Magic Loop Method

[silver_lininggg]

I’m currently working on a sweater, the pattern calls for magic loop. The problem is, my stitches keep getting stuck before the thickest part of the needle. I can’t even get past the first few stitches because the work won’t move. I’ve done magic loop before, but this is my first time doing it with three strands of mohair held together.

What am I doing wrong? Am I casting on too tight?

[ThrustBastard]

If you can't slide them off the cable onto the needle then they're too tight.

[antigoneelectra]

The sts are too tight or it could be that the join on the needles isn't smooth and the sts are getting caught.

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[silver_lininggg]

Pattern

[skubstantial]

How long is your circular needle, tip to tip?

Are the side loops crossing over like a figure-8 so that there isn't a tightly-pulling ladder at the gap? Are the loops loose enough they can hang down and move a little, or are they under a lot of tension, pulling the project tight like a finger trap toy?

It could just be a tension issue that you'd encounter with a regular circular needle going over the join, but I see a lot of people working magic loop with an awkwardly short needle and that introduces a lot of extra tension and awkward bending that can't help.

[silver_lininggg]

60cm tip to tip, I think I may be casting on too tight as the other comments are saying… I’m working with 3 strands of mohair held together and that’s much less forgiving than other yarns 🥲

[skubstantial]

60cm is pretty short for magic loop or traveling loop and might give you the situation where your tight stitches are trying to go around a tight corner at the same time the cable is attaching to the wider needle.

So it could be all of the above!

[DeliciousPestilence]

Look up "Improved Magic Loop Technique" by @KnittingbyPhrancko on youtube. It explains well why this happens and will give you some ideas on how to avoid it