I’ve been knitting for a couple of years. I’ve done a few sweaters, hats, scarves, and shawls.
But I have serious problems with knitting a pattern correctly. I always forget a stitch or two and have the wrong count. So I frog, tink, rip, redo. Over and over and over.
I know making mistakes is part of knitting, but I spend 8-10 hours working and reworking the first 20 rows of a sweater (usually during German short rows or a lace/patterned section). This is NOT normal for anyone else but me, and it’s super disheartening.
I try to see patterns or groups of stitches. I try stitch markers. I turn all distractions off.
I know I can stick to knit-only patterns, but they bore me.
I don’t have a learning disability or anything, but I’ve always been bad at recognizing or remembering visual-spatial stuff. And I have a poor memory for these kinds of things.
Do any of you REALLY struggle with this? If so, how do you cope? Or should I try another hobby?
I have issues like that as well sometimes, that’s why I write everything down as I’m knitting. Every row, every stitch. I have wee notebooks full of patterns that I have already finished, row by row.
Even counting rows, I have little notes written down about what I have already finished and how many more to go.
I don’t think you should just give up, especially if knitting is something you enjoy doing.
I’ve been considering how to respond here. I can do just about any knitting technique I’ve tried provided I have motivation. When it comes to math I’m beyond hopeless and I have to find workarounds. I mostly knit shapes. Once I understand how something works I can figure out a way to do it that works for me. I am using a pattern now, sort of. When I decided to learn to knit socks I wanted to learn how to knit socks, not how to follow a pattern to make a pair of socks. I scoured the internet and finally found what I was looking for and learned a method that can be easily made to fit anyone. For me making things work is the real challenge. I think I’m just too danged stubborn to give up. As for short rows which I use extensively, depending on where they’re used chances are straying from the pattern isn’t fatal to a project and may well not require reworking. The thing that’s needed is to know why the short rows are used and the intended result then how much wiggle room there might be. For back neck shaping I eyeball it and put my short rows where they seem to be appropriate in whatever stitch pattern I’m using. For bust shaping I have a good idea of approximate placing that works and it may or may not be the ideal placement according to the ‘experts’ I’ve come across. Mostly I find that in knitting as with lots of things it’s presented as harder to do than it actually is. If you like knitting you can probably overcome the challenges.
I agree with Inthememory. There are so many benefits to knitting in addition to the scarf, sweater, mittens, hats. It’s worth it.
I often struggle with the first rows of stitch pattern in a sweater pattern. Establishing the pattern and getting the stitch number to work feels like a triumph!
You’re already using stitch markers which is all to the good. Using sticky notes or highlighter tape in patterns or charts helps keep your place. A lifeline is a big help should you need to rip back (especially in lace).
Here’s a video for a lifeline in case you’re interested.
Don’t be discouraged. All this effort is going to pay off for you. Sometimes taking a break can help too. You go back to the project with a fresh mind.
I found some helpful tips and tricks in this video by Norman from Nimble Needles on youtube.
Don’t know if it will be useful to you but thought I would post it anyway.
You know, this is such a fabulous post. You’re asking me to look at things differently: 1. Understand the why (which I always need; in the beginning I was obsessed with the anatomy of stitches. I knew I’d be okay once I figured that out) 2. Find “recipes” that work for me instead of relying too much on a pattern. 3. Play, have fun, think outside the box as I try to “fix” my challenges.
Thank you, thank you for taking the time and sharing that with me!
Thank you! Some of us just need to figure out what the real problem is. I think you’re on your way to figuring out what you need to solve. I got lucky. I crocheted before I knit and stumbled across a tutorial on how to crochet a top down sweater without a pattern. It didn’t take long after I started knitting to realize the same principles work in knitting. I make basic sweaters without a pattern and make adjustments to stitch counts when I want to include pattern stitches. It’s all knitting so even when I rip back and redo (this is the last time I’m starting over for the last time ) all or part of a project, it’s all good. I get a lot of mileage out of my yarn.
You are much braver than I would ever be. I am a follow the pattern at all costs. Only been at this a couple yrs maybe that’s my reason, lacking confidence. But more power to you
I might be in the fools rush in camp. I think that’s where I fit. More specifically in the too dumb to know what I don’t know contingent. My inner two year old says ‘me do it.’ A lot. What matters is what works for you.
You never quit what you love doing. See it as a challenge to work through. Some of my friends found that switching from knitting to crochet a little easier and quicker to produce results. However some of the comments here are very helpful and should certainly be considered. Once a knitter - always a knitter, I think your hands would get bored not being productive in some way
I had a tough time keeping my stitch count correct when making German Short Rows, too. I kept forgetting to work the double-stitch together. So I started putting markers in for my GSR’s. If I’m doing a lot of GSR’s, I plan out my markers before starting that row. I insert the markers during the row before. I use a rainbow-order for the markers, e.g. Red is 1st, Orange is 2nd, Yellow is 3rd, etc…Then when I start the row with GSR’s, I knit to the Red marker, do my GSR turn, and LEAVE the Red marker. Then knit/purl to the Orange marker & do the same. The reason I leave the marker is to remind me to knit/purl the Double-Stitch together. I only remove the marker after finishing the Double-Stitch.
THIS is brilliant. Thank you for taking the time to write that all out. I need to consider my most common mistakes and prevent them as you do. Thank you!
And, yes, I need to start using lifelines. Thank you for the link and the encouragement! 
My inner two year old says ‘me do it.’ A lot. What matters is what works for you.