Learning to knit help

It sounds like your tension on the yarn is too loose. You'll have to figure out a way to wrap it around your fingers to tighten up, or do a slight tug on the yarn after you complete each stitch. Just keep practicing and you'll get the hang of it.

sue

Thanks for the reply Sue.

I did think of tension, and although it still may be the problem I don't think so. When I start the row my stitches I casted on are all fairly tight around the needle and all evenly sized. The new stitches I make as I do my

1st row are also fairly tight to the needle and aside from the problems with the stitches being worked of they are all fairly even as well. Is there something I'm missing with my tension?

Relax!!! It is very possible that you are casting on too tightly. Most of us do. In fact, I always cast on with a needle two sizes larger than those I am going to use in the project. What happens with many people, especially beginners, is that they sit down, all tensed up, determined to master this. The cast on row is thus too tight, the first knit row is also too tight, then with subsequent rows the knitter thinks "Aha, I've got this down", relaxes, and so do the stitches, thus they come out larger. Just keep on making sample swatches for a while (6" or 8" square is a good size) and you will soon get the hang of it.

Keep on coming back to play with us, we'll be happy to help wherever we can.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans.

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Perhaps as Olwyn Mary says, your cast on is too tight. Either loosen that up, or use a needle a couple sizes larger (if you have one).

sue

Thanks Olwyn Mary.

I only have about 2 or 3 matching sets of needles as mine are currently hand-me-downs from DH's Grandmother. I was waiting to see if I got a better hang of things before I started investing in supplies. Perhaps I'll have to just for go that and get a few of my own needles the next time I'm at the store. I guess in the mean time I need to Keep working at it.

Thanks Sue.

I didn't think of being too tight. I thought I was being too loose so maybe I'm making it worse by trying so hard to keep things tight. I'll try to loosen up and when I get a chance to get to the store I'll get some larger needles. I usually pick new things up fairly fast so knitting is frustrating me. I've tried to learn it a couple of times and wasn't liking the way it was going so I quit. I guess I need to be more patient, relax and just realize this one is going to take some time and practice to get the hang of.

Thanks for the help.

And perhaps the store has a drop in and work on your knitting time where someone more experienced can take a look at your work or watch you knit and advise you.

sue

Hi Charlotte!

I also usually hang out on rctq and knit as well, although I am mostly a lurker here LOL. I was just wondering -

If you are just practising, what yarn and needles are you using?

If your needle size is not "appropriate" for the yarn you are using this could be aggravating you problems. For instance, working with with 5 ply yarn and size 6 (5mm) needles would produce loops and lose stitches.

Or use two knitting needles together, take one out when you start to knit. Whatever you do do not give up but keep on trying

Els

Hi Cats! Nice to see a "familiar face."

I hadn't thought needle size, but that would make a difference. I am using a size 8 with worsted weight yarn because that is what I have. What is the best size needle for worsted weight?

Great tip, Thanks!!

That should be a good size. Worsted can be knit on anything from size 5 to 11, depending on how open or dense you want.

sue

My suggestion is to just keep going. You may find that the tension resolves itself after you've been knitting a bit. One thing that my sister had trouble with, she kept adding stitches by picking up the loops between stitches. Don't do that! Your yarn and needles sound fine, welcome to knitting!

Alison

This is a very individual question. Some people knit more tightly than others. I find I usually have to use needles two sizes smaller than the pattern requires in order to get the gauge. Thus, I usually knit worsted on a size 5 or 6, depending on the yarn itself. Some worsted weights are fatter than others, so I just knit swatches until I find myself producing the fabric I want, then go from there. BTW, I have acquired a fair size stock of knitting needles and crochet hooks over the years, many of the best ones bought at estate sales or thrift stores. As a beginner, you might want to go to your nearest discount store and buy two or three pairs of inexpensive needles in different sizes in order to experiment.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans

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You can also take advantage of Joann's or Michael's 40% off coupons, or Hobby Lobby's 50% off tools sales to pick up a pair or three. Or check your local thrift stores - you might be able to find some with yarn or in a kit.

sue

Thanks Sue.

Thanks Alison!

I think I'll get a couple when I'm at Joanns next. Since it's also getting to be garage sale season around here I'll start watching them as well. Might find someone trying to get rid of a bunch. Thanks Olwyn Mary.

Thanks Sue. Since I also quilt and am just a beginner in that too, I use my coupons for adding to my tools for that (saves me alot of money while getting me some of those things that make it easier). Relatively speaking knitting needles are very inexpensive so I think I'll just go get a couple then watch garage sales and second hand stores to add to the collection.