so so so confused

[Melissawc]

I just started knitting today. I have casting on down pat....... i can knit and purl it seems just fine....... but my problem is this..... I get my casting on done, turn around and go back and knit or purl, then at the end i have all this extra yarn just hanging there between the last 2 stitches...... what in the world am i doing wrong?

[pamelamama]

probably nothing... can you post a pic?

[Melissawc]

how do i post a pic?[/url]

[Melissawc]

this is what i end up with between the last 2 stitches and after the last stitchhttp://groups.msn.com/pgchatcommunity/melissadougandebbie.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1069http://groups.msn.com/pgchatcommunity/melissadougandebbie.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=1068sorry this is the only way i could find to post pics

[pmcgary]

I don't know what the group is to join....
BUT you can go to photobucket.com and load up pictures from your computer and get them up that way

[CraftyMommaOf2]

The links ask you to sign in. Is there an option to share the pics?

[Melissawc]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Ebbie/ynit2.bmp
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v179/Ebbie/yknit1.bmp
hows this?[/img]

[pamelamama]

what type of cast on are you using?

[littleturtlemama]

I'm going to venture a gues that you are doing a thumb cast on (basically, you make a loop on your thumb and then transfer that loop to the needles) When you use that cast on, the yarn has a tendency to pull tight as you knit into it, and the excess gets sort of pushed on down the line, until you get towards the end and wind up with a big ol loop like you've got, just before the slip knot.

[Melissawc]

okay, so how do i avoid that? do i need to cast on differently? and a question about the slip knot, does that count as a stitch when you are casting on? so if they say cast on 18, then it's the slip knot plus 17?

[ravingcutie]

Here's a link to some nicer CO if that is indeed the problem. (Sometimes that happens to me when I use the thumb/half hitch CO)
http://woolywonder.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1237

[pmcgary]

Yes the slip knot counts as a stitch. (Unlike crochet where it doesn't when you are chaining--- right?)

[Melissawc]

lol, thank you for your help, i'm sure i'll need more later!