Thank goodness we’ve finally fired the knitting police and accepted the fact that the correct way to knit/purl is the one that works to achieve both comfort and tension.
When teaching someone, I make it clear that there are other ways to do the deed and whichever way they find easier is the one they should use. I am only proficient in 'throwing' so can't easily teach continental. But let them know about UA-cam and how to Pause and Slow the video. I'm still having problems with continental - which is annoying for me because I'm used to being ambidextrous - and can't seem to do both hands for knitting or crocheting or a sewing needle.
@@Marny5580 I learned continental after developing tendinitis, but I still sometimes, and with certain yarns, struggle with continental - for eg., I’m currently knitting a pattern kit for a summer ‘T’ using a 100% silk yarn, and cannot control tension at all using continental, but no problem with English ‘throwing’.
What a great video. I'm 81 & have been a thrower since I learned to knit at age 17. My ribbing is ugly. I've always admired those who rib continental style, but I just couldn't comfortably hold yarn in my left hand. I haven't knit during the last 2-3 yrs, but now want to try the new (to me) flexi style sock needles. So, I've decided now is the time to learn to knit continental style before my hands get too used to my old thrower style. I'd never before seen anyone demonstrate the closed hand method of holding yarn. My hands are arthritic & I can't hold my index finger up with any comfort. I've just completed 2 rows using the closed hand method . I'm still working out exactly what's comfortable, but I think this time I'll succeed. Thank you so much for this wonderful video.
I have arthritis in my hands too- I do stretches for rock climbers 😂 and it helps! I do several stretching exercises for my hands before I start fiber working and I’ve found less fatigue and less swelling in my knuckles. I also tape my really bad knuckles up with kinesio tape- it’s a stretchy sticky tape they use in PT. There are tutorials online for different ways to tape different body parts. It’s worked wonders for my knee after surgery, my toe that doesn’t bend and my carpal tunnel! All my best! Don’t forget to take breaks. ❤❤
I live in a small town, left handed, closed handed, continental is what is comfortable for me. I have become self taught due to being told by a knitting instructor that I had to change the way I held my needles or I would never become a proficient knitter! I am only an intermediate knitter at best, however I continue to learn on my own with the help of UA-cam and your wonderful videos. Thank you for validating my way of holding my needles!!
@@brittanyking7705 : If it's a very small town there's a good chance the local Mrs Know-It-All is going on about how she's knitting the "wrong" way. If it's a small-ish town there's a good chance that the knitting teachers all have the same technique (and may not be aware of other techniques or may, dare I say it, be prejudiced against them).
I just learned to knit after years of crocheting and after struggling to hold the yarn in my right hand i discovered continental and after struggling to copy many open hand you tube demos i finally closed my hands and also learned the norwegian purl. I almost gave up until someone wise told me there was way more than 1 or 2 or 3 ways to knit and that holding it however i was wasnt incorrect. Now i am happily trying all sorts of techniques and patterns and learning from so many great teachers. I do really enjoy your analytical and detailed videos!
