knitting in the round help

[lullabymoon]

I've just finished my second hat, and I've run into the same problem with both. They both seem to spiral slightly and I can't figure out why. This is only the second time I've knitted in the round so I could be missing something fairly obvious.


(the cast on edge is straight, my model was getting rather annoyed at my fidgeting).

My marker stayed in the same position and I wasn't moving the rib along. It's not blocked, and I hadn't planned on blocking it as it'll face the rain regularly, but I'm not sure that would help anyway. Does anyone have any idea what I've done wrong?

ETA: Thanks for all the help, with it I've discovered I've been knitting into the back of the stitch instead of the front which has caused the twisting.

Comments

[lullabymoon]

The loop of the stitch or the circular needle?

[james]

The loop of the stitch itself.

[lullabymoon]

Yeah my knit stitch is through the back of the loop. How did you manage to get a rib if you only use the front of the loop?

[astro_noms]

Unless the pattern calls for it, you'd knit *and purl through the front of the loop.

[lullabymoon]

Sounds completely obvious in retrospect, but it's completely new way to me so. :) Thanks, I will need to have a go at trying that.

[astro_noms]

Yeah, I used to do combined knitting, which may be what you've done, and got some weird results (although it was mostly garter stitch back then, and I taught myself to do it the right way). It might take you a little time to remember, but you'll get there eventually!

[james]

Knitting through the back loop is a type of knit stitch that is used for the effect of it leaning to one side. :-)

The knit stitch is knit through the front loop, from the left to the right. The purl is knit through the front loop from the right to the left. Try looking on youtube for knitting videos or you can check these out:

Knit through the back loop
regular knit stitch

[lullabymoon]

You learn something new everyday! :D That was the way I was taught so I had no idea. Thanks for the help, and the links!