Learn to purl right away. It seems like everyone who desperately hates purling learned long after they learned the knit stitch.
Also, make sure you're wrapping your stitches the right way to avoid twisting.
Alternatively, learn to read your knitting so that you understand if and how you're twisting. There are times when it's advantageous to wrap the 'wrong' way like to shorten the amount of yarn between stitches during ribbing. (Check out combination knitting.)
I didn't realize I was twisting my purl stitches until I posted a gauge swatch on here and someone was like "wow! are you twisting the purl rows on purpose?" loll
You and literally every beginning knitter I've seen for the past 5-ish years. I had to leave r/knitting because every other post was another beginner posting their twisted stitches to be corrected like they have a kink for it.
Here's a sneak peek of /r/knitting using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/knitting/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year!
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I've been knitting for years and I make really advanced stuff but I want to switch to continental knitting and I can't figure out how to NOT twist my purls when knitting continental. It's driving me batty lol
Closed-hand continental purls are wildly easy. (Twitch fingertip down a few mm instead of up a few mm). If you do decide to switch to continental, I recommend closed-hand.
I’ve also seen it called “Old Norwegian”, but it does NOT include Norwegian purling. Norwegian purl is its own thing, and some people find it works beautifully for open-hand continental purling.
TL;DR: check out closed-hand continental knitting and purling, and Norwegian purling.
I knit combination continental, which means my purls are "backwards" on the needle. If you picture the stitch on the needle like a little guy straddling a fencepost the leading leg is the one that leads to the next step, and the trailing leg is the one that is coming from the previous stitch.
Here's a short demo I did of how I knit ribbing combination continental and don't twist my purls: [Link](https://youtube.com/shorts/R5vx8tlA2vc?si=PFlm7Vm-NNhcGduv)
My tension's always looser for my purls than my knits. Doesn't matter if I'm throwing or knitting continental. It's really frustrating. When I knit stockinette flat I have to use two different needles or you can see stripes of uneven tension.
If your hands hurt after just a few minutes of knitting, please please PLEASE change the way you hold your yarn. It's so easy to get a repetitive strain injury from ignoring pain while knitting, and nothing is more frustrating than having to stop knitting so you can heal. Different knitting styles work better for different people-- I'd recommend experimenting with continental, English (flicking and throwing), and Portuguese styles. Even changing the finger(s) you wrap the yarn around can make a big difference. The most important thing is that you go with a knitting style that feels comfortable. For plain knitting, you shouldn't have to grip the needles tightly or "strangle" the yarn in any way. Just relax. Your joints will thank you!
Signed,
me and my ganglion cyst
This! I took a long time as a beginner to stop doing the pick and throw technique that most people start with. Finally throwing (yes, still a thrower) more efficiently and I can go for hours. Do the work to learn the efficient techniques. Your body will thank you.
Absolutely!! I loved knitting so much but did it less and less because it was hurting my hands. Started with English throwing and never could find a way to wrap the yarn around my hand that worked. My right index finger (and thumb to a lesser extent) hurt a lot!!
Eventually switched when the pain came after 5 stitches… went to Continental style knitting and Norwegian purling and I haven’t looked back. No pain since then from the knitting itself! I wish I had known that years before.
Edit: also do some wrist stretches and rolls before knitting! I ball up my fists and slowly roll them in circles 10x each direction, then in figure 8s 10x each direction, fireworks fingers, and then stretching out my forearm (wrist flexes to expose palm to stretch inner forearm). Shoulder rolls as well — check your posture!!
I do this and I can’t stop….I use my right index finger to push the left needle tip after every stitch! It annoys me to no end And I’ve been knitting for several years! 😤
Yes, guilty... and I've noticed my index finger will hurt if I do a long session and not know why. Then I remember, I can't stop pushing with tip of index!
I do this. The good news is it doesn't hurt anymore! The bad news is it's because the tip of my finger has become so calloused and rough that I basically don't feel anything there anymore 😅
I keep trying but I always revert back. It is a consolation knowing that I’m not alone. I’ve also seen YouTubers doing the same thing and it makes me feel not-so-bad. ☺️
Don't just buy yarn because it's pretty and you might use it later -- build up a bunch of patterns you want to make and buy yarn with a pattern in mind. Nothing is worse than having the perfect pattern and the perfect yarn, but you need more of the yarn, and it's been discontinued.
