Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

re: Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

adriennefelice — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 18:11:06 GMT

I taught myself to knit socks by reading the directions. I have no ladders, but I've run into a problem that I can't seem to understand.

After I've turned the heel and start to pick up stitches, I've noticed there are fewer stitches to pick up on the first side than on the second. Can anyone tell me if I'm doing something wrong?

Thank you.

re: Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

Julie in the Berkshires — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 09:23:42 GMT

Sandi,

I knew I could count on KD for the solution and here you are! I've made (and completed!) exactly 1 pair of socks in my life with no real instructions except for the pattern. They're big and loose but they're warm for winter around the house. But it seems socks are the latest craze and the patterns are gorgeous. Then I spotted a new sock yarn at my local Michaels store, fell in love (again!) and decided I needed to learn what's so wonderful about knitting socks. This yarn is Patons STRETCH Socks yarn, a light weight cotton blend and I decided that it might fix my "too loose" baggy wool sock problem. But then came the 'ladders' - again! I knew instinctively that your solution must be the answer but I thought I was doing that...obviously not. THANKS A MILLION!!! I'm dreaming of making a pair of delicious socks for everyone in my family in all kinds of colors and yarns...but then there are all those UFOs sitting at my feet and begging for my attention!!! What's a knitter to do????? I LOVE KD!!!

Julie in the Berkshires

re: Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

Cbuechner — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 16:01:05 GMT

I know how to prevent them ..but what I want to know is how to get rid of them once they are there with out having to rip it out..

re: Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

Mary@2 — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:58:04 GMT

I'M KNITTING MY FIRST PAIR OF SOCKS AND YES I HAVE LADDERS BUT MY MAIN PROBLEM IS FIGURINGOUT WHICH NEEDLE IS #1, #2 AND #3. PLEASE HELP. MARY K.

re: Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

millonthefloss — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 22:02:12 GMT

I have ladders in my socks, I think lace patterned socks show less ladders, but than at least I have a warm pair of socks to keep my toes toasty out of the chill.

re: Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

PrincessG — Sat, 24 May 2008 09:13:47 GMT

Im knitting my.. *first* sock! yay! and i got ladders. so i frogged it and cast on again. pulling it tighter works perfectly! thanks for that helpfull hint! :)

xoxo

re: Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

LeslieO — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 15:39:28 GMT

Oh, the tug method works for me! Years ago I realized I could eliminate the unsightly "ladder look" by tightening things up. I knit the first stitch on the dpn and tug before knitting the second stitch - works wonders! Leslie

re: Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

MarilynN — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 02:21:39 GMT

To Ellen C. For the toe socks all you have to do is knit 1/2 a sock from the toe up and bind off just before the heel. Knitters Dream has a pattern for toe socks. Marilyn N.

re: Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

CherylZ — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 21:15:12 GMT

I don't have any problems with ladders at all. I knit my socks on size zero dpns, 3 needles in the sock and the 4th to knit onto. I use a 5th needle at the heel. My gauge is about 8.5 st/inch in Regia or Meilenweit. I tend to be a looser knitter, and people say I knit very fast. I think the more experienced you are, and the more efficient you are, the more the gauge, tension, and "ladder" issues resolve themselves. Or maybe it is just the knitting angels!

re: Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

RitaG — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:37:51 GMT

Your comments about UFO's has prompted me to look into my Black Hole of UFO's and look at them as potential Christmas gifts. I have decided to finish a pair of socks that I started 8 years ago when I took a sock class. One practice I have found to lose the ladders between dp kneedles is to always have a knit stitch as the first stitch on each dp needle. So, if the cuff of the sock is a knit 2, purl 2 ribbing, be sure each needle starts with the knit 2.

re: Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

TinaK@2 — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 07:02:35 GMT

I read this post and all of the comments with great interest. You see, I had been trying (unsuccessfully) to knit a double-knit hat for my hubby. Problem was I kept ending up with ladders. Well, I cast on for the hat again tonight. Guess what? No ladders!! The tip of giving the yarn a gentle tug after the second stitch when moving onto a new needle works like a charm!! So far 18 rows of the hat are done. Looks great!! Even my teenage daughter was impressed. Thanks so much for the posts and all of the wonderful comments they generate. They have been very inspiring and motivating.

re: Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

Rjray7 — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 05:49:35 GMT

I'm onmy second pair of socks--and no the first pair is NOT finished. Could someone explain what the Magic Loop method is?

Thanks

re: Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

DianeP — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 03:38:24 GMT

Hmm, it seems that some yarn is more prone to ladders than others. Yarn with some nylon (or spandex etc.) has more give and I have less trouble with ladders than with 100% wool or cotton. But if, despite my best efforts, I get ladders, I have found that I can adjust the extra "ladder" yarn to the stitches on either side of the ladder and it melts away.

re: Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

PamK — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 21:17:51 GMT

The easiest way to avoid ladders in your socks? DON'T KNIT ANY! Bwa ha ha ha ha.

re: Solving Common Knitting Problems: Losing The Ladders

JudithB@2 — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 17:32:08 GMT

In the past, I would move the ladder postion one stitch on each row, but for me that made circular ladders! I now tighten 5 stitches past the break, seems to work and with the Magic Loop method there are only two breaks, makes it much easier. I tighten right after the stitch is made and the needle is in the next stitch.
Judith