Knitting Help - Edge Tension

[@carontownsend9890]

My grandma taught me to slip the first stitch and knit into the back of the last stitch. I always have a neat edge

[@patricktheimmaculate]

This was my biggest problem and almost made me stop knitting. i never could understand what I was doing wrong. Now that I understand the problem I am a happy camper. Thank you so much for helping me and other solo knitters!

[@gilliancoyle7332]

My mum taught me the "second stitch tug" technique for evening up my edge tension. You knit the first stitch, put your needle into the second, wrap the yarn and give it a gentle tug. This tightens up the first stitch nicely, and then you carry on as usual. I found it really helpful as a beginner (when I was terrified of dropping stitches and would never have dared to knit on just the needle tips!). Hope this is helpful to someone :D Stacey, your videos are amazing. Every time I have to learn a new technique, or am having difficulty with something, verypinkknits is my first port of call. You have taught me SO much. Thank you.

[@rosie8642]

I noticed that too, being doing it since :) x

[@Felicity2121]

GILLIAN thanks for that tip it really worked for me. I can’t express my gratitude enough to you

[@ianmoshe227]

sorry to be so off topic but does anyone know a way to log back into an Instagram account? I stupidly lost my account password. I would love any help you can offer me

[@mariooliver901]

@Ian Moshe instablaster ;)

[@ianmoshe227]

@Mario Oliver I really appreciate your reply. I found the site on google and Im in the hacking process now. Seems to take quite some time so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@miss.g-shun-w]

She is SPOT ON! Pretty much everything that she said was the wrong way to knit...I was doing. THANK YOU for clearing this up for me. I knew I was doing something wrong, but I couldn't figure out what that could be and how to fix it. I was starting to get very frustrated. 💛💛💛👏🏾 I'm so happy I found your channel.

[@AnaSantos-ez3ik]

I haven’t knitted in about 30 years and my hands needed a break from crochet but, I just couldn’t get the edge stitches right. Oh my, this video is awesome! So helpful! Thank you so much for creating such a helpful video!😊

[@revjase]

I love the way you explain things and show them up close. This is so helpful to me. You're amazing!

[@kitetales]

Thank you SO MUCH! This is the best tutorial I've seen on knitting so far for so many reasons!

[@sarahmatthews2737]

Very helpful!!! I didn’t realize what an issue this is for me until I started a project that requires very good edge tension for a polished finish knit. Thank you!!

[@arlenebaratta]

After watching this, I saw immediate results with my edges. Thank you!

[@TeresaNTaylor]

Thank you! This explains EXACTLY what I'm doing wrong. I am both stretching that first stitch and holding onto the stitches on the needle. Fortunately, I've never made the mistake of carrying the yarn over the needle and increasing a stitch, though. Apparently that's the only mistake I havent been making. Now that I've identified the mistakes, I can correct them. Your video tutorials are tremendously helpful and have made incredible improvements in my work. Thanks again!!

[@RubikscubiksBheroz]

Me too

[@linamatthews512]

Thank you! I have always had problems with the tension in my work, both in knitting and crocheting. i did not realize that the way I held my needle or hook would make a difference in how my stitches came out. I love watching your videos. Your instructions are clear, but never boring.

[@romyt9816]

I'm exactly at this point... New knitter that has a terrible tension, specially at the edges. Thanks for the video

[@feltkyle]

I'm a new knitter and this video helped my edge and overall tension so much! THANK YOU!

[@caitlinhaack6087]

Perfect timing for this video! I was helping my 95 yr. old friend, who only knits garter stitch and was having trouble with loose stitches on the edges. She forgets to slip the first stitch for neater edging, so this was a perfect explanation of where any how to keep stitches tighter for uniform edges. Thanks you for your well-filmed, well-explained videos!

[@wheelchairboy88]

Thank you for making this video I've been knitting off and on for 25 years and I still on occasion make the mistake of making my first stitch to loose at the beginning of a row. Thank you for sharing your tips on how to prevent a messy looking edge.

