Need knitting advice

I'm knitting quite tightly also but that's OK for me, then my work looks nicer, actually like machine knitting. I'm just using always needles at least a number bigger than the yarn needs. Some traditional Estonian laces, like the famous Haapsalu scarves, are made of very thin yarn with very big needles, and I used the technic even for blouses. Unfortunately I haven't a digital camera yet but I found a picture of the scarf. Something alike you can see also on page http://www.shetland-museum.org.uk/collections/textiles/shetland_lace_knitting.htm A proof for real Haapsalu scarf is: it should be possible to drag it through a ring!

I recommend modular knitting. A great many items can be made out of a rectangle. So if you don't want to knit a scarf, you can knit placemats, envelope hats (rectangle folded in half), ponchos, lap blankets, piano covers, handbags, dust covers for electronic equipment, appliance covers, hotpads, pot holders, washcloths, eyeglass cases, hoodie scarves, pillows, wall hangings, scrapbooking items, bookmarks, and many other things just by hooking rectangles together or with creative folding. Use a tri-fold to make a wallet for example.

I just saw these knitting needles with lights on the end. I know that won't help the prob of tight stictches but hey, this is the only knitting discussion I've been in on....

When first starting out I would suggest to knit a scarf or a blanket. This way, you are just doing strait knitting and purling without the other fancier stitches until you learn to knit the way you want.

Probably just a scarf to begin with. That will get you practice and will also keep your neck warm if you go out in the snow.

I have knitted for about 30 years now. A scarf is a good practice as you can measure the tension ratio along the way. It is also easier to undo and recycle the yarn if you want to.

For the longest time I had a post it note in front of me reminding me not to pull so hard! lol! My first couple projects could stand up on thier own! I've found that spreading the stitches out along the length of the needle when you switch from knit to purl during a stockingette stitch helped me the most.

I am not a knitter. I have always wanted to learn but so far I haven't mastered it. I do crochet and I used to crochet very tightly. I switched to a bigger hook and I tried to be more aware of how I was stitching. Then for a while I ended up working more loosely than I had hoped. Ultimately it settled out to a consistent stitch that I'm pleased with.