Hi everyone, well i’ve started to knit my blanket on circular needles but as a novice I just wanted some advice please.
I think my needles are a size UK-8 and I am using DK wool. I have only done a few rows of garter stitch but my tension seems very loose - should I have used a thicker wool do you think?
I will carry on a few more rows to see how it pans out but may unravel it and start again on either smaller needles or thicker wool!
Also, my knitting keeps rolling around the needle which is really annoying, I am hoping when the blanket gets longer it will start to hang and straighten out properly!
Yes, DK yarn on a size 8 needle will be quite loose. I recommend a 6 needle.
After about an inch, the weight of the piece will start to “hang” from the needles rather than flip around.
I think you’ve given yourself your own best advice. The knitting may seem loose in the first couple of rows but should come together after several more rows. If you think it’s still too loose, try the smaller needles.
And it will stop twisting when the blanket is a little longer. Hope it goes well and you enjoy it!
A UK 8 would be about the same as the US6 a previous poster suggested, so that should be about right. Since a blanket doesn’t have to ‘fit’ like a garment, a little looser gauge can be okay. How much have you done - a few rows or a few inches? If it’s just a few rows knit a little more. Knitting often looks very loose the first few rows until it has more length to it. That will also help with it spiraling around the needle; it’ll do that with a lot of sts on it.
Thanks everyone, i’d only done a few rows and after speaking to the owner of the local knitting shop have decided to undo my work and start again either on smaller needles, or on my large needles with thicker wool! Fortunatley I hadnt spent much time on my work or I would be really disappointed! Oh well, all trial and error! Thats how we learn! x