I’m still a beginner and I had no idea you aren’t supposed to pull the needles apart! Nobody has ever mentioned that before. No wonder my edges look like that! Thank you💕
So glad I saw this tip! knitters on youtube seemed to have so much more room to knit so I was actually doing it on purpose to make my movements look more like the 'pros'.
Thank you! These things have been driving me crazy. I knew I was doing something wrong but I couldn't figure out what. You showed me exactly what I was doing wrong.
Thank you so much for this video, Roxanne! You certainly have a talent for teaching. The ambiguity of parsing out/verbalizing an issue that don't know how to describe in a craft you're unfamiliar with is so frustrating. It is amazing that you took the time to go over trouble-shooting for these basic knitting pitfalls that are driving us beginners nuts 🤗 My Oma taught me how to knit and crochet when I was little and while I've gotten pretty adept at crochet over the years, knitting has just been tough for me! Now that I'm trying to improve my skills, its making me miss my Oma (even more than I already do) and wish she were still here to show me how to do this skillfull craft she loved so much. I'm really grateful for this video because even though just holding the needles in my hands makes me feel close to her, I feel like I owe it to her memory and the time she took to teach me, to learn how to do it right 🤍
pulling the needles apart! I didn't even realize I was doing this, no wonder I was having issues! nobody has mentioned this on any video I've found and I can't thank you enough for your help :)
As w/others, my issues were sloppy stitches at the beg of the row, including that dreaded CO loop (thank you SO much for resolving THIS problem...it'd been haunting me since I first learned to knit (self-taught...and because so, I've developed a slew of bad habits). My CO edge was another nightmare (picking up stitches...? ha!...impossible). It didn't matter if I knitted these sts on the RS and slipped them on the WS, they ALWAYS turned out loose and messy, causing my efforts to appear uncaring and lazy. Though I began knitting YEARS ago, I've limited myself to accessories, shying away from anything garment-wise because I was so unhappy w/my work and didn't want to waste quality yarn. You've removed an IMMENSE amount of frustration I've had with this craft and now I am excited about knitting my first pullover! THANK YOU!!! I'll be sure to seek you out on Ravelry!
I’m a beginner who was being driven crazy by those ugly loops at the end and why I was having trouble with the first row of cast-on “stitches”. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain this. I was getting discouraged with going further. Now I’m excited to keep at it and learn more!!!
thank you for explaining how this problem happens. I didn't know how to explain the problem I'm having, but you took care of my unspoken problem perfectly. this video is great.
Thank you so much. I am a beginner. I was getting so discouraged because after the first two rows the rest looks great. Now I will be able to knit a few Christmas presents for special loved ones. You are a great instructor!
This video helped me so much! Ive just started knitting and couldn’t figure out why I had such loose and wide stitches. Thank you very much! I appreciate your help!
Extremely helpful video. Have literally ripped out lots of work because I hated the big loops that were developing by the end of the row. I started learning to knit a couple of weeks ago
I just wanted to thank you so so much for this video. I searched through the entire internet in my native language and found nothing about the issue with those huge loops at the end of the rows. It's 2021 and you're still our (beginners) only hope ;)
Roxanne, I can always count on you for spot-on advice! I am in the process of making prototypes of layette pieces for my first granddaughter, and am utilizing a slip stitch selvedge edge. I had been finding that my selvedge edges were a bit messy, and so I came to you via RUclips for advice. Paying more attention to the second stitch mount for adding that little bit of extra tension completely solved my issue; the results are a million times better. Thank you!!!
I have been working with a couple of students with the ‘loosy goosy every other row’problem... your solutions really gave me multiple solutions. Thank you.
OMG Thank you for helping me identify my bad knitting habits. I was ending up with those huge loops at the end of my rows. Thanks to you and this video, turns out I am a needle pull apart-er and I work too low down the needles.
Excellent suggestions! Thanks for sharing. I wish I had viewed this last year. Fortunately, I discovered the push versus pull of stitches off the needle by working with brioche. Because I was pulling the stitches originally, the whole fabric ended up being super tight and "leaned" to the right. Keep up the great teaching!
I am so grateful that this video was suggested to me! I had no idea that how close your needles are mattered so much! I'm really enjoying knitting but I've been worried since I could see some of these problems developing in my tester. Thank you for the clear demonstrations!
Great comment about stretching and pulling the needles apart. I’ve seen some videos, particularly from yarn companies, seem to purposely pull every stitch stretching the yarn. I never thought about what that could do! I’m probably past that (a little past it) but my daughter wants me to teach her knitting. It’ll be careful about this when I work with her! Thank you for all the great information I’ve learned from your help!
I just wanted to thank you for this video, as I now know that I was pulling the needles too far about. I am so pleased to be fix it, thank you so much!
Thank you so much. I have searched and searched and haven't been able to fond a solution to this problem that has plagued me since I started I finally got an answer it my tension and I'm pulling and I didin't even know that was the problem, but when you explain it it makes perfect sense. I was trying to tighten up the last stich.
Thank you so much for this! I always seem to end up with a sizeable loop at the end of my rows -- particularly purl rows -- and I couldn't see why. I'll have to watch myself next time I knit to see if I pull the needles apart at all or knit too far down. (I know I've definitely been guilty of the latter!) Thanks for always having a video to help me understand all these nuances as I learn!
