Thread tension

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   So apparently I have tension issues with knitting.  Meaning that when I knit, I pull the thread too tight so that its really hard (impossible!) to get my needles through.  any tips on how you get the right amount of tension?

i guess i'm more tense then i thought :)

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J2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P'integral Member Rating(11) P'insane Perennial Pinner 2 years 279 days instant payday loan Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Points: 7892	Post Options Post Reply Quote J2 Report Post Quote Reply Topic: Thread tension Posted: 23 Mar 2012 at 10:50pm
	So apparently I have tension issues with knitting. Meaning that when I knit, I pull the thread too tight so that its really hard (impossible!) to get my needles through. any tips on how you get the right amount of tension? i guess i'm more tense then i thought :)
	Jenn There’s a big difference between Knowledge & Wisdom. Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad.

Dec1st Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P'invisible Member Rating(5) Perennial Pinner 4 years 281 days instant payday loan Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Location: Saskatoon Points: 7383	Post Options Post Reply Quote Dec1st Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 23 Mar 2012 at 10:59pm
	I know the knitting books talk about pulling your loop tight, but I don't really need too. or not much.
	Erin B: mom to Ellie (Nov 2008), Stepmom to C (1997) and V (1996), wife to an amazing man My Blog

musicmama Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P'inspector Member Rating(8) Perennial Pinner 5 years 95 days instant payday loan Joined: 14 Feb 2008 Location: United States Points: 21867	Post Options Post Reply Quote musicmama Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 2012 at 10:38am
	I agree w/ Erin. When you wrap for the loop, experiment w/ just leaving it hanging, & not holding it as you put it through the original stitch. It will have natural tension that might be enough. Also, regularly stop and check your hands. The more you are gripping, the tighter the knitting will be. You could practice making a straight dishcloth in stockinette or garter stitch. Since it's back and forth endlessly, it gives you time to focus on nothing but relaxing as you work.
	Christine DS1-G (1/06), DS2-D (1/08), DS3-S (4-10)

mommyjessica Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P'integral Member Rating(21) Perennial Pinner 5 years 276 days instant payday loan Joined: 18 Aug 2007 Location: Here and Now Points: 9427	Post Options Post Reply Quote mommyjessica Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 2012 at 10:45am
	Yeah, lots of practice for me. Once i realized i needed to relax more, my stitches seemed too loose at first, but once I would get into it a ways, it started looking better.
	Jessica- Wife to Jared, Mommy to Tiffany Eve- born gorgeous on 12-31-07, Emily Jane- born lovely on 5-10-10, Lucy Renee- born beautiful on 10-3-12

J2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P'integral Member Rating(11) P'insane Perennial Pinner 2 years 279 days instant payday loan Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Points: 7892	Post Options Post Reply Quote J2 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 24 Mar 2012 at 11:02am
	thanks ladies! i keep on trying to get it more relaxed but its not clicking yet. hopefully soon though :)
	Jenn There’s a big difference between Knowledge & Wisdom. Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad.

J2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P'integral Member Rating(11) P'insane Perennial Pinner 2 years 279 days instant payday loan Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Points: 7892	Post Options Post Reply Quote J2 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2012 at 11:24pm
	I'm still not making much progress with relaxing my stitches. i seem to be able to relax a couple, but by the end of the row they are all tight again. i've been watching some youtube vids to try and get an ideas on how to hold my hands but it doesn't seem to work. i've also tried just leaving the thread loose by not holding it at all and that doesn't work either. i guess its just more practice I need!
	Jenn There’s a big difference between Knowledge & Wisdom. Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad.

Sarah2106 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P'inspector Member Rating(20) P'insane Perennial Pinner 4 years 355 days instant payday loan Joined: 29 May 2008 Location: Rocky Mtn High Points: 24777	Post Options Post Reply Quote Sarah2106 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 06 Apr 2012 at 11:41pm
	Have you tried different yarn? I know some yarn I have a tougher time keeping a good tension compared to others. Like the feel of it running through my fingers, somehow I am better with some yarns vs. other. Have you tried a different method - Continental vs. American? It is also one of those things that just take practice to get the feel for it. I crochet and my mom was always amazed at my tension somehow it just clicked, she crochets and has a tough time with tension. I have another friend and she said the same thing - starts out tight gets loose and then back to tight. Now knitting, I am not nearly there yet, still practicing and getting the feel for it.
	Wife & Mom to my amazing 3 “Sometimes,' said Pooh, 'the smallest things take up the most room in your heart.” A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

J2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P'integral Member Rating(11) P'insane Perennial Pinner 2 years 279 days instant payday loan Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Points: 7892	Post Options Post Reply Quote J2 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2012 at 12:01am
	I haven't firgure out the different mehtods yet but thats a good idea. i've just not been holding the thread at all, other then to wrap around the needles.
	Jenn There’s a big difference between Knowledge & Wisdom. Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad.

sunsmiles Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P'incredible Member Rating(22) Perennial Pinner 4 years 17 days instant payday loan Joined: 03 May 2009 Location: US Points: 6364	Post Options Post Reply Quote sunsmiles Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2012 at 1:41am
	What type of yarn are you using? (material-wise... Like cotton, wool acrylic) And what are your needles made out of?
	Meghan "In a gentle way, you can shake the world." -Mahatma Gandhi

J2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List P'integral Member Rating(11) P'insane Perennial Pinner 2 years 279 days instant payday loan Joined: 13 Aug 2010 Location: Ontario, Canada Points: 7892	Post Options Post Reply Quote J2 Report Post Quote Reply Posted: 07 Apr 2012 at 9:39am
	I've been using cotton (bernat brand) because I have heard they ae good for dishcloths. I also have two types of needles, the aluminum ones that come in my kit and the bamboo ones. i seem to do a bit better with the bamboo ones so those are the ones i am currently practicing with. edited to fix my gazillion types! Edited by J2 - 07 Apr 2012 at 9:42am
	Jenn There’s a big difference between Knowledge & Wisdom. Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit. Wisdom is not putting it in fruit salad.