Stitches

When knitting a basic knit stitch, after the first row of stitches how does one "turn the work"?

Does this mean to literally turn the stitches to the opposite side on the needle? I am a just learning to knit and I am having trouble continuing after the first row.

Public Comments

1. i never could get past that, good luck though
2. When I knit, I switch the needles from left to right so that I knit from the full needle onto the empty needle (when knitting a flat project). If knitting on a circular needle to get a tube shape - I just keep knitting from the left needle onto the right (right handed) until the tube is long enough. But I live in a warm climate so I don't do a lot of knitting lately.
3. It means that you have finished the row. When you are knitting, if you are right handed you will knit from the stitches on the left needle until there are no more to knit and all the stitches are on the right hand needle. You then change the needle with all of the stitches on it into your left hand and by doing so, you have 'turned the work' around and you will then commence knitting from the left needle again. When you have finished your first row, note which side your tail is showing so that you can tell the front (right side) from the back (wrong side of your work. Depending on your cast on style, the tail could be the left or right side and is often mentioned in patterns.
4. It means that you exchange the needles from hand to hand. It does not always mean you have knit all the stitches from the left needle, however. For most patterns knit flat, yes, you will knit all the stitches from the left needle to the right needle before turning them from hand to hand. Some patterns, however, use *short rows*, or partially knit rows, to shape an area or section of a garment, such as a bust dart, fullness in baby pants to accommodate a diaper, or the heel of a sock. In these cases, you will knit a specific number of stitches, leaving the rest on the needle unworked, wrap the next unknit stitch by bringing the yarn forward, slipping that stitch, bringing the yarn back and slipping the stitch back to the left needle. At this point you will turn the work and then knit a specific number of stitches back. It's a technique you haven't used yet, but you should know that it does exist when you find a pattern with it in there.
5. Just switch your hands so left needle goes in your right hand and right needle goes in your left hand... and then just continue knitting as usual =] you'll get there eventually!!! ♥♫♣ edit: i can cast on and knit one row. after the second row i somehow have an extra stitch or two.. i even say a rhyme and make sure every step is done correctly... but somehow i just can't seem to get it right!! =] so don't fret. Knitting just isn't for some people so if you can't get it after the 30000 time don't worry =] but good luck!!!!