knitting questions
By draconess
@draconess (650)
Canada
February 5, 2007 5:04pm CST
I only recently learned to knit, I just decided to try it one day and bought a kit that came with simple instructions, needles, and the ball of yarn. Now my first scarf is almost complete, and I'm already planning out future projects! I have had a few issues with this first project though- the instructions weren't that clear, so I did the whole thing knit 1 row, purl 1 row, repeat... and now the sides curl in and it won't lay flat. Does anyone know why this happens? Is this the difference between garter and stockinette stitch? Also, for some reason I find it easier to do purl stitches than knit stitches, when I do knit stitches it feels really tight and more difficult somehow... Anyhow, I was wondering, if on my next scarf I do the whole thing with purl stitches only will it turn out better without the curling problem?
6 responses
@cathandra (3)
• United States
18 Feb 07
Welcome to the wonderful world of knitting! lol That curling problem was always a thorn in my side, too! Knitting a garter stitch border is a good hint, but I like to do a Seed Stitch border just to make it look a little "neater". Just do a k1,p1,k1 at the beginning & end of EACH row. Or, you could do a total of 5 stitches - just so long as it's an odd number of stitches. I like to start off doing 5 Rows of k1, p1, then the 3 seed stitches on the edges to make a complete border around the whole piece, with the Stockinette stitch in the middle. I hope this isn't too confusing!
Another thing you might try on the scarf you've already completed - try crocheting a simple border around the perimeter. This will also help it lie flat & not curl up. I had to do this with a prayer shawl I made for my grandma. ;)
1 person likes this
@draconess (650)
• Canada
7 Mar 07
My scarf is all finished! Since it's my first project, I decided to just let it curl, it kinda looks cool and funky when I wear it that way anyhow. And I used up the leftover yarn to add fringes on each end, I love my rainbow funky scarf now! And now I get to pick out a pattern for my next project :)
@shiningfae (403)
• United States
6 Feb 07
Stockinette is going to curl, no matter what...it's just the nature of the stitch. When I'm making scarves, I ususally make a miniborder of garter stitch to keep the edges from curling. To do this, just knit the first 3 stitches and the last 3 stitches of every row, no matter if it's on the knit side or the purl side.
You can help the current curling scarf out by blocking it. Here's a page that explains the basics of blocking:
www.knitty.com/issuewinter02/FEATdiyknitter.html
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@cutepenguin (6431)
• Canada
6 Feb 07
To get rid of the curl, I slip the first stitch of each row. The end stitches only get knitted every second row then, and they end up not curling and actually look quite neat.
Purling every row will have the same effect, basically, as knitting every row, so if it's easier for you to purl, you might as well.
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@sj_chaudhry (1537)
• Canada
17 Feb 07
wow that sgreat that you atleast had started it... i am thinking to learn knitting since years but never did it actually buying a kit is a good idea.
if i knows these purl and knit stiches then i would definitely help u out but unfortunately i am not aware of it..but good luck to you have your another scarf done very soon successfully.
@twilight021 (2059)
• United States
6 Feb 07
Hi Draconess,
Doing one row knit and one row purl is stockinette stitch. This gives you "bumps" on one side and "v's" on the other. Unfortunatley the answer about curling is yes...doing a scarf in stockinette will always curl and there's not too much you can do about it. With your current scarf, you can try to add a border but sometimes even this won't help.
Garter stitch is when someone knits all rows (I believe purling all rows would have the same effect). If you did a scarf like this it would be all "bumps" and would lie flat.
Hope this help! Good luck and happy knitting!
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@draconess (650)
• Canada
6 Feb 07
Thanks, that's exactly what I wanted to know! I did this one in stockinette stitch because the instructions were unclear, I'll definately use garter stitch for the next one.
@cowgirl03051979 (918)
• United States
10 Oct 11
whenever i knit a row of stitches like that they also curl in i do not know why this happens i usually lay it under some heavy books or boxes when i am done with it and that helps to flatten it out i do not know the difference between a garter and stockinette stitch the only stitches that i know are knitting and pearling where you knit one row and pearl one row like you do but i always found it easier to knit than to pearl i think if you just knit or just pearl something it will look different and not look as good as knitting and pearling together
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