English to Continental?

e.ridenh

· #2 · Feb 25, 2011

P
r
a
c
t
i
c
e, practice and more practice! LOL!!

Videos are great - be sure to bookmark them, too as you will no doubt come back to them time and again.

Keep a swatch going of your craft choice right by your PC/Lappy rather than go to another area to get your supplies. By the time I get in there, I've forgotten why I went in! LOL!!

The amount of time that you devote to your cause will be a factor, too. I'd recommend you stop WIPS or finish them then have at it with no distractions.

After learning the knit stitch, tackle the purl. Learn to YO next, perhaps. Then:

Find a small project to make. Making something is inspiration in and of itself.

When learning the knit stitch (C method), I made a skinny hippie belt over 9 stitches using garter stitch, measured it off to be 40" or so then triple knot fringed it. I used 50-50% cotton-acrylic yarn which is so supple; Baby Bee brand and it's to die for, really. I gave it to DD who though it was a skinny scarf! LOL!!

FYI: I use this knitting method now which is a COMBINED CONTINENTAL method:

And the reason I do is that there is no index finger lever/shuttle work done as in the C method (German) but the action is at the needle tips = fast - very fast - and less tiring on your torso and appendages.

Good luck! If I may help you, hail me in private message format.

Donna Rae
~~~~~

Corgilady said:
/I'm a thrower but would like to teach myself to knit in the Continental style. Any ideas on how to make this work for me? Thanks for your ideas.

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courier770

· #3 · Feb 25, 2011

I'm an "Eastern European" style knitter, which is a very butchered version of Continental. I generally knit faster and have less trouble with gauge than "throwers"...so does my cousin who knits the same way I do..sometimes this is called "Russian" style.

I don't believe that any one style of knitting has an advantage over another...except...only the tips of my needles move, so there is less movement in my hands/wrists...and I think this lends itself well to people with arthritis in addition to being able to knit for longer periods without the hands feeling tired.

I've been knitting this way for roughly 44 years and on many occasions I have been told that I knit "wrong". If throwing works for you, why change?

My Grandmother fled eastern Europe when Russia began to occupy and overtake countries. She came to this country, married my grandfather and had two sons. She taught both of her daughters-in-law to knit. She herself was left handed..my mother was right handed and my Aunt was left handed. My mother taught my sister and I how to knit..I being right handed and my sister being left handed. My left handed Aunt, taught her right handed daughter to knit! We ALL knit/knitted Eastern European style!

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MegK31

· #4 · Feb 26, 2011

I don't like the term thrower. I am from N.Ireland and I knit the way generations of women in my family knit. I guess I would be called a thrower though I do not remove my hands from either needle. My mother taught me knit when I was about 7 - 8 yrs old and I have been knitting for almost 70 years. I remember my mother teaching me not to lift my hand of the needle to throw it over. At this point in my life I will not change my knitting style.

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kneonknitter

· #5 · Feb 26, 2011

Courier, I have the same knitting history as you do. One thing I always tell people I am teaching to knit (continental of course lol) I always tell them 'there is no wrong way to knit.' :wink:

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Knittingnannie

· #6 · Feb 27, 2011

Me Too I'm from Scotland and my mum taught me to knit when I was four. I'm a thrower but my hand does not leave the needle either. I tried the continental but just could'nt do it thought it would be quicker saw it on TV . I have been knitting for 64 years I knit every day love to knit Arans. - knittingnannie

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courier770

· #7 · Feb 27, 2011

Meg, I don't know how the term "Thrower" came into use and really only heard it about 5 or 6 years ago. Many who knit using that style, do not remove their hands from the needles.

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debrain123

· #8 · Feb 27, 2011

when learning either style when the other is already deeply ingrained in your brain, it is VERY helpful to try to wrap/hold the yarn the same way you have been holding it (but with the opposite hand). the same goes for fair isle or stranded color knitting, wrap the yarn the same way on right and left hands, helps with tension, and PRACTICE!

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Corgilady

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 27, 2011

Many thanks to all who responded to my issue. I really appreciate all the help and ideas!

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oma lisa

· #10 · Feb 28, 2011

I, too, have just been researching how to learn a different style of knitting. I found this link today posted from another member and it is extremely helpful and informative... even to explain how & why your yarn should "drape" over your left hand. It makes so much sense! I have taken the advice to practice, practice, practice and I watch the video, pause & rewind until I get each and every little tip...I'm well on my way after watching it only about 6 times! I highly recommend checking it out !!
HaPpY Knitting

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wetfeet2

· #11 · Dec 14, 2011

I have noticed that derailing of the yarn while purling. I'll have to see if i can re-train how I hold my yarn and give it a try. Seems I'm always revamping and updating my knitting style.

oma lisa said:
I, too, have just been researching how to learn a different style of knitting. I found this link today posted from another member and it is extremely helpful and informative... even to explain how & why your yarn should "drape" over your left hand. It makes so much sense! I have taken the advice to practice, practice, practice and I watch the video, pause & rewind until I get each and every little tip...I'm well on my way after watching it only about 6 times! I highly recommend checking it out !!
HaPpY Knitting

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W

wetfeet2

· #12 · Dec 14, 2011

Hi Donna Rae, Is there anyplace to see the purling a little slower? I'm just not catching it.
Kristine
\

e.ridenh said:
P
r
a
c
t
i
c
e, practice and more practice! LOL!!

Videos are great - be sure to bookmark them, too as you will no doubt come back to them time and again.

Keep a swatch going of your craft choice right by your PC/Lappy rather than go to another area to get your supplies. By the time I get in there, I've forgotten why I went in! LOL!!

The amount of time that you devote to your cause will be a factor, too. I'd recommend you stop WIPS or finish them then have at it with no distractions.

After learning the knit stitch, tackle the purl. Learn to YO next, perhaps. Then:

Find a small project to make. Making something is inspiration in and of itself.

When learning the knit stitch (C method), I made a skinny hippie belt over 9 stitches using garter stitch, measured it off to be 40" or so then triple knot fringed it. I used 50-50% cotton-acrylic yarn which is so supple; Baby Bee brand and it's to die for, really. I gave it to DD who though it was a skinny scarf! LOL!!

FYI: I use this knitting method now which is a COMBINED CONTINENTAL method:

And the reason I do is that there is no index finger lever/shuttle work done as in the C method (German) but the action is at the needle tips = fast - very fast - and less tiring on your torso and appendages.

Good luck! If I may help you, hail me in private message format.

Donna Rae
~~~~~

Corgilady said:

/I'm a thrower but would like to teach myself to knit in the Continental style. Any ideas on how to make this work for me? Thanks for your ideas.

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