How I Beat the Ladder Problem

This post is just for fellow knitters. I'm hoping to put this out there to help those who struggled as I have.

For weeks I've been working on socks with double point knitting needles. I've completed a pair and am halfway through sock #3, but each of them have the same problem; a ladder where the needles meet. 

I spent a lot of time searching and reading different tips to get rid of this imperfection in my work. Again and again I read the advice 'pull the yarn tighter!' So I did. And did. I pulled so tight, I was having a hard time knitting the loops off the needles. And the ladders were still there.

Then I tried advice #2: move the loops. You complete a row, then knit 2 from the next row on the needle you're still using, then start the new row process. This was too much work for me. 

Then, on a whim. I decided to change my knitting style. I had been holding the needles with the right tip under the needle before it, the left tip over the needle to work on next. I decided to reverse this, so I'm starting rows with the needles above the row I worked on, and ending it resting below the next needle to work. The result:

It's fixed! 

I have still been following the "pull the yarn tight" rule, but only for the 1st stitch on each needle. That combined with the change in needles resting place seems to be the cure! 

I hope this helps others who struggle as I have. Happy Knitting!