In the middle of learning to knit - some questions

[Alambil]

Right, so I can cast on, I can do a "knit" stitch (haven't tried purl yet!) BUT...

once I've done a few rows, I look back at my masterpiece and it isn't at all even - some stitches are closer together than others on the same row which means I can't see the "pattern" of squiggly lines (as on any other knitted item!) so what am I doing wrong?

Is it something to do with tension? How can I solve it?

I am just practising on some naff wool at the moment and using size 3mm needles doing row upon row of knit stitch just so you know what I'm doing

Help me, please!

It sounds like its a tension problem. Also, you need to make sure you are using the right wool for your needles - for example, a chunkier knit on 3mm needles won't work, but a double knit will. One thing that I've found can mess up the tension is if your hands get too hot. If that happens, I just go and wash them and it works a treat, or take a break and try again later.

Keep at it though - it does get easier!

Practice makes perfect, tension will even out the more you practice, have a look at knitting help to make sure that you are holding the needles correctly.

Using double knitting yarn on 4mm needles might be more satisfying (3mm are quite small, so initial progress will be slow). As rantinghousewife says, the more you practise, the more you'll fall into a natural rythmn and so your tension will even out. Keep at it!

thanks for the fast replies I am using doubleknit tpye wool I think - it is just "normal" looking from wilkinsons so that I can waste it and not waste money!

I will keep trying and not worry so much; just wish I was so perfectionist about housework roffle!

One step at a time dear. Crack the knitting thing first then maybe then you can think about moving on to the housework thing.

oh exactly - am getting my priorities in order

Bigger needles would be better if you can get some, 3mm are quite fiddly.

So while you're all answering questions...
What size needles are good for 4ply pure wool?
Thanks

Between 2.75 and 3.50

Thank you!

Do you know the yarn Jaeger Roma?
Its a soft, round yarn (63% Viscose, 22% Nylon, 15% Angora) like a cotton...
What would you make with it?
Fell in love with the colours in JL sale, had to buy some... oops.

I'm a bit of a newb, but can knit and purl, cast on and off...

I have some 8mm too and find the 3mm far easier [freak emoticon]

You are ahead of me EachPeach - I can't cast off yet!

EPPm, there's lots out there to knit but, I wouldn't want to recommend something without knowing your taste, what sort of thing you fancy knitting etc. Have you had a look at lionbrand it's one of a number of free pattern sites, berroco is another. These will give you some ideas.

EPPP, I would recommend getting in the queue to join Ravelry- it will be public eventually, but it's a tremendous resource. You can just put a yarn name in and see everything that people have made with it. It's a great starting point.

Lewis, I can see that 3 mm might be easier than 8 mm, but the thing is that you really need to match the needle size to the thickness of the yarn for you to stand any chance of knitting easily and feeling pleased with your results. If you can get some 4 mm needles they'd be really worth a try.

Actually, thinking about it, this might be just the thing for you, you knit a swatch in the wool you have, measure the gauge (it tells you how in the book) and then it gives you customised patterns for different sweaters.

Yes, I've got that, it's very useful.

It's brilliant, that's for sure Tamum, although I have to confess, I haven't actually created any of the sweaters exactly, I've just used it as a template to make what I want to make.

Oh, me too, ranting- that's the beauty of it really, isn't it. You can create something without having to worry about the nitty gritty counting stuff The only thing I miss in it is measurements for raglan sweaters in pieces. They do a top down in-the-round one but dd wanted different coloured sleeves and body, so I was forced to work it all out from scratch

Well done LF! Youve taken the plunge!

DD(6) wanted me to teach her, and I found a set of short needles specially for children learning to knit. (Not suggesting you get some tho!) Ones red and one is yellow, to make it easier for her to see what she is doing. Theyre 4mm, and she's got some DK on them.

She's doing ok at the moment, although she keeps letting the stitches slide off the needle so I have to pick them up for her agian!

Ive got some Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Chunky waiting to be knitted into a shrug - I keep getting out of the bag and stroking it, its so soft!

Wow! these posts are all so useful! Thank you!
I figured I would never get onto ravelry so never bothered to sign up to waiting list

Fusby- I still have to get MIL to pick up amny stitches I drop thankfully its not a usual occurence

EPPM Knitting Help have a handy easy-to-follow video on how to deal with dropped stitches

I really like Knitting Help, someone else posted a link to it recently, and Ive found it very useful.

me too Fubsy - it is really easy to copy and she explains things really clearly which is handy for numptys like me!