[Hildegard_von_Knittin]

I have a pattern saying if you knit in back, there wonn't be a hole. And if you want a hole, to k in front.

That's exactly right. Lucy, maybe you could try using just the very tippy tip of your needle? It's the twist that makes it wonky to knit... Is that increased/twisted stitch tight to knit when you get to the next row?