Knitting Help is here to help you solve those knitting nightmares! Every knitter needs some assistance from time to time.
- Asking for Knitting Help
- Beginner Knitting Questions
- What knitting supplies do you suggest for a beginner?
- What yarn weight do I need?
- What needle size do I need?
- What are the different types of knitting stitches?
- What is tension or gauge?
- What is a swatch?
- How do I measure tension or gauge?
- What does this knitting abbreviation or knitting term mean?
- Why are there holes in my knitting?
- What do I do if the stitches fall off my needle?
- What do I do if I drop a knit stitch?
- How do I count rows?
- When do you use circular knitting needles?
- How do I change needle sizes?
- Which is the right side/wrong side of my knitting?
- How do I change color / join in yarn?
- Where can I find beginner knitting patterns?
- How do I know where I am in the knitting pattern?
- Still have knitting questions?
Asking for Knitting Help
It can be so frustrating when you drop a stitch or something goes wrong. But, often mistakes are easily fixed – you just need to know what to do.
Whatever the problem, you will find an answer to your knitting questions here. I have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions by knitters. The good new is that there is an easy solution to most knitting problems.
Remember that if you are making mistakes you are making progress. The despair you feel at something going wrong will soon turn to elation when you learn how to fix it.
So, if something goes wrong, keep calm and carry on!
Don’t be afraid to ask for some knitting help
Often, people who are already experienced knitters take for granted what they know and forget to pass on really simple but useful advice.
Try asking a question in a knitting forum like this one.
You will likely find that you have a “eureka” moment when something inside just clicks and everything becomes clear. Then you won’t believe that you couldn’t see past the problem!
The great thing about knitting is that people have been doing it for hundreds of years, so someone at some point will have encountered the same problem as you.
Beginner Knitting Questions
If you are new to knitting, you may have a lot of knitting questions. Here I will answer some of the most common knitting questions from beginners.
It can be so frustrating when you drop a stitch or something goes wrong. But, often mistakes are easily fixed – you just need to know what to do.
Whatever the problem, you will find an answer to your knitting questions here. I have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions by beginner knitters. The good new is that …
There is an easy solution to most knitting problems
Remember that if you are making mistakes you are making progress. The despair you feel at something going wrong will soon turn to elation when you learn how to fix it.
What knitting supplies do you suggest for a beginner?
You will find a shopping list of my recommended knitting kit items and more about knitting needles, yarns and other knitting supplies here
What yarn weight do I need?
Please refer to my yarn guide here. If you are a beginner knitter then you may wish to start off with a bulky yarn as thicker yarn knits up more quickly and it is easier to see what you are doing.
What needle size do I need?
You need to use the needle size that matches the knitting yarn you are using. You can find details of this on the paper band of your ball of wool or skein.
What are the different types of knitting stitches?
There are two basic knitting stitches – knit stitches and purl stitches. These are the stitches a beginner knitter learns first. These can be used in different combinations to make all sorts of beautiful textures.
What is tension or gauge?
Tension or gauge refers to how tight or how loose your knitting is. This is usually measured by the number of stitches and rows per 4″ (10 cm).
The reason tension or gauge is important is that if yours differs from that specified in the knitting pattern the final garment will be either too big or too small.
What is a swatch?
A swatch is a knitted square, usually 5″ (12.5cm) in size. A swatch is usually this size in order to give you ample room to measure your tension or gauge.
How do I measure tension or gauge?
Lay your swatch flat and, with the help of a ruler, first count the number of stitches in 4″ across. Then count the number of rows in 4″ down.
It is a good idea to count the stitches/rows in the center of the swatch and make sure you do not stretch or compress your knitted square.
If there are too many rows, try using one size larger needles, and if too few, try using one size smaller needles.
What does this knitting abbreviation or knitting term mean?
I have listed the most common knitting abbreviations and knitting terms here
Why are there holes in my knitting?
This is usually caused by accidentally wrapping the yarn around the right needle between stitches.
What do I do if the stitches fall off my needle?
Gently pick up the knitted fabric without stretching it, so that the stitches do not unravel. Then, using the needle the stitches fell off, insert the tip into the stitch loops from back to front.If you have twist the stitch by mistake when you pick it up, you can fix this when you knit the next row.
What do I do if I drop a knit stitch?
If you have dropped a knit stitch and it has unraveled, as quickly as possible attach a stitch marker to it to prevent your knitting unravelling any further. Then use a crochet hook to catch the loose strand, pull it through the front of the stitch below and place it on your left needle. You will then need to knit the stitch as normal.
If you have dropped a purl stitch, turn the fabric over and follow the above instructions. Then, turn the fabric over again. The rescued stitch will need to be transferred to the left needle and purled again.
How do I count rows?
With garter stitch, each ridge counts as two rows because the other ridges are hidden on the other side of the work.
When do you use circular knitting needles?
Circular knitting needles have two short straight needles joined by a plastic cord. They are often used for projects such as socks and hats (though they can be knit on straight needles too). The advantage of circular knitting needles is that you just keep knitting round and round.
How do I change needle sizes?
If you need to change needle sizes in the middle of a pattern, at the end of a row, just start knitting with one of the new size needles.
Which is the right side/wrong side of my knitting?
With stockinette stitch, the right side is the smooth side with lots of pointy stitches. This means you need to knit. The wrong side is the bumpy side with lots of horizontal stitches. This means you need to purl.
How do I change color / join in yarn?
When you are changing color or just starting a new ball of wool, do this at the end of a row. Knit the first stitch with the new yarn and then pick up the short end of the new yarn together with the length attached to the ball and continue knitting with both these threads. Carry on until the short end is finished. This means the short end will naturally be woven into your item.
Where can I find beginner knitting patterns?
For a selection of super easy small projects for the beginner knitter, please check out my patterns section.
How do I know where I am in the knitting pattern?
I recommend using a highlighter pen and going through the pattern marking the relevant numbers for the size garment you are knitting. Then, keep a pencil handy so you can tick off each row as you complete it. You might also choose to use a row counter.
If you really can’t remember where you are, you can count the number of stitches on your needle and the number of rows on the fabric (not always easy) to try to work it out.
With stockinette stitch, you will know that you need to knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side.
Sometimes, you just have to unravel part of your knitting project and start over. It can be infuriating when this happens, but the experience will mean that you are unlikely to make the same mistake again!
Still have knitting questions?
As and when I think of them, I will add more answers to this list of knitting questions. In the meantime, if there are any questions you would like to see here, why not suggest it via the contact form?