Double pointed needles are great for many projects, such as socks. Although they can be intimidating because they look like you could accidentally poke your own eye out, they are very easy once you get started.

These instructions apply for a pattern that requires only three active needles, but it can be adapted to include more. You will need to know how to knit, cast on and cast off.

[edit] Steps

Cast on desired amount of stitches onto one needle.
Slip two thirds of the stitches onto the second needle.
Slip the last third of the stitches from the second needle onto the third needle.
Ensure that none of the stitches are twisted. If you join the two ends of the work twisted and start knitting, your entire item will be twisted - you'll have to unravel it all and start over.
Let the needles hang loose in you hand. If you find that the needles slip out of the work, you need to try a tighter tension. Switching from steel needles to bamboo also sometimes helps.
Hold the needle with the working yarn in your right hand. Move the needle in your left hand (ie: at the other end) to the tip of the needle that is in your right hand.
Knit just the first stitch. Pull the first stitch of each needle tight to keep the work even. You might find it useful to add a stitch marker at this point.
Begin knitting and/or purling with the fourth needle, like you would when knitting with normal needles. When you are done with the first needle, it is empty and becomes your working needle. You then move on to the next needle, and so on. Keep going around in a circle or a spiral.
- Note: When knitting flat, to achieve stockinette stitch you would need to alternately knit and purl each row. When knitting in the round, to get this look you only need to use the knit/garter stitch because you are always knitting from the same side of the work.
Knit and/or purl a few rounds; there should be a tube forming.
Knit until it is the desired length, and cast off as usual, discarding spare needles one at a time.