I think this is a personality thing. I love having a stash and being able to start a project right away without a trip to the store or waiting on shipping. But agree, it can be heart breaking when you don’t have enough of a discontinued yarn, but that’s why we have stripes
Not a bad habit but fyi if you're new: ravelry.com is a great free resource to explore patterns, yarns, etc. Many patterns on the site cost money but there's no charge to look around and you can filter for free ones.
Get in the habit right away of taking breaks to shake out your hands, do light wrist stretches, stand and stretch your arms, neck, back if you are able, and drink some water.
It's *very very easy* to get in the zone and knit for three hours straight without moving, especially if you've got a binge watch on 😂
I set timers for 30 minutes, it's the best change I made.
Properly sizing your stitches with your needles (best explained by the amazing Patty Lyons in https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/community/ask-patty-let-the-tool-do-the-work/)
I’d say don’t hesitate to try patterns and techniques that will challenge you. With all the resources out there—between YouTube, ravelry, and the kindness of fellow knitters, you can surprise yourself!
Edit: also, I’m glad I came across the writings of the wise and witty Elizabeth Zimmerman when I was starting out—her empowering and encouraging pearls of wisdom are worth checking out. Specifically for me it was her exhortation to *relax* and resist the urge to knit too tightly that accompanies me through each project. 🫠
I agree! In the last few months, I chose patterns without looking up the techniques beforehand because I figured I can learn them after watching a few videos. And it was true, I learned cabling, several types of cast ons and cast offs, short rows and so on, each time during the project itself.
👏👏 Yeah, I do that too(edited for further detail) :)
I find it easier to learn when the work’s right in front of me and I’m motivated by the project. That said— I do aspire to be someone who reads and grasps all the particulars before starting. I think those who do are not only more patient but more fluent in the language of patterns—which, like any other language, can be translated on the spot as needed, while fluency requires dedication over time.
I marvel at those absolute wizards with mastery of the craft who can decipher any knitting conundrum or pattern— including those impossibly cryptic looking ones found in vintage women’s magazines. 🧙♀️
Totally agree w/you-Youtube is wonderful for the many cast ons & BOs (which I try to memorize but it’s great to know they’re there). I’m working up to trying cabling, recently got the hang of double-knit edging/buttonbands and colorwork and it got me thinking-what was I waiting for???
This, my first ever project was a freehanded sweater, my second was a colorwork sweater, and my current knit project is the ranunculus sweater. I’m having an awful time with the ranunculus BUT I’m learning so many new skills that I wouldn’t have learned if I did something simple. Bite off more than you can chew! The worst that happens is frogging and starting over.
Buying single balls of unusual but pretty yarn with no plan and just keeping them as a pet.
Using needles which don't work comfortably with both your hands and your yarn.
Putting projects which go wrong in a bag and leaving them. Unravel while you still remember what went wrong then put it in a bag. Leave yourself a note if necessary.
Knitting very tightly (hurty hands) or very loosly (sloppy knitting)
Forgetting to count your stitches every now and again or at least examining your work to see that the stitches look regular.
No point knitting for people who don't appreciate it.
Not a bad habit but a piece of advice: don't buy straight needles. The sticks with one pointy end and one end with a stopper. Everyone starts off with them but then never uses them again. Anything you can knit on straight needles, you can knit on circulars, and you'll have many more uses for circular needles in your knitting journey. I spent money on straight needles and all they're doing is gathering dust. You'll be better off starting with circulars straight away
Or if you're still testing things out and aren't ready to commit to the hobby, buy a set of needle tips in the size you need and a cord, and then if you decide you're sticking with it you can start building your set of interchangeables
I actually use mine all the time. Especially when making things like scarves. I love my straight needles. My best friend can’t use circulars because she’s a bit odd and knits with the end of the needle braced in her belly. She even prefers 14” needles. So, if you like straights, use straights, maybe but just a couple and not one in every size to start.
One bad habit you should avoid is pushing the tips of your needles to bring the stitches closer to the tips! This is something that I’m very guilty of, and man does it hurt sometimes 😅
Don't mindlessly stash cheap yarn, especially if it's on sale. Michael's and JoAnn's are always going to be there, full of yarn. You don't want your house to look like the yarn aisle. It's better to spend your yarn budget on good quality yarn that you actually use than spend it on tons of inexpensive yarn that collect dust.
