tension at row turns

globaltraveler · 01-18-2009, 11:27 PM

Okay, this is not solving itself, so I guess I'll try asking the experts...

The biggest problem I have with my tension, and it is getting better overall, just not in this problem area, is on straight single point needles at the edges. When I turn the row, even though I'm consciously trying to be careful of my tension at row ends, I often end up with a distressingly large loop on the row below the stitch/row I'm turning.

Of course I can go back and pull the loops through to get the loose yarn pulled up, but I can't keep doing that!

Where exactly do I need to be taking extra care with my tension or even knitting quite tightly in order not to get this huge loop at the edges?

Thanks in advance for any help. Whew, 3:30 am, I'm off to bed! Looking forward to any advice anyone has.

Ingrid · 01-19-2009, 06:34 AM

One method is to slip the first stitch in every row. This helps tighten it up.

I don't usually do this on every project, yet I end up with a nice tight edge by being conscious of how I work the first few stitches of the next row. I keep my working yarn taut and work the first 2 or 3 stitches tightly to snug things up.

globaltraveler · 01-19-2009, 12:50 PM

I have a fairly loose tension, I've been told, so I think the problem comes when I'm not really paying close, awake attention as I knit a row, specifically thinking about the tension. If I'm thinking about a pattern, or anything else...I get the dreaded loop. Yet I almost always knit the last stitch tightly before turning. Is it the stitch BEFORE the last loop of the previous row that I have to think about? Aargh.

cftwo · 01-19-2009, 03:43 PM

When I start a new row, I give an extra tug to the yarn. That has helped a lot with tightening up that loose stitch. It's now pretty much habit.

suzeeq · 01-19-2009, 04:24 PM

This is what I do, pull the yarn to tighten up after I've made the first stitch. It pulls up the extra yarn from the last stitch in the row below too. Then knit the next couple sts a little tighter. I never had good results from slipping the first stitch, mine looks looser and messier than just knitting the first one.

biztec · 01-19-2009, 04:42 PM

Globaltraveler, I snug up the second stitch in each row. That seems to take care of the size of the loop in the first stitch.

globaltraveler · 01-19-2009, 05:37 PM

Right -- so now I'll try paying specific attention to the last two stitches in each row instead of just the last one, and also I'll try knitting the first stitch of the next row extra tightly as well. I'll let you know how that works -- thanks for all the advice!

suzeeq · 01-19-2009, 05:54 PM

Why the last 2? The emphasis should be more on the first few sts of each row which end up being the last stitches of the next row. If you make them a little tighter, the last stitches won't be as loose.

globaltraveler · 01-19-2009, 07:45 PM

The problem is the turn -- when I turn the fabric and start the new stitch, I get a loop that wasn't there when I turned the fabric. It does seem to help to do the stitch before the last stitch of the row...now if I can get it to be more automatic...

GinnyG · 01-19-2009, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by biztec

Globaltraveler, I snug up the second stitch in each row. That seems to take care of the size of the loop in the first stitch.

This hint was given on someone's blog, I think it was the Yarn Harlot but maybe not.

Anyway, I've been using it ever since and it works BEAUTIFULLY. Don't tug on the first stitch in the row but on the SECOND, it tightens up the first stitch and make for a lovely edge.