Newbie help please!

[rajahkat]

So I've only been knitting a few months, and I've just been making small bags for felting. Really simple flat pieces in garter stitch. Well, I'm trying to "branch out" but everytime I try to knit stockinette, the loops on the needle seem to get tight and I can barely get into them. This doesn't happen when I just do all knit stitches, only when I go back to a knit row after doing a purl row. What am I doing wrong?

[texmati]

you might be purling very tightly (i do this when I'm concentrating super hard)

Or.... you might be getting the stitch orientation backwards.

Can you tell by looking at this site whether you are purling combined or continental?

http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/purl-stitch

[rajahkat]

great video, thanks! I have no idea what I'm doing! I think I'll sit in front of the computer with my needles for a while......

[davi]

Originally Posted by rajahkat

So I've only been knitting a few months, and I've just been making small bags for felting. Really simple flat pieces in garter stitch. Well, I'm trying to "branch out" but everytime I try to knit stockinette, the loops on the needle seem to get tight and I can barely get into them. This doesn't happen when I just do all knit stitches, only when I go back to a knit row after doing a purl row. What am I doing wrong?

Mine were doing the same thing for a long time. I figured out I was putting the yarn on the needle backwards for my purl stitches, so it gave tem a funky slant that made it HARD to get the needle into. (I was putting the yarn under the needle instead of over) Look at the purl instructional vid on knitting help & see if maybe oyu are doing the same thing. I hope this helps!!!

[flapjack]

Can I make a suggestion? Work on something in the round, so that you are absolutely confident what stocking stitch should look like. Then, if you are twisting your stitches, you'll see it pretty clearly because you'll be able to compare the differences in the two textures.

[iowaorganic]

Yeah to flapjacks advice- added bonus is no seaming!

[rajahkat]

Funny you suggest this! I've been working on my circs the past few days. Muuuch easier And so pretty! I'm pleased! Oh, and Flapjack, I'm knitting up the blank yarn you sent, I hand-painted it a while ago & LOVE it! Thanks again. When on straights, I think I'm doing what davi said..... Thanks for the help!