond pattern vs. the one I am currently using will be a nice selection.
Always am telling my blind friend that you can knit with needles and make a circle but that you'd have to then sew up the seam-she can't do the circulars but this book gives me another idea on how to achieve it.
Shawls and scarves, socks and mittens and gloves, vests and sweaters. Something for everybody in this book, beginning or experienced knitter.
Other abbreviations, glossary and index are at the back of the book.
July 12, 2012
When I first saw this book on the shelf, I made a face. I've been knitting circularly for years. What could this book teach me? Techniques used in a way I hadn't thought about. There are plenty of ideas here for playing with (helix knitting) and a few I didn't know about (chimney stitches to help with kitchener). This is gonna fit great on my knitting bookshelf.
November 1, 2014
This is one of those books that belongs on every knitter's shelf. As several others said, I passed this one by because I had been using circular needles for years. Then I got the ebook from my library and checked it out. There are all sorts of things that I didn't know. I have never used Helix knitting and thought it was very interesting.
Most important to me were the chapters that dealt with changing a flat knit pattern to a circular. It's pretty easy if your flat knitting has the same gauge and look as your circular, but that is not true for a lot of us. Figuring out how to change the upper body to a yoke or some other technique to correct that problem is something I'd like to know more about. It raised a question I never thought of. If you want pick up sleeves from the top and knit them down to the cuff you have to make sure that the stitch pattern you choose looks the same when viewed top to bottom.
(I have been distracted from this review by a big eagle who deigned to sit and rest on a tree branch about 50 yards away from me. Whatever more I wanted to write has been blown away by the majesty of this bird! Suffice it to say it is a good book.)
Most important to me were the chapters that dealt with changing a flat knit pattern to a circular. It's pretty easy if your flat knitting has the same gauge and look as your circular, but that is not true for a lot of us. Figuring out how to change the upper body to a yoke or some other technique to correct that problem is something I'd like to know more about. It raised a question I never thought of. If you want pick up sleeves from the top and knit them down to the cuff you have to make sure that the stitch pattern you choose looks the same when viewed top to bottom.
(I have been distracted from this review by a big eagle who deigned to sit and rest on a tree branch about 50 yards away from me. Whatever more I wanted to write has been blown away by the majesty of this bird! Suffice it to say it is a good book.)
December 16, 2012
Very clearly written and well-illustrated. The projects are interesting but I think its main value is as a reference and go-to book. Covers everything from icord to knitting on two needles.
March 5, 2023
A great reference guide for circular knitting from troubleshooting to converting flat to circular to variations of basic stitches. I especially like the clear instructions on how to construct and customise basic patterns and designs of hats, gloves and sweaters. Highly recommend for beginners and intermediate level knitters in circular knitting. It receives 4 stars because it needs an updated version of this great reference.
April 6, 2016
My hands are busier -- and, with hand-knit gloves, warmer -- thanks to this book.
This book has clear instructions accompanied by plenty of close-up, step-by-step photographs of the circular knitting process (rather than just the finished product). The chapters on socks, mittens, and gloves are exactly what I've been searching for. Reading this book was like taking a master class on knitting in the round. At last I understand why one would choose a specific knitting-in-the-round technique over another for a given application. This book is not meant to be a pattern book, but it does have some great patterns and -- even better -- great recipes that you can modify for your own patterns.
A great read that will also make a great reference.
This book has clear instructions accompanied by plenty of close-up, step-by-step photographs of the circular knitting process (rather than just the finished product). The chapters on socks, mittens, and gloves are exactly what I've been searching for. Reading this book was like taking a master class on knitting in the round. At last I understand why one would choose a specific knitting-in-the-round technique over another for a given application. This book is not meant to be a pattern book, but it does have some great patterns and -- even better -- great recipes that you can modify for your own patterns.
A great read that will also make a great reference.
February 9, 2020
This book has interesting ideas for the heel in socks and the thumbs in mittens I hadn’t seen before. Basically, you knit the “tube” cut ✂️ a stitch, pull out some of the thread to expose loops and then build the heel/thumb.
The photography is helpful and I appreciate that the author used different colors of yarn. YET I don’t know I find these methods easier (not that I’ve tried them; I just loooove the fish lips heel too much to try another process).
I’m not super new to circular and used circular and have never tried DPN so perhaps this book isn’t as helpful for me as it might be for others.
The photography is helpful and I appreciate that the author used different colors of yarn. YET I don’t know I find these methods easier (not that I’ve tried them; I just loooove the fish lips heel too much to try another process).
I’m not super new to circular and used circular and have never tried DPN so perhaps this book isn’t as helpful for me as it might be for others.
December 30, 2013
This is such a nice book. I don't own many knitting books but this is one that I am glad I do own. I will use it often for reference. Great photos with clear instructions. A must have for knitting in the round. Nice projects included.
December 30, 2014
Great book for learning and practicing techniques. There are only a few projects I would really want to make for the finished product, but that's not the focus of the book. I love the emphasis on design and converting flat patterns to circular. Definitely worth adding to my library.
April 13, 2014
Some books you by and some you check out form the library this is a MUST buy . The amount of tips in here could last you 10 years to perfect. Ms. Radcliffe is also an amazing writer on knitting writing with passion and great descriptions so you do not have to rely on the photos.
May 6, 2015
This book is a treasure trove of tips and tricks for anyone who wants to get started in circular knitting or go above and beyond in it. The patterns are okay (not amazing), but it's a fantastic reference book that will stand the test of time.
December 18, 2022
A fabulous book that demonstrates via good explanations and photographs how to do dozens of techniques with circular needles. This book will be going into my reference collection and I am going to recommend it to my knitting group as a must-have resource
December 20, 2019
Lots of great ideas to improve upon one's knitting techniques. I bought it to help convert pieced knitting patterns to in the round. Some maths involved so it's a good idea to have a hand rail available.
April 5, 2017
One of the best books on knitting in the round there is. Lots of tips and techniques. I highly recommend it.
September 11, 2023
As a knitter of six years who still considers herself a beginner, I think I would've liked this more if it had more basic info for knitting with circular needles. On the contrary, it assumed you had a lot of experience with circular knitting. For instance, unless I overlooked something, it never explained knitting back and forth on circular needles--or which way to re-orient yourself after you put your needles down (like I said, still considering myself a beginner). I may re-read it, in coming years when I get better at this hobby, but for now, for me, it was a bit too ... technical, yet vague? Contradictory, I know, but that seems the best way to describe it.
October 6, 2019
Very close to a 5. It's one I think is worth owning, because the author does a great jobs working through the whys and hows. I would only like to see a greater variety of accomplishments in the patterns. I admire the any size, any yarn theory so I like to see a few more examples in other sizes and yarns with their humans. Great book otherwise.
November 28, 2024
I mostly just paged through this book. It looks like an excellent resource for the beginning knitter who wants to teach themselves how to knit. I could see myself, as a beginning knitter, working my way through the workshops included in this book and learning/growing in skill. I did find 3 projects that I am interested in knitting. I don't have much else to say about this book.
October 9, 2022
A good introduction to knitting in the round. Bags, hats, shawls, socks, mittens, gloves, & sweaters. All you need to know, with lots of useful techniques.
Lots of good photos and drawings. A very good section on knitting socks.
This would be a good book to have as a reference.
Lots of good photos and drawings. A very good section on knitting socks.
This would be a good book to have as a reference.
March 26, 2023
Knitting on Round Needles
This is a beautifully illustrated book. It is definitely not for a beginner. However it can wet your appetite to learn become more advanced. Lots of patience explaining many knitting ideas and methods are included. Well worth the read.
This is a beautifully illustrated book. It is definitely not for a beginner. However it can wet your appetite to learn become more advanced. Lots of patience explaining many knitting ideas and methods are included. Well worth the read.
February 16, 2024
Almost overwhelmingly, comprehensive. Great detail about knitting in the round lots of socks and mittens some other projects. There were a couple things I’d like to make, but not unless I’m got some knitting in the round experience.
October 20, 2025
Wonderful, all you need to knit in the round
One of best knitting books I've ever read, and I have read a lot of them, as a passionate knitter. The variety of techniques and the comprehensive instructions with step-by-step colourful pictures, are simply sublime.
One of best knitting books I've ever read, and I have read a lot of them, as a passionate knitter. The variety of techniques and the comprehensive instructions with step-by-step colourful pictures, are simply sublime.
March 10, 2022
Excellent reference book. Have returned to a few times. Will probably purchase.
February 3, 2023
An encyclopedia of circular knitting knowledge. I will definitely be returning to this over and over as I progress in my knitting practice.
February 16, 2023
Gréât resource for knitters!
February 24, 2023
I didn’t finish this cover to cover because that’s not what this book is I read what I needed to learn to get started with this kind of knitting and I’m excited to try
January 14, 2026
Great, clear, interesting patterns. ✔️
January 1, 2020
Some excellent instructions for all things circular!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews