Crazy girl
I think I may have finally lost it.
My response to the lovely woman at Starbucks who asked me innocently, “What are you knitting?” this morning was “I’m just practicing”. Of course, I then proceeded to show her the silly 2 foot length of swatching I’m working on and explain the rowing out situation and my tension nightmares. Yes, it’s bad, poor lady.
But I think I am closer to working it all out. I’ve “solved” the problem by really tightening up the purl stitches using my regular English-style throwing style. Alternatively, I also solved the problem by knitting combined but loosening up the purl stitches. Also, when I knit combined, I continue to thread the yarn through the right hand. I just find that I can better control (ha!) the tension with my right hand.
I suspect that the loose purl stitches are happening because of the natural curl of the fabric — the top of the swatch curls away from me on the purl sides so it’s using even more yarn than the knit side. So to counteract, I really really choke up on the purl stitches. It seems pretty severe though, so I’m going to try another set of swatches with a larger needle size (US 8 or 9) and see where we go. The fabric on 4.25 mm needles is pretty stiff.
Ok, and on with my regular day now.
One simple (although not skillful) way to correct rowing out is to use two different sized needles. Good luck! I admire your desire to refine your technique and your willingness to put in the work to achieve it.
I’m not even at that stage to know the difference between my k & p. As long as my sts look even, I’m happy
But I noticed that I’m a tight knitter, although I do try to loosen my tension but I don’t like how floppy my sts look. I’m still trying to find the right balance but for now, I’m also trying to experiment with as many patterns as possible.
I had the same problem with my purl stitches… loosey goosey. I knit continentally. I just made sure that I tighten up my purls and let loose on my knits…it works!!!
Hi, I came across your blog by chance and I can’t believe that I haven’t read your blog before. I love it! I am going through the same ‘rotten tension’ thing at the moment and I just can’t seem to get it right.
I am about to cast on the backyard leaves scarf - any tips? I am thinking of writing the whole pattern out as I have a feeling it might be easier to follow that way. Did you find that after a while you didn’t need the chart so much?