I have a blanket I am working on that is a basketweave pattern, requiring frequent changes between knit and purl. Sometimes when changing stitches, I notice it looks like I’ve dropped a stitch, even though I have the correct number of stitches on my needles. What am I doing wrong?
Problem with changing stitches
This is likely just a tension discrepency whenever you change from knit to purl or vice versa. As with all tension issues, it will improve with time/practice. Additionally, blocking the piece when you are done will even out the stitches/pattern.
I was checking my tension because I thought that was it at first too, but it seems to be something else, because it happens in the same spot in every row. I am usuing stitch markers, so I thought that was it. Does it matter whether you bring your yarn forward/behind, before/after moving the marker over when switching stitches? I also tried not using stitch markers and it seems to happen then too. Also, I’m usuing a knobby acrylic yarn, kind of like homespun. I’ll have to take a picture of it. When I get home I guess. Ugh! You have no idea how many times I have ripped out and started over…even after knitting over 20 rows of 137 stitches. If it’s true what they say that good knitters are good rippers, than I’m going to be a FABULOUS knitter! LOL
The order in which you move the yarn and move the stitch marker should not make a difference.
When going from knit to purl, you have to move the yarn to the front of your work first, or it creates a hole. Vice versa from purl to knit, you need to move the yarn to the back.
To avoid a hole when switching stitches, it’s sometimes helpful to work the stitch after the switch through the back loop. It twists it and makes it a bit tighter.
On the next row, you work that twisted stitch through the back loop to untwist it.
This is a problem that many of us see. Here’s one link that discusses it and also a previous thread here on the same subject. I snug up the stitch after the transition just a little myself.
I appreciate all the suggestions. I will have to try some of them when I get home. It’s difficult for me to envision some of the instructions for a couple of reasons: I am a kinisthetic learner, so I have to have hands-on and someone showing me to really understand something. Also, I am new to knitting, so even though I’ve read about slip stitch, I have yet to do it, (on purpose) so it’s hard for me to imagine how it will work in my situation. Many of the solutions also seem to be for ribbing fixes (where I will now be ahead of the game when I start that! WooHoo!) and I’m working in a basket weave. I guess all I can do is try different things and see what works! I might look for a video demo too. Anyone know a good one?
Actually, it doesn’t matter if it’s ribbing or basketweave. As long as you’re changing from knit to purl or vice versa (also happens with cables). You might try just putting slightly more tension of the stitch after you change from knit to purl and see if that helps.
Ribbing is similar to basketweave because you mix knits and purls on the same row. So similar problems can be fixed the same way.
I notice it looks like I’ve dropped a stitch, even though I have the correct number of stitches on my needles.
I read this earlier and thought, I know what you’re talking about. I’m still a novice knitter so I didn’t reply before experienced knitters could. I’ve thought about it some more and it’s [I]possible [/I] you’re doing an unintentional yarnover that leaves the yarn looser; or for whatever reason the stitch isn’t actually knitted (or purled) and just gets moved to the right needle. I’m not always sure what I’ve done when I see this. I am sure it’s frustrating and annoying. :wall: :hair: :gah:
Maybe you’ll figure it out and I can benefit from your experience. Please???
As for it happening in the same place, I’ve noticed that I tend to have stitches that are looser or I make some mistake in the same place and it seems to be a spot that I have to shift the stitches on the needles, particularly if I’m using circulars to knit back and forth rather than in the round; that one spot is troublesome.
Thanks, everyone! 
I went home and took out the row I knitted last and started there. I focused on tightening the tension on the first few stitches when I switched and it seems to have done the trick! :woohoo: :figureditout: I ony had time to do a few rows, so we’ll see what happens. I think part of my problem was that I was trying not to knit so tightly because I have a tendency to do that. Apparently that is common with new knitters.