That's ironic, because I was the only knitter in a family of proficient crocheters. My grandmother taught me English-style knitting as a child because I wanted to make a Dr. Who scarf, but I quickly lost interest, and found that I was never interested in crocheting despite seeing my grandmother, mother, and, eventually, my sister crocheting away in the evenings. I picked knitting back up in my late 20's and became quite good at it through the repetition of basic stitches. (I made LOTS of scarves in either garter or seed stitch. For years.) While back home visiting, I asked my mom to teach me crochet basics because I wanted to learn to crochet some jingle bell Christmas ornaments, made by her and my grandmother, which I had loved as a child. They involved single, double, and triple crochet, so I was crocheting a sampler of sorts to get those stitch techniques down before moving on to the bell. Even though I was new to crocheting, I was Really pleased with my sampler - which was looking great because managing my yarn tension had already become second nature. My mom, however, completely fixated on the way I was holding my yarn - telling me repeatedly that it was "gross". While she didn't necessarily say it in a nasty way, her criticism was repetitive even though I pointed out that if my tension was good, it didn't really matter how I held my yarn. I wasn't transitioning correctly from one round to the next, consistently throwing my little bells off-kilter. I knew the problem was that I wasn't recognizing the correct stitch to work into, and I repeated asked her how to identify which stitch I should work into. But instead of explaining, she would just grab it from me and crochet it for me, saying, "THIS is how you do it." Which, in hindsight, may have been why I was never interested in crocheting years earlier - it would have increased her criticism and impatience with me... As a child, I didn't have a choice about being a target. But as an adult, I just very quickly decided, "Nope. Not interested anymore." I actually didn't mean this to turn into a diatribe about my mother, but here it is. You never know when a burst of introspection will come over you, and I've learned to let them breathe. 😄😊😊
@@Stretch1003 i can totally identify. My moms a little bit the same about sewing. Shes like master level garment making, custom alterations, wizard repairs, perfect elaborate halloween costumes, quilting and shes just gosh darn good at everything but theres a good reason i chose yarn so that we can still be friends lol
I just love the diversity of knitting stlyles! Dealing with personalities is a whole different ball of yarn, haha. Regardless, It reach a few classes with my C and K crowd and I always say, don't sign up with preconceived notions about right and wrong, we are on a journey, BTW check out Portuguese knitting for an eye opener and Russian knitting as well.
THANK YOU for this excellent tutorial! The pace is comfortable, the explanations are clear & concise, the camera angle is illustrative, the animated titles are helpful (particularly in the K1P1 section) and occasionally funny, and the slowed-down moments are sooooo helpful. I particularly appreciate how much a "do what's right for you" approach is highlighted, and bless you for showing both open and closed handed techniques. Bravo, and thanks!!!
Ironically, practicing all of these and other techniques seems to have made me a better knitter in my style of preference which is very closed english style is that is how to describe it. It's still considered throwing but all of my movement is in the left hand and I can get going along at a nice clip like a little knitting machine. I practice others just to keep the communication between my brain and hands open. This video was very helpful in fine tuning for me, thanks Roxanne. I also appreciate how you publish the time sequences, so very helpful.
Pointing out the difference between open and closed hand positions is so useful! Thank you very much! I’ve been watching demonstrations of people who work with open hands and I just couldn’t get it and I now see that I am naturally closed hand knitter and I got it straight away and, golly what an easy way to knit!
Ah I’m a self-taught knitter and I thought I was alone in holding the yarn with my left hand close to the work- I’m glad it’s an actual technique - now when my knit circle makes fun of my form, I can prove I’m not going rogue with my closed hand continental style! Thank you!
I’ve attempted the open hand method of continental knitting and it just does not work for me. The closed hands, needles loosely held, with yarn tensioned from my pinky finger, work for me.
@@barbarapinto2305 My mom was Norwegian and taught me, it's different for sure and hard to break the habit having learned at 6yrs old. Wen Scott is right, do what's comfortable and tension achievable.
I knit Continental using the picking style, kind of a open and close method but that’s what I love about knitting, find what works for you. If I hadn’t moved from English style to Continental I don’t think I would have continued knitting, the purling was an issue and prior to knitting I was crocheting so it was easier to adapt to the Continental style. Thank you for video!
This is what I encourage crocheters to do! Try continental style first! I didn’t learn how to tension my yarn in my right hand. Then I learned crochet and enjoyed that, then learning continental was a breeze.
Great video and just the right level of detail. I keep avoiding changing to continental style but this gave me motivation to try again. Many thanks xox
I appreciate how you start your lesson with the fact that different ways work for different people, even if you call it "English" or "continental." I knew there were different styles of English (how I generally knit); and now I know there are also different ways of continental knitting! Thanks for the lesson.
I definitely need to practice my continental knitting, I learned English style and I'm happy with it, but continental seems much more efficient. It's just so awkward to switch styles once you've learned one.
