Jenn, the only time I tug a bit to snug up a stitch is when I'm using double pointed needles and knitting in the round, and even then, not very much. From what you wrote, it sounds like you are tugging on all of your stitches, which I don't think is a good thing. It will take you forever to make something if you do that, and the tension won't just be in your stitches, you'll be full of tension, too, LOL. Try knitting without tugging on any of the stitches and see what you think.

Do NOT tug. Just move the yarn over the needle and make the stitch complete by transferring the stitch to the right needle.

The only time I tug on my stitches is when I first start a needle, as in the first stitch on double points or the first stitch of a row. That stitch is always the loosest. Otherwise, just practice will help you get the tension better.

Tami

Thank you. I finished my first dishrag last week and it looks pretty good if I say so myself. I figured out how to just transfer the yarn to the right needle without tightening it. It takes some practice to get the hang of it.

I may start a new one tonight, one with hearts, using red yarn. I'm using Lion Brand mercerized cotton, good for learning. I hope to move on to scarves soon, using Lion Brand 'Thick and Chunky', but it's so hot right now that scarf season seems like only a dream.

Thanks again for your help.

Jen

Quit with the cotton yarn, already....and, move to something else....anything but cotton, which has no give to it whatsoever...it's like knitting with rope! When you pull on the 2 ends of a piece of cotton yarn, it does nothing..... there is NO give to it - try the same with a piece of wool yarn, or even an acrylic...lots of give. So, move on to something else and see it it isn't easier to work with. Make a scarf. If you need some easy instructions, let me know.