Folding up around stitches...knitting too tight?

#1

I have only been knitting for about 3 months now…actually learned from a knit for kids book when my daughter got it from school. LOL Well, someone had to teach her how and poor hubby is better with a football. Anyhow, I have made 5 scarves to date, ribbed and purl/knit patterns. I am very happy with knitting and found that I love it and it really is relaxing…well not the first project…what a disaster?! :??

Anyhow, I am getting ready to start a scarf for the hubby and I am wanting to use a pattern with either zig zags in it or cubes. The cubes are my favorites the have about 4 different textures each. Tonight I did a small sampler to see which one to use and I had trouble with both of them wanting to … not really roll… but fold up and around the stitches. Does that make any sense? Not the stocking stitch problem but not laying flat at all. Can anyone tell me if I am knitting too tight and that is my problem? I am using a medium worsted weight yarn.

Please help if you can. I love the site and you have all been a lot of help even if you didn’t know it! :wink:

[size=2]edit - [color=violet]mod squad was here[/color][/size]

#2

Yup, it sounds like you may be knitting too tight. I had the same thing happening to me when first started knitting. I also taught myself to knit, because nobody believed that a straight guy wanted to learn. My wife was no help, because her hands were like lightning and then she would say "Now you do it"
CRIPES!!
So, I got books from the library and searched the internet. And I made a LOT of mistakes… and I still do, but I am still learning. I’m not slow, and I’m not fast… I’m just half-fast. LOL
5 years later, I have my socks and hats and scarves and gloves… and a lot of knitting friends. Welcome to another world of fun and frustration, my new friend.
Welcome,
Keith

#3

Needle size might be an issue, too. If you are using a small needle, then that will contribute to the tightness of the fabric. If you’re using a natural fiber, blocking might help, but if it’s acrylic, it probably wouldn’t do much for your final product.

#4

Thank you both for the help.

I have only done scarves in a rib knit and am trying a new pattern…well several actually lol…and didn’t understand what was happening since it wasn’t an issue before.

Thanks for the encouragement Keith and you keep on knitting. Good for you!

Thanks again and good luck to us all!!!

Keri