[@patiolinguist]

Thank you so much for this perfect explanation, you've answered all the questions I had about why my edges are so terrible and also why I sometimes end up with a higher number of stitches.

[@verypinkknits]

If you're accidentally adding stitches, you might find this video helpful, too: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4iYZHdqfc90otU

[@mcsnygg]

Even foks that have been knitting for years can learn from this video. Thanks!

[@annagawenda]

Every tip here was useful! Even the overall tension. I thought it didn't matter that much and I focused on my lose edge stitches, but they never looked neatly. So after watching your video I tried also to tighten all the stitches and suddenly not only the edge stitches looked nicely but all the work looked more professional. Thanks a lot! As always, your video helped me again :)

[@kristiclark2075]

Thank you! Seeing you intentionally make my mistakes and then how to NOT make my mistakes was so helpful. I’m ready to try again now- hopefully with a more even tension throughout!

[@jenjibur]

This is the best video I've seen for edges. I like that you show why the work might be messy. My edges have been baffling me as to why they're so loose. I can't wait to try these tips.

[@alisonbonar1613]

Thank you. What a huge difference that makes.

[@marys1398]

Hi Gillian! Thank you for sharing your mum’s tip. That simple tug on second stitch worked! I’m using bulky yarn on size 15 needles and couldn’t tighten the first stitch until now. 🥰

[@AleeyaIsEpic]

Your mistake piece looks like my projects.

[@rivera42johnson]

Girl same. 😂

[@gccwang24]

Lol me too

[@aliciacb8284747274]

😂😂

[@yogasya3710]

Hahah same😂😂😂

[@doravarnai275]

LOL

[@jeanniemurphy7198]

All your tips help me so much in my knitting journey. Thanks!

[@issamhashem7727]

that is what I am facing on and on but i will not surrender i will go on. i always follow your videos for two years ago esp. the square Blankett project.

[@SugarDemon1035]

Working the edge stitches at the tip of the needle--this is what saved me. This was the answer. I can't believe something so simple makes SUCH a huge difference. Thank you so much! This was driving me bonkers!!!

[@TygrTat]

You say that once you have good tension in the middle, that edge tension will occur naturally, but in my case, once I fixed my edge tension (thanks to this video), the REST came together and I think that's what you meant. My middle tension was pretty decent (not great but decent), but my edges were a TOTAL disaster. NOW however, it's ALL improved and I have you to thank. :) I've tried other methods, but this one made it all come together for me.

[@classicalbunny]

You are an excellent teacher! Thank you for these super helpful videos!

[@irenefoss2245]

Thank you very much for the edge tension video. I often have a loose stitch on the first stitch. Now I know why and can knit without having that loose stitch at the beginning. Your videos are so helpful.

[@mosistajme]

Thank you! Thank you! THANK YOU!!!! I am working on my first blanket and couldn't figure out why my edges were looking so sloppy had extra stitches!!!! I watched numerous videos and did A LOT of reading and I was getting so frustrated with not figuring it out!! My end stitches were too loose and I was flipping it around to the back to tighten it, added the extra stitch. You are a saviour!! THANK YOU!!!

[@verypinkknits]

I got you! Here to save your knitting!

[@misspiggy2418]

I was making this mistake for ages, thank-you, I couldn't figure out why my ends looked a total mess but the rest looked good.

[@bekayezme]

So glad you made this video. I have always struggled with that huge stitch at end and could not figure out why. Thanks.

[@Needtoknit1]

Now, I realize what I am doing. Placing my needle to far into the opening of the stitch. I will have to become more aware of that. Thank You Staci.

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

Thank you! I'm an OCD crafter and tips like these are gold..

[@heatherlyons9417]

Already I can tell the difference in my edges. Thanks for more great knitting and tension tips!

[@chrisbutler2097]

I'm finding your videos SO helpful, Thank you so much for sharing.

[@kroselynn]

Staci you're videos are awesome! This was very clear and informative! Thank you so much for all of your videos. I can't imagine WHY anyone would give you a thumbs down. No one in their right mind would. Makes me think this person just goes around to all videos just giving thumbs down without even watching the video because they don't have anything better to do. I wish I could take that thumbs down away. Anyway, I hope those don't effect you too much, and you keep doing your videos because they are all awesome.

