Adjusting Yarn Tension - Help!

#1

I want to start a project that requires verythin yarn and very small needles. I have HUGE stitches, and I always have to drop my nedle size down by at least 2 sizes to meet the gauge requirements. That has always worked well for me (in my 35+ years of knitting :XX: ) so I have never had need to change it. HOWEVER, now I am working in this fine yarn with these tiny needles fo rmy grandbabies, and I find that technique isn’t working.

I have heard that it is possible to adjust the tension (and thereby change the gauge) by the way you hold the yarn as you knit. Does anyone know how to do that? :thinking:

#2

Since you have so much experience, I’m sure you already know that you can consciously knit tighter. The problem, I’d think, would come from having to do that for an entire project–it would be too easy to slip back into your own groove.

I’m not aware of any technique that will allow you to make your knitting tighter automatically. All that comes to mind is to maybe double your yarn and still use small needles. This is off the top of my head, so I’m not really sure it would work. :thinking:

#3

Yes, consciously knitting tighter through a whole sweater is just not happening for me. I had heard somewhere that you could somhow twist the tarn a certain way through your fingers to tighten or loosen the gauge )kind of like the tension adjustment on a sewing machine), but i’ve not been successful with that either. If anyone had any other ideas, please let me know! Thanks!