Please help! Brand new knitter cant stop knitting too tight

#1

Hi there! I have recently decided to learn to knit. I have been crocheting for years so I’m familiar with gauge and tension. I know I’m not holding my yarn too tight nor am I pulling on it to tighten it afterwards. But for some reason I cant get past the first couple rows. it doesn’t look right or even. I can’t figure out whats going on. For crochet I never have to go up a hook size for starting chain but heard that recommended for tight knitters to cast on using larger needles. I am using the appropriate yarn size. I even tried using a yarn thats made for a needles 1.5 sizes smaller and it was still tight! Ugh. I’m ready to give up but I’m so determined to learn!

Also, I noticed that when I go into the next stitch the bottom loops (cast one row or prior row) seem to get “stretched”. Is that normal? I figure maybe it has something to do with the tightness and its loose in the wrong spots. They end up looking much more loose than the others and it makes it look off. How do I prevent that from happening?

Any help would be appreciated!!

#2

Is it possible you’re twisting the stitches? That can make it really tight.

#3

i’m wondering which style of knitting you’re doing - continental (german) or english? continental is more left-hand focused, and from what i hear tends to be easier for crocheters to learn as they’re already used to using that hand and doing similar movements. english is more right-hand focused, so that may be throwing you off. just a thought… :wink:

#4

Which cast on are you using? That could be part of it. I agree with Jan that twisted stitches could be a problem. The yarn goes clockwise round the hook in crochet, counterclockwise round the needle for knitting so if, as I did at first, you’re wrapping the yarn the wrong way your stitches would be twisted. Which style are you knitting? English and Continental (more crochet-like) can have different reasons for some tension problems.

#5

copy-cat :wink:

#6

Great minds, X. Your post wasn’t there then it was [I]after[/I] I posted. :angelgrin:

#7

it was post-haste, in action :slight_smile:

#8

:oo: g-r-o-a-n

#9

Thank you for the responses!

I keep mixing the names up so I forget which one I do but the working needle is in my right hand. I’m actually left handed but pretty much ambidextrous. I tried it both ways. My cast on technique is doing the “finger gun” type thing. Not sure what its called but saw it in videos and found it easiest. Strangely the cast on is just fine. Its when I get into rows trouble starts. I’ve been doing just knit stitches and I am wrapping counter clockwise. I’ve been watching YouTube instructional videos over and over copying exactly what they are doing. Maybe I’ll just keeping trying…? I really appreciate the help!!

#10

sounds like you’re knitting english style (mostly right-hand) knitting with the long-tail cast-on. remember your working yarn should be in the back, ready for your right index finger to manipulate. and as long as you’re sticking your right hand needle into the next stitch on the left hand needle from left to right, and wrapping the yarn counter clockwise, then you should be fine for a knit stitch. but it absolutely does take practice. sounds like you’re well on your way! :wink:

#11

Continental= holding working yarn in left hand
English= holding working yarn in right hand

Both ways work equally well and can be fast once you get used to them. Knowing both methods is helpful, but not necessary, when you start learning fair isle.