Basic Knitting question

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I posted this thread on the crafts borard, but no answers. I am knitting my first Prayer shawl and I have a problem. I am consistently adding stitches as I knit. It seems to be one stitch per row. Can anyone pinpoint what I may be doing? I am using just a basic knit stitch.

 

[NMAmy]

Check out your first stitch when you begin a row. It has two strands of yarn but is really only one stich. I've taught several people to knit and when they're adding one stitch per row, this is usually the culprit. Make sure you have your completed knitting sort of turned to the left (if you're right-handed) and you'll see the one strand of yarn that should be your first stitch.

I hope that makes sense, it's hard to explain without actually showing someone.

 

[debster812]

Check out your first stitch when you begin a row. It has two strands of yarn but is really only one stich. I've taught several people to knit and when they're adding one stitch per row, this is usually the culprit. Make sure you have your completed knitting sort of turned to the left (if you're right-handed) and you'll see the one strand of yarn that should be your first stitch.

I hope that makes sense, it's hard to explain without actually showing someone.

What she said.

You might also be splitting the yarn on each row, thereby adding another stitch without even noticing.

What kind of yarn are you working with? What kind of needles? Can you see your increases or are you just ending up with more stitches on each row? If you can see your increases, chances are you're increasing the same place each row (i.e. the first stitch scenario).

 

[helenabear]

I agree with the PPs. When I first started I was adding at the beginning of the row. I wasn't knitting on the single strand, but was doing it on the two doubles that I needed to pull to the back side.

I've also done it while splitting threads too. The last culprit for me was forgetting to drop the thread off the needle after doing a stitch. I would easily add that way (I hope that made sense)

 

[need_a_Disney_fix]

I am using Lion Brand Homespun which is pretty funky for a beginner, I know. To make matters worse, I am using #13 needles which makes a double whammy. I would bet you anything that I may be doing the first stitch thing. It s something I do consistently and not know it. Doh!

 

[meandtheguys2]

Ditto! I use to pick up the wrong part of the first stitch consistently.