I can knit one purl one!

[VenusStarr]

Finally :) I've been trying to get my head round it all week and ended up in knots (literally!) but I have finally cracked it today! Am so pleased, was ready to throw it all out of the window at one point.

So my knitting will now be a but more interesting than the basic knit stitch :) just need to keep practising now

[wannabedomesticgoddess]

:)

Im still trying to knit stitch evenly

[ManifestingMingeHooHoosAgain]

Yay!

The first time I tried to do rib - knit one, purl one, I didn't realise that you need to move the yarn back and forward between the needles in between each stitch. Then wondered why I ended up in a tangled mess

Then the time I tried to knit direct from a hank/skein of wool without rolling it into a ball first - yep, don't do that.

[VenusStarr]

Well I'm pretty sure I have mastered the technique, but it looks really messy :( I am only practising, trying to make a hat for my niece! Would like it to be neater tho, if anyone has any tips? :)

[tribpot]

Basically, it's practice! Whilst you're learning, you may find it's easier and more even not to try and do rows with purl and knits together (a) because it can be time consuming to move the yarn back and forth and (b) whilst you're learning it's probably easier to get into a rhythm of one kind of stitch so your hands learn what you want them to do.

There's nothing wrong with a bit of good old garter stitch (all knit) anyway - the baby surprise jacket is total garter genius, for example.

The super simple baby tunic is a lovely piece to get started with - although not much use if your niece is not a baby

Another great practice item is dishcloths or face flannels - made with 100% cotton yarn. There are literally thousands of patterns on Ravelry, and of course it doesn't matter if it comes out a bit wonky whilst you're learning!

[AnnaBanana25]

Woohoo well done! I have a very strict knitting teacher who didn't understand why I was getting my wool into a twist, until she saw that I wasn't moving the thread either. Once I finally realized what I was doing, she told me NOT to move on until I had learnt knit purl properly.

I'm too excited about learning, I have taken out loads of library books and want to knit the most complicated bits but she keeps bringing me back to basics! Arrghh!

[VenusStarr]

I'm really enjoying knitting and pleased I have a new stitch, although I do like the normal knit stitch. I'm not sure if it's the wool I'm using which might be making it look messy, but like you say tripot it's all practise :)

[VenusStarr]

tribpot sorry!

[Annianni]

I used to be able to do rib stitch, just tried twice and it was rather wonky.

I think i'll try again with fat wool and big needles, before going back to the good stuff.

Maybe trying to do it with ds2 (18 months) climbing all over me helping, isn't the best idea either

[scarlet5tyger]

I found it easiest to practise doing rib of knit 3 purl 3, or even 4, when I started. It's still ribbing but you don't have to faff about quite so much!

I'm still not a huge fan so quite often I'll do borders/edges of hats in plain old garter stitch to keep them flat.