What am I doing wrong?

How-to Questions
1

I’m making an afghan with Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick and Lion Brand Chenille Thick and Quick yarn. I’m using a size 13 32" circular needle. The afghan is going to be 58" wide. My stitches with the wool-ease looks very nice and even but when I use the chenille it seems to leave behind big loops. I have ripped this afghan out a couple of times now. I have been taking extra care to make my stitches with the chenille as even as possible. The stitches look even and nice when I’m done with the chenille rows but as I continue on with knitting the blanket, large loops start to form and begin to stick out with the chenille rows. I can’t figure out what I’m doing wrong. Is my circular needle length too small for this size? The actual pattern calls for a size 13 29" circular needle for a 46" width afghan. It looks great at first and then starts looking sloppy. I tried taking some pictures so that you can see what I’m talking about. Hopefully, they help. Anyone with some advise or insight?

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2

I sent you a PM regarding the photos.

I’m not sure what is causing the looping. Chenille is not an easy yarn to knit with so that may be part of it… :thinking:

3

Unlike with a lot of yarns, my experience is that you have to actually “tug” your stitches with chenille. And I mean it quite literally, you have to actually pull each stitch tight. Especially on the first row after changing to it or from it. However, you can’t pull too hard, because if it is too tight, lion brand chenille tends to snap apart. This is why the yarn is so hard to work with! It is pretty though, so it is hard for me to resist buying.

4

It’s common enough with chenille that it’s been named ‘worming.’

5

Is there a way I could correct the problem without having to redo the rows? Or is it just best to rip out again and try tugging the chenille harder?

6

I have knit with that Chenille and it does make a very loose knit.

7

So, it’s been awhile since this thread started but I fixed my problem. When I get to my chenille rows I use a size 6 circular needle. I have to use two size 6 circular needles but it makes the stitches perfect without making the shape of the blanket weird or anything. It is looking great. I’ll post some pictures up o fit at some point if anyone wants to see. :slight_smile:

8

HI,
[B]YES![/B] I’d be very intersted to see your afghan. Do you mean when you got to the chenille part you switched from size 13 needles to size 6? Thats quite a big change!

I am trying to figure out this chenille yarn I bought off ebay…so far I can’t find a decent pattern I like. I’ve tried that ripple pattern but the little swatches I’ve knitted came out ugly.
Maybe I’ll try garter stitch…
[B]HOW DID YOUR AFGHAN TURN OUT?[/B]
sue