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 had exactly the same experience as you – much slower and terrible tension! You’ve inspired me to give it another go – I only really tried it for a few rows on some socks I was knitting last time – I’m going to make 2019 a year where I learn new techniques
I have found that it takes a lot of practice before becoming adept at a new way of knitting (or anything really). I find it takes an entire project, or two if the project is a hat, to get comfortable with a new style. My current change is combination knitting because I really like the way it cleans up my reverse stockinette. But as I am knitting I find myself slipping back into my old way of purling for a few stitches here and there. Changing your way of holding yarn, needles, or anything else is a conscious process. In the beginning you have to really think about it and watch what you are doing. I think I keep slipping up because I knit and watch movies. When I get involved in the movie my hands go back to what they know best. Persevere and you will add another technique to your knitting bag.