What is causing this?

I am new to knitting and need some help. I am working on a sweater. The sleeves were done on dpns and look fine. I’m doing the body back and forth on circular needles. Same yarn, but the finished part of my work is chewed up and frayed. I’m not handling it any differently. The only difference is the needles. Has anyone seen this before?

Welcome to the forum!
Is it possible that a pet got to the sweater? Dogs and cats love to snuggle up to knitting.
Barring that it might be a weakness it the yarn itself. There are a couple of places where the pattern shifts but in that one spot there seems to be a cut edge as well. I haven’t seen this myself.

What is the name of your pattern and which yarn are you using?

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No pets have snuggled with it. It’s a seeded rib stitch with cables. Some of the cables are really frayed also. I’m using an acrylic yarn. I’ve used this same brand and weight of yarn with other projects with no issues. Now that I’m looking back at this work, the fraying only seems to be in the area from the latest skein. It’s possible it was just a bad batch? If I continue with a new skein, it may get better?

It could well be a flaw in the yarn. It might be worthwhile to rewind the yarn and watch the strand for flaws. You can always cut out parts of the strand and continue. It gives you 2 more ends each time to weave in but that’s better than incorporating a flawed section of yarn. Using a new skein is worth a try. Fingers crossed!

I would send a photo to the yarn company and complain.