How to Avoid the Enlarged Knit Before a Purl in Seed Stitch

[@bmh80rn]

Thank you thank you for your 2 videos about switching between knit and purl. I didn't like how my seed stitch was looking and your videos helped me learn how to fix it.

[@needhi5048]

Thank you so much for this, I've been struggling with the seed stitch since I started knitting and now I'm finally able to make it correctly :)

[@batya7]

Very clear as usual. Thanks. I noticed you changed the direction of looping the purl in throwing method.

[@SuzanneBryan]

You are very welcome!

[@susanwhitman9999]

So helpful!!! Great for basket weave stitch !

[@SuzanneBryan]

Thanks so much, Susan, I appreciate your feedback! ❤️

[@dorisformby3902]

Nice video. It’s like a summary video to your previous one which is great if I just want to quickly review. I was lucky enough to watch your other video before working on a basket weave pattern on my son’s sweater. It made a world of difference and looks very neat. Thank you SO MUCH for all of your good advice.

[@SuzanneBryan]

This is so wonderful to hear, Doris, thank you!

[@beckyrobison7907]

Your video are very helpful. Thank you.

[@SuzanneBryan]

Glad to hear that, Becky!

[@juliamartin4141]

I did this technique after watching the other video on sock ribbing. The ribbing is springier and much prettier than when not doing this technique. Thanks a lot!

[@SuzanneBryan]

Wonderful, Julia, I'm glad that my video helped!

[@theastewart6721]

If I enjoy your videos??? I love your videos Suzanne!😊😊. Thanks for another great tip!💗

[@SuzanneBryan]

Thank you so much, Thea!! 😊

[@theastewart6721]

You’re very welcome Suzanne!💗

[@37vegalyra63]

Thank you for such a clear demonstration! ❤️

[@SuzanneBryan]

You are so welcome!

[@motzoh]

Oh my goodness. I wish I knew this before starting a wrap earlier this week. I went on to Suzanne's other, "why" video. I am going to simply start over, luckily I haven't gotten sobbingly far along with this project. 😄 Thanks, Suzanne. I'm looking forward to seeing the difference!

[@SuzanneBryan]

Wonderful, I'm sure the finished wrap will be lovely!

[@motzoh]

Later: I started anew the wrap with a second ball of yarn using this technique. An amazing difference and I don't even have the two to compare yet. (Traveling with my project.) Thanks Suzanne 😘

[@andreamiller6200]

This is the most gorgeous seed stitch result I can recall seeing, and it is amazing how simple it is to pull the slack out to achieve this excellent tension. I very much appreciate being shown how to do this in Continental and in English working yarn operation!

[@SuzanneBryan]

Andrea, thank you so much for watching and for your very kind words! ❤️

[@jolines4081]

Thanks, Suzanne. I’m making the Great American Aran Afghan and can see a lot of variation in stitch sizes as I work the cables and other texture stitches. I hope to begin recognizing when I’m wrapping the yarn 360° to make a stitch and remember to tighten it up. Thanks for the tip!

[@SuzanneBryan]

You're very welcome Jo, thanks for watching!

[@TheDollyce]

Thank you Suzanne.

[@SuzanneBryan]

You're so welcome, Dollyce!

[@katibere1966]

This is a beautiful stitch pattern!!

[@SuzanneBryan]

Thank you so much, Kati!

[@ccpperrett7522]

Thank you. I appreciate the instruction.

[@SuzanneBryan]

You're very welcome!

[@Norfolk250]

Morning! Today, I was challenged with a dropped herringbone stitch, and I thought of whining to YOU as I attempted to salvage it. I did manage, though it shows. The piece is experimental - testing very thin cotton on 2.25mm needles. The first set were fine - there and back, then I added three rows of stocking, and did another set, but had to reverse the order so the effect would show on the front of the piece. ** I find the first part of the technique to leave me with those dreaded long loops everyone has to deal with, but the return is naturally tighter for me. My second set being reversed, I pulled tight to make sure I didn't have loose loops when I followed with my next three rows of stocking ~ annnnnd, 3/4 of the way to the end is where the dreaded thing went wonky. I have done this technique many times over the years, but I still don't know what to look for when something goes awry. Have you? These last two days I've been experimenting with cables in the same yarn and needle, where nothing is meant to come out perfectly, so mostly I am not worried - just checking what the two can achieve opposed to what would be a waste of time. I have tried getting my knit-before-purl bettered, but so far it just avoids my efforts. I'm thinking, I should just tell folks "I meant it to happen. I like the way it looks." Hopefully, I can get away with it. Joe Guelph Ontario

[@SuzanneBryan]

Joe, this is a challenging question. There are several ways to work herringbone. If you tell me the one you are using, I will try to work on this.

[@Norfolk250]

The one I used was knitting or purling through A&B, dropping B. Pretty basic. Again, my stitches were purposefully tight and tiny, and yarm having multi-ply makes digging any dropped stitch back up is aggravating on its own. I know I'm setting myself up for ulcers as my goal is micro-knitting. No doll stuff for me, but full panels of insanity.

