Knitting Tension??

[newyorknewyork]

I just started knitting yesterday! It's great fun! But I'm totally confused when it comes to TENSION?!?!?!

I don't understand??

Can anyone please explain tension to me in regards to knitting?

I know with sewing, you simply adjust the tension by turning a little button... but how to change the tension with knitting?

How do I know if the tension is good or bad?

THANK YOU in advance

 

[blue*sky]

Tension means how tight or how loose you're holding the yarn that you're wrapping around the needle. The goal is to always hold the yarn at the same tension, not too loose, not to tight. If you're inconsistant with your tension your knitting will be inconsistant, that means you won't have straight neat rows. Tension can be a tricky thing to master, but it is imperitive if want to knit a quality piece. I hope I'm making sense and that this helps! I'm not an expert knitter but if you have any other questions pm me. I don't come on CF every day but I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

 

[VioletAngel]

That's why you wrap the yarn around your forefinger, and moving your finger near or far from the needle adjusts the tension. It takes a lot of practice, but don't worry, you will get it. When you wrap it around the needle, you'll also get the hang of how much tension to use to keep it consistent.

 

[HosannahBeth]

I find that if you weave the yarn around your fingers it helps. When I started knitting I just knit little squares, and then unraveled them and did it again until I caught the hang of it, and tried to make anything bigger.

 

[blue*sky]

Theres so many different ways to hold the yarn. The best way is just to expierment. Look in Knitting books or ask someone who knits to show you what they do.