I contacted ‘Webs’ with the problem below. They could not help me, but suggested I get in touch with you. Hope you can help.
Subject: Tension Problem
Message: I live on a remote island off the North coast of Scotland, and despite the fact there are some really good knitters here, they have been unable to solve my problem. When I knit something, at the end of the knit row/beginning purl row, my stitches are really loose. At the end of the purl row/beg. knit row my stitches are tight. As a result, when I sew a sleeve together, for example, one side is tight/ shorter than the other loser/longer side. I have tried everything - slip first stitch, tighten yarn on loose side, slacken yarn on tight side, knit opposite stitches etc.. At the moment I am purling the last stitch on the knit row and pulling tight on yarn to continue. It is better, but still not right. Can you help? I have heard so much about your firm and even got a book out the library by Leslie Ann Bestor, but it did not cover this. I would do a lot more knitting, if I could correct this fault. Thank you in advance.
It happens whether I slip first stitch or not, one side loose and untidy, one side tight and neat. I’ve tried everything! It has put me off knitting!!!
Welcome to KnittingHelp!
You certainly do come from the islands of expert knitters. I can only think of two things to try and you may already have done both. You could knit the last stitch and the first stitch of every row. That’ll give you a garter st edge but if it evens out the tension of the edges it’ll be worth it. The edges, in many cases, will be hidden in the seams anyway.
The other suggestion produces a neat chain edge by purling the last stitch of the row and slipping the first stitch knitwise with yarn in back.
I used to have terrible tension when doing a stockinette stitch. One of the things I learned is that the type of yarn you use makes a big difference. My tension is better in wool than with acrylics. Some brands are better than others. Try a different brand. I took a scrap ball of yarn and kept practicing my tension. I unraveled it. Rolled it back into a ball, and kept doing it until I got it right. I also did that when practicing heel turns and increases and decreases. Repetition, doing the same thing over and over, helps. Try to wrap the yarn around your fingers and keep the tension even at the end and beginning. Another thing that helps is where you place your yarn. You will have tighter tension if you place your yarn on the floor rather than the sofa next to you. Change fingers also. I knit Eastern European style, but we hold our yarn like a Continental knitter does. Most hold the yarn with their index finger. I always hold mine with my middle finger. That’s just the way I was taught by the particular gal that showed me how to knit, and old habits are hard to break. Hopefully, you can use something from this.
This is an amazing Forum. I can’t believe the amount of help I have had!! I am going to have a go this afternoon and see how I get on.
Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. GrumpyGramma - I do love your name!
Hi tich, yes this a great site full of great people. Have a look on youtube at ‘how to knit edge stitches’ by nadel spiel - she demonstrates various options for edges, it might help.