How come whenever I try to knit the yarn get too tight, and breaks? HELP!!?

Question

I have even tried to cast off using the "two needles" method, to make the yarn loose, but further down the line, it just gets tight again and breaks. Im trying to knit a simple scarf, but I can't even get past the third row of stitches! Some good advice would be much appreciated!

Niki = )

Oh man! Thanks for that answer!Funny thing is, I'm using the Chenille yarn too!! lmao. Oh man! We just have good taste!

Answer 1

I have knit about 20 years and love to hear about people picking up those needles and learning! A couple of tips...make sure you complete your stitch...slide the yarn up the needle past where it starts to make a point...this will make the stitches always large enough to fit on the needle.

Chenille is a very hard yarn to learn on. It has no "give". and it is not a long string of threads but a bunch of little pieces put together...if that makes sense...so having no stretch and being little pieces - it breaks very easy and tension is important with yarn that does not give. Compare chenille to cotton like Lil Sugar...cotton has no real give either but is manufactured in long strings that are a bunch twisted together...

A great starting project to learn are wash cloths made of cotton...just a square will do try a size 9 or 4.5mm will do too and cast on 50 or so stitches and just knit or whatever...GREAT gifts! For your scarf try a soft wool or acrylic mix...and most of all have fun! A good, inexpensive soft yarn to start with would be Simply Soft by Caron you can find it at Walmart and Hobby Lobby for sure...

Answer 2

I've recently learned to knit, too, and I get this problem sometimes. You have to make sure you keep pulling the new stitches loose enough as you pull them through. I am constantly stopping and loosening the stitch I just completed so it doesn't tighten up when I come back to it.

You also might try a different yarn. I tried with a chenille type yarn first and it was very difficult. Then I switched to a basic regular run of the mill yarn and practiced more until I went back to the fancier stuff. The thinner yarn may make it easier for you to keep it loose. Here's some helpful websites below, too. Good luck!

Answer 3

I am another long time knitter and teach some of the women I work with. Learning to knit takes very little time and a lot of patience. Keep your fingers relaxed so the yarn slides through them easily. The type of needles you are using can also help. Aluminum ones let the yarn slide pretty easily and first rows are always the hardest.

I agree that starting with something very simple like wash cloths are great little projects and if you keep a few as swatches you can see how your work improves over the next few months.

Just have fun and relax. Knitting is such a wonderful craft.