[@logikgirl12]

Phewww I'm relieved to have learned this 😅 I was wondering why my edges were not neat, my first stich of every row was longer than the rest 🤦🏾‍♀️ I'm on my first knitting project and I'm learning lots Now I know how to fix it 😊 Thank you

[@marilynbunte5376]

Thank you! You certainly explained what I needed to fix my big loops!

[@ashleypolk6052]

Thank you! This helped a lot. I could not figure out what was wrong. This fixed my issues. 🙏

[@donnaoeding6955]

Thank you so much for this video , I always have that problem with the loopy first stitch and never knew what caused it

[@CCGardner]

Thank you so much! My first stitch is always loose and now I know what I'm doing to stop it!

[@junesymonds8340]

Oh thankyou so much for lovely clear vid, it will make so much difference to my work now, especially when i come to sew up, shall have beautiful nice neat edges, 😀

[@bikrgran]

COOL!!! This has always bugged me, and I could never figure out what to do about it. THANKS! LOVE your tips and tuts.

[@gerrytravers3463]

Hey there, nice to see you back,looking good as ever. Thanx for this video. Geraldine.

[@lyricalliana]

that was wonderful, thank you for posting.

[@courag1]

I remember you recalled your determination to not put down your needle, also gave you the self-confidence in how to knit and built the musicales In your hands to accomplish that. I think you knit a whole skein to prove knitting without dropping the needle was possible. Some people may need to work over several days at 10 minute intervals to find they gain success. I gave up knitting for years due to arthritis. When I found a diet which relieved most of it, my hands were still crippled and wow did my knitting look bad at first. So I just knit garter till that looked good. In the process my fingers got better, eating differently was not enough. For rehabilitation, I tried many methods of knitting. Some methods gave me shocking pain. But I can do them now. I learned English Flicking from my mother who never put her right needle down. I did not know it was unique, a variation of English method. I also knit Continental now. When I've seen teachers knit this way, their edges often look terrible. I can now knit as well in one as the other as in order to keep the arthritis at bay, it is what helps my hands to remain useful. (I could barely sign my name 10 years ago.) Working small projects like dishcloths, working with cotton, ah, he worst! If one can make knitting in cotton look good, you are a good knitter. You have beautiful knitting and are an excellent teacher. Thank you for all you do. Knitting is a skill which pays your back in having a peace like meditation without medications. It teaches patience.

[@mariapaiz4016]

Because this issue I stop knitting for a while but found your tutorial and I love every tip you give us, thanks, be safe and healthy Blessings

[@janineboucher9971]

I always slip the first stitch. But still struggle with "baggy" edges. I'll try this technique on my next knitting project.

[@werdgerl]

Janine Boucher I always slip stitch the first stitch too & knit into the back of the last one. Try slipping purlwise.

[@syedalizaidi32]

thank you Stacy for such helpful videos particularly the german short technique

[@meganmills6545]

If you slip the first stitch, without working it, you will always have that stitch appearing to be looser or bigger than the rest. This is simply because if you slip it at the start it only gets worked every-other-row and is 1 row tall with 2 rows of knitting beside it. It has to "stretch up" to be two rows tall and steals whatever yarn it needs from its neighbour. A slipped first stitch that is two rows tall isn't really a "loose" stitch and does have some proper uses in your knitting (for example, when you want to make a chain selvedge, often used when doing the heel portion of a sock so you can pick up stitches for the heel gussets). But if you don't like it on your piece of knitting try actually working that stitch on every row. The same is true for some selvedge treatments that have you slip the last stitch on the row. (I know your comment was put here ages ago - but this might help a new reader.)

[@Felicity2121]

I slip the last stitch instead and it leaves nice tidy edges

[@ansumknits9789]

Thanks for these tips. Ever since i switched to knitting in the Portuguese style, I've found that I get much neater edges due to the way I tension the yarn. Knitting in the Portuguese style produces tighter stitches. I used to slip the first stitch when I knitted in the English style, but I never need to do that in the Portuguese style.

