The more I learn about knitting, the more I realize how much more there is to learn.
I recently found that there are two different kinds of knitting: English or Continental. And I’ve been knitting for over 10 years! I think it’s because I wasn’t around many other knitters when I was younger…it was still considered an “old lady” craft. My grandmother and mother, both from Nebraska, were the only knitters I knew until college!
For those of you who just had a WHAT THE?! moment as well, the simplistic explanation is that in the English style you “throw” the yarn, whereas in Continental style you “pick up” the yarn (to see it in action, view the YouTube videos linked above). Now that I’ve seen the English style I’m definitely intrigued, but I can’t get over the fact that I’d have to add an entire extra step (of throwing the yarn) to get a single stitch done. As someone who has never done anything but continental, it seems counterproductive! However, I’ve seen that it’s good to learn both because it can help to relieve pain and/or to give you a different gauge when you’re knitting.
Which style do you use and why? Does English change how quickly you can knit?
4 COMMENTS
Becca
10 years agoIt’s so interesting that you learned continental style! I learned English and I’d love to switch to continental because I heard it’s faster. It seems so unnatural though.
kniftylittlething
10 years ago AUTHORIt seems like however you learn is what seems natural! And I’m definitely biased but continental seems faster for sure. 🙂 The nice thing is that no matter what method you use you still end up with beautiful things.
thequirkydigest
10 years agoI seriously did not realize that those were two methods of knitting. I thought it was just a preference of which hand people like to hold the yarn. Looks like I’m a continental knitter. But that’s only because I learned to crochet first and I couldn’t get used to holding the yarn in my right hand! And just having to sit there and stop what you’re doing, to throw the yarn over, then pick it up and do it again… No thank you. To me, English seems cumbersome. I guess it’s however you learned initially. I think my grandma is also a continental knitter, so that’s probably where I get it from as well.
kniftylittlething
10 years ago AUTHORHaha so glad I’m not the only one who didn’t know!! Like you, I learned how to crochet first so I think holding the yarn in my left hand is just “where it goes” in my brain. 🙂