loose stitches

[mom22boyz]

I recently started a scarf for my sister, and was not used to the type of yard I'm using. Subsequently the initial quarter of the scarf is rather loose, and it's apparent as I continued knitting, that I became more comfortable and the stitches are more even. My question is: is there a way to go back and tighten those earlier stitches without undoing the entire rest of the scarf? I'm not worried about perfection, but do want it to look even. Thanks!

[suzeeq]

You could snip one stitch at the row where the tension changed, unravel that row and put the stitches on the needle and either reknit the rows in the short piece or BO, using the first yarn at the other end.

[mom22boyz]

If I reknit, would they be upside down?

[Becky Morgan]

You can, but it's kind of a pain. It does work, it's just awfully fiddly.
Go down the scarf to where the last loose stitch is. Pick at it with the tip of a needle or crochet hook and tug the yarn toward the cast-on edge of the scarf (you'll have to try it to see what I mean.) The yarn will slide back through the stitch until it's as tight as you want it. Stitch by stitch, work your way back. It's easier (still not easy, but easier) if you slide a needle through the stitches as if you were going to knit them, so you can tighten them all the same amount. Most of the time, I only do this if there's been a big snag that pulled up a bunch of stitches, where the pulled yarn needs redistributed, or if I'm almost done and the yarn is running dangerously low so that I'm willing to make the last row or two a little tighter.

Suzeeq's idea of taking off the too-big end and adding the yarn to the other end is your best bet. There won't be a seam or anything at that point. If you pick out the stitches and try to pick up from there, you'll be a half-stitch off. That isn't impossible to hide with a band of some fancy stitch that looks like a design feature, but by doing it her way you can eliminate all of the problems.

[Jan in CA]

I agree with Sue. Re knitting that section is probably the best method. Even if you tugged them back into place so it initially looked better you still really have more yarn used I that section so it has to go somewhere.

What stitch are you using for the scarf?

[suzeeq]

Yes, the stitches go the other direction and are half a stitch offset, but it may not show in stockinette or garter stitch. If it's garter stitch, make sure the purl bumps are facing you when you start knitting again. So it may be easier to just undo one more row after you cut off the end, and bind off, then knit that yarn onto the other end.

[salmonmac]

Here's another step-by-step that may help in the "length reassignment surgery" process:

http://techknitting.blogspot.com/200...t-surgery.html