Okay, let’s be honest – learning to knit can make you want to hurl your needles across the room sometimes! But before you give up in a tangle of yarn, know this: those frustrating moments are totally normal.
We’ve all been there, fumbling with stitches, counting like our lives depend on it, and battling yarn that seems to have a mind of its own. But here’s the good news – there are ways to conquer these beginner woes and make knitting the relaxing, enjoyable hobby it’s meant to be.
1. Dropped Stitches: The Runaway Train of Frustration
The Problem: You’re happily knitting along, and suddenly – disaster! A stitch slips free and starts a rebellious ladder down your work. Panic sets in. Is this the end of your project?!
This used to be a huge problem for me!! I would totally panic, and more than once I abandoned a project because I didn’t know how to deal with a dropped stitch. Not anymore!
The Solution: Take a deep breath. A dropped stitch might look scary, but it’s fixable. Learn to “read” your knitting to find the culprit, then snag it back into place with a crochet hook. Think of it like rescuing a runaway train before it completely derails.
Plus, prevention is key – focus on even tension and avoid distractions while those needles are in your hands.
Here is a great video tutorial on how to pick up dropped stitches:
2. Counting Chaos: When Knitting Feels Like Advanced Math
The Problem: “Knit 10, purl 2…wait, was that 9 or 10?” Patterns demand precision, but keeping track of every row and stitch can make your head spin. One wrong count and your scarf suddenly starts morphing into an abstract art piece.
Has this ever happened to you?? I know it has happened to me many times, and it can be super frustrating, especially if you are working on a large or intricate project.
The Solution: Stitch markers and row counters are your new best friends. Stitch markers break up your knitting into manageable sections, and row counters (fancy or DIY) take the mental load off your brain. Plus, learn to decipher your own knitting – it tells a story about which row you’re on!
Here is a wonderful video on how to “read” your knitting (with examples):
![How to really read knitting and the true anatomy of knitting stitches [10+ examples]](https://lovelifeyarn.com/wp-content/plugins/wp-youtube-lyte/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2Fddbwjw9R6sU%2F0.jpg)
3. The Case of the Tangled Mess
The Problem: You blink, and your innocent ball of yarn has transformed into a knotty nightmare resembling an angry cat’s toy. Every tug seems to make it worse. Cue visions of scissors and rage quitting.
Anyone else ever recruit someone to help untangle yarn? I’ve set my husband to this task many times!
The Solution: This battle is about containment! Yarn bowls are your allies, but even a simple mug will do in a pinch. Experiment with center-pull yarn skeins – they’re designed to release yarn from the inside out, minimizing tangles. And if disaster strikes, patience and careful untangling are usually better than a hasty chop.
Here are some great tips for untangling yarn:
4. “My Stitches Are in Jail!” aka Knitting Too Tightly
The Problem: You’re trying your best, but your knitting feels stiff and unyielding. Each stitch is a fight, making your hands ache. Is this supposed to be relaxing?
The Solution: Time to loosen up! It might be the way you hold the needles or tension in your hands. Try relaxing your grip and focusing on the flow of the yarn rather than squeezing those needles. Different needle materials (like bamboo) offer a smoother glide. Remember, practice makes perfect…and less tense!
Here are some knitting tension tips:
5. Tension Troubles: The Case of the Lumpy Scarf
The Problem: Some of your stitches are super tight, others loosey-goosey – your finished work looks like it rode a rollercoaster. Consistency, where are you?
The Solution: Get to know your yarn-holding style and practice even tension. How you wrap the yarn matters! Blocking (wetting and shaping your finished piece) can magically even things out, but the best fix is prevention through mindful knitting.
Check out these tips so you get better stitches and edges:
6. Gauge Gone Wild: When Your Sweater Fits a Doll
The Problem: You followed a pattern perfectly… so why did your sweater turn out doll-sized? Meet your nemesis: gauge. It sounds fancy, but it’s just about how many stitches fit into an inch.
Oh, gosh, how many times have I done this?? I used to be reluctant to knit a gauge swatch, or I would knit a teeny tiny square that wasn’t accurate at all. So now I’ve learned my lesson and always make a larger swatch.
The Solution: It’s all about the swatch! Before starting your project, knit a small square to check your gauge matches the pattern. A little adjustment in needle size now saves you from a gigantic or laughably tiny finished garment.
Learn more about gauge and swatching here:
7. Help! My Pattern Speaks Martian!
The Problem: “K2tog, SSK, PSSO” …is your pattern trying to summon aliens? Deciphering knitting abbreviations can feel like learning a secret code.
The Solution: Fear not! There are tons of online resources that translate these mysterious symbols. Start with beginner-friendly patterns, and video tutorials offer lifesavers when written instructions leave you baffled.
Check out my FREE workshop that will teach you to read knitting patterns:
I have a FREE video workshop on reading knitting patterns and you can sign up here!
8. The “I’m Going to Quit” Monster
The Problem: Mistakes happen. Projects go wrong. Sometimes you just want to scream. That demoralizing voice saying “you’re terrible at this” starts to creep in.
The Solution: Silence that inner critic! Every mistake is a learning experience. Even ripping out work (aka “frogging”) is just practice. Find a supportive knitting community and remember why you started – because knitting is awesome!
Final Thoughts
Remember, everyone starts somewhere, and knitting gets easier the more you do it. Those frustrating moments may never completely disappear (even seasoned knitters have them!), but they’ll get fewer and further between.
Soon, you’ll be tackling those dropped stitches and confusing patterns like a pro. So, keep those needles clicking, laugh at the occasional yarn tangle, and celebrate every project, wobbly stitches and all – it’s proof of how far you’ve come!
Happy Knitting!
Amanda
I always enjoy your weekly emails. I have struggled making something that is to be a hat and it’s too little or too big. So watching the gage piece helped me because I never did a gage before. Also just understanding everyone makes mistakes and just frog it out and start over. Thank you!