… is that why my stuff looks like a mess? I did the continental knitting method on one side, and the combined purling on the other side. Is that why (1) the stitches were really tight and hard to do? And (2) the stitches looked poorly defined? I mean: when I just do garter or stockinette stitches, it looks fine, but when I tried fancy shmancy stuff that my book demonstrated, like moss stitch or chevrons (squiggly-like lines), it came out really badly defined and a general mess. Only when I got back to this splendiferous site, did I realize I was doing two different methods together - is that where my problem lies? Is that the solution to the entire catastrophe? Say yes!
Can I cry? Does this mean I spent a 6 hour train ride sticking myself with needles, getting my forearm muscles sore and producing garbage for no reason? Or can you help me become a fabulous knitter? :mrgreen: I want to make a purple blanket for my little girl who is coming in December! :woot:
Is there hope for me? I’m so discouraged!
:help: :verysad:
It’s important when you purl the way that you’re describing to carefully observe the way the stitch hangs on the needle. If it looks really open, then you should knit (or purl) through the back. If it looks like a “normal” or closed stitch, then you should knit (or purl) through the front.
This is how I knit, and once you get this distinguishing when to do what business down pat, it’s easy.
Here is a useful site to help you on your way to combined knitting. http://www.grumperina.com/table.pdf
You have to click on the black box to get the conversion table, and you need to have Adobe Acrobat installed. Hope this helps.
If you purl combined, you need to knit combined too, which is simply to knit through the back loop to untwist the stitches. In addition to the above site, also look at www.anniedmodesitt.com for how to do decs and increases as well.
Might also be you’re a new knitter and your tension isn’t even throughout the piece, especially when you’re working in moss stitch. If you bind off the piece and wash it, then lay it out to dry, you may see a big difference.
I agree with the attention to the way the stitches are mounted; if you go through the wrong way, they twist. Sometimes you’ll want to do that for effect, but sometimes it’s just a pain in the neck.
Fear not. That purple blanket will be wrapped around your little girl in no time…and you’ll be wrapped around her little finger, but that’s a good thing!
I did the continental knitting method on one side, and the combined purling on the other side. Is that why (1) the stitches were really tight and hard to do? And (2) the stitches looked poorly defined? I mean: when I just do garter or stockinette stitches, it looks fine, but when I tried fancy shmancy stuff that my book demonstrated, like moss stitch or chevrons (squiggly-like lines), it came out really badly defined and a general mess. Only when I got back to this splendiferous site, did I realize I was doing two different methods together - is that where my problem lies? Is that the solution to the entire catastrophe? Say yes!