Tip Tuesday: Getting Started on Your Portside Mitts + How to Knit with DPNs

If you’ve been eyeing our Portside Mitts, made with Plover yarn, and have been wondering how to get started, this one’s for you. These mitts are worked in the round using double-pointed needles (DPNs)—a classic technique that might look a little intimidating at first, but is actually quite intuitive once you get the hang of it.

Whether you're tackling your first pair of fingerless gloves or brushing up on small-circumference knitting, here's a quick guide to help you get comfortable knitting with DPNs.

Tip Materials:

• Yarn: Plover

• Pattern: Portside Mitts by Alison Lee (free with purchase of Plover)

• Accessory: Daisy Ceramic Yarn Bowl

What Are Double-Pointed Needles?

Double-pointed needles are a set of three to five short needles, each pointed at both ends. Unlike circular needles, which connect two tips with a cable, DPNs let you knit in the round on smaller circumferences—making them perfect for socks, mitts, hats, and sleeves. Because you can add in or remove additional needles they are perfect for increases and decreases in your smaller projects. 

Double-pointed needles allow you to knit small projects seamlessly in the round.

How to Get Started:

1. Cast On Your Stitches

Cast on the required number of stitches onto one needle. Then, divide those stitches evenly across three or four needles. Use your fifth needle as the working needle.

2. Join to Work in the Round

Carefully arrange your needles into a triangle or square shape, making sure the stitches aren’t twisted. Then use your working needle to knit the first stitch from the first needle—this joins your work in the round.

3. Knit Around the Needles

Once joined, continue knitting across each needle in turn. You’ll always be holding one empty working needle and rotating through the others as you complete each round.

4. Mind the Gaps

One of the most common DPN issues is laddering—loose stitches between needles. To avoid this, gently tug the first couple of stitches on each needle as you begin a new section. Keeping an even tension will help create a smooth, consistent fabric.

5. Keep Track of Your Rounds

Because there’s no cable to indicate the start of a round, use a removable stitch marker or mark the beginning of your round with a contrasting piece of yarn. This will help you stay on track, especially in patterns like the Portside Mitts, which features ribbing.

Why We Love Plover for This Project

Plover is a minimally processed, domestically grown yarn, milled at Battenkill Fibers. A 60% alpaca, 40% wool blend, it achieves a perfect harmony of structure and softness. It knits up beautifully for accessories like mitts, thanks to its gentle texture and warm yet breathable finish.

Best of all, the Portside Mitts pattern is free with your purchase of Plover, so it’s the perfect time to dive into small-circumference knitting.

Final Note…

Double-pointed needles allow you to knit small projects seamlessly in the round. While it may take a few rounds to feel comfortable, many knitters find DPNs fast, reliable, and satisfying for detailed projects like gloves and mittens.

If your DPNs feel fiddly at first, take it slow. Practice with a simple tube or start your Portside Mitts using scrap yarn until you feel confident. Before long, you’ll be flying through your rounds.

Curious to try it out? Grab your Plover yarn and give the Portside Mitts pattern a go!