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juiabrooke
New Pal
USA
9 Posts |
 Posted - 09/28/2011 : 7:25:15 PM
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I recently discovered that I am much more comfortable knitting continental. Then I went back to my socks and found that I have a problem with ladders when I try to knit them continental. This is not a problem when knitting English. Is this normal? If not can someone help me fix the problem because I would very much like to knit socks since that is my current obsession in continental since it is significantly more comfortable for me.
Julia Brooke |
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Shalee
Permanent Resident
USA
2026 Posts |
Posted - 09/28/2011 : 8:26:27 PM
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Are you using 3 needles or four needles for the live stitches. That can make a difference. Personally, I've found that if I give a little tug at the last 2 stitches on one needle and a bit of a tug on the first couple of stitches that prevents ladders. After a while it is just a normal thing to keep the tension regulated. Ladders occur when you have "extra" yarn that creeps into that space between the needles - ie: tension too loose.
Oops, forgot to mention, I knit Continental and don't experience ladders any more.
Sharon in NW PA
I always wanted my own library but I didn't realize it would be all knitting books!
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purlthis
Permanent Resident
USA
2719 Posts |
Posted - 09/28/2011 : 8:32:20 PM
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I am also continental, and HATE dpn's. I do everything on magic loop. You may find you love it!
Rachel
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As I get older, I prefer to knit. Tracey Ullman
http://purledthis.blogspot.com/ UPDATED! WITH PICS! |
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anderknit
Permanent Resident
USA
2556 Posts |
Posted - 09/29/2011 : 06:27:10 AM
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The most important stitch to "tug" is the second stitch on the second dpn. This actually tightens the first stitch on that needle, which reduces or eliminates the ladder. I always knit continental, do socks on 5 dpns, and mostly don't have ladders. In addition to the "second stitch tugging", the way one holds the yarn also has a lot to do with it.
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.' " |
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Ceil
Permanent Resident
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - 09/29/2011 : 07:37:48 AM
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I don't tug on the yarn. Instead, I make the 2nd st on each dpn >smaller<. Here's how:
knit the first stitch normally;
knit the second stitch >halfway down the taper on the RH needle point< AND leave it there*;
knit the third stitch normally, then push both 2 and 3 to the RH needle shaft at the same time. You'll feel a little resistance as #2 slides onto the shaft. It shouldn't feel really hard to push on, though.
*"halfway" is a relative term, depending on the yarn. Sometimes I've found it to be on the slightly larger side of that place on the taper.
I have found that all of this tends to tighten up the last stitch on the previous dpn. Ladders gone. HTH.
Btw, I tried knitting toe-up socks with Magic Loop. The circ was a pain to mess with for the toe and heel, and I don't like stopping frequently to take the yarn off my hand and push stitches around. Dpns let me leave the yarn on my left hand and keep knitting. The above ladder solution has worked famously, and I do recommend it.
Ceil
(Ravelry: ceilr)
Time is never a factor when joy is involved. |
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robinstephanie
Seriously Hooked
USA
903 Posts |
Posted - 09/29/2011 : 08:32:02 AM
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Lightbulbs are going off. Interesting topic, thank you.
Robinsteph
Different is good. ~Matthew Hoover |
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yarnlover
Permanent Resident
1730 Posts |
Posted - 09/29/2011 : 11:25:11 AM
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quote:
knit the second stitch >halfway down the taper on the RH needle point< AND leave it there*
Am I the only one who does not know what this means? What is the taper?
See My Stuff: Here
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juiabrooke
New Pal
USA
9 Posts |
Posted - 09/29/2011 : 8:29:56 PM
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Thanx for the great advice...I'm not sure but I think the taper is the tip of the needle, is that right Ceil? I have only worked with 4 dpn's so far. I'm about to start a 5 dpn pattern once I get caught up on my homework, I stopped doing homework to finish my first pair of socks. Now I've forbidden myself to start another pair til I can get ahead.
Julia Brooke |
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yarnlover
Permanent Resident
1730 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2011 : 05:57:44 AM
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Oh, I think I got it now. I read too fast and missed " the taper on the needle point." I was thinking "stitch" not needle. Now it makes sense.......
See My Stuff: Here
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Ceil
Permanent Resident
USA
1572 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2011 : 4:38:50 PM
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Yes, the end of the shaft tapers down to the point. Yarnlover, it sounds like you've got the point now!!!!
