Why can't I knit?

[llnmaw]

Or more appropriately why can't I knit anything other than a simple knit or purl?? I'm soooo frustrated! I'm sticking with simple projects - dishcloths - and STILL manage to screw it up and my pattern gets all fouled up. I think I'm really pretty proficient at the knit and purl stitches, good tension, nice even stitches and such. I cannot read/understand a pattern, keep track of what stitch I did last or figure out how to count my rows when the stitch changes from one type of stitch to another. If I mess up I cannot pull out my stitches and start from where the problem was so I rip it all out and start over.

I feel so lame Sadly I run into this with everything I do (sewing - I've known how to sew for 20+ years too!, cooking, crochet, crafts in general) but this has me down...cuz I WANT TO KNIT!!!

I feel like I've lived at knitting help.com - good help but I cannot get over the above issues to implement what I have learned.

Any ideas/tips or should I just give up?

~L.

[SoCaliMommy]

When working on a pattern, i write it out and cross off what sts i've done so it makes it easier to keep track of where you are

[sophiekat]

it takes practice to read a pattern! don't get too down on yourself -- have you read any of the Yarn Harlot's writings? she's been knitting over 30 years and still makes mistakes. I've been knitting for 3 years and I make plenty of them too!
if you have some index cards, you can write down the parts of the pattern on separate cards -- knit 30 on 1, purl 10, yo, etc. on the next one so it's broken into sections. maybe stitch markers or a row counter would help?
if you want to do something other than dishcloths, pick a pattern and go for it! my first project was longies for my dd. i'd thought i'd have to start with a scarf or dishcloth, but a wise poster here told me that the stitches are the same, it's just how you put them together that makes your projects different.
good luck, i'm sure you'll be a gifted knitter in no time! sup:

[Think of Winter]

This stuff just takes time. I've been knitting for 18 yrs, and I still have trouble with figuring out how to fix mistakes. Except for the simplest of projects, I make a copy of my pattern and make notes while I work it. Usually I make a tick mark next to the last row I finished. I almost always have to write out anything that isn't spelled out in detail in the pattern. I use charts and tables a lot. Try not to get discouraged. You'll get there.

[jrabbit]

I think one-on-one help is the key. I learned to knit as an exchange student in Finland ... from the "pros" who had been knitting since they were 5. I didn't have any idea what I was doing, but once I got into it, I was knitting sweaters with the best of them. Fast forward 20+ years, and I decided to pick it up again. All I could find was instructions on the "American" way, and I didn't know there were TWO ways to knit! I fumbled my way through re-learning, and I discovered that internet-help is just not the same as personal help.

Find a knitting shop or a knitting club - I'm sure there is someone who would patiently walk you through your stumbling blocks. You probably don't need to learn "how" to knit - just "how" to solve problems.

good luck!
--janis

[mountaincaats]

Check marks, written notes are what get me through my knitting. If you are more visual, color coding might help too. I always have so many notes describing certain knitting codes and I do live at knittinghelp.com too when learning a new knit. I started by making hats and then a diaper soaker. I really have only been knitting off and on for 3 years. It takes me forever to finish anything too. But I do enjoy it even though it took me awhileto get going with it.
You will survive and get it.
Always asks questions and some helpful mama will do their best to help you.
Good luck
~Shannon

[flapjack]

You need to look at knitting more. Look at other people's knitting. Look at shopbought knitting- is that a 1x1, a 2x2 or a 3x1 rib on the sleeve of the sweater your kid is wearing? Look at videos of knitting surgery, of how to pick up a dropped stitch, turn a knit into a purl, a purl into a knit. Knit more swatches, get it wrong and learn how to pick it up.
Knit a clapotis: THAT taught me more about knitting than almost anything else.

On the simple things: the yarn always comes FROM the needle in your right hand. Therefore, you can get your knitting the right way round. Now look at that last stitch: where is the yarn coming from? Is it coming from the front of the stitch or the back of the stitch? If you're not sure, try knitting the next stitch- does it look different? Now undo that stitch and replace it with the one the pattern says you should use next.

There will come a point when it clicks for you: in the meantime, you can find a way to enjoy knitting in the meantime. Work off measurements, not row count, or simpler patterns.

[fek&fuzz]

I found that taking a few knitting classes helped. Working on things with the teacher and the other members right there, watching how they knit, etc. was really helpful.

[ellemnop]

Originally Posted by DustysSweety03

When working on a pattern, i write it out and cross off what sts i've done so it makes it easier to keep track of where you are

This is good advice. I was always really afraid to do a pattern because I would have to concentrate on the knitting too much, but it wasn't so bad when I started doing this.

Take care,
El

[texmati]

I'm so you... Knitting, sewing, crocheting... I do so much better when I make up my own patterns. So thats what I do : check out ann bud's book. It kinda shows you about how to construct simple patterns. Then I use the pattern I'm trying to knit as more of clues as to what to do.

I can't follow the instructions withought understanding them. So I spend a lot of time studying the pattern.

[dillonandmarasmom]

You sound sooo frustrated! I am sorry this has been rough. I know it sucks to want to do something so badly, but it just won't come to you as you'd hoped.
I know when I am frustrated, I really have to force myself to just back away from the pattern, needles, etc., and take a break. I visit Ravelry, go back through mags, books, websites, until I feel good again. You know, it sometimes helps to take a bit of a break from knits all together (GASP, I know). Knitting is so wonderfully rewarding, but can defintely be a b$tch, too!

