Tight or Loose? How to Find the Perfect Knitting Tension

29/04/2025

The perfect stitch tension – the holy grail of knitting! 

But don't worry: it's not about perfection, it's about finding YOUR knitting style that looks smooth and feels good.

🧹 What influences your stitch tension?

Yarn:

Thickness, material, and twist affect how tight or loose your stitches are.

Needle size:

Bigger needles create a looser fabric, smaller ones a tighter one.

Your technique:

Some knitters hold yarn tightly ("tight knitters"), others more loosely ("flow knitters").

🔬 How to find YOUR perfect tension?

Make an honest swatch!

No cheating! Knit 15–20 minutes in your natural rhythm.

Relax:

Tense hands = tense stitches.

Try different needles:

Wood, metal, or plastic feel different and affect tension.

🛍️ Common mistakes and how to fix them:

Too tight:

Yarn struggles to move, needles bend? Loosen your grip or size up.

Too loose:

Uneven, floppy stitches? Tighten your tension or size down.

Inconsistent:

Focus on breathing evenly and knitting calmly.


👍 Tip:

There's no "wrong" tension – it just needs to match your project and style. 

Light, airy scarves? Loose is fine! Structured cables? A bit tighter is better.

Knitting is like handwriting: Everyone has their own beautiful style. 🌟

Got a tip for better tension? Share it in the comments or in my Facebook group!

I'm looking forward to your feedback! 🧶
Yours,
Kathrin