Knitters, Continental or English? What's your favorite knitting technique?
I started learning how to knit sometime when I was in elementary school. But, my interest in knitting started way before than that: perhaps around age 4 while I was staying at my Granny's watching my crafty aunt. What she did was absolute magic to me! This thin and 1 dimensional thread turned into a 3 dimensional garment in my aunt's two hands. My aunt knitted lots of goodies for this one and only little child in the family at that time. I was totally spoiled with everything from knitted toys to crocheted dresses. It made for some great childhood memories.
When I started learning how to knit myself, I was taught with English style just like all Koreans here: Holding the yarn in my right hand and wrapping each stitch around my working needle in my left hand. We knitters here have knitted that way many decades.
Many years ago, while I was revisiting my knitting I found lots of different knitting styles that I was not aware of: English, Continental, Portuguese, Peruvian, and even combinations of those.
Especially, I was so excited to see how the Continental style works. I hold the yarn in my left hand and scoop at it with my right needle. It seems like a pretty easy and fast (yes!) way of knitting. The coolest thing was it looked very gentle on my weak and tattered joints. So I decided to give the Continental a whirl. The results? Um... Well... My tension isn't quite correct... And I am way slower... And it feels quite awkward - this new movement of scooping... Let's just say I've ended up knitting some not-so-fantastic swatches so far!
I was so excited at first, but after about a month of practice I am wondering if I need to go back to my 30-year-old English style. It would take a while to master this new technique, but could I ever get comfortable enough with it? I wish I'd learned to knit Continental style first, because now I have trouble learning any style of knitting other than English, and I'm pretty slow, in general, when it comes to my knitting.
What about you? Have any of you experienced the same issue with learning new knitting techniques? If you overcame it, how did you become successful? What's your favorite knitting style? What are you planning to learn in the coming new year? Let's share! This is the perfect time of the year to think about something to improve and get inspired. Good luck! -S
PS. Quick update!
I finally get the hang of the new style. Yay! I've finished this sweater in a few weeks with the Continental. Generally it would take months to finish with my original English method. Well, I have to admit I am not doing well with purling though. Fortunately there are so~ many sweaters that you don't have to purl much. :)
7 comments
I went through the same history of knitting too. I learned English knitting as a child in Australia. I’ve tried continental but found Portuguese knitting easier for purling, until recently. I recently learnt how to do the Tunisian purl stitch as I dived into learning Tunisian crochet. I was amazed at how easy and fast I learned the different techniques especially purl, which seemed the most difficult, until I saw Phanessa on YouTube purling. I saw a yarn smiley face appear as she made a purl stitch. Oh my! How easy to replicate that was! Then I revisited knitting Russian style because I’ve remembered how similar it was too Tunisian. I was right! Identical. Now a few minutes into making swatches, this Russian knitting is my favourite way of knitting. It’s so fast to change between knit and purl effortlessly and it’s so much faster. I totally recommend it.
Hi Cyndi,
Thanks for your thoughtful comment. You gave me such a cool tip! I haven’t thought about 2-color knitting using both knitting techniques. That’s such a smart idea. I love that. It makes me want to learn Continental style even more. ;) I am still practicing but my hands still want to go back to the old habit. As you said it would take a while to get better at it. But, since I know what I am gonna do with both techniques I am super excited to practice harder! Wish me luck~ Thanks for the great tip. So much appreciated! xo
When making a change, it can take doing the change every day for 4-6 weeks before it becomes a habit. Knitting is no different. I learned Continental (actually combined Continental where my purl stitches are formed differently) but am comfortable knitting English. Knowing both methods comes in handy when knitting with 2 colors. I hold one yarn Continental and the other English. I always need to knit a small project using the English method before starting a 2 color project so my hands will remember what to do!
Hi Janet,
Great hear there is another knitter having the same experience. Yes, I have to admit that. My knitting got way slower and the result looked pretty horrible. As a matter of fact I almost feel like… I better go back to my comfortable way of knitting. But, no, no! I am with you. Year of 2019 will be a new fresh year and I will definitely master this and learn more techniques just like you are gonna. ;)
Let me know how your parctice is going. I’d love to see your progress. I am gonna report how I am doing here in my blog some time soon. Good luck to both of us!
Happy New Year, Janet!
Hi Grace,
Thanks for sharing your story and letting me know how you’re doing. I have exactly the same problem. The purling becomes so awkward that I keep making mistakes over and over again. My familiar/ old way comes back here and there if I don’t give a full attention. It makes knitting a bit intense rather than relaxing process. ;) Anyway, I am gonna try the combination knitting as you suggested. I know I cannot change the way I’ve been knitting about 30 years just over night. The combination technique sounds pretty reasonable and enjoyable.
Thanks for stopping by and gave me an awesome tips. So much appreciated!
Happy New Year, Grace~!