I'm so glad I'm not alone with these edge stitch problems! Thanks so much Roxanne for clearing up these edge stitch problems. It just breaks your heart when you've found a wonderful pattern to knit but you feel like an imbecile because you know that some simple issue is going to make your beautiful garment look like an ameteur made it.
As someone who just finished my first baby blanket and ended up quite disappointed in how it turned out----THANK YOU. You called out so many bad habits I didn't realize I picked up in my self-teaching.
A lot of getting better at knitting has to do with learning to read your knitting (including mistakes) and how to correct them. Your disappointment in your results is simply a gap between your taste and your current abilities. You will get better! :-)
Knitting really, really tightly at the beginning of the row fixed this for me. I read this somewhere, either in a Vogue Knitting magazine or in the Big Book of Knitting. They explained it as being caused by (and I can't remember this exactly; I might have it backwards) pushing loose yarn ahead in one row, either at the beginning or the end, and making it up by tightening stitches at one end, either the beginning or the end. This was years ago, and I forgot which it was. And I didn't knit for a few years. So here I am knitting silk and at the end of the row the stitches are loose and messy. So I tried both --- tightening at the end or tightening at the beginning. Tightening at the beginning of each row worked for me. And I'm sorry I don't know why, but I know I read it somewhere in what I consider to be an authoritative source on knitting. Now, I can't remember the explanation, but there was one, and it made sense, but in a surprising way. Ah, watching you I think I saw it. The loose yarn at the end of one row CAN be alleviated by tight knitting at the beginning of the NEXT row. It pulls that extra yarn into the next row where you knitted the really tight stitches. And that's how it works for me. I pull the first stitch as tight as possible, the next almost that tight, and the third also tight. And then I knit normally, and when I've worked several rows, the ends of the rows are fine and so are the beginnings. It all works out.
This was very helpful for someone just starting to learn knitting. Many of the tutorials I watched used the slip stitch so I always ended up with the long string in-between the needle and I no idea what I was doing wrong.
Thank you for this excellent video! I believe I have discovered why I sometimes experience the problems covered in the video and appreciate the solutions suggested.
Thank you so much! My edges where pulling up and making a weird loop and i couldn't figure it out. I had no idea that the needles weren't supposed to be pulled apart
Thank you so much for this! I just started knitting 3 days ago and couldn't figure out for the life of me what I've been doing wrong. This is been so helpful ❤️
Thank you for addressing the slack issue, I’ve been stuck on the first row for so long because I could never understand why I would get a big loop where it shouldn’t have been. :)
I’m knitting a blanket and want to add a border when I’m done. I know how to pick up and knit. My question is do you pick up and knit one side at a time. Jeanne
Very helpful video. :0 I would like to try some of these next time, particularly the one where you tightened to yarn to pull out slack, and the one where you just take out the first casted on stitch because I sort of notice that my first stitch is always more or less loose.
Thank you for solving my last loose stitch problem. I have it on every row! I have a related problem... I am using a slipped stitch pattern with two colors of yarn. I am slipping the first stitch of every row to create a salvage edge for later picking up stitches. My problem is that the side where I switch the yarn to the next color I pull tighter and so the salvage edge is narrower(stitches are tight) while on the other side I just turn and purl back with the same color, the edge has big loops on the stitches (wider column). I realize I am pulling too tight on the other end, but is there something different I can do while slipping that first stitch and changing the yarn? I am sorry if I am not asking this clearly enough.
Thanks Roxanne, now I know what I did wrong that made my edges messy for the last few rows of my work, is there a way to fix it? Thanks so much I'll be practicing not dragging my stitches off the LH needle anymore and think of YOU!
The usual links I include in the video description were missing, so I added them. There's now a link to my Ravelry group in the vid description. I'm always happy to answer questions there.
Can you help with picking up sts from a stitch holder on a sleeve knitted in a round the pick up sts are uneven and leave an uneven row so you can see where the stitches have been picked up
For other type of mistakes, like you have a wrong stitch somewhere, like a purl instead of a knit, you may undo just that column ahead the wrong stitch. Then using a crochet it's easy to correct the mistake, and of course redo all the other stitches. It's much easier to correct on the knit part than the purl part (in a stockinette). This works easier when you are not too far away, 5-6 rows it's OK. In the same way the edges may be corrected. It's even easier than a stitch in the middle of a row. But if you have to large stitches on some rows, you need to undo up to the loose loops and try again. Loose lops can't be corrected.
I think that loose edge stitches are a feature of continental knitting. I knit both ways but always start off my rows with the yarn in my right hand to avoid the problem of a loose start. Also to tighten up a loose last stitch I sometimes wrap the yarn clockwise instead of the usual anti clockwise.
I am looking for reasons behind one finished edge of a piece (scarf) has no stretch to it while the other edge is stretchier. Is this a knitting technique issue or a pattern issue? The scarf is worked with short rows and seamed to create the loop, so I know its not a tight cast on issue. I have no pattern, using an existing hand-knit scarf to copy, and having difficulty figuring out what the first 2-3 stitches are on each row. Thank you!.
