Why are my stitches so tight?

[Cutie Patootie]

I want to knit so bad, but everytime I try...ugh, my stitches are so tight. What am I doing wrong? I have tried and tried to relax my hands, but the stitches just come out so tight. I know how to cast on, knit, and purl...I just can't seem to get very far. I don't understand how this is supposed to be relaxing. :LOL How the heck do I get my stitches to just flow on nice and loose? Any suggestions knitting queens?

[knitting gal]

How are you holding your yarn? When I started knitting I tried to hold the yarn in my hand EXACTLY the same way as the pictures/directions said. Well, my hands got so cramped and my stitches were so goofy that I nearly gave up. Finally I just let the yarn slide through my fingers in whatever way felt most comfortable and had the most control over my tension. Eventually I got a very smooth even tension. Just try knitting swatches in a stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row) until you feel comfortable with the way your hands feel and the way the yarn feels between your fingers. Also, you might want to try knitting with some cheap aluminum needles. Stitches slide off easier on aluminum needles than say bamboo needles. That might be better if you are naturally a tight knitter to begin with. HTH. Good luck!