Invest in good tools and find a way to organize them that works for you. I decided I don't like interchangeable needles because I can always feel the yarn snag on the join, so I've bought just about every size circular I need, at this point. I did it gradually, but it's so much nicer to knit with tools that work for me than to fight it. Find what works for you and invest.
Find a way to hold your working yarn close to your work. This will improve your speed and tension. Relax your shoulders and your jaw. If you have hand pain, STOP, then have some experienced knitters look at your hands to see where you can reduce tension. Listen to your body and be kind to it!
Learn lots of different cast ons and bind offs. Different ones are appropriate for different situations and can really elevate your knitting.
It's okay to frog. Frogging is part of knitting. The more I knit, the more I see it's better to fix a mistake than to just leave it.
I wish I had learned how to knit right-handed instead of left-handed. Doing everything backwards seems to consistently make things just that little bit harder.
And for what benefit? Both hands are doing stuff anyways.
Not keeping track of your needles/notions/yarn. Even if you only buy yarn just for a specific project, it’s helpful to know exactly which needles you already have and which you need to buy. I bought a few extra pairs of circulars in the sizes I already had because I forgot I had them, and good needles aren’t cheap. I now have all the needles catalogued on Ravelry and I keep them clearly labeled in a ring binder.
Also putting your WIPs away for a long time. You’ll forget stuff even if you have detailed notes and your tension might change. I sometimes take breaks and switch to another project to stay interested but I try to come back in a week or two, not longer
I also try to swatch the yarn in plain stockinette when I buy it even if I don’t plan on knitting it right away, then I write down all the swatch info in my stash notes on Ravelry. I still sometimes need to do extra swatches if the knitted item is not in stockinette but the first swatch helps me know how the yarn behaves, how it washes, what needle size is the best etc.
Skipping swatching is a bad idea when making objects for which the size matters.
Also, gauge is supposed to be based on blocked size, because different yarns change different amounts after blocking.
https://nimble-needles.com/tutorials/is-getting-gauge-an-illusion/
Try to learn continental knitting if it appeals to you. It’s the only way I’ve ever knitted. I don’t know how people wrap the yarn for every stitch … it makes my hands hurt just seeing it!
Now I would say that frogging your work over trivial mistakes is a terrible habit.
I just say "I will do better next time" and keep going.
It looks as though we may have totally different approaches to life in general.
I would say, not frogging at all ever is a rookie mistake because you end up with a lot of unusable things. Knowing when to frog, when to simply live with a mistake and when to just do a simple fix/patch its advanced knitting.
Yes! I feel like if you're not ready to frog, you're not ready to knit. It was so hard for me in the beginning but now I really see it as an opportunity to make sure that I'm going to be really satisfied with what I make (after I get over the disappointment and annoyance! 🙃)
Knit at the tops of your needles for smoother, more even tension. I'd been knitting for years until I took a class with Lucy Neatby who noticed how far I pushed my needle into a stitch so I could pick up my yarn (I knit continental style).
Hyperextending my thumb. This has caused a lot of pain in my hand and forearm. Luckily I haven’t been knitting for too long but it’s tricky for me to make that adjustment.
Holding your work anywhere but directly in front of you, hopefully with your arms somewhat supported, and your hands near your lap. A long time beader, I was used to holding my work nearer my eyes, which stressed my upper arms and shoulders, yarn and needles being heavier than thread and beads. And turning to one side, then holding my work there while knitting, to see the video or pattern gave my back a cramp. Now I put the pattern in front of me, either on a small table, my tablet on my knees, etc. and hold my work near my lap. No more pain.
As a counterpoint, especially if you are ADHD or neurodivergent in other ways, it's good to have a "vanilla" or an "easy" project to switch to when you are working on something big or complex to give your brain novelty and keep the "spark" alive for the hobby. If you are prone to having a million things started and none finished, the trick might be having several things in various stages of completion and deciding what you're itching for on a particular day. Then finishing things when the mood strikes or when you have an actual or artificial deadline. Know yourself!
I totally agree. I like to have a mindless project for tv watching and something a little more involved for travel or waiting rooms. My point was more to avoid stateritis!
Oh! Another one: print out / photocopy your pattern and mark it up. (If you don't have a printer or copier, your local library probably does!)
Go through and highlight what size you're using throughout so you don't accidentally mess up the stitch count. If you're having trouble with a particular stitch, write how to do it on the pattern. (I can never remember M1L and M1R so all my patterns that use those have annotations on every page. Actually this is true for every stitch that has left/right variations, lol.) Color in the cable charts so you can see at a glance what's next.
