Garter Stitch After Cast On

[jjbubble]

Hi. After I cast on, there is basically a row of purls. So, how do I then begin garter stitch? I seem to end up with an extra 1/2 stitch? between each row so it looks weird. If I purl the first row, I can get into stockinette, but how do I just knit?

I've redone the cast on many times, with long-tail and cable cast-on.

THANKS!

[sillaryhue]

Try an invisible cast-on, Elizabeth Zimmerman has one in her book, though I'm sure if you look on youtube you can find someone doing it.

[jjbubble]

Thanks, but doesn't the invisible/provisional cast-on need to be taken out or worked on from the other direction? I'm just trying to do things like the world's simplest project with directions like: cast-on 20 sts, knit entire scarf, bo. Shouldn't this be possible with a basic, permanent cast-on?

[suzeeq]

Just knit the first row (the cast on isn't counted as a row). You shouldn't be off half a st, it just looks like it maybe because of the purl bump (which is the back of a knit stitch). Don't keep redoing it, just work a few more rows and it'll look fine.

[Jan in CA]

Just keep knitting. It always takes an inch or so before it starts scrunching together to make the ridges. It'll all blend in fine.