I've made sweaters before so I made one for Christmas. When I went to sew it together the bound off shoulder seams etc...I couldn't tell what was what..when i tried to sew it together it was just a huge mess and he didn't end up getting the sweater for Christmas. I was really disappointed.
No, because that's the point where the tail and the working yarn diverge. There's nowhere for it to disappear., so you'd end up with a loop hanging down. You can start the LTCO without a slip knot, though, which is what I usually do.
@@RoxanneRichardson Thank you for your reply. I’m a nervous new knitter and don’t know a lot. I always have a large ugly loop from the slip knot stitch. Learn as you go is my motto now! Take Care
@@RoxanneRichardson I need to try and find an EASY cast on without a slip knot as that stitch is ALWAYS like a big loop. As a nervous beginner knitter I am trying to teach myself I spend hrs trying but no success.
Excellent video, have a question regarding first and last stitch , I knit the knit row, BUT, when I start the purl row, do I knit the first and last stitch, or do I purl the first and last stitch on the purl row, it’s important when seaming, your input valued
Different knitters will approach selvedges in different ways. If I am planning to seam an edge in mattress stitch, or if I'm planning to pick up stitches along that edge later on, *and* I'm working in stockinette or a knit/purl pattern (i.e. not garter stitch), I knit the selvedges in stockinette (k on RS, p on WS), and place any shaping (incs/decs) at least one stitch in from the edge. That leaves a clean column of stockinette at the edge which makes seaming or picking up sts easier. There are other methods of seaming, and other approaches to working the selvedge stitch, so the "best" way of working the selvedge stitch depends on what you plan on doing later (and how you plan on doing it).
Hi, thank you for the helpful tips, trouble shooting .. maybe there is a video you could direct me to. When I (try) to knit seed stitch I have peeky holes (?) between knits/purl/knit. Could you help me? thank you for your great videos. I'm visual so this is perfect for me.
Sooooo glad I found your site. My problem is loose stitches on a short row on a cap sleeve. Even an instructor can't figure out what the heck I'm doing wrong. My short rows for making a slanted shoulder are fine. Please, any ideas?
This is a question best answered in my Ravelry group, where you can post photos and describe what sort of short row you're using, how often you're turning, etc. Without visuals, I can't really help.
I've been knitting for years, but my tension has always too loose. I'm trying to knit cuff down socks, I've reached the point picking up stitches for the gusset. It's a nightmare. I'm slipping sts purlwise as the instructions. When it comes to picking them up I have huge holes in my work. I am so frustrated I have undone my sock and not picked up my needles since. And also resolving wraps in the round on toe up socks. I'm a left hander, so near impossible sometimes.
I would suggest posting your questions to my Ravelry group, where you can more thoroughly explain the issue, and post a photo or two. That way, your question isn't lost in the comments of a video where others won't also be able to learn from the question and answers. The link to my Ravelry group is in the description of every one of my videos.
Roxanne, I am having difficulty with larger stitches on a sloped cast off on neck shaping. The right side is good, but the left side is more than challenging. Does this happen because one side is done at the start of the row and the other one is at the end of the row.. I am totally frustrated and need some help. Does anyone else have this problem?
I often have a problem with stitches being both too tight in the row it's hard to knit into but the end loop is too loose with a bunch of slack. this is more so when alternating rows of purl and knit doing a current zig zag pattern blanket. Its difficult to maintain the same tension in purl as with knit and to switch to bigger needles between rows would be too tedious and as the rows are 230sts long and would be at risk of dropping a stitch. how else can I fix this? is there a video on this?
Any time you need a CO that requires only a single strand of yarn, such as when you are mid-project, and need to CO additional sts at the end of a row or mid-row.
I still can't do i think I'm on the verge of giving up 😢 I just don't get it if you don't separate the needles how do u get the stitches off onto the other hook. I've tried everything one minute their too loose and then so tight I can't get the other needle through the stitches 😑
Push the stitches off, don't pull them off. Use the fingers of your left hand to help move the waiting sts into place. If you are knitting too far down the shaft, that's a long way for the stitch to have to travel before it can come off the end. You want to work your sts on the shaft, just past the tip, so that the stitches are formed around the largest part of the needle. If you form them around the tapered part, the sts will be too small for the needles, and they'll be very difficult to work on the next row.
I'm not clear on what you're asking/wanting to do. Are you asking *me* how *I* include links within my videos and/or the video descriptions? Are you asking how you can share a link from elsewhere to here? Or are you asking how you share this video with someone else by giving them a link to it?
I want to fix a problem of a dropped stitch that turns into a bunch of strings . I guess it's pulled out several stitches down below the original dropped stich.
There's a playlist on my RUclips channel called Fixing Mistakes. You'll see videos on picking up dropped sts, as well as laddering down to fix mistakes. Basically, the problem you have is a stitch that has laddered down. One or both of those videos will likely be of some help.
I am a beginner knitter and my issue is when you start the first and last knit after using the long tail cast on. How do you keep that those tensions tight and close?
You are the best I have been getting so frustrated trying to learn how to knit, I didn't realize I was causing my own problems by separating the needles so much
I have knitted a dress for my little grandaughter. I'm doing the NECKBAND. JOINING SHOULDER SEAMS. PICKING UP AND KNITTING 12 sts evenly along left sideof back neck. 18 sts evenly along left side of neck 10 sts from front of neck 18 sts evenly along right side of neck and 12 sts evenly along right side of back neck. ( 70 ) sts. Work 4 rows in g-st. Cast off knitways.
