Beginner knitting troubles! Help!?

Question

Hi,, i'm fairly new to knitting, so i could just be doing something wrong :/

i cast on a certain number of stitches (say 20) but after i have knitted my first row, i usually end up with 1-3 new stitches (now totaling 21-23)? and suggestions as to what i might be doing incorrectly? any help would be appreciated, as i have had to learn from the internet and books and not a first person teacher :(

Thanks in advance!

R.E. Mary

I'm almost positive i'm only knitting one stitch at a time, and always pull off at the end :(

also..once i finish off and switch needles, the very last stitch (which is now the first one on the new needle) always looks a little bit different

Answer 1

On your growing stitches issue--sometimes, it's possible to loop the yarn over the needle before putting the needle in to make the next stitch. This will accidentally make an additional stitch for the next row. (Later, you'll want to do this on purpose for knitted lace).

On your first stitch looks different issue--the first stitch is always looser than all the other stitches. You can put up with it, which will result in a raggedy-looking edge, or you can 'slip' the first stitch on each row, moving the stitch to the righthand needle without working it. This will NOT reduce your number of stitches, but will create a nice, smooth edge. There are some times wheh you can't do this, such as when changing colors.

Welcome to knitting! I hope you find a knitting circle or group soon, and try to attend at least once or twice a month, as being around experienced knitters can help improve your skills quickly.

If you can't find any knitters locally, I think you're doing very well to articulate your questions and seek answers for them.

Good luck!

Answer 2

It could be when you are knitting you are pulling up the yarn on the bottom of the stitch as well. This will add unwanted stitches. If I get to Much in a hurry I might do that. Also depending on what you are making you might want to start with larger needles and a bulker yarn till you get the hang of the stitches everything is easier to see that way. I hope this helps.
If you need more help there is a web sight that you can go to to ask questions about knitting and thay are more expereanced than I am and able to explane it better than I can.

Answer 3

Make sure that you put the needle into just one loop when knitting a stitch. It also sounds like you're not taking the stitch off the left hand needle when you've knitted it.

Answer 4

Be careful if you have to do any yarn forwards or back that you aren't accidentally knitting that too.

It might also be your method of casting on that is confusing you. My mom taught me the provisional method when I started out, which is probably the easiest one to start with, but the hardest one to knit the first row. I prefer the typical continental kind.

Good luck.