[@Norfolk250]

Alright... here's a clip. I've heard YT is deleting comments with links, so I'll do this twice -- one with the link and THIS one with the title so you can look it up: Clip Of Herringbone For Suzanne

[@Norfolk250]

Alright... here's a clip. I've heard YT is deleting comments with links, so I'm taking this as a chance: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpaWkpdnn65gmNE

[@heididavis8520]

Hi Suzanne! Do you think that by ensuring the knit before purl stitch is tigthened the tendency for the fabric to form a bias swing will be reduced? I am currently swatching double moss/seed stitch and I' finding that a bias flare is forming in the fabric. Blocking does seem to remove the bias from the 7x9 inch swatch but I'm concerned as tomwhether blocking will be adequate for a large garment pieces. I am using a worsted weight cotton. Can younexplain the physics of why the bias develops? Many Thanks, Heidi

[@SuzanneBryan]

This is a tough situation. I have seen another time when biasing occurred and I could not figure it out. I consulted several other experts and we were all confounded. I would try the same stitch pattern with a different yarn and see if you get biasing. If you do, it is the stitch pattern, if you do not, it is the yarn.

[@heididavis8520]

@@SuzanneBryan Thanks for your advice Suzanne. It must be the pattern. I have tried a different yarn since writing to you. Heidi

[@carolinesharp1958]

thank you

[@darthlaurel]

I can work the yarn on either hand but this really highlights the efficiency of continental.

[@sethmarkel]

I believe that efficiency (and speed, and ergonomic soundness) are equally possible carrying the yarn on either side. There are so many different styles and traditions of knitting. It depends on who is demonstrating and what style they are most practiced in. There are so many factors and I try to look holistically at how I knit, while being so grateful to be able to study and learn from the techniques and experience and generosity of others. Continental is not per se more efficient than right hand carry.

[@SuzanneBryan]

Thank you for watching and for your feedback! 😊

[@beverleyward8361]

Thank you.

[@SuzanneBryan]

You're welcome, Beverley!

[@lotte5173]

Suzanne....can I ask you something? I am a continental knitter...using the Norwegian methode. But I have a problem with knitting the rib that I cant solve. The knit stitch ... the V.... does not close properly. The bar in the middle of the V is about 2mm and it is clearly visible. It should be like this \/......but in my knitting it is \-/ In this way the rib also looses his elasticity. I tried everything....more tight/loose. I cant figure out what I am doing wrong. Please, can you help me?....I am almost in tears.

[@SuzanneBryan]

Lotte, this is the nature of 1x1 ribbing. Try a swatch with k2p2 ribbing, you will see that the stitches make Vs. If you want nice sharp Vs on your 1x1 ribbing, try knitting through the back loops of the knits on the RS and the purls on the WS.

[@lotte5173]

@@SuzanneBryan Thanks....I will try that one! I also found out that the position of the needles is important. I held them to horizontal pointing to each other. Now I tried to keep them more in the position of 60 degrees and it works much better. Just by bringing the end of the needles towards each other..... It took me my whole Sunday to figure out....LOL I think many more people will have this problem, Suzanne..... Perhaps you can try it out and make a video if it? Have a blessed day.

[@SuzanneBryan]

Take a look at this video and see what you think. - kzbin.info/www/bejne/haC0hWh8adGggMU

[@lotte5173]

@@SuzanneBryan Yep....I am gonna practice. I will endure the battle with yarn and needles....LOL Never give up ! Thanks Suzanne....I appreciate your help. Have a blessed day.

[@lotte5173]

@Sarah Turnbull I think I found out what the problem is. We stretch the knit stitch to far.....and that makes the next purl stitch more tense. And after I stretched the knit stitch...I didnt stretch the purl stitch at all. So they werent equal. Perhaps you do the same. You can solve the problem by knitting the knit stitch without stretching. Sorry....English is not my first language but I hope you understand what I try to explain. Good luck, Sarah. Happy knitting!

[@motzoh]

For those looking for it, link to the "why" video is at about 2:42.

[@SuzanneBryan]

👍

[@isawa6649]

Interesting ! Never had a problem with seed stitch. Nevertheless I will pay attention from now on to be sure I am doing it right. Thank you

[@SuzanneBryan]

You are very welcome, Isa!

[@TheMetatronGirl]

I actually do something in knitting NATURALLY???🤯🤯 I honestly didn’t know this was a problem, which is bizarre for me because I think I’ve had to learn nearly every fix there is.

[@roxanneemery6089]

For some reason I don’t have this problem on ribbing or seed stitch, only when doing cables.

[@SuzanneBryan]

I find that there is always something to learn. 😊

[@TheMetatronGirl]

@@SuzanneBryan So true! I don’t think anyone could learn everything. That’s part of why I love knitting…and your videos! I’m always learning something new.