While I am happy to answer questions you may have about this particular video within the comments, this is not a good place to answer questions about specific projects. I'm happy to help with any knitting question in my Ravelry group. There is a link to my group in the description of every video on my channel.
Sorry, for having interrupted your program with questions. I was unaware, as this is my very first time of following you. I will try to follow you on the Ravelry link.
I’m new to knitting and the slack issue is my biggest problem because it creates a huge loop at the end of the stitch. I will definitely have to learn to keep the ends of my needle close. However, is there any way to fix the loose loop without unraveling the whole thing? Thank you!
i started using the simple cast on but i was recommended to use the long tail cast on as it can help with the slacking issues but it didn’t help me that much and still gives me the annoying loop at the end :(
I have a problem with motif knitting I can do the motif no problem however when the item has been finished I notice untidy stitches around the motif how do I correct this problem.
@@RoxanneRichardson Hi Roxanne many thanks for getting back to me. Let me give you an example. I have just finished an Easter bunny jumper. The jumper has 6 bunnies in blocks of two. However when I had finished the project I notice that things looked untidy even through I twisted the yarns together when starting and ending each bunny. How can I fix this problem as , as nice as the jumper is (sweater) I am thinking of scrapping it.
Knitting at or near the tips is fine, you just want to make sure that once you've completed a stitch, it moves off the tip of the right hand needle and onto the full shaft, so that it achieves its full circumference. If you leave it on the taper while you knit subsequent sts, they will end up too tight and you'll have difficulty moving them along the needle.
@@RoxanneRichardson I can't seem to have my yarn move smoothly, as it appears you do, do you have a video on how to hold yarn? I'm a thrower. I didn't used to have all the problems I have now, but now it seems I can't get it right?
@@dcwatashi, ChiaoGoo both bambo and stainless steel. As I have had different knitting teachers tell me I'm holding needles wrong my confidence has disappeared. That being said I was knitting fine until all the critics started. Does that sound awful. I learned to knit at a knitting shop all went okay, then knitting with other teachers are always watching me knit telling me I need to change this / that. Now I'm caught in whatever I do is wrong.
It depends on what I plan to do with the edge, later. If I'm seaming the edge or picking up sts, I keep the edge in stockinette (exception is sock heel flaps, where I do slip the selvedges, and will pick up sts later). A stockinette edge makes the process of seaming and picking up sts easier, and the resulting seams will look better on the RS of the work. I will sometimes slip the selvedge stitch of items where that edge will remain exposed. It's an aesthetic choice, so sometimes a slipped selvedge improves the look of the item, and sometimes I think it does nothing to improve it. Over time, you will determine whether or not you prefer a slipped selvedge for exposed edges.
This is the only video I’ve been able find that has addressed my problem of the loop at the end of my first row. Thank you so much
Same here
Saaaaaaae. So grateful!
I’m still a beginner and I had no idea you aren’t supposed to pull the needles apart! Nobody has ever mentioned that before. No wonder my edges look like that! Thank you💕
instablaster...
Lol me too join the club!
me too. guilty
Lol I’m an intermediate knitter and I was doing the same thing!
So glad I saw this tip! knitters on youtube seemed to have so much more room to knit so I was actually doing it on purpose to make my movements look more like the 'pros'.
Thank you! These things have been driving me crazy. I knew I was doing something wrong but I couldn't figure out what. You showed me exactly what I was doing wrong.
Thank you so much for this video, Roxanne! You certainly have a talent for teaching. The ambiguity of parsing out/verbalizing an issue that don't know how to describe in a craft you're unfamiliar with is
so frustrating. It is amazing that you took the time to go over trouble-shooting for these basic knitting pitfalls that are driving us beginners nuts 🤗
My Oma taught me how to knit and crochet when I was little and while I've gotten pretty adept at crochet over the years, knitting has just been tough for me! Now that I'm trying to improve my skills, its making me miss my Oma (even more than I already do) and wish she were still here to show me how to do this skillfull craft she loved so much. I'm really grateful for this video because even though just holding the needles in my hands makes me feel close to her, I feel like I owe it to her memory and the time she took to teach me, to learn how to do it right 🤍
pulling the needles apart! I didn't even realize I was doing this, no wonder I was having issues! nobody has mentioned this on any video I've found and I can't thank you enough for your help :)
As w/others, my issues were sloppy stitches at the beg of the row, including that dreaded CO loop (thank you SO much for resolving THIS problem...it'd been haunting me since I first learned to knit (self-taught...and because so, I've developed a slew of bad habits). My CO edge was another nightmare (picking up stitches...? ha!...impossible). It didn't matter if I knitted these sts on the RS and slipped them on the WS, they ALWAYS turned out loose and messy, causing my efforts to appear uncaring and lazy. Though I began knitting YEARS ago, I've limited myself to accessories, shying away from anything garment-wise because I was so unhappy w/my work and didn't want to waste quality yarn. You've removed an IMMENSE amount of frustration I've had with this craft and now I am excited about knitting my first pullover! THANK YOU!!! I'll be sure to seek you out on Ravelry!
