Beginner problem

[jmarroq]

I can't seem to figure out how to count the stitches. I cast on great. My first stitch looks like two loops on the side of the needle facing me, and a stitch on the other. So, when I cast on 3 stitches, I have four loops to work with. Does this make sense? So it will look like 3 stitches with four loops holding the needle. I cast on three (which looks like four loops). Then when I go to work the next row, I am working with four loops, which creates 5 loops next time around, and increases a loop and stitch with each row...first row has three stitches (four loops), second row has four stitches (five loops), third row has five stitches (six loops) and so on. After I finished a row, I tried to pull the working yarn around the needle to create only three loops with three stitches. It didn't work with the cast on row, it only twisted my row all around the needle. But! It did work with the first knitted row...I can pull the working yard around when I am done with it, and it does appear that I have one less loop! However, the last stitch looks really weird, big and loose if I do this. It needs to be pulled tight and when I do this, here comes the extra loop again. Does any of this sound familiar!!!??? I'm so frustrated. I drove a half hour to a knitting store and asked the owner, and she thought I was crazy. I should have just demonstrated for her so she could see what I mean, but I was too embarrassed. I can't find any local knitting groups. I watched all the you tube and knitting help videos and still can't get it. I'm pathetic!

[amandaleigh37]

I think I know what you mean. I did the same thing when I started. I couldn't figure out why each row was increasing by one stitch! It was because I had the yarn pulled back at the beginning of the row and it was creating two loops where there should have only been one. It will seem looser, but that's ok. If you can correct the problem of the extra stitch, then your tension will improve and it will all work out ok. Plus it will SEEM loose at first, but once you start your next row, it will tighten up. I hope that makes sense.

[cristeen]

check out the videos at knittinghelp.com

They have videos that'll show you how to count your stitches and why you're accidentally increasing. It's much easier to see it than to try and explain it.

ETA - sorry, missed where you'd said you'd watched those... did you look at the Troubleshooting section?

The last stitch in the row will always be loose. Don't worry about it. As you get more accomplished, you'll learn how to mitigate that.

It sounds like when you turn, you're pulling that last stitch really tight to try to compensate for the looseness, and so you're seeing 2 stitches where you should be seeing one. This is a common mistake. Loosen up on the working yarn, and shove the stitch back down. Grab the loop that is actually going around the needle, and not the leg of the previous stitch that is going up and then back down the front of the needle. If you watch the Purl video on knittinghelp, she'll show you what I mean by that. But it sounds like that's how you're increasing.

[SevenVeils]

Originally Posted by jmarroq

It did work with the first knitted row...I can pull the working yard around when I am done with it, and it does appear that I have one less loop! However, the last stitch looks really weird, big and loose if I do this.

That's what you're supposed to be doing.

[poiyt]

with the cast on - the first one that you cast on creates 2 stitches in and of itself. So you would cast on - 2 stitches, do one more and you'd have your 3.

[sewcool]

wow im confused maybe ive had one too many beers

[Mizelenius]

On knittinghelp.com she suggests NOT knitting the first stitch to help with the looseness problem. She just slips it over. I have been trying that and it does help!

I know what you mean about that loop-- that confused me, too. Just look at your working yarn as the stitch, not the loop.

But then again, I've been at this less than 2 weeks so I have tons and tons to learn!