Knitting QuestionsHere are some frequently asked knitting questions. Everyone needs a bit of help once and a while! What knitting supplies do you suggest for a beginner?You will find a shopping list of my recommended items here and you can find out more about knitting needles, yarns and other supplies here.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 here and knitting terms hereWhy 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 stitch?If you have dropped a knit stitch and it has unraveled, 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 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 what you have done 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! As and when I think of them, I will add more answers to this list of knitting questions. In the meantime, if there is a knitting question you would like to see here, why not suggest it via the
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