Options?

[pbs]

I'm having a problem doing a YO k2gether on a baby blankie with my addi turbos--I simply CANNOT get the need under the 2nd stitch. Do you think using Options migh help? They appear to be sharper and I thought they might go under the stitch better. I've never used Options before and I'm worried about whether they'll stay together since they're interchangeable. Need some advice from the experts please.......

[pbs]

That was supposed to be the "needle" I can't get under the 2nd stitch, not the "need".....

[Jan in CA]

Sharper needles would be easier, but I'm not sure why you're having problems with it... a k2tog shouldn't be hard with any needle.. are you doing it properly? Hmm..maybe you are doing it too far up the needle? Try it more toward the narrowed end of the needle where the stitches would be looser.

[Abby123]

Knit2togethers don't usually give me a hard time. It is when it is 3 or more stitches that I have trouble.

If you plan to go with interchangeable circulars anyway, you could use a smaller needle size on the left (that carries the stitches.) And the regular size on the right (working needle.) That gives you more wiggle room. Just remember to switch back to the correct size afterwards.

[pbs]

I don't know why I'm having so much trouble. It's like I just can't get the needle under the tighter one. Maybe I need to practice some more?

[kmaclean]

Practice makes perfect, so they say Keep trying and you'll eventually get the hang of it.

Perhaps you are knitting very tightly? When I first started out I was an extremely tight knitter and getting into the stitches was difficult. With time I learned to loosen up a little. If this is the case, you might try loosening up a little bit along with practicing the k2tog stitch ... eventually it will get easier!

[pbs]

Is it worth ordering a single interchangeable for the sharper tip, or just keep trying to work with the addi's?

[ArtLady1981]

Yes, KnitPicks OPTIONS would be easier. If you own a pair, go for it. If not, before you run out and buy some, do as Jan recommended: slide the two stitches closer to the needle tip before working them together.

Think of it as a swimmer, high up on a diving board. He doesn't jump off the board at 3 feet from the end. He gets right up to the end and then jumps off. Same goes for knitting. My "working stitches" always have to queue up to the end of the diving board to be worked, and then they get to dive off!

Are you knitting too snugly? Folks who knit 'tight' or 'snug' have a harder time with such things as K2T.

[sgtpam]

I think that sometimes it also depends on the yarn. I have a hard time with the K2tog if the yarn is thin and I'm using needles that are more round than pointed.

In fact, when I first got my addi's I was so excited I had to use them rigt away...however, I was working on a market bag with cotton and had to change back to my Options after doing a few rounds of YO, K2togethers...I really needed the pointy tips instead.

[Michaele]

Try relaxing your tension first. Then think about investing in sharper needles. But the sharper they are, the more your fingers might suffer from being poked by them!