knitting

Usually it gets really tight if you knit all on the end of your needles. Try scootching the yarn back from the tip a bit and see if that doesn't help.

I think it's also really helpful to have someone who knows how to knit watch you, and be able to see exactly how you do it and to feel your stitches. Do you have a yarn or crafts store near you?

Some of this is practice, practice, practice. I didn't get a "normal" tension until I started tackling rib and seed stitch, and for some reason that helped me ease off a lot.

Usually people purl looser than knit. Maybe if you tackle the purl stitch first- you would not have to fight the tension problem- and after you get good at purl- knit will follow right behind. That approach has the advantage of tacking the "harder" part first- so you may skip the whole "purl is so much harder to learn barrier" If you don't know the difference- you may find purl easier.

I agree with Lydia though- you are probably making your stitches on the points of your needles.

Love Sarah