New knitter help

#1

It’s Sunday, so I can’t go to the store where I could get help…and want to start on this “quick Christmas Scarf.” I’m new enough to knitting and searched video for answers to this dilemma, which will probably be a “duh” answer!
The pattern calls for the first row to: slip 1 st knitwise, K 12, P1. There is a diagram also and gives the direction that the knit should be on RS, P 1 on WS.
The first problem is that when I slip 1 st knitwise then try to begin knitting, the first knit just goes off because of the first slipped knit! Agh! I’ve tried to figure out what the Right Side might have to do with it, but get no where…Help!
It’s very frustrating. I do know how to slip the first stitch…
Pamela

#2

Take a look at the video Demo of a Small Project under the Free Videos tab at the top of the page, Getting Started. It may help with the cast on and first row including slipping the first st knitwise. It may be that you’re doing a looped cast on and that contributes to the problem. Once you get going, mark the knit side of the project with a safety pin so that you’ll always know which is the right side and which the wrong.

#3

Thanks, I’ll check it out.
The way I cast on is by using both needles, not the finger style…is that the loop you are thinking it might be?
Anyhow, I’ll check out the video, thank you!
Pamela

#4

Do you have a pattern link? It helps when asking questions.

Normally when I’ve slipped stitches I slip the first one and knit (or purl) the last one on both sides to create a nice matching edge. So from what you’d told me you’d be slipping the first stitch knitwise, follow pattern, then purl the last stitch. You do the same thing every row so they match.

I don’t know what the pattern means by the purl being on the wrong side. That doesn’t make sense so seeing the pattern (link only don’t post the pattern) would help.

#5

Hi Jan,
The pattern was printed for me at the store…no link.
Here’s what the directions say:
Cast on 14 stitches.
Row 1: Slip 1 st knitwise, K 12, P 1.
Row 2: Repeat Row 1.
Row 3: Slip 1 st knitwise, *K 1, YO, repeat from * 10 times, K1, P1.
Row 4: Slip 1 knitwise, * K1, drop YO without knitting, repeat from * 10 times, K 1, P 1.
Below these is a diagram.
I just realized what the diagram meant, so forget what I said about P on WS…
The problem I’m having is the first slipped st, then trying to knit - the st comes off completely. I’ll try a different way of casting on as salmonmac suggested!
Thank you!

#6

You’re just slipping it from the left needle to the right needle not off the needles completely. Slip the stitch onto the right needle as if to knit it, but don’t…just slip it off the left needle onto the right needle.