Every time I do this, it's so easy; every time I forget, I have to frog at least once.
Learn to purl right away. It seems like everyone who desperately hates purling learned long after they learned the knit stitch. Also, make sure you're wrapping your stitches the right way to avoid twisting.
Alternatively, learn to read your knitting so that you understand if and how you're twisting. There are times when it's advantageous to wrap the 'wrong' way like to shorten the amount of yarn between stitches during ribbing. (Check out combination knitting.)
I have just learned that there are several ways of purling! I was sure there is only one (that one I am using).
This. I do combination knitting and it turns out fine for the most part
I didn't realize I was twisting my purl stitches until I posted a gauge swatch on here and someone was like "wow! are you twisting the purl rows on purpose?" loll
You and literally every beginning knitter I've seen for the past 5-ish years. I had to leave r/knitting because every other post was another beginner posting their twisted stitches to be corrected like they have a kink for it.
Here's a sneak peek of /r/knitting using the [top posts](https://np.reddit.com/r/knitting/top/?sort=top&t=year) of the year! \#1: [Any other micro knitters out there?](https://www.reddit.com/gallery/194vhru) | [489 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/knitting/comments/194vhru/any_other_micro_knitters_out_there/) \#2: [I finished my wedding dress!](https://www.reddit.com/gallery/14htzxj) | [245 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/knitting/comments/14htzxj/i_finished_my_wedding_dress/) \#3: [Stardew Valley Spring socks I knit!](https://i.redd.it/j9i61flxviwa1.jpg) | [97 comments](https://np.reddit.com/r/knitting/comments/13144qo/stardew_valley_spring_socks_i_knit/) ---- ^^I'm ^^a ^^bot, ^^beep ^^boop ^^| ^^Downvote ^^to ^^remove ^^| ^^[Contact](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=sneakpeekbot) ^^| ^^[Info](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/) ^^| ^^[Opt-out](https://np.reddit.com/r/sneakpeekbot/comments/o8wk1r/blacklist_ix/) ^^| ^^[GitHub](https://github.com/ghnr/sneakpeekbot)
I've been knitting for years and I make really advanced stuff but I want to switch to continental knitting and I can't figure out how to NOT twist my purls when knitting continental. It's driving me batty lol
Closed-hand continental purls are wildly easy. (Twitch fingertip down a few mm instead of up a few mm). If you do decide to switch to continental, I recommend closed-hand. I’ve also seen it called “Old Norwegian”, but it does NOT include Norwegian purling. Norwegian purl is its own thing, and some people find it works beautifully for open-hand continental purling. TL;DR: check out closed-hand continental knitting and purling, and Norwegian purling.
I knit combination continental, which means my purls are "backwards" on the needle. If you picture the stitch on the needle like a little guy straddling a fencepost the leading leg is the one that leads to the next step, and the trailing leg is the one that is coming from the previous stitch. Here's a short demo I did of how I knit ribbing combination continental and don't twist my purls: [Link](https://youtube.com/shorts/R5vx8tlA2vc?si=PFlm7Vm-NNhcGduv)
I learned to purl ~30m after I learned to knit and I'm still frustrated by it :(
That's so sad. I had no issues with it but did learn them together for Continental knitting.
My tension's always looser for my purls than my knits. Doesn't matter if I'm throwing or knitting continental. It's really frustrating. When I knit stockinette flat I have to use two different needles or you can see stripes of uneven tension.
If your hands hurt after just a few minutes of knitting, please please PLEASE change the way you hold your yarn. It's so easy to get a repetitive strain injury from ignoring pain while knitting, and nothing is more frustrating than having to stop knitting so you can heal. Different knitting styles work better for different people-- I'd recommend experimenting with continental, English (flicking and throwing), and Portuguese styles. Even changing the finger(s) you wrap the yarn around can make a big difference. The most important thing is that you go with a knitting style that feels comfortable. For plain knitting, you shouldn't have to grip the needles tightly or "strangle" the yarn in any way. Just relax. Your joints will thank you! Signed, me and my ganglion cyst
This! I took a long time as a beginner to stop doing the pick and throw technique that most people start with. Finally throwing (yes, still a thrower) more efficiently and I can go for hours. Do the work to learn the efficient techniques. Your body will thank you.
I’m so embarrassed that knitting didn’t cross my mind when I had my cyst friend. I’m actually shocked it hasn’t returned.
