Do the knit and the Purl stitches look exactly the same if done alone?
I am just learning to knit, I am teaching myself by the videos on the site. So far I have made 2 squares, one in the knit stitch, and one in the purl stitch. I can not tell them apart. Are they supposed to look the same?
My next square will be knit one row, purl the next. Then I will try increasing and decreasing. making a square is the only way I can master the stitch.
Andi
If you knit both sides you get garter stitch and they do look the same on both sides. If you purl both sides you get the same thing.
If you knit one side and purl the other you’ll get stockinette stitch.
Does that help?
Thank you so much. I was getting frustrated thinking I was doing another squaer of knit stitches when I was supposed to be doing purl stitches.
I seem to be able to keep my tension more even when purling. The knit square is so tight. I have only been knitting for about 5 days over the past 2 weeks.
Andi
Give yourself time and practice to get the tension right. That’s just one of those things which takes time.
Knit is the other side of purl, and purl is the other side of knit. 
These are my 2 squares, well 1 is a square and the other is a rectangle but they are both my first practice pieces. The small one is the knit stitch and the other is the purl stitch. I think my tension is getting much better and more even. Neither sample has been blocked yet. Please critique them if you would.
Yep, that is just garter stitch and they will look the same on both sides. You’re doing fine so keep practicing!
Now try combining the knits and purls into the same project. Like k5, p5, k5, p5 or whatever combination you choose.
Important - Each stitch has two sides. One side is a knit and one side is purl…therefore the back of a knit stitch is a purl and the back of a purl is a knit. When you rib you “knit the knits and purl the purls” as they face you. That means when the work is turned and in your left hand ready to start again. If it looks smooth like a V it’s a knit so you knit it. If it’s bumpy it’s a purl so you purl it.
I think that, for your first swatches, they are pretty good!!
As others have said, you have to practice to get your tension right, but if you keep going, everything will start to look uniform and even. As a side note, it is fairly “normal” for your knit stitches (and thus, the square you did all in knit stitches) to be tighter than your purl stitches. Again, with practice, you will probably find a good, balanced tension between the two.
ETA: I made LOTS of squares when I was learning and, even though they don’t end up being anything more than practice, I am SO glad that I did that. It really helped me learn how to identify my stitches and understand the “logic” of knitting.
OK todays project is the K5, P5, K5, P5 that Jan suggested. Since I do the long tail CO the first row will already be knitted. Do I need to do another row of knit or just start the K&P pattern? I also knit Conti will this matter to the pattern?
Just start the pattern; and no, continental won’t make any difference- it’s just a different way to get to the same place.
Continental is just one way to knit, it makes no difference in a pattern.
Most people do not consider the CO the first row even if they use long tail.
Just cast on a multiple of 10 if you want to do the k5, p5 rib. That way it’ll come out even on the end. Although it really doesn’t matter for practice it’s good to know. So here you go…
CO 30
I’m not going to tell you what comes after you turn… really look at the stitches and learn what they look like like I showed in the sample. Remember that to rib you “knit the knits and purl the purls.” Come back if you need more help. 
OK This is a first for 2 things. 1, this will be the first time I have used more than 1 stitch type, and 2, it will be the first time I have actually had to count. I count the number of loops I have on the needle to keep them the same with each row. Now I have to count each stitch to know hen to change.
Andi
OK this is not working out very well. I got the 5 knit stitches on the needle without a hitch. When I try to purl the next 5 is where the trouble starts.
The way I am knitting, the knit stitch has the yarn on the back of the needle, the purl stitch has the yarn in the front of the needle. I am following Amy’s video exactly for conti method and am a lefty, but this yarn placement is causing me a lot of trouble and frustration. I have frogged the first 10 stitches so many times my yarn is looking frazzled. What am I doing wrong?
ETA: I think I figured it out. At least now the yarn is where its supposed to be in its placement for each type of stitch.
Yes, the yarn is in front for purls whether you are conti or not. You can count the stitches for each section. If you learn what the stitches look like then it’s really much easier, too. Here’s a site that also has good pictures if you need more help with stitches. Sometimes it helps when you get two or more explanations.
http://www.community.knitpicks.com/notes
Yes after I got the yarn placement figured out, I have been happily knitting along smoothly, albeit slowly.
Andi
I think there a mistake in here as it doesn’t look right. I am thinking I lost count somewhere or flipped my pattern. I know its flipped at the bottom, its the top I am referring to. I hope you can see what I am talking about.
Andi
The bottom 3 ribs or sections are fine. Then you purled when you should have knit. So just un-knit 15 sts and you’ll be back on track.
Un-knitting is a whole lot harder than knitting. I frogged the whole thing and started it over. The needle would not go back into the stitches as it was supposed to. This is a learning session so I don’t mind frogging as long as I learn how to do the pattern
You did it! Good for you! Making mistakes is a part of knitting so don’t worry about it.
Learn how to tink (unknit) and when it’s only a few stitches or rows you don’t have to frog.
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEwinter03/FEATwin03TT.html
Thanks guys(gals):woohoo:
I think I know what I did wrong. Knitting is usually a quiet craft to be done in a quiet area. My house is NEVER quiet! There is always a dog barking, a cat meowing, a TV blaring, and a DH who is doing what DH’s do best (annoying one who is trying to concentrate). My train of thought is always derailing. I noticed I would sometimes wrap the yarn over when doing the knit and sometimes I would wrap it under. I have to remember to do it ONE way or the other and not both. I think this is why the needle would not go back in correctly. The re-do is going much smoother and quicker. I am counting each stitch and DH is laughing. He says my mouth is moving faster than my hands and wants to know who I am talking to. I just look at him and say "the knit fairy is helping me and I am talking to her"
Andi