Knit the Knits and Purl the Purls

[ccphillips]

I always share this sample so knitters can learn what the stitches look like.

this is awesome, I am a begginer and am knitting a Christmas stocking. Starts with ribbing k2 p2. I know how to do this after much practice but on row 2 do I start by p2 k2 and then row 3 would be k2 p2, alternating the start of each with knit then start next row with purl?

thanks, carol

[suzeeq]

It depends on how many sts you have. When you begin row 2 (and all the following rows), look at the first st. If it looks like a knit, knit it; if it looks like a purl, purl it.

[ccphillips]

I guess my real question is that the pattern calls for 8 rows of ribbing casting on 60 st. So if I start the row with knitting and end the 60 stitch with purling then I begin row 2 with knitting if that is what the stitch above it is or if it looks like purling then I purl, I am confused

[ccphillips]

Another way to put this is should all the knit stitches line up row after row and all the purl stitches line up row after row and this is what creates the ribbing?

[suzeeq]

If you do k2 p2 ribbing on 60 sts and turn it to do the next row, then you do that in k2 p2 also. If you're working in the round, then the 2nd round will also be k2 p2. After you do a couple of rows it may be easier to see the knits and purls. And yes, that lines up the knit sts over the knit sts and makes ribbing.

[ccphillips]

Thanks so much, that makes perfect sense!
Carol

[TrueIconoclast]

What helps me to recognize the purls from the knits is if I'm working in stockinette stitch, and I can see the right side of the work while it's hanging to the right on my needle, it needs to be knit. If I can see the right side of the work hanging to the left side of my needle, it needs to be purled.


<<<<<<<<< This needs to be knit, because the right side of the work is facing up while sitting to the right of the needle.


<<<<<<<<< This needs to be purled, because the right side of the work is facing up while sitting to the left of the needle.

[LStetz]

Hello everyone:

well today i have been watching the video of the knit stitch and after i put it though the first step and try to go to the second part the yarn is coming off???

what am i doing wrong?

Lisa

[suzeeq]

Are you knitting into the stitch rather than between 2 sts?

[Shandeh]

I agree with Suzee. It sounds like you are putting the needle in between the stitches, instead of THROUGH the stitch on the needle. You need to pull the yarn through the first loop on your needle. You're pulling loops through loops.