[@jules42091]

I agree with you completely. I love Portuguese style knitting. I have arthritis & it's the least painful way for me to knit. I love it!!

[@kittyknitter411]

Really appreciate your instructions. My work looks like the one with the right tension. Glad I have it right. Thanks 🧶

[@AL-tm1ve]

thanks for this, I didn't know what to ask and I searched into KZbin 'how to stop the saggy loop at the end of knitting' and I think you've answers my question aha

[@sarahwilliamson2437]

Thank you!! I’ve been having this problem for years, and I hope your tips will improve my work.

[@nicolet.4379]

ive noticed my edge stitches were always lose and wondered by but i stumbled upon this video out of curiosity and BAM I find out why my edges were all gross and loose looking. Haha

[@kathydaddeo8947]

I want to knit like you so much! I am a beginner and my work looks nice after the second row. The second row is loopy. I feel like giving up but I won’t!

[@marywilkinson2467]

Thank you so much! I am a new knitter and just found you on you tube. You are so good

[@seagullrock]

This is one of the few things I do correctly. Thank you for the validation.

[@taelorspangler7418]

Thank you, that was helpful as a brand new knitter!

[@suzannetreloar6156]

I would love for you to show us how to make a neat edge with the Moss Stitch. Though there is confusion between Moss stitch and Seed stitch. I am casting on uneven and knit the purl and purl the knits. I am making a baby blanket and can't seem to get the edging smooth. Thanks.

[@bryndiscurtin6481]

Hi Staci. I love your videos. One thing though...You used to have samples of your knitting in the videos...a sweater or shawl or something off in the back corner of your video. I miss seeing your work...it was inspiring. I often would see something and go look for the pattern and make it.

[@plr2017]

Thank you so much for this tip. I've been knitting for two years and the look of my edges have bugged me for awhile but I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. I think this will help.

[@Ruby-wise]

Thank you for the much needed advice! ( especially the uneven edge issue). I’ve made all these beginner mistakes🥴

[@myzlyn56]

O! that is where I make my mistake. The first stitch I put the needles to far in too soon. Great video and explanations.

[@lauraeimancoaching]

Delightful and helpful. THANK YOU

[@vickithompson1840]

This was a great help thank you 😊😊😊

[@kassaundrajohnson465]

This was very helpful, thank you. 😊

[@Kimmcdougalcrafter]

Thank you Stacey, this helped me know what I've been doing wrong with that very first stitch! That was driving me crazy!

[@iceheartsimmer6783]

Thanks so much! I'm teaching myself by books and videos and yours are very informative!

[@saraj4452]

Ahhhh thank you! This was very helpful!

[@susansstudio267]

Thank you, much appreciate the video. ❤️🙏❤️

[@beth2977]

OMG! Now I know how I've been increasing my stitch count! Newbie knitter and that yarn over is exactly what I've been trying to fix the loose last stitch!

[@debralindeman1676]

I love your videos. I always notice your beautiful silver stitch markers- where can I get some like them?

[@rosemason2071]

Thank you. I’m going to work on this. Seems I have it happen more when I’m slipping my first stitch to make a clean selvedge. Do you have a video showing how to make a clean edge on a sweater so when it’s put together it can be done easier. Hope this makes sense.

[@mollybachert1654]

My edges in garter stitch are perfect, but when I do stockinette my edges get really big and loose looking. Could you possibly do a video that shows how you manage your first and last stitches in stockinette to make neat edges? I just cannot figure it out! Love all your videos! Thank you!

[@redredwine1277]

Thanks again🌸🌼🌹

[@nl2766]

Excellent. Thank you!!

[@rochelleme83]

Do you have a video explaining how and why to slip the first stitch for cleaner sides?

[@ECMM1]

Thank you so much! I now know what I was doing wrong and have corrected my mistakes.

[@JAandCDFan]

Thanks for the information. I was wondering, what would happen if you put the yarn over the needle (as you said, increasing by one), but then knit both the stitches together? Would it help to correct that too large stitch or would it create another problem?