I’m a beginner who was being driven crazy by those ugly loops at the end and why I was having trouble with the first row of cast-on “stitches”. Thank you so much for taking the time to explain this. I was getting discouraged with going further. Now I’m excited to keep at it and learn more!!!
thank you for explaining how this problem happens. I didn't know how to explain the problem I'm having, but you took care of my unspoken problem perfectly. this video is great.
Thank you so much. I am a beginner. I was getting so discouraged because after the first two rows the rest looks great. Now I will be able to knit a few Christmas presents for special loved ones. You are a great instructor!
This video helped me so much! Ive just started knitting and couldn’t figure out why I had such loose and wide stitches. Thank you very much! I appreciate your help!
Extremely helpful video. Have literally ripped out lots of work because I hated the big loops that were developing by the end of the row. I started learning to knit a couple of weeks ago
I just wanted to thank you so so much for this video. I searched through the entire internet in my native language and found nothing about the issue with those huge loops at the end of the rows. It's 2021 and you're still our (beginners) only hope ;)
The little bit of material I'm working with currently looks like all of these problems in one. :/ This video helped me recognize my faults.
Roxanne, I can always count on you for spot-on advice! I am in the process of making prototypes of layette pieces for my first granddaughter, and am utilizing a slip stitch selvedge edge. I had been finding that my selvedge edges were a bit messy, and so I came to you via RUclips for advice. Paying more attention to the second stitch mount for adding that little bit of extra tension completely solved my issue; the results are a million times better. Thank you!!!
I have been working with a couple of students with the ‘loosy goosy every other row’problem... your solutions really gave me multiple solutions. Thank you.
I just started knitting this year and this helped with sooo many of the issues I am having. Very good descriptions and examples, thank you!
Thank you for taking the time to explain and show the examples, helped me immensely.
OMG Thank you for helping me identify my bad knitting habits. I was ending up with those huge loops at the end of my rows. Thanks to you and this video, turns out I am a needle pull apart-er and I work too low down the needles.
Excellent suggestions! Thanks for sharing. I wish I had viewed this last year. Fortunately, I discovered the push versus pull of stitches off the needle by working with brioche. Because I was pulling the stitches originally, the whole fabric ended up being super tight and "leaned" to the right.
Keep up the great teaching!
Thank you, Roxanne for sharing your expertise, on fixing knitting mistakes!! I love your videos!! ❤
Thank you so much! I'm a beginner knitter and this helped me with several of my problems!
I am so grateful that this video was suggested to me! I had no idea that how close your needles are mattered so much! I'm really enjoying knitting but I've been worried since I could see some of these problems developing in my tester. Thank you for the clear demonstrations!
Thank you for this video I am just learning but I like to watch what can go wrong so I can avoid doing the bad things. Much Love and blessings ❤️
Great comment about stretching and pulling the needles apart. I’ve seen some videos, particularly from yarn companies, seem to purposely pull every stitch stretching the yarn. I never thought about what that could do! I’m probably past that (a little past it) but my daughter wants me to teach her knitting. It’ll be careful about this when I work with her! Thank you for all the great information I’ve learned from your help!
❤Thank you for the idea to tighten up after the 3rd stitch. I’m very happy with my edges now.
I just wanted to thank you for this video, as I now know that I was pulling the needles too far about. I am so pleased to be fix it, thank you so much!
Thank you so much. I have searched and searched and haven't been able to fond a solution to this problem that has plagued me since I started I finally got an answer it my tension and I'm pulling and I didin't even know that was the problem, but when you explain it it makes perfect sense. I was trying to tighten up the last stich.
I'm so glad this helped! :-)
Thank you so much for this! I always seem to end up with a sizeable loop at the end of my rows -- particularly purl rows -- and I couldn't see why. I'll have to watch myself next time I knit to see if I pull the needles apart at all or knit too far down. (I know I've definitely been guilty of the latter!) Thanks for always having a video to help me understand all these nuances as I learn!
Thanks!
Welcome!
I'm so glad I'm not alone with these edge stitch problems! Thanks so much Roxanne for clearing up these edge stitch problems. It just breaks your heart when you've found a wonderful pattern to knit but you feel like an imbecile because you know that some simple issue is going to make your beautiful garment look like an ameteur made it.
I just started teaching myself to knit. Holding needles too far apart. Watching this saved me a lot of grief!
As someone who just finished my first baby blanket and ended up quite disappointed in how it turned out----THANK YOU. You called out so many bad habits I didn't realize I picked up in my self-teaching.
A lot of getting better at knitting has to do with learning to read your knitting (including mistakes) and how to correct them. Your disappointment in your results is simply a gap between your taste and your current abilities. You will get better! :-)
Knitting really, really tightly at the beginning of the row fixed this for me. I read this somewhere, either in a Vogue Knitting magazine or in the Big Book of Knitting. They explained it as being caused by (and I can't remember this exactly; I might have it backwards) pushing loose yarn ahead in one row, either at the beginning or the end, and making it up by tightening stitches at one end, either the beginning or the end. This was years ago, and I forgot which it was. And I didn't knit for a few years. So here I am knitting silk and at the end of the row the stitches are loose and messy. So I tried both --- tightening at the end or tightening at the beginning. Tightening at the beginning of each row worked for me. And I'm sorry I don't know why, but I know I read it somewhere in what I consider to be an authoritative source on knitting.
