Omg thanks a lot, I'm a crocheter so I'm used to holding my yarn real tight so the stitches are very closed and I didn't even realize that's what's making my knitting so titgh ❤
I used to crochet quite a bit and so had a general understanding of the importance of loose tension, but still ran into impossibly tight stitches when I tried knitting a few years back. I recently tried again and successfully made a consistent square of stitches but I knew it was still a bit painfully tight AND I kept winding up with an awkwardly loose end stitch on every row. Seeing your stitches and understanding that the needles should be doing the "pulling" has suddenly helped it all to click for me! I wish I could show you a picture of my first couple of rows 😄 Thanks so much for this short and sweet video!
I was a tight knitter 😱 and now I am much improved 😁 I relaxed and gave myself permission to have FUN That was the whole reason to learn to knit TO HAVE FUN AND ENJOY🙂💕
I have learned to not keep too much tension in my stitches. It really has helped me. Pulling my stitches when I finish them has been a problem for me. I've gotten better about that, but I still have to force myself not to do it. Thanks for the tips. They're great. xo~linda
My tension has always been quite good - I've been knitting for 5 decades and it was one thing I concentrated on in my learning years. It wasn't such a big deal years ago when we basically just had plastic, aluminium, or polished wood needles, but I find the raw bamboo needles and the polished metal needles really affect my tension. The polished metal needles are so slippery that I find I'm tightening my tension so the stitches don't slide off the hook. Conversely, bamboo needles are quite grabby and my stitches tend to drag on the needles, so I loosen my tension. Neither is a good situation. My tip is to match the needle type to the yarn. If stitches are slipping off the polished metal needles, try an aluminium needle. If stitches are dragging on bamboo needles, try plastic or aluminium. There is a time and place for each needle. It just takes patience and a willingness to find the correct yarn and needle combination for your project.
I recently began holding my yarn differently, still American style knitting, but I no longer wrap the yarn completely around one finger. This has resulted in looser tension. For the first time in over 40 years, I'm knitting a swatch that drapes nicely and on the size needle recommended on the yarn wrapper. Thanks for the helpful videos!
Yes, thank you from the very very new knitter- you explain things very eloquently and make it easy to understand so thank you very much from a new subscriber :-)
Hi Nancy. Great tips! I’ve been knitting so long I think I just did as you’ve suggested back when I learned, lol. I do remember those early days when the stitches were so tight! Thanks for sharing!
My problem is, once it's on the wire no matter the needle size, they just get smaller and I'm having to struggle to pull them from the wired loop back up on my needle. They can be really loose, but extra tight coming back on the needle. Idk how to fix this
It seems like just the right leg is tight. My stitches don’t looks like a v, they look like little cables running between straight lines (right leg of the stitch).
Omg thanks a lot, I'm a crocheter so I'm used to holding my yarn real tight so the stitches are very closed and I didn't even realize that's what's making my knitting so titgh ❤
I used to crochet quite a bit and so had a general understanding of the importance of loose tension, but still ran into impossibly tight stitches when I tried knitting a few years back.
I recently tried again and successfully made a consistent square of stitches but I knew it was still a bit painfully tight AND I kept winding up with an awkwardly loose end stitch on every row.
Seeing your stitches and understanding that the needles should be doing the "pulling" has suddenly helped it all to click for me! I wish I could show you a picture of my first couple of rows 😄 Thanks so much for this short and sweet video!
I was a tight knitter 😱 and now I am much improved 😁 I relaxed and gave myself permission to have FUN That was the whole reason to learn to knit TO HAVE FUN AND ENJOY🙂💕
Debra, Genius move! Giving yourself permission to have fun with knitting is a huge part of it - thanks for sharing your advice! 😀
I have learned to not keep too much tension in my stitches. It really has helped me. Pulling my stitches when I finish them has been a problem for me. I've gotten better about that, but I still have to force myself not to do it. Thanks for the tips. They're great.
xo~linda
I'm glad you found the tips helpful, Linnybee! Thanks! 😀
My tension has always been quite good - I've been knitting for 5 decades and it was one thing I concentrated on in my learning years. It wasn't such a big deal years ago when we basically just had plastic, aluminium, or polished wood needles, but I find the raw bamboo needles and the polished metal needles really affect my tension. The polished metal needles are so slippery that I find I'm tightening my tension so the stitches don't slide off the hook. Conversely, bamboo needles are quite grabby and my stitches tend to drag on the needles, so I loosen my tension. Neither is a good situation. My tip is to match the needle type to the yarn. If stitches are slipping off the polished metal needles, try an aluminium needle. If stitches are dragging on bamboo needles, try plastic or aluminium. There is a time and place for each needle. It just takes patience and a willingness to find the correct yarn and needle combination for your project.
Those are excellent tips about knitting needle, tension, and yarn - thanks so much for sharing, Chery! 😀
I recently began holding my yarn differently, still American style knitting, but I no longer wrap the yarn completely around one finger. This has resulted in looser tension. For the first time in over 40 years, I'm knitting a swatch that drapes nicely and on the size needle recommended on the yarn wrapper.
Thanks for the helpful videos!
thank you very much for these important hints! I really needed them!
You always have such great tips for every knitting problem..
I really appreciate the work you put into your channel.. Thank you !
Wow! Thank you so much Cary - I'm glad you are enjoying the videos 🥰
Yes, thank you from the very very new knitter- you explain things very eloquently and make it easy to understand so thank you very much from a new subscriber :-)
Just learning to knit, your videos have been very helpful :)
Hi Sam, I'm so glad to hear that! You may enjoy my free 7-day learn to knit course: nobleknits.ck.page/cb0f6b75c7
Great tips 🧶🙌
i usually go up a needle size. works great ❣️
Thank you for sharing these amazing videos
Hi Nancy. Great tips! I’ve been knitting so long I think I just did as you’ve suggested back when I learned, lol. I do remember those early days when the stitches were so tight! Thanks for sharing!
Awesome tips. I have the exact opposite issue. I knit too loosely😀
I'll add that to my list of videos to make! 😀
Me too! I have accidentally pulled my needle right out of my stitches several times. Annoyingly, my edges tend to be too tight!
Such great tips Nancy! Thank you!
I'm glad you enjoyed them, Donna! 😀
Great tips!! Thank you!
this was so helpful!
Thank you
My problem is, once it's on the wire no matter the needle size, they just get smaller and I'm having to struggle to pull them from the wired loop back up on my needle. They can be really loose, but extra tight coming back on the needle. Idk how to fix this
Thanks for the tips.
You're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed them! 😀
I get this wonky large loop at the beginning of every row. Suggestions? I've tried Continental and i just can't get it.
It seems like just the right leg is tight. My stitches don’t looks like a v, they look like little cables running between straight lines (right leg of the stitch).
My problem is uneven tension especially when knitting fine cotton or linen blend on pin 2,5
I do not have this problem. I tend to knit too loosely. Great tips. I do however crochet too tightly!!!
what if you knit too loose?
Wine helps lol. Just be careful of the KUI's. Knitting under the influence sometimes produces boo boos. 😊
Thank you