How come I can't knit and purl on the same row? What am I doing wrong?

Question

I can do the knit stitch fine and the purl stitch just as well. Yet when I attempt to do something where I knit 1, purl1, I always get a mess. The stitches end up all crooked on the needle, sometimes a few are crossed, or hooked together. I don't know what I'm doing wrong, but I am pretty sure it must have something to do with moving the yarn from front to back.

Tips?

Answer 1

Kathy and KK are both correct about the placement of the yarn that you are knitting. In the back for the "Knit" stitch and in the front for the "purl" stitch. It's helpful to remember when you turn your piece over the knit stitch will look like a purl and the purl will look like a knit. (you can look at any knitted garment and you will see the purl stitch on what they call the "wrong" or inside) If you are knitting in the round you won't encounter this problem because you are always knitting and purling on the outside of the garment in a circle. (Instead of back and forth on straight needles) If you line up the knits and purls (purls and knits on the back side) you will have a "rib" like on a cuff of a sleeve. (check out your cuff it's a series of knits and purls lined up!) Pretty exciting to learn how to knit. Don't give up and go a local knit store where they can physically show you if you need further help. Good Luck you can do it!

Answer 2

Kathy is correct. When you begin a knit stitch you start with the yarn hanging in the back. When you begin a purl stitch you start with the yarn hanging in the front between the knitting needles. I really have to concentrate to remember where to place my yarn when I am combining knit and purl stitches. Does that help. Or are you having other problems.

Answer 3

My expensive i'm a grandma and that i've got been knitting when you consider that i develop into 10 years previous. i'm here to enable you to already know you're actually not doing it incorrect. if your pal knits each and every row and it comes out gentle on one section and bumpy on the back then she has invented a sparkling way of knitting. i'm going to guess she's purling and does not realize it. once you knit a sew the sew is going off the needle in the direction of the back. once you purl the sew is going off the needle in the direction of the front. So--when you consider which you turn your needle around and bypass back you need to purl. it somewhat is once you employ 2 needles. Now in case you have been making use of a around needle or 4 double pointed needles you only knit to make a tube and because you never turn the needle to bypass back you only shop going around and around. So ask your pal only what form of needle she is making use of.

Answer 4

Before you do a purl stitch you have to bring the wool forward between the pins, then when you finish the purl take it back and knit.

Answer 5

remember to bring the yarn foward every time you purl and the needle goes in front of other needle... yarn goes in back for every knit and so does needel