Now, I can't remember the explanation, but there was one, and it made sense, but in a surprising way. Ah, watching you I think I saw it. The loose yarn at the end of one row CAN be alleviated by tight knitting at the beginning of the NEXT row. It pulls that extra yarn into the next row where you knitted the really tight stitches. And that's how it works for me. I pull the first stitch as tight as possible, the next almost that tight, and the third also tight. And then I knit normally, and when I've worked several rows, the ends of the rows are fine and so are the beginnings. It all works out.
This was very helpful for someone just starting to learn knitting. Many of the tutorials I watched used the slip stitch so I always ended up with the long string in-between the needle and I no idea what I was doing wrong.
Thank you for this excellent video! I believe I have discovered why I sometimes experience the problems covered in the video and appreciate the solutions suggested.
Thank you so much! My edges where pulling up and making a weird loop and i couldn't figure it out. I had no idea that the needles weren't supposed to be pulled apart
Thank you so much for this! I just started knitting 3 days ago and couldn't figure out for the life of me what I've been doing wrong. This is been so helpful ❤️
Danke!
You're welcome! :-)
I started a project to day and my 2nd and 3rd stiches were awful and I didn´t know why. I think this video will safe me, thank you!
This was super helpful. I didn't realize I was pulling so much. Thanks!
Thank you for addressing the slack issue, I’ve been stuck on the first row for so long because I could never understand why I would get a big loop where it shouldn’t have been. :)
THE ONLY VIDEO ADRESSING THISSS THANK YOU!!!!
Thank you so much for this video! As others have said, this is the only video that responded to the issues I've came across!!!
Thank you for a great explanation. My knitting has already improved! ❤
This is a really comprehensive and clearly presented video! Thank you!!
Thank you for your video about it. Now I know which stitch I should tight more.
Thank you so much. I am working on my Level One Masters and your videos have been extremely helpful!
I remember those days! :-) Good luck with your swatches!
I’m knitting a blanket and want to add a border when I’m done. I know how to pick up and knit. My question is do you pick up and knit one side at a time. Jeanne
THANK YOU!!! I have just started knitting and I've found your video to be so helpful!! :D
Thank you!!! I was having problems with both having the loop at the end and sloppy edging, now I see what I was doing wrong! 👍🙂
This was really helpful in so many different ways, thank you!! I really appreciate you helping out myself and others with your time. Thanks again.
Very helpful video. :0
I would like to try some of these next time, particularly the one where you tightened to yarn to pull out slack, and the one where you just take out the first casted on stitch because I sort of notice that my first stitch is always more or less loose.
Wow, I have all these problems, and this has helped! Saving your videos. You are amazing.
Thank you for solving my last loose stitch problem. I have it on every row! I have a related problem... I am using a slipped stitch pattern with two colors of yarn. I am slipping the first stitch of every row to create a salvage edge for later picking up stitches. My problem is that the side where I switch the yarn to the next color I pull tighter and so the salvage edge is narrower(stitches are tight) while on the other side I just turn and purl back with the same color, the edge has big loops on the stitches (wider column). I realize I am pulling too tight on the other end, but is there something different I can do while slipping that first stitch and changing the yarn? I am sorry if I am not asking this clearly enough.
THANK YOU VERY USEFUL BUT..I NEVER PUL THE NEEDLES APART, AND I KNIT CLOSE TO EDGES AND I STILL GET LOOSE LOOP/ STITCH AT THE END OF THE ROW !! WHY ??
Very helpful fixes for large stitches!! Thank you!
Thank you thank you thank you! You explained exactly everything that I’m doing wrong! :)
Thanks again for your wonderful advice.
Excellent video! These tips improved my edges immediately. Thank you :)
This video is great! I'm definitely guilty of all of these! All I can do is practice. Thank you very much 😊
Really a huge help to see exactly what I was doing causing these things!
Thanks Roxanne, now I know what I did wrong that made my edges messy for the last few rows of my work, is there a way to fix it? Thanks so much I'll be practicing not dragging my stitches off the LH needle anymore and think of YOU!
Yay, this has been baffling me for some time. Know I know. Thank you!
Hi was wondering where I would asked help on a particle problem. Thank you jeanne.
The usual links I include in the video description were missing, so I added them. There's now a link to my Ravelry group in the vid description. I'm always happy to answer questions there.
In my attempts at cable stitch I have to pull needles apart to get the cable needle into play. ? Anyway of not stretching yarn you could suggest?
Can you help with picking up sts from a stitch holder on a sleeve knitted in a round the pick up sts are uneven and leave an uneven row so you can see where the stitches have been picked up
For other type of mistakes, like you have a wrong stitch somewhere, like a purl instead of a knit, you may undo just that column ahead the wrong stitch. Then using a crochet it's easy to correct the mistake, and of course redo all the other stitches. It's much easier to correct on the knit part than the purl part (in a stockinette). This works easier when you are not too far away, 5-6 rows it's OK. In the same way the edges may be corrected. It's even easier than a stitch in the middle of a row. But if you have to large stitches on some rows, you need to undo up to the loose loops and try again. Loose lops can't be corrected.