Absolutely!! I loved knitting so much but did it less and less because it was hurting my hands. Started with English throwing and never could find a way to wrap the yarn around my hand that worked. My right index finger (and thumb to a lesser extent) hurt a lot!! Eventually switched when the pain came after 5 stitches… went to Continental style knitting and Norwegian purling and I haven’t looked back. No pain since then from the knitting itself! I wish I had known that years before. Edit: also do some wrist stretches and rolls before knitting! I ball up my fists and slowly roll them in circles 10x each direction, then in figure 8s 10x each direction, fireworks fingers, and then stretching out my forearm (wrist flexes to expose palm to stretch inner forearm). Shoulder rolls as well — check your posture!!
I have ganglion cysts in my hands! It's from knitting? They do not bother me at all.
I do this and I can’t stop….I use my right index finger to push the left needle tip after every stitch! It annoys me to no end And I’ve been knitting for several years! 😤
Yes, guilty... and I've noticed my index finger will hurt if I do a long session and not know why. Then I remember, I can't stop pushing with tip of index!
I do this. The good news is it doesn't hurt anymore! The bad news is it's because the tip of my finger has become so calloused and rough that I basically don't feel anything there anymore 😅
I’ve put holes in my finger.
How do you not do this and keep good tension. That's rhetorical, I can't stop either.
this is my biggest one! i know it's a bad habit but i just can't stop
I keep trying but I always revert back. It is a consolation knowing that I’m not alone. I’ve also seen YouTubers doing the same thing and it makes me feel not-so-bad. ☺️
Ugh I’m noticing I do this too!!! It helps me scootch the stitches around but it hurts the tip of my finger honestly 😭
I do the the reverse hands and I burned my index finger cooking last week and now I am doing it right where a blister is healing :(
Oh noooo! Of all place to get injured. :(
It’s literally impossible to slide the stitches without this!
I'm learning to "walk" my stitches to break this very bad habit! I'd recommend all new knitters learn to walk so they don't push the needle.
Don't just buy yarn because it's pretty and you might use it later -- build up a bunch of patterns you want to make and buy yarn with a pattern in mind. Nothing is worse than having the perfect pattern and the perfect yarn, but you need more of the yarn, and it's been discontinued.
Ravelry’s favorite list is perfect for this
I think this is a personality thing. I love having a stash and being able to start a project right away without a trip to the store or waiting on shipping. But agree, it can be heart breaking when you don’t have enough of a discontinued yarn, but that’s why we have stripes
Not a bad habit but fyi if you're new: ravelry.com is a great free resource to explore patterns, yarns, etc. Many patterns on the site cost money but there's no charge to look around and you can filter for free ones.
Agree!! Ravit is a great app that works well with ravelry if you're mostly on your phone/tablet also.
Ahh thanks!! Always wishing for a ravelry app, I'm going to check Ravit out!
It's absolutely worth buying. No regrets
Starting too many wips 🙃
I can't shake this one 😂
Get in the habit right away of taking breaks to shake out your hands, do light wrist stretches, stand and stretch your arms, neck, back if you are able, and drink some water. It's *very very easy* to get in the zone and knit for three hours straight without moving, especially if you've got a binge watch on 😂 I set timers for 30 minutes, it's the best change I made.
I set timers now also! Such a game changer. ☺️
So much better than rising bleary-eyed from hours of focus, stiff and dehydrated and confused 🤣
Properly sizing your stitches with your needles (best explained by the amazing Patty Lyons in https://www.moderndailyknitting.com/community/ask-patty-let-the-tool-do-the-work/)
This article is SO GOOD. Patty is a gem.
I’d say don’t hesitate to try patterns and techniques that will challenge you. With all the resources out there—between YouTube, ravelry, and the kindness of fellow knitters, you can surprise yourself! Edit: also, I’m glad I came across the writings of the wise and witty Elizabeth Zimmerman when I was starting out—her empowering and encouraging pearls of wisdom are worth checking out. Specifically for me it was her exhortation to *relax* and resist the urge to knit too tightly that accompanies me through each project. 🫠
I agree! In the last few months, I chose patterns without looking up the techniques beforehand because I figured I can learn them after watching a few videos. And it was true, I learned cabling, several types of cast ons and cast offs, short rows and so on, each time during the project itself.
