Just learning how to knit…
I am using a 16" size 9 circular needle. This is how far I have gotten in the pattern:
Casted on 64 stitches,
Joined the knit to the round
Now I need to knit 2, purl 2.
I have figured out these two techniques, but my stitches are so tight on the needle it’s taking me forever to pull the stitches off and through with each stitch!
Any suggestions?
Loosen up when you make the sts. Or do you mean they don’t stretch around the needle? If that’s the case, work the first k2 p2 row flat, then join the sts to do the next one. Or you can look at using the single loop techniquefor just the first couple rounds.
So should I make my first cast on stitches loose to begin with?
Sorry… Yes the sts are very hard to stretch over the needle on the left side. I get them over, do a stitch and try to cast them off, but struggle to get them off. I’m usually pulling with my fingernails. I have a feeling this is supposed to be much smoother moving.
64 stitches is doable if the yarn is worsted. If you’re using a lighter weight yarn it might be stretching them too much. What weight is your yarn? If it’s worsted do as Sue suggested and do a few rows flat before joining and see if that works better for you. And don’t pull too tight.
I tend to use magic loop for all circular knitting now. I prefer a long cable rather than shorter one, but that’s personal preference.
You’re right, this is all supposed to be much easier. Try one of the cast ons from the Free Video tab at the top of the page under Cast Ons. If you’re doing a thumb loop cast on now, it can make things difficult. Try a long tail cast on which is much neater anyway and looser. I think 64 sts on a 16" needle should be OK but Sue’s suggestion to do the first row flat and then change to the circular is a good one. You’ll have more ease in the sts that way.
You can cast on and work the first row on the circs, no reason to do it on a straight needle.
ColleBear, the cast on sts don’t measure as much as the finished item will be so it can be a little difficult to get the first row done, but then you’ll be fine. If you have a longer circ in the same size, or the next size up, CO to that one, then form the circle, letting the R needle dangle and join and knit the first round with the 16". That works pretty well too without having to Magic loop it.
Thank you for the suggestions!
Maybe I have figured out my issue: What exactly does knit 2 and purl 2 mean? I think when I did the joining of the circle (which says to pull two stitches over from the left) I then went on to knit two stitches on the left pulling over two at a time and then doing the same with the purl two.
Am I supposed to just grab one single stitch and knit, grab one more single stitch and knit, purl one single stitch and then purl one single
stitch?
You do the sts one at a time - knit a stitch, then knit another, purl a stitch and purl another, then knit 2 more and purl 2 more, all the way around.
I use the single loop method all the time. I didn’t know it had a name. Thanks for the link!