I think that loose edge stitches are a feature of continental knitting. I knit both ways but always start off my rows with the yarn in my right hand to avoid the problem of a loose start. Also to tighten up a loose last stitch I sometimes wrap the yarn clockwise instead of the usual anti clockwise.
I am looking for reasons behind one finished edge of a piece (scarf) has no stretch to it while the other edge is stretchier. Is this a knitting technique issue or a pattern issue? The scarf is worked with short rows and seamed to create the loop, so I know its not a tight cast on issue. I have no pattern, using an existing hand-knit scarf to copy, and having difficulty figuring out what the first 2-3 stitches are on each row. Thank you!.
It makes sense! Thank you for your help. You prevented some bad habits!
I've made sweaters before so I made one for Christmas. When I went to sew it together the bound off shoulder seams etc...I couldn't tell what was what..when i tried to sew it together it was just a huge mess and he didn't end up getting the sweater for Christmas. I was really disappointed.
Im just starting to learn, this video showed me so many ways to correct my technique, it was very helpful. Thank you so much 😊
If I do a long tail cast on can I still get rid of the first slip knot stitch?
Thanks. Love your content
No, because that's the point where the tail and the working yarn diverge. There's nowhere for it to disappear., so you'd end up with a loop hanging down. You can start the LTCO without a slip knot, though, which is what I usually do.
@@RoxanneRichardson Thank you for your reply. I’m a nervous new knitter and don’t know a lot. I always have a large ugly loop from the slip knot stitch. Learn as you go is my motto now!
Take Care
@@RoxanneRichardson I need to try and find an EASY cast on without a slip knot as that stitch is ALWAYS like a big loop. As a nervous beginner knitter I am trying to teach myself I spend hrs trying but no success.
Excellent video, have a question regarding first and last stitch , I knit the knit row, BUT, when I start the purl row, do I knit the first and last stitch, or do I purl the first and last stitch on the purl row, it’s important when seaming, your input valued
Different knitters will approach selvedges in different ways. If I am planning to seam an edge in mattress stitch, or if I'm planning to pick up stitches along that edge later on, *and* I'm working in stockinette or a knit/purl pattern (i.e. not garter stitch), I knit the selvedges in stockinette (k on RS, p on WS), and place any shaping (incs/decs) at least one stitch in from the edge. That leaves a clean column of stockinette at the edge which makes seaming or picking up sts easier. There are other methods of seaming, and other approaches to working the selvedge stitch, so the "best" way of working the selvedge stitch depends on what you plan on doing later (and how you plan on doing it).
Your knowledge is gold. Thank you.
Solved my beginner problem.brilliant thank you
Hi, thank you for the helpful tips, trouble shooting .. maybe there is a video you could direct me to. When I (try) to knit seed stitch I have peeky holes (?) between knits/purl/knit. Could you help me? thank you for your great videos. I'm visual so this is perfect for me.
I don't have a video on this problem, but you are not alone. It's a good idea, though. I will put it on the list of video ideas!
Sooooo glad I found your site. My problem is loose stitches on a short row on a cap sleeve. Even an instructor can't figure out what the heck I'm doing wrong. My short rows for making a slanted shoulder are fine. Please, any ideas?
This is a question best answered in my Ravelry group, where you can post photos and describe what sort of short row you're using, how often you're turning, etc. Without visuals, I can't really help.
Hi there! Thank you for your video. The only way to correct the loose loop is to go back and reverse knit to the row below?
I've been knitting for years, but my tension has always too loose. I'm trying to knit cuff down socks, I've reached the point picking up stitches for the gusset. It's a nightmare. I'm slipping sts purlwise as the instructions. When it comes to picking them up I have huge holes in my work. I am so frustrated I have undone my sock and not picked up my needles since. And also resolving wraps in the round on toe up socks. I'm a left hander, so near impossible sometimes.
I would suggest posting your questions to my Ravelry group, where you can more thoroughly explain the issue, and post a photo or two. That way, your question isn't lost in the comments of a video where others won't also be able to learn from the question and answers. The link to my Ravelry group is in the description of every one of my videos.
Roxanne, I am having difficulty with larger stitches on a sloped cast off on neck shaping. The right side is good, but the left side is more than challenging. Does this happen because one side is done at the start of the row and the other one is at the end of the row.. I am totally frustrated and need some help. Does anyone else have this problem?
I often have a problem with stitches being both too tight in the row it's hard to knit into but the end loop is too loose with a bunch of slack. this is more so when alternating rows of purl and knit doing a current zig zag pattern blanket. Its difficult to maintain the same tension in purl as with knit and to switch to bigger needles between rows would be too tedious and as the rows are 230sts long and would be at risk of dropping a stitch. how else can I fix this? is there a video on this?
When would you use the simple cast on vs the long tail?
Any time you need a CO that requires only a single strand of yarn, such as when you are mid-project, and need to CO additional sts at the end of a row or mid-row.
she said towards the end that the problem was caused by doing a simple cast on but she did not provide the solution. Does anybody know what that is?
