Longies - Please Help

[silverlily]

So I'm desperately trying to knit DD's first pair of longies. We can't really afford to buy them on HC, and I can do basic knitting (cast on, knit, purl, bind off) so I bought Burgh Baby Gear's "Knitting Wool Diaper Covers from Start to Finish." It seems like it's easy to follow, but I can't for the life of me figure out how to get started.

I have 2 29" size 6 and 8 and 1 16" size 5 circular needles and none of them seem short enough, but those are the only two lengths of needles I can find anywhere. I cast on the right number of stitches, and they don't make it all the way around, and I'm SO FRUSTRATED. I've cast on and pulled off over 50 times.

Am I doing something wrong? I searched YouTube for even an intro to knitting longies and can't find one.

Somebody, anybody, please help?

[olgakond1978]

I think you have 2 options: doing a magic loop method (which I never done, but there are tutorials on you tube), or you can buy 12" circulars on-line. I have KA bamboo 12" and 9" circulars. I use 12" size 3 for the waistband, 16" size 6 for the body, and 12" size 6 for the legs (in bigger sizes). For smaller sizes I use 12" for the waist and the body and 9" for the legs (but you can just do the legs on DPNs). Addi Turbo carries 12" also, and I've seen some great deals on them on ebay.
Also I think that you need a longer circulars for a magic loop (like 47").
Hope it helps

[Lyttlewon]

The circumference of your needle needs to be smaller than the circumference of what you are knitting. If you have two 29" needles that are the same size you can knit with both of them. There are tips on www.knittinghelp.com about small circumference knitting with 2 circs or magic loop.

[eawerner]

I can usually get my longies around on a 16" but a 12" is nice as well.

[heidi320]

Sounds like they've got it covered...I use 16" for the body of longies, and either 12" for the legs and knit individually or 29-32" to double loop the legs.

[silverlily]

Thanks, mamas Can I buy a 12" at a craft store or do I need to order them online from somewhere?

[3lilbubs]

I bought 12" circulars from a local LYS where I live. I don't think you'd find them at a "crafts" type store though so if that's all you have I'd order online. I think mine are hiya hiya brand?

I'm guessing since you're pg that you're trying to start with a nb size. You can do a small on a 16" circ but not really nb's. You can do magic loop, but to be honest, it's a tricky technique and after a year of knitting I still don't understand how to do it. What you might try (and would be good to learn anyway) is some double pointed needles (dpns). You'll probably have an easier time finding those and you will need them anyway to do some of the ribbing, the gusset and some other things like an i-cord and cuffs on very small soakers.

[silverlily]

That's just it...I'm not trying to knit NBs (though I am hoping to in a few months) I was trying larges for DD (she'll be two in May) and I really thought the 16" would be the right size...

[3lilbubs]

Yeah, it should be. What cast on are you using?

[Lyttlewon]

16" will be the right size for the hips. It will be a struggle to get the legs around one though so I would do something else for the legs.