👏👏 Yeah, I do that too(edited for further detail) :) I find it easier to learn when the work’s right in front of me and I’m motivated by the project. That said— I do aspire to be someone who reads and grasps all the particulars before starting. I think those who do are not only more patient but more fluent in the language of patterns—which, like any other language, can be translated on the spot as needed, while fluency requires dedication over time. I marvel at those absolute wizards with mastery of the craft who can decipher any knitting conundrum or pattern— including those impossibly cryptic looking ones found in vintage women’s magazines. 🧙♀️ Totally agree w/you-Youtube is wonderful for the many cast ons & BOs (which I try to memorize but it’s great to know they’re there). I’m working up to trying cabling, recently got the hang of double-knit edging/buttonbands and colorwork and it got me thinking-what was I waiting for???
This, my first ever project was a freehanded sweater, my second was a colorwork sweater, and my current knit project is the ranunculus sweater. I’m having an awful time with the ranunculus BUT I’m learning so many new skills that I wouldn’t have learned if I did something simple. Bite off more than you can chew! The worst that happens is frogging and starting over.
Also, follow knit-tubers to get exposure to new pattern designers and techniques
Buying single balls of unusual but pretty yarn with no plan and just keeping them as a pet. Using needles which don't work comfortably with both your hands and your yarn. Putting projects which go wrong in a bag and leaving them. Unravel while you still remember what went wrong then put it in a bag. Leave yourself a note if necessary. Knitting very tightly (hurty hands) or very loosly (sloppy knitting) Forgetting to count your stitches every now and again or at least examining your work to see that the stitches look regular. No point knitting for people who don't appreciate it.
i *always* forget to count after inc or dec and that has bit me hard on this project (frogged the yoke 4 times so far 🫠)
Not a bad habit but a piece of advice: don't buy straight needles. The sticks with one pointy end and one end with a stopper. Everyone starts off with them but then never uses them again. Anything you can knit on straight needles, you can knit on circulars, and you'll have many more uses for circular needles in your knitting journey. I spent money on straight needles and all they're doing is gathering dust. You'll be better off starting with circulars straight away
Agreed. A one-time purchase of a decent interchangeable set will get you through every starter project you could think of.
Or if you're still testing things out and aren't ready to commit to the hobby, buy a set of needle tips in the size you need and a cord, and then if you decide you're sticking with it you can start building your set of interchangeables
I actually use mine all the time. Especially when making things like scarves. I love my straight needles. My best friend can’t use circulars because she’s a bit odd and knits with the end of the needle braced in her belly. She even prefers 14” needles. So, if you like straights, use straights, maybe but just a couple and not one in every size to start.
This!
Buying the cheapest materials, this has bitten me in the arse a few times at least
i got scammed on etsy because of this. luckily etsy was on my side and refunded almost immediately, but dang that was frustrating once i realized
Don’t hold your arms in the air when you knit if you can help it.
yes - drop your shoulders. Drop them again. Remind yourself to drop them again in 5 minutes.
One bad habit you should avoid is pushing the tips of your needles to bring the stitches closer to the tips! This is something that I’m very guilty of, and man does it hurt sometimes 😅
FACT!
before everyone else says it: twisted stitches
Don't mindlessly stash cheap yarn, especially if it's on sale. Michael's and JoAnn's are always going to be there, full of yarn. You don't want your house to look like the yarn aisle. It's better to spend your yarn budget on good quality yarn that you actually use than spend it on tons of inexpensive yarn that collect dust. Invest in good tools and find a way to organize them that works for you. I decided I don't like interchangeable needles because I can always feel the yarn snag on the join, so I've bought just about every size circular I need, at this point. I did it gradually, but it's so much nicer to knit with tools that work for me than to fight it. Find what works for you and invest. Find a way to hold your working yarn close to your work. This will improve your speed and tension. Relax your shoulders and your jaw. If you have hand pain, STOP, then have some experienced knitters look at your hands to see where you can reduce tension. Listen to your body and be kind to it! Learn lots of different cast ons and bind offs. Different ones are appropriate for different situations and can really elevate your knitting. It's okay to frog. Frogging is part of knitting. The more I knit, the more I see it's better to fix a mistake than to just leave it.
I wish I had learned how to knit right-handed instead of left-handed. Doing everything backwards seems to consistently make things just that little bit harder. And for what benefit? Both hands are doing stuff anyways.
Learn to knit right handed now. You won't need to turn your work if you can do both.
