If you are living in the United States (and Google Analytics tells me that 70% of you are) then chances are good you learned how to knit with the working yarn in your right hand. You learned the “throwing” method, aka English style, aka Slow. That’s how I first learned to knit too.
The other main style of knitting (in the western world) is done with the working yarn in your left hand, aka continental knitting, aka Much Faster. Its not hard. It feels a bit awkward in the beginning but if you’ll invest in an afternoon of practice, I promise you, you’ll be a continental knitter. And purl-er.
So grab some thick yarn, at least worsted weight, and your favorite pair of needles and lets take a trip to The Continent!
Continental Style Knitting – The Knit Stitch
Continental Style Knitting – The Purl Stitch
I want to end with this:
There is no wrong way to knit.
If you make a stitch and you’re happy with it, then you did it right. That’s what it all boils down to in the end. I myself enjoy knowing multiple knitting styles (English, continental, left-handed, backwards, and some day I’m gonna learn that Portuguese knitting with pins). Give continental knitting a try before you turn it down. Not only is it quite a bit faster, the smaller motions put less strain on your hands and (and!) knowing both English style and continental style knitting will make Fair Isle colorwork a breeze.
You can find my other free video tutorials:
Enjoy!
"There is no failure. Only feedback." - Robert Allen
12 Comments on "Sunday Stitch – How to Continental Knit and Purl"
I tried this when I first learned to knit, and found it awkward and impossible. Never tried again. Since I crochet now, I wonder if I would find it easier to hold the yarn in the opposite hand?
I swear you’re gonna convince me to did granny’s box of needles back out someday 🙂 Thanks for the videos!
Yes! Yes I will talk you into knitting and yes it is often easier for a crocheter to learn knitting continental.
You’ll be bi-craftual before you know it.
Having been a crocheter for decades & a knitter only since ’07ish, I feel I can say that knitting is WAY easier than crocheting! Your comment about making circles is making learning continental a LOT easier <3 Thank you! (Also, start with bamboo needles, they're easier to learn on)
Knitting and crocheting… so you are bi-craftual!
I’m glad one of the two methods is working for you. I never know what is going to stick/work in a little demo like this. 🙂
Purling is where I’ve run indo difficulties trying to learn continental (& tension) but I’m looking forward to trying it on the next pair of xmas mitts. Right now I’m practicing if on a super long stockinette hat. Changing hands mid-stream, too! Because that’s my idea of living on the edge. ..
You are a brave and intrepid crafter!
I do that too. I switch from right to left handed and I know I’m not supposed to my, ehh. It relieves hand strain and keeps things from getting dull.
I hope you get the purling. Then you can do continental ribbing which is where it all pays off.
Yes that is the spirit. Give yourself an easy all-knit or all-purl project to do and make it all in the continental way. Washcloths are good. I myself now have three coffee-cup sleeves. 🙂
About that SSP: yes that is an easier way to to a p2togtbl. I kind of dread p2togtbl and the spilling back-and-forth way accomplishes the same thing. It is easier to make, but its slow. I guess that’s the trade off. Have fun with your miter!
You aren’t the only one who dreads them! They are near impossible for me to accomplish, but now that I know about ssp, I think I’ll do that instead! Woot for patterns that teach us something!
Very true! I do love learning new things and learning them unexpectedly is always pretty cool. Have fun with it!
You have crochet tutorials, also? Hooray!!! I’m wanting to learn to crochet. Continental knitting is also something I’ve been wanting to learn so thank you for the video tutorial and I’ll let you know how it goes:)
Oh good! The more stitches you know, the more things you can make and the more you can ignore the other things in life.
🙂