Hi, my uneven stitch’s are at the end of the row looks like your beginning. Thanks
I still can't do i think I'm on the verge of giving up 😢 I just don't get it if you don't separate the needles how do u get the stitches off onto the other hook. I've tried everything one minute their too loose and then so tight I can't get the other needle through the stitches 😑
Push the stitches off, don't pull them off. Use the fingers of your left hand to help move the waiting sts into place. If you are knitting too far down the shaft, that's a long way for the stitch to have to travel before it can come off the end. You want to work your sts on the shaft, just past the tip, so that the stitches are formed around the largest part of the needle. If you form them around the tapered part, the sts will be too small for the needles, and they'll be very difficult to work on the next row.
Thank you! I have this problem but didn't now it was a problem!
How do you include a link? Sorry, I don't know a lot about doing things electronically.
I'm not clear on what you're asking/wanting to do. Are you asking *me* how *I* include links within my videos and/or the video descriptions? Are you asking how you can share a link from elsewhere to here? Or are you asking how you share this video with someone else by giving them a link to it?
Very helpful! Thank you for this video. I’ve had similar problems and have been mystified by them.
I want to fix a problem of a dropped stitch that turns into a bunch of strings . I guess it's pulled out several stitches down below the original dropped stich.
There's a playlist on my RUclips channel called Fixing Mistakes. You'll see videos on picking up dropped sts, as well as laddering down to fix mistakes. Basically, the problem you have is a stitch that has laddered down. One or both of those videos will likely be of some help.
I am a beginner knitter and my issue is when you start the first and last knit after using the long tail cast on. How do you keep that those tensions tight and close?
pleas do you have a vıdıo for perfekt edges.the first and last stitch.thank you
You are the best I have been getting so frustrated trying to learn how to knit, I didn't realize I was causing my own problems by separating the needles so much
Great advice I sometimes have loose edges. Now I know why😃
I have knitted a dress for my little grandaughter. I'm doing the NECKBAND. JOINING SHOULDER SEAMS. PICKING UP AND KNITTING 12 sts evenly along left sideof back neck. 18 sts evenly along left side of neck 10 sts from front of neck 18 sts evenly along right side of neck and 12 sts evenly along right side of back neck. ( 70 ) sts. Work 4 rows in g-st. Cast off knitways.
Please can you help because I am tottally lost. Thank you.
While I am happy to answer questions you may have about this particular video within the comments, this is not a good place to answer questions about specific projects. I'm happy to help with any knitting question in my Ravelry group. There is a link to my group in the description of every video on my channel.
Sorry, for having interrupted your program with questions. I was unaware, as this is my very first time of following you. I will try to follow you on the Ravelry link.
I’m new to knitting and the slack issue is my biggest problem because it creates a huge loop at the end of the stitch. I will definitely have to learn to keep the ends of my needle close. However, is there any way to fix the loose loop without unraveling the whole thing? Thank you!
i started using the simple cast on but i was recommended to use the long tail cast on as it can help with the slacking issues but it didn’t help me that much and still gives me the annoying loop at the end :(
I have a problem with motif knitting I can do the motif no problem however when the item has been finished I notice untidy stitches around the motif how do I correct this problem.
Are you talking about intarsia/color block knitting?
@@RoxanneRichardson Hi Roxanne many thanks for getting back to me. Let me give you an example. I have just finished an Easter bunny jumper. The jumper has 6 bunnies in blocks of two. However when I had finished the project I notice that things looked untidy even through I twisted the yarns together when starting and ending each bunny. How can I fix this problem as , as nice as the jumper is (sweater) I am thinking of scrapping it.
Is it correct to knit on tips of needles? Great video. Thank you
Knitting at or near the tips is fine, you just want to make sure that once you've completed a stitch, it moves off the tip of the right hand needle and onto the full shaft, so that it achieves its full circumference. If you leave it on the taper while you knit subsequent sts, they will end up too tight and you'll have difficulty moving them along the needle.
@@RoxanneRichardson I can't seem to have my yarn move smoothly, as it appears you do, do you have a video on how to hold yarn? I'm a thrower. I didn't used to have all the problems I have now, but now it seems I can't get it right?
@@helencaudill1583 what type of needles were you using?
@@dcwatashi, ChiaoGoo both bambo and stainless steel. As I have had different knitting teachers tell me I'm holding needles wrong my confidence has disappeared. That being said I was knitting fine until all the critics started. Does that sound awful. I learned to knit at a knitting shop all went okay, then knitting with other teachers are always watching me knit telling me I need to change this / that. Now I'm caught in whatever I do is wrong.
@@dcwatashi they also told me I need to change my tension .. in doing so now I knit so tight -- knitting is not fun anymore.
Do you always knit the 1st stitch or do you slip it and by slipping it does it always produce a neater edge?
It depends on what I plan to do with the edge, later. If I'm seaming the edge or picking up sts, I keep the edge in stockinette (exception is sock heel flaps, where I do slip the selvedges, and will pick up sts later). A stockinette edge makes the process of seaming and picking up sts easier, and the resulting seams will look better on the RS of the work. I will sometimes slip the selvedge stitch of items where that edge will remain exposed. It's an aesthetic choice, so sometimes a slipped selvedge improves the look of the item, and sometimes I think it does nothing to improve it. Over time, you will determine whether or not you prefer a slipped selvedge for exposed edges.
Happens to me...Great advice!
Very helpful, you just solved 2 of my problems, thank you.