Stitches

Help with basic knitting?

I just learned to knit and am trying to knit a very basic scarf. I've started over so many times, my scarf is okay in the middle, but is just two giant knots on either end, that just seem to get bigger as i knit. Also, the stitches seem to be so tight on the needle that i can't turn the scarf to make it straight, no matter how loosely i try to knit or cast on. What am i doing wrong? Any tips would be greatly appreciated :) on one of my scarves, i noticed i had gone from 20 to 27 stitches. then i started over and since then i've counted them several times to make sure i'm not adding any

Public Comments

1. Have you counted the stitches to make sure you still have the same number as the number you cast on? Often, with new knitters, there is a tendency to knit too tightly. One component is caused by holding the yarn too tightly. The other is caused by inserting only the point of the right-hand needle into the next loop to be knitted and wrapping the yarn around the point of the needle instead of the shaft. If you knit English style (throw the yarn with your right hand), you might want to review this YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=how+to+knit&search_type= If you knit Continental style (hold yarn with your left hand), you might want to review this YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9XImtoQmZ8 Good luck with your knitting--it's loads of fun when you get the hang of the tension and even stitches. Addendum: If it's the FIRST and LAST stitches on either end that are your problem, try this: At the beginning of the row, slip the first stitch to the right-hand needle without knitting it. Then knit to the end of the row. At the beginning of the next row, slip the first stitch, as you did with the first row. You will create an even edge by doing that. You didn't say what stitch you are using, and I assume that you are knitting each stitch of each row. If you're using another stitch, perhaps more help would be in order. Also, while casting on 5" to 6" of stitches and knitting many rows over the few stitches seems to be the most common method, I have had better success with using a long circular needle (it has a half needle on each end and a flexible cable in the middle) and casting on between 150 and 200 stitches, depending on the size of the needles and yarn. Advantages: You spend more time knitting in the middle than on the ends, you spend less time turning your work, and you create a more interesting pattern.
2. this is a common problem with beginners. the trick is to have an even tension all the way across the row, it just takes practice. check out these videos and see if they will help you a trick to cast on loose would be to go up 2 to 3 sizes from the needles that you plan to use for the body of the scarf. Use the larger needles for an inch then switch to the smaller needles. knittinghelp.com/knit-stitch knittinghelp.com/purl-stitch
3. another thing that might help you is to knit a ribbed scarf: try CO 24 stitches, then knit 2, purl 2. it will keep your scarf flat (no rolled ends), and is easier to count your stitches that way. also, maybe put tape/a mark with a sharpie about and inch from the tip of your needles to show you how far down you need to move your yarn before completing a stitch. this will teach you how to make even stitches. <- sorry, hope that made sense. your stitches are too tight because you arent moving the yarn down the needle, which makes a bigger loop with the yarn, which in turn makes looser stitches. anywho, good luck!
4. Check out tons of knitting tips, patterns and instructions here: http://www.craftster.org/forum/index.php?board=23.0