Avoid stitches slipping off your double pointed needles (DPNs) whenever your knitting project isn’t being worked on with this simple, quick to crochet, magic wand style stitch keeper.
This DPN stitch keeper free crochet pattern is available in full here on my website and an ad-free, printable pdf file for this pattern is also available on Ravelry.
Requirements
10g white (C1) cotton DK or sportweight yarn
20g black (C2) cotton DK or sportweight yarn (more if your DPNs are longer than 15 cm/6")2.5mm hook (US B-1 or C-2) or suitable hook to achieve a firm fabric
Small fine darning needle and scissors
Abbreviations
ch chain
slst slip stitch
dc double crochet (UK version only)
sc single crochet (US version only)
st/sts stitch/stitches
R row or round number
2tog a decrease pull up a loop in next 2 sts, yo, pull through all loops on hook
Sizes
There are two widths and the length is customisable to fit your needles perfectly
Diameter: 1cm / 1/3” (1.5cm / 1/2") – fits up to five 3.25mm (5mm) DPNs
Exterior length: length of DPNs – item shown is 15cm /6” but instructions are given to adjust for any size.
Working method
The white ends are worked in closed rounds, turning the work each round to maintain a consistent appearance with the black section which is worked flat.
DPN stitch keeper free crochet pattern notes
This pattern is given separately on this page in UK and US terminology, so be sure to look for the instructions in the terms you prefer. Turning/beginning chains at the end of rounds and rows do not count as stitches. Each round/row has 8 (12) sts apart form the start and end rounds of the bigger size which have 4 (3) sts. You will need to have the DPNs with you or know their length to work section 2. The piece has no right or wrong side, so RS/WS is not indicated.
Method - UK terms
First End Cap
Worked in closed rounds, turning the work each round to maintain a consistent appearance with the black section which is worked flat.
With C1, leave a tail of at least 30cm/12" and start with magic loop or your choice of closed centre start.
R1a: 1 ch, 8 (6) dc into centre, slst into 1st dc of row, turn. 8 (6) sts
R1b (larger size only): 1 ch, miss slst, 2 dc in each st of round, slst into 1st dc of row, turn. 0 (12) sts
R2: 1 ch, miss slst, 1 dc in each st of round, slst into 1st dc of row, turn. 8 (12) sts
R3-R7: Repeat row 2 until final slst of R7. For this slst, insert the yarn in the usual way but pull up a loop of C2 instead of C1 to make the slst. This gives a neat colour change.
Fasten off C1.
Main Section
Worked flat.
Now determine the length of the black section required for your DPNs. The outside of the stitch keeper should be exactly the same length as your DPNs. The inside will therefore be a little shorter than the DPNs to ensure a tight fit, keeping your stitches safe. To achieve this, the black section will need to be the length of the DPNs, minus the length of the two white End Caps.
R1: 1 ch, miss slst, 1 dc in each st of round, do not slst into 1st dc of row, turn. 8 (12) sts
R2: 1 ch, 1 dc in same stitch and each st of row, turn.
R3-desired length: Repeat row 2 until final st of Main Section. Before turning, work a slst, inserting the yarn in the usual way but pull up a loop of C1 instead of C2 to make the slst. This gives a neat colour change, then turn ready for next round.
Fasten off C2.
Second End Cap
Worked in closed rounds, turning the work each round to maintain a consistent appearance with the black section.
R1: 1 ch, miss slst, 1 dc in each st of round, slst into 1st dc of round, turn. 8 (12) sts
R2-R6: Repeat round 1.
R7a: 1 ch, miss slst, dc2tog to end of round, slst into 1st dc2tog of round, turn. 4 (6) sts
R7b (larger size only): 1 ch, miss slst, dc2tog to end of round, slst into 1st dc2tog of row, turn. 4 (3) sts
Fasten off C1 leaving a long tail.
Method - US terms
First End Cap
Worked in closed rounds, turning the work each round to maintain a consistent appearance with the black section which is worked flat.
With C1, leave a tail of at least 30cm/12" and start with magic loop or your choice of closed centre start.
R1a: 1 ch, 8 (6) sc into centre, slst into 1st sc of row, turn. 8 (6) sts
R1b (larger size only): 1 ch, miss slst, 2 sc in each st of round, slst into 1st sc of row, turn. 0 (12) sts
R2: 1 ch, miss slst, 1 sc in each st of round, slst into 1st sc of row, turn. 8 (12) sts
R3-R7: Repeat row 2 until final slst of R7. For this slst, insert the yarn in the usual way but pull up a loop of C2 instead of C1 to make the slst. This gives a neat colour change.
Fasten off C1.
Main Section
Worked flat.
Now determine the length of the black section required for your DPNs. The outside of the stitch keeper should be exactly the same length as your DPNs. The inside will therefore be a little shorter than the DPNs to ensure a tight fit, keeping your stitches safe. To achieve this, the black section will need to be the length of the DPNs, minus the length of the two white End Caps.
R1: 1 ch, miss slst, 1 sc in each st of round, do not slst into 1st sc of row, turn. 8 (12) sts
R2: 1 ch, 1 sc in same stitch and each st of row, turn.
R3-desired length: Repeat row 2 until final st of Main Section. Before turning, work a slst, inserting the yarn in the usual way but pull up a loop of C1 instead of C2 to make the slst. This gives a neat colour change, then turn ready for next round.
Fasten off C2.
Second End Cap
Worked in closed rounds, turning the work each round to maintain a consistent appearance with the black section.
R1: 1 ch, miss slst, 1 sc in each st of round, slst into 1st sc of round, turn. 8 (12) sts
R2-R6: Repeat round 1.
R7a: 1 ch, miss slst, sc2tog to end of round, slst into 1st sc2tog of round, turn. 4 (6) sts
R7b (larger size only): 1 ch, miss slst, sc2tog to end of round, slst into 1st sc2tog of row, turn. 4 (3) sts
Fasten off C1 leaving a long tail.
Finishing
Strengthen the ends and ensure no gaps between sts by darning over them with the long tails of white yarn and the smallest needle you can thread your yarn through, until you can no longer get the needle through the stitches. This means your DPNs won’t get through either. Weave in and trim all ends neatly.
How did it go?
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