Circular needle/dpns question

[Tatties]

I have a baby hat knitting pattern, (courtesy of the lovely Lionheart ), which requires a circular needle then a switch to dpns for the decreases. Sorry if this is a bit thick of me, I haven't used either before - but can I not just do the decreases on the circular needle???

Depends on how long your circular needle is and how many stitches you are left with after your decreases. Too few stitches on too long a needle makes them all stretched out. You can try and then transfer them to dps when it gets to difficult to have them on a circular needle.

Ahhhh I see... So I take it your circular needle needs to be a similar length to the circumference of your hat then?

I don't know anything about knitting in the round, but recently bought circular needles. I think the shortest is about 30/40cm.

Ooh Ceolas have you used them yet?

Message withdrawn

Ok I think I get it now, thank you

Yes I bought them for a cardigan I was knitting for DD1. The back and sleeves are knitted in one and it was for the length more than anything. They were long 80cm ones. I didn't like them at all. metal and very slippy

My shortest circular needle is 43 cm, tip to tip.
The dps are 40cm steel needles and would be used with a knitting belt in Shetland. I've never learned how to do that as I prefer to knit in bed