I want to break things

Trying to teach yourself a new knitting technique by following seemingly vague instructions with absolutely no pictures using the smallest needles you've ever held, all at 1 in the morning can be fucking frustrating!

Luckily I found this video that explains the first step of the technique I'm trying to learn. Of course she's using giant aluminum needles and loose knitting so it looks easy. Whereas I'm using teeny bamboo needles with extra tight tension.