This is my second time to use the GTCO and working into it is a nightmare. I hoped it would be easier this time but it’s not. It’s as if the stitches are mounted wrong but working into the back loop doesn’t seem to be any easier. Is this typical or am I doing something wrong? I like the stretch it gives but if I have to fight every stitch, every time I knit into it this might be my last time to use it.
i tried it just for a practice swatch about a month ago. the video here didn’t have sound, and i needed more than that. the videos at very pink and new stitch a day were better for me. that extra twist was the hardest part and i had to go s-l–o—w… but it did end up working for me… not that i’ve used it for anything practical, yet. as for comments about that CO being weird to knit into, i didn’t find any, at least not at VP or NSAD. maybe just one more slow practice attempt? good luck GG!
Thanks, X. So you didn’t find it hard to work the first row after the cast on? I’ve not found comments about it being hard to work into is why I asked here. I know at least one of our knitters uses it and the best people to find out from are those who do it. Anyhow, I will look at a video or two again and see if maybe I’m picking up the yarn that pulls through the twisted loop the wrong way. As I was working the first row on this CO (actually 2 of them for 2@time, 88 sts total) it occurred to me that maybe I’m wrapping the yarn the wrong direction. I’ll play with it some more, maybe I’ll figure out my problem.
hey GG -
i found the CO time consuming, and i had to repeat it step by step (even saying it out loud!), but the first working row was fine. my swatch was about 40 stitches and went about 10 rows up, so by then any issues should have shown up. i did some rib in it too (for practice) and then bound off in-pattern, as staci@VP said it was the closest bind off to match the german cast on.
happy practicing 
I’ve used the German twisted cast on and not had any problems with the first row. I like using it for projects that need more stretch than say long tail. I’ll try it again just to be sure.
I have to try it again. Thanks, salmonmac; I think if it gave you any problems you’d remember. The kind I’m experiencing would be hard not to remember. I got my project started so I think now’s a good time to see what I’m doing that’s making it difficult. I’m pretty sure it’s “operator error” on my part. I want this resolved before I need the CO again.
Thank you, both of you. I was wrapping the yarn clockwise 
and thus twisting the stitches. Since I was using skinny yarn and skewers I was having a hard time seeing the stitches at all, forget being able to see whether they were mismounted. Anyhow, size 11 needles and worsted yarn let me see what was going on and then I tried it with sock yarn and skewers and lo! it works just great.
Operator error: My life would be less interesting without it. I’m not convinced that would be a bad thing. :mrgreen:
alright, way to go! 
What’s news on your socks? Don’t worry about hijacking the thread, I started it and I’ve hijacked it. :teehee:
up to around the 35th round on both (about 4" total, from toe/cast-on), after totally frogging both, in order to get them smaller.
turkish cast-on, magic looping the whole way, k2/p1 ribbing on the top stitches, coming right along. new pix and silly comments by moi on my ravelry project page http://www.ravelry.com/projects/XtopherCB/basic-toe-up-socks-with-a-heel-flap---fingering-weight-yarn . the first pic (newest) shows one of them inside out for the reverse view of the ribbing. and i actually think i like that look better, so maybe on the 3rd pair i’ll try it in p2/k1 instead.
yes, the 3rd pair - i couldn’t help myself, and started a 2nd pair on 2 more sets of needles and am already planning ahead. socks were the reason i wanted to learn knitting in the first place, and now that i’m working on them and feeling good, i think i may end up with more finished pairs by labor day than originally intended. the 2nd pair is around 20 rounds on 1 sock, and the cast-on and ready for rounds on the 2nd sock. looking good so far.
and… i found 2 stores that carry some good sock yarn, including cascade and mountain colors. one in-town (craft warehouse) and another in ellensburg about 40 minutes away (yarn folk - http://www.yarnfolk.com/ ). so i may have a mini sock-yarn stock-up soon.
You’re doing great! I’m really glad for you. Your work looks very nice. Pat yourself on the back for me, please. 
thank you! i’m a sucker for encouragement.
i’m nowhere near the level of others whose work i admire, with their ability/talent/experience, but in all honesty, yeah, feeling pretty good.
things are clicking, i’m noticing mistakes and fixing them, or learning how to fix them, (or asking/begging for help - thanks KHers!) right away. i’m trying new techniques. i’m practicing other techniques just for the sake of practicing them. and i’m keeping lots and lots of notes (and web bookmarks) of things i want to try. “oh that looks cool! ooh wait, that’s even better! hey, what would happen if i combined A with B and that one part of C, etc.” and i’m telling other struggling people i ‘meet’ online, 'hey, you should totally try knittinghelp.com…
i think one of my next projects should involve a provisional cast-on, or holding live stitches (armhole, etc). maybe one of the easier sweaters i keep eyeing.
i’m considering it all part of the craft and learning experience, and really, that makes it more fun.
Try mittens. You hold the stitches for the thumb and if you want you can use a provisional cast on and start the hand right away and come back later to do the cuff. If you make actual mittens (not mitts or fingerless gloves) you can practice Kitchener stitching, a useful skill that I detest but use when needed. There are other things you can throw into the mix of what you’re trying out when you do mittens. There are convertible mittens that let you uncover your fingers. The best part is they’re small, fairly quick, and if you find Kelley’s Mitten Class on youtube she’ll take you through step by step from cast on Kitchener. You can skip the pattern search overload and just wing it.
mittens… yeah, i could do that… i won’t wear them myself, but, i bet my niece (5, in 2 weeks) and nephew (2-1/2) could wear them. and they’d be smaller for me to crank out faster… good idea, thanks GG! - X