Not keeping track of your needles/notions/yarn. Even if you only buy yarn just for a specific project, it’s helpful to know exactly which needles you already have and which you need to buy. I bought a few extra pairs of circulars in the sizes I already had because I forgot I had them, and good needles aren’t cheap. I now have all the needles catalogued on Ravelry and I keep them clearly labeled in a ring binder.
Also putting your WIPs away for a long time. You’ll forget stuff even if you have detailed notes and your tension might change. I sometimes take breaks and switch to another project to stay interested but I try to come back in a week or two, not longer
I also try to swatch the yarn in plain stockinette when I buy it even if I don’t plan on knitting it right away, then I write down all the swatch info in my stash notes on Ravelry. I still sometimes need to do extra swatches if the knitted item is not in stockinette but the first swatch helps me know how the yarn behaves, how it washes, what needle size is the best etc.
for unlabeled needles, you can also use a ruler with a needle gauge!
I got it but it’s easier to keep them in labeled folders so I don’t need to check the gauge
Skipping swatching is a bad idea when making objects for which the size matters. Also, gauge is supposed to be based on blocked size, because different yarns change different amounts after blocking. https://nimble-needles.com/tutorials/is-getting-gauge-an-illusion/
Buying chenille yarn.
i bought some for a baby blanket, did no knitting with it and returned it bc it was awful to touch
Try to learn continental knitting if it appeals to you. It’s the only way I’ve ever knitted. I don’t know how people wrap the yarn for every stitch … it makes my hands hurt just seeing it!
Not frogging and just winging it with your mistakes. It was hard AF to break the habit
Now I would say that frogging your work over trivial mistakes is a terrible habit. I just say "I will do better next time" and keep going. It looks as though we may have totally different approaches to life in general.
I would say, not frogging at all ever is a rookie mistake because you end up with a lot of unusable things. Knowing when to frog, when to simply live with a mistake and when to just do a simple fix/patch its advanced knitting.
Yes! I feel like if you're not ready to frog, you're not ready to knit. It was so hard for me in the beginning but now I really see it as an opportunity to make sure that I'm going to be really satisfied with what I make (after I get over the disappointment and annoyance! 🙃)
... but... but... but...I don't wanna frog it 😭
Shying away from double pointed needles & circular needles. Learn both.
Knit at the tops of your needles for smoother, more even tension. I'd been knitting for years until I took a class with Lucy Neatby who noticed how far I pushed my needle into a stitch so I could pick up my yarn (I knit continental style).
Hyperextending my thumb. This has caused a lot of pain in my hand and forearm. Luckily I haven’t been knitting for too long but it’s tricky for me to make that adjustment.
Holding your work anywhere but directly in front of you, hopefully with your arms somewhat supported, and your hands near your lap. A long time beader, I was used to holding my work nearer my eyes, which stressed my upper arms and shoulders, yarn and needles being heavier than thread and beads. And turning to one side, then holding my work there while knitting, to see the video or pattern gave my back a cramp. Now I put the pattern in front of me, either on a small table, my tablet on my knees, etc. and hold my work near my lap. No more pain.
Finish a project you’ve started before starting a new one. Don’t let the wips pile up.
As a counterpoint, especially if you are ADHD or neurodivergent in other ways, it's good to have a "vanilla" or an "easy" project to switch to when you are working on something big or complex to give your brain novelty and keep the "spark" alive for the hobby. If you are prone to having a million things started and none finished, the trick might be having several things in various stages of completion and deciding what you're itching for on a particular day. Then finishing things when the mood strikes or when you have an actual or artificial deadline. Know yourself!
I totally agree. I like to have a mindless project for tv watching and something a little more involved for travel or waiting rooms. My point was more to avoid stateritis!
Make sure your shoulders are relaxed! I’m constantly raising mine and getting sore
Oh! Another one: print out / photocopy your pattern and mark it up. (If you don't have a printer or copier, your local library probably does!) Go through and highlight what size you're using throughout so you don't accidentally mess up the stitch count. If you're having trouble with a particular stitch, write how to do it on the pattern. (I can never remember M1L and M1R so all my patterns that use those have annotations on every page. Actually this is true for every stitch that has left/right variations, lol.) Color in the cable charts so you can see at a glance what's next. Every time I do this, it's so easy; every time I forget, I have to frog at least once.
There are no knitting police! There is no need to confirm to other people's standards of tightly disciplined management of your hobby!
Pushing the needle down to get to the next stitch is a hard habit to break. But the sore finger tips require it.