New here with question regarding knitting the first row?

the10ofus · 05-08-2007, 03:52 PM

I hope you can understand this question...

What is it that I do wrong when I am casting on, that it makes the first row really hard to knit.

What happens is the piece of yarn between the needles gets longer and longer with every stitch knit, so that if I am knitting something with over a 100 stitches, I often end up in a mess because it's so hard to pull that long piece of yarn all the way through the next stitch and keep everything tangle free and even. I even got out my beginner knitting book that I haven't had out in years and tried casting on the exact way they said, and I still had the problem. The larger the needles I'm using the worse the situation is. Once I'm done the first row, if I survive it...lol...all is fine and it doesn't happen in any other row.

Thanks so much for any help you can offer. This is really frustrating.

Kathy

Braden · 05-08-2007, 09:05 PM

Are you using the backward loop cast on? IF so, that's why. I would try a different cast on.

This can be remedied by knitting very loosely and not pulling the stitch after you knit it off.

suzeeq · 05-09-2007, 03:31 AM

I agree. The backwards loop CO is easy, but it's horrible for the beginning of a project unless you're doing just a few stitches. Even for casting on stitches in the middle of a project it's not that great. Try the knitted, cable or longtail cast on instead.

sue

of troy · 05-09-2007, 02:50 PM

If you insist on doing a simpe (aka backwards loop, script letter e) cast on, add a twist to it. this helps. or check out my blog.

i didn a tutorial on cast ons, starting here

at the end of each page is a link to next part (4 in all, +1 on binding off!)

i provide many links to sites, videos, and books that have detailed directions for the 34 cast on's i know (actually more, since i realize i forgot i cord cast on.. and others too)

with that list of resources, you're bound to find a cast on (besides simple) that you like. (Me? i recommend long tail (lots of version of long tail) with all the cast ons i know, it's the one I use most!)