Ceil
(Ravelry: ceilr)
Time is never a factor when joy is involved. |
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yarnlover
Permanent Resident
1730 Posts |
Posted - 10/01/2011 : 5:34:04 PM
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I've got the point, sometimes it seems like I need to be poked with the point!!
See My Stuff: Here
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mcmircle
New Pal
USA
46 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2011 : 9:35:46 PM
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| I agree a that tugging the second stitch from the edge helps. One thing I used to do when learning to knit socks was to occasionally shift the stitches from one needle to another so the gap wouldn't be in the same place. I haven't had ladders for years. Once you're used to dpns and continental knitting it won't happen any more. |
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AllyMu
New Pal
1 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2011 : 03:37:31 AM
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Hi,
I used to make socks with dpns and when I used 4 needles I got ladders. Try switching to 5 needles and pull on the working yarn, with both the first and second stitch. I never got ladders doing it this way. I now knit socks with magic loop, 2 at a time, toe up on one circular needle. You never, ever get ladders and you don't have all those needles to cope with. You tube has a great video for casting on and really is easy especially if you know how to cast on using the long tail method - type in Judy's magic cast on. There will be several videos, but for me, KnitPurlHunter explained it the best. Good luck! |
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churchlady
Warming Up
Canada
81 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2011 : 08:18:41 AM
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| Isn't this something that just corrects itself with the next pair of socks anyway? If ladders are not really awful, they correct themselves with the first wash or with blocking, anyway. All these suggestions are great, but tension will vary as one tries switching to the other hand, but most of the ladders I've seen knitters worried about have not been the kind that will last in the finished sock. |
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NancyP
New Pal
USA
3 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2011 : 08:18:51 AM
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| I tighten up the first 2 stitches at the beginning of each dpn as I knit. Sometimes I will rotate the stitches -- after completing the original number of stitches on needle 1, I knit 2 to 4 additional stitches from needle 2. When knitting the stitches on needle 2, knit the same number of stitches from needle 3; the sames with needles 3 and 4 so that each needle has the original number of stitches. I do this every 5 rows or so until the stitches are back where they started. This can be a little confusing with lace patterns. Stitch markers of different colors are very helpful as are making little notes. |
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maggie_g
New Pal
15 Posts |
Posted - 10/06/2011 : 4:12:19 PM
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| Julia, you asked if getting ladders when knitting continental but not when knitting English is normal. It sure is. Continental tends to be a naturally looser technique for a lot of knitters. I'm more comfortable with continental too, but I find I have to be careful to avoid things like gaps when switching from a knit stitch to a purl stitch, and ladders when knitting in the round. I just try to stay conscious of what I'm doing and put a little more tension on the yarn when executing techniques like this; that generally does the trick for me. |
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stash
New Pal
USA
22 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2011 : 1:56:33 PM
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| I am a continental knitter and love to knit socks. However, I use 2 circulars always and do not suffer ladders. Yes, I gently use more tension on the 1st stitch when changing needles and usually have the 2 needles in close proximity at beginning of each row. It's reassuring to find I'm not the only one paying close attention to stitch tension, etc. Most knitters I'm in contact with use the English style knitting. |
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Irish Red
Warming Up
USA
58 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2011 : 12:24:02 PM
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Thanks for the tip, Ceil. I will try this 'halfway' technique.
The Industrious Bee |
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Shalee
Permanent Resident
USA
2026 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2011 : 9:38:50 PM
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Just a bit of an update. I have switched to magic loop. For years I knitted with bamboo dp's then switched to KP's sock needles. Now I have switched to KP's nickel plated for magic loop. I am knitting much faster, still don't have any ladders and love it! Currently knitting sleeves in the round and wow, really moving along.
Sharon in NW PA
I always wanted my own library but I didn't realize it would be all knitting books!
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ikkivan
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
432 Posts |
Posted - 12/05/2011 : 09:24:25 AM
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I ALWAYS knit small-circumference items, i.e., socks, in the round using Magic Loop and don't have problems with ladders. Also, because socks are my first-choice for a portable project, I don't worry about losing a needle away from home.
However, if I ever do find myself forced to use dp needles again for circular items, I will certainly remember and use Ceil's tip!
Donna, with intentions always bigger than her available time. (OkieDokieKnitter on Ravelry) |
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ladders