Sometimes it takes just a simple new skill in a familiar pattern, done to comfort or mastery, to be ready to try something new. Patterns look like heiroglyphics! I remember making a lace top for my mom...omg, it was so scary at first. Took til I was almost done before I really felt even moderately confident.

I second the above ideas:
notecards
checkmarks (make a copy first so you can reuse the pattern)
Yarn Harlot!!!!!
classes
scoping out the knits of others
one-on-one if you can stand it (some people feel more frustrated this way!)

Good luck, mama!
Persistence is key

[llnmaw]

Ahh, you guys rock! I feel encouraged (even though truthfully I still suck!) that I can do this!

Notes, check marks, highlighters, copies of pattern, repetition, and practice, practice, practice.

I'm going to be like the little engine that could - I think I can, I think I can, I think I can.....

I'd love to take a class and dh is supportive but quite frankly by the time an evening class time rolls around and if I can manage to get the kids into bed on time, I'm wiped. I do have some friends/acquaintances that knit and we should just try to get together so they can be my private teacher.

I have made an attempt at a sweater for ds, seemingly very simple too - garter stitch with no seaming. I failed - for now at least.

Off to check out yarn harlot........

Thanks again!

~L.

[texmati]

awww... you don't suck! what would you like to make (baby sweater, hat, ect).

Perhaps some poster's here can recommend an easy, readable pattern that we can (most importantly) help you work through.

[llnmaw]

Originally Posted by aquarian

awww... you don't suck! what would you like to make (baby sweater, hat, ect).

Perhaps some poster's here can recommend an easy, readable pattern that we can (most importantly) help you work through.

I would LOVE to make a hat for my for not so wee little babe! She is 21 months with an 'average' head, but I bet I should measure it anyhow eh? If all goes well big brother will get one too!

If someone could direct me to an easy (free)pattern, that does not need to be seamed I'd give it a whirl....

~L.

[llamalluv]

I use sticky flags to keep track of where I am. These are my favorite:

http://www.3m.com/us/office/postit/p...od_ft_arr.html

[texmati]

Originally Posted by llnmaw

I would LOVE to make a hat for my for not so wee little babe! She is 21 months with an 'average' head, but I bet I should measure it anyhow eh? If all goes well big brother will get one too!

If someone could direct me to an easy (free)pattern, that does not need to be seamed I'd give it a whirl....

~L.

A couple of questions--

1. have you ever knit in the round? do you have circular needles?
2. Can you decrease?
3. Can you do a rib?

The pattern I had in mind was this one: http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/my_pages/.../hkp/012.shtml

very simple, but it does have a seam up the back.

[llnmaw]

Originally Posted by llamalluv

I use sticky flags to keep track of where I am. These are my favorite:

http://www.3m.com/us/office/postit/p...od_ft_arr.html

Cool! I already have some of these and will see if they can be put to some good use.

Originally Posted by aquarian

A couple of questions--

1. have you ever knit in the round? do you have circular needles?
2. Can you decrease?
3. Can you do a rib?

1. I do have circular needles, have played around with them, think I get the whole thing.

2. Decrease - knit 2 together? Yes....though honestly this is what gets me confused in a pattern. I forget what comes next unless I'm working in a stone silent room without the chance of anyone asking me for anything. That happens...ummm...never! I start to get confused as to if I just knit the 2tog or need to do something else. On the one hand I feel up for the challenge. On the other I just want to make something useful - other than my 23rd knit/purled dishcloth! (okay so I've really only made 10...but it feels like 23!)

3. A rib - alternating between knit and purl according to the pattern - yes? If not then no.

I like the pattern you gave but would need some help to convert it for my dd's head size I thing as she is beyond a newborn.

What say you?!

~L.

[texmati]

Sorry for the late reply (traveling). You're on!

So, there are two patterns that I'm thinking of... one is the one above, the other is this one.

the first is really easy, no circular needles, no decreases. You have to seam at the end. The hat will have a gathered top.

The second one uses circular needles, decreases and you might have to use dpn's.

So how brave are you feeling?

Either way-- you will have to do the following:

1. pick a yarn
2. do a gauge swatch (if you need help with this, let me know).
3. measure your dd's head (the circumfrence, just above the ears). Alternatively, you can measure a hat that really fits her well.

[texmati]

Ooh... I just wanted to mention, baby legs, leg warmers, purses and arm warmers are also can all be variations of seamed rectangles! you don't have decrease or count to make something useful.

Also, the way that I do hat's like the second one above is to put stitch markers in front of every decrease. No thinking, no fuss! And DPNs are super easy, so don't be put off by them.

[llnmaw]

I was so jazzed up about trying out a 'useful' project under the somewhat watchful eye of you experts and thought I should give an increase/decrease a shot....

and I failed.

Seriously, how hard could it really be??

Is the opposite of (increase) knit 2, yarn over, knit across....(decrease)knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit two together, knit across? I was making another of my famous dishcloths (man I ought to sew all these bad boys together to make a quilt or something!!) on a diagonal pattern (cast on 5 and begin above pattern). It did not get as small on the decrease as quickly and I can see a funny little stitch after the little hole that I think the yo makes.

From all this - any guesses what I may have done wrong? I tried to take a photo but I don't think it is obvious enough in the picture.

I really want this to work.

Incidentally when you rip something out how to you wind up the yarn? A ball didn't seem to work even when it was a small amount of yarn. It kept leaping out of my lap as I worked.

Help?
~L.