[@luisawilson8129]

I'm a seasoned knitter and learnt something new! Thank you :)

[@calamitynatalie8590]

Luisa Wilson Lol, same here and this is exactly why I love this channel!

[@luisawilson8129]

Natalie Skinner Stacey's videos taught me how to knit many years ago and I still watch her now! Lol

[@lashawnabbott9947]

Calamity Natalie p

[@stephiescrafts]

I would love to see a full video just showing the projects you have especially your blankets.

[@verypinkknits]

You can see all of my tutorials on my website - www.verypink.com If you scroll to the bottom of the home page, you'll see all of the different categories, including blankets/afghans, baby knits, sweaters, gloves & mitts, etc.

[@leannemartinho5102]

That was so helpful, thank you!

[@krisbane2623]

THANK YOU!!!! been having trouble since i taught myaelf to knit a month ago now i think i can make it work

[@DawnEdwards6267]

Thank you! I'm always having trouble with that first stitch being tight enough.

[@seeksevens]

Love it! So helpful thank you.

[@Stephlovesnapping]

That explains ALLOT!!! Thanks so much! 💕💕💕

[@kenmaczie5031]

Thank you!! This is so helpful

[@MsSilentH]

aha found my issue with just knitting in general. When i cast on i guess the first stitch i cast on must be too loose because always at the end of the first row i get that wonky loose stitch that I want to twist the yarn around but know I shouldn't, so i frog the whole thing and get frustrated. So now to see how i can fix that cast on tension. So far it never looked loose before going to knit, but ill keep a closer eye on that then

[@GEORGIAKIOUM90]

Thank you for this video, really helpful. I have a different problem with my edges, they tend to turn towards inside. For example scarfs turn to curl and never stand straight. I have seen your videos of how polishing them after finishing the work, however I see that even your unfinished piece stays straight from the needle and mine is not. If you have any advice that would be great help.

[@verypinkknits]

This video should help you - it explains why knitting curls up (from the bottom or on the sides): kzbin.info/www/bejne/g2GqZICdl9SthdE

[@hcambria6309]

Thank you, but I have a pattern that calls for slipping the first stitch, then a yo and finish knitting remaining stitches. This is a triangular scarf for beginners but I can’t seem to get this started? I cannot find any tutorials for slipping first stitch, then YO and knit.

[@RubikscubiksBheroz]

Thank you so much his helped me a lot

[@sophroniel]

Weirdly I've never had a problem with edge tension, even in the beginning. I also find that edges can look dodgy at first, but after a few rows they look better. Idk if that makes sense?

[@BlueMoiraine]

thanks! I still do the put the yarn at the back of the work and create 2 loops when I'm tired and not paying attention. I find out after a couple of rows when I count my stitches again and get mad loll

[@8698gil]

I am more likely to have the opposite problem. My sides are too tight and tend to pucker up the rest of the work, so I have to deliverately make the sides as loose as possible. I noticed this when I was using a yarn that doesn't have much stretch to it, and I was making a placemat using seed sititch. The sides were very tight and puckered up, so I had to start knitting the sides very loosely.

[@debbietodd8547]

does this help with all types of stitches ie: stocking stitch, moss stitch? And what about slipping the first stitch in each row purlwise? Thank you because this is a huge issue for me when knitting sweater pieces

[@nanfredman1991]

THANK you so much for this!

[@frankiebateman306]

Stacey silverfish got one of my jumpers. It was my first colourwork project and I'm very proud of it. What's the best way to fix the hole? Should I rip it back to past the hole and reknit from there (I still have spare yarn)?

[@verypinkknits]

If you still have the option of ripping back to fix the hole, that is best! Here is my video on repairing holes for when that is not an option: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6KvknuibtKpesU

[@frankiebateman306]

VeryPink Knits Thanks Stacey

[@marissamelvin5249]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@Godhelpus62]

Great tips! Thank you!

[@indianartcraftschool758]

Awesome work💝💛😃♥🌹