loose end stitched

[baxtercd]

I am just learning to knit and am using the continential knit and purl method. I have gotten the hang of the stitches and am about 18 inches into a scarf. My problem is that the end stiches are big and loose giving the sides of the scarf a messy loopy look. Does anyone have any suggestions on what i might be doing to cause this? The rest of the stiches are nice and even and look great!

[suzeeq]

To help tighten them up, when you start a row, work the first st as usual, then tug the yarn a bit and do the next couple sts tighter. That helps pull up the extra yarn from the last st.