Knit and Purl question

[karenarp]

Trying to get the hang of the way the yarn wraps around the needles and I noticed that during both knit and purl that you wrap your yarn counter-clockwise. I am aware that the needle goes in the front or back of stitch. I need to clarify, both stitches, whether a knit or purl, the working yarn is wound counter-clockwise? (This could be why I was so confused last weeks KAL clue 2!)
I just always assumed if purl was in front and therefore different, that the yarn was also wrapped differently.
I have checked numerous different videos trying to be certain of this fact.
Seeing as I am still in the learning stages of knitting, I figure now would be a good time to clarify the two most basic stitches!

[Shandeh]

Trying to get the hang of the way the yarn wraps around the needles and I noticed that during both knit and purl that you wrap your yarn counter-clockwise. I am aware that the needle goes in the front or back of stitch. I need to clarify, both stitches, whether a knit or purl, the working yarn is wound counter-clockwise? (This could be why I was so confused last weeks KAL clue 2!)
I just always assumed if purl was in front and therefore different, that the yarn was also wrapped differently.
I have checked numerous different videos trying to be certain of this fact.
Seeing as I am still in the learning stages of knitting, I figure now would be a good time to clarify the two most basic stitches!

Yes, the wraps are ALWAYS counter-clockwise, in standard English style knitting.

Here is Crystal from Bernat, showing how to do the Purl Stitch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=091d3mfCY14

[yarnover]

This seems like a good place to ask another knitting question. I was practicing knit and purl stitches while I was away last week. For some reason the purl stitches were much looser(odd because my hand hurt a lot more when practicing the purl). Is this normal or is there a trick to keeping the tension the same. Without feeling like your bones are crushing.LOL I was contemplating trying some of the squares from the KAL but I was practicing on cotton yarn with size 10 needles if that makes a difference.
Thank you

[Shandeh]

This seems like a good place to ask another knitting question. I was practicing knit and purl stitches while I was away last week. For some reason the purl stitches were much looser(odd because my hand hurt a lot more when practicing the purl). Is this normal or is there a trick to keeping the tension the same. Without feeling like your bones are crushing.LOL I was contemplating trying some of the squares from the KAL but I was practicing on cotton yarn with size 10 needles if that makes a difference.
Thank you

When you are first learning purl stitches, they have a tendency to get too big. It gets better with practice.

I would recommend switching to wool or acrylic yarn for learning both knit and purl stitches. Those yarns have much more "give" than cotton yarns, and will make your learning experience much happier, and less painful.

Cotton yarn has no stretch at all, so it will feel like you are fighting with the yarn when you are first learning. Make it easy on yourself, and practice with acrylic or wool.

Good luck!

[yarnover]

Thank you I will try that.