Tip Tuesday: A Knitter’s 5-Minute Guide to Fixing Tension

Achieving perfect tension is the key to smooth, even knitting. Whether your stitches are too tight or too loose, inconsistent tension can quickly take the shine off your project. Improving your tension not only elevates your knitting but makes your finished pieces look polished and professional.

Just like Goldilocks, every knitter is a bit different in how they hold their needles and yarn. It’s all about finding what works best for you! Below are five easy-to-apply tips to help you achieve the perfect tension.

1. Experiment with Needle Swaps

Did you know your tension can change depending on whether you're knitting or purling?  If you find that your knit stitches are tighter than your purl stitches when working flat, there’s an easy fix! 

When using an interchangeable needle set, try swapping the needle on your left hand (used for purling) for a slightly smaller size. This will help balance the looser tension of your purl stitches with the tighter tension of your knit stitches.

This trick is particularly helpful for knitters who naturally knit on the tight side. By adjusting the needle size for just one side of your work, you can achieve a more even tension without making drastic changes to your knitting style.

2. Be Consistent with Yarn Wrapping

Consistency is the name of the game when it comes to tension. Whether you knit using the English or Continental style, how you wrap your yarn matters.

If your stitches are still uneven despite using the same technique, try experimenting with how the yarn flows through your fingers. Wrapping the yarn around your pinky and guiding it over your index finger can help regulate tension.

Pro tip: Once you find a wrapping method that works, stick with it for the duration of your project. This will help maintain even tension from start to finish!

3. Tidy Up Those Edges

Messy edges can distract from an otherwise beautiful piece, like a scarf or shawl. Some patterns include helpful techniques, like slipping stitches at the beginning of each row, to create clean, firm edges.

Slipping the first stitch of each row as if to purl is a great way to tighten the edges and avoid the dreaded “floppy edge” look. Clean, crisp sides give your project that professional touch!

4. Choose the Right Needles for the Job

Different fibers require different needle materials. Using the right pair can help manage your tension before you even start knitting.

For slick, drapey yarns like Kestrel, opt for a birchwood needle that provides grip and control, preventing slipping. On the other hand, more structured fibers like Puffin work best with copper needles that allow smooth, snag-free knitting. This keeps you from tugging and readjusting, ensuring your stitches flow effortlessly.

Matching your yarn to the correct needle material can make all the difference in your knitting experience.

Pro Tip: Another way you can set your project up for success before you make your first stitch is by experimenting with the way you are winding your skeins. Some yarns perform better when they are hand wound into a ball rather than a cake. This prevents the yarn from getting tangled or snagged. 

5. Practice, Practice, Practice!

Finally, the simplest but most important tip—practice! Tension issues are often resolved by knitting regularly.

Start with small projects like the Kestrel Scrunchie or iPhone Sweater to fine-tune your tension without the stress of a big project. Gradually work your way up to slightly larger patterns like the Seasons Hat. This practice allows you to adjust your tension while creating functional pieces, instead of knitting swatches over and over again. 

Perfecting your tension takes time and experimentation, but with these simple techniques, you’ll see a marked improvement in no time. By keeping your stitches consistent and your edges tidy, your projects will have that smooth, professional finish every knitter strives for.

Happy knitting, and check back next week for more tips!