How have I ended up with extra knitted stitches?!

[maggiethecat]

I am on my second project - handbag for DD1. I cast on 45 stitches and worked a moss stitch for 4 cm and then started on stocking stitch for 26 cm. At some point during the stocking I counted 46 stitches and now, a number of rows later I've counted 47. My knitting is clearly being extended but it's not obvious how this is happening.

Another thing, my edges are starting to curl - does anyone know why this happens?

Its false stitch syndrome and happens to people in the early stages of knitting. Basically you have taken your eye off the ball and have put an extra loop that is NOT a stitch back on your needle. You have picked it up next time round as a genuine stitch.

Curly edgings are due to your tensions, you are probably pulling the wool a bit tighter as you get to the end of the row because things get less defined there and you haven't yet learned how to keep your tension exactly consistent wherever you are in the row.

Imagine you have an elderly lady sitting across from you shaking her head and tutting and saying knitting is not meant to be enjoyable you know dear, that will soon cure it.

That's interesting bcos it did not happen with my moss stitch but has with the stocking.

I'm really not an expert Maggie, but it looks suspiciously like what I used to do.

You may be able to see where you have made the extra stitch and remedy it by using a crochet hook. It might be a good idea to get someone experienced to help with that. If you can't see where it happened just knit two stitches together at the beginning of a row, it won't show once you have sewn the bag together. Cheating is always allowed. Curling edges on stocking stitch are quite common and will be remedied by sewing up and blocking

Dutch, I was hoping you would see my post. I was hoping not to do anything, as long as I don't add any more, and that once bag is made up it wont be so obvious.

What is blocking?

Blocking is when you spread it out to the measurement your pattern says it should be and then you cover it with wet cloths, or alternatively you can immerse it in some tepid water, wring it out well(roll it in a towel) and pin it out to the required size. Makes a lot of difference, especially if you are not that experienced a knitter, because all the stitches sort of straighten out.
If you have only a small number of stitches it is a good plan to count them after a row, believe it or not I do this with a lace pattern and as many as 140 stitches. Only way to keep on the straight an narrow.
Also when you do the next row look out for irregularities, like a loop that doesn't belong. Quick count and you may find that you have not quite pulled through. Easy to deal with, just heave the loop over the stitch and then knit it.

Looking at the two previous posts, I feel like miaouwing

I know, and its so difficult to avoid pulling threads with these claws AND let me tell you the amount of fur I've accidentally shed on stuff that was meant to be a present AND I won't even go into the incident with the fleas. It's a bloomin' nightmare.

Would it help if you came out of the hat and hadan ordinary basket instead? With a little cushion?