AboutLesley Arnold-Hopkins Expertise I can answer questions on all types of knitting on needles (ie not loom knitting) including Fairisle, intarsia, lace and basic knitwear design. I can also answer on crochet, including tapestry crochet, but I do not have sufficient knowledge of toys or stuffed animals to call myself an expert.
Experience I've been knitting and crocheting for over 35 years. In that time I have made a variety of items, incorporating a range of stitch techniques and have designed my own garments. I have had patterns published in the UK (crochet and knitting) and teach both crafts.
Publications Suite 101
Education/Credentials BA(Hons)Open (not related to knitting or crochet, but shows my highest level of education)
Hello Lesley
I am relatively new to knitting but I don't like plain knitting. I am knitting quite a few things for my grandson. I am trying an Aran Diamond pattern on a cardigan. The pattern is 14 rows. My problem is on the left bottom side of the diamond where the stitch is TWL. eg 3rd row K6 TWR TWL k6 4th row p1 k5 p4 k5 p1
5th row K5 TWR k2 TWL k5. The stitches to the right (TWR) are neat and tensioned. The TWL stitches are loopy and not as neat. Is there some special technique that makes the left stitches as neat as the right?
Answer Hello Kathy,
Thanks for your question.
It is often harder to twist stitches one way rather than the other, as one twist goes more naturally with the direction of your stitches.
One way of solving this problem is to use a cable needle, as the twist is effectively a small cable. Simply slip the next stitch onto the cable needle and hold it at the front of the work. Knit the next stitch, then knit the stitch from the cable needle.
If you don't have a cable needle, then don't worry. Slip the stitch onto a safety pin and then, after you've knitted the second stitch, slip your stitch from the pin back onto the needle and then knit it.
This should help to keep your tension more even with the left twist.
I hope that this helps, but if anything is unclear, please let me know.
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