@Lorraine Hutter I really think I do. I get bored because English style goes so slow. I think it’s just a matter of having the patience to see it through, practice and let it evolve.
Changing styles once you have learnt one does take time and frequent short practises as you are changing or adding to a brain pattern -allow 6 weeks with regular practise. I use continental predominately as that is what my mother and grandmother did but school it was English - so it I seldom finished anything and it was in my late teens that I completed something of my own choice in my own style. English is great when frequently colour change and I now have a combination of English and continental if working in two colours. The advantage of continental is that it is more wrist and less arm so if you having elbow/shoulder issues you can continue knitting by switching styles.
This was so incredibly helpful thank you! I’m only on day 3 of learning how to knit and have been exploring options on my own to find what works best for me. As a crocheter it took about 2 minutes to know Continental style was right for me, but past that I’ve been fumbling around in the dark. Seeing the different options and what to look for when watching other videos has clarified so much. Thank you!
As a long time crocheter the Norwegian style (subset of Continental) is what works for me. I use a closed hand style of holding the needle and *always* keep the working yarn behind the needles. Thus the purl the way I learned (via Arne&Carlos) is almost a mirror of what you show. I’m glad I found a way that works for me because flipping the yarn back and forth was giving me fits.
I’m a closed hand continental knitter and don’t purl in the way shown or the way Arne and Carlos do it. I wrap the yarn the other way so the movement is really small. To keep 1x1 ribbing neater I can do this with the yarn in back.
It is great that showed different hand and needle position and movement. Ive tried continental knitting a few times and it’s just never stuck. This help me realize where I may have a problem or a simple adjustments that maybe helpful. Thank you as always for your wonderful tips.
This was a LOVELY and highly informative video. I loved the way you presented each style AND the slow-motion/silent knitting and purling at the end. I also really appreciated the segment that showed you being less than comfortable knitting using a method that is not the one you usually use. Hey, loads of the viewers can relate to that segment! Indeed, we are watching this video because we are working (very, very hard) to adapt to a particular method of knitting and purling (i.e., for me, going from the English method to the Continental method! YIKES!!). I fully enjoyed and appreciated the care and attention that you gave to this video. I will be watching it, I am certain, more than once. :)
As an English style knitter, I've learned to "throw" very quickly, using my index finger to speedily throw the yarn over the needle, and while knitting it's very satisfying but purling still slows me down somewhat. I might try tensioning your way. The tension problem was what kept me from mastering the Continental style, but I'm going to give it another try. Thank you so much for this great tutorial!
Same here. I have to keep letting the yarn go to re tension it and can’t get a proper flow. Also not sure that my right index finger is up for all that work! Fun to try and to gain another skill though.
Interesting, bc it’s the purls that I’m fast with and slow with the knits. I knit the same way except I use my left thumb to kinda push the right needle up a bit so it’s closer to the yarn as I throw it.
This was very helpful, thank you! I struggle with keeping tension in my yarn and your explanations and well as the slow motion helped me a lot, I think I’m getting it! (I also had no idea anchored knitting was a thing and always thought I was just a weird knitter)
Just what I needed to see. I am currently looking at alternative styles of knitting to combat joint problems. I have 'mastered' Portuguese style which is good when my shoulders hurt. I have attempted Continental but ended up with a combination purl,which is ok most of the time. I will try the 8 motion later. Thanks
i used to use long needles and anchor the needle between my knees because i learned to knit when i was maybe 8 and my hands were too small to hold everything lol!
Yes! We all get to knit the way that works for us 👍 I am a standard continental knitter that uses my left index finger for tension and to put the yarn around my right needle for knit or purl. Happy knitting everyone!
I'm a combined continental knitter. This marvelous video helped me to learn how to easily purl (the figure 8). This will make my lace knitting easier. I do not hold the yarn up, and always knit "picking" the yarn off my finger. I am still practicing this purl, watching tension, as I find I need to tension the yarn a bit tighter or there will be slack in between purