Need help on first hat

[Rennagayle]

Okay, I finally got my circular needle set (Denise's) and am ready to attempt this hat. (http://alison.knitsmiths.us/pattern_beginners_hat.html)

I think I understand how to join in the round (hope), I know how to keep my stitches untwisted, but am unclear about the number 2:

Instead of turning work to continue, join the two sides to form a circle. When forming the circle be sure that 1) knitting is not twisted around the needle, and 2) that the rolled edge curls to the outside of the hat.


I'm not really sure how I'm supposed to know which is the outside :??

[Mer]

Well, the outside will be the one with the little "Vs" from the stockinette stitch. All of the things I've done have automatically rolled that way--so just make sure that the rolled edge is facing outward when you join.

Hmm, hope that makes some sense. :D

[Silver]

After casting on, it's hard to tell which is the right side or wrong side since you haven't knit any rows yet. But, you can indentify which side is the front by your cast on tail. If you lay the needle out flat, the tail will be either on your left or right side.

If you did a long tail cast on, the tail will be on the left when laid out flat. When you bring the two ends together to make a circle, the tail will come from the first stitch on your right needle.

If you did a knitting on cast on, the tail will be on the right when laid out flat. When you bring the two ends together, the tail will come from the first stitch on the left needle.

Either method is a good cast on. Now you're ready to join and start knitting! :thumbsup:

[Rennagayle]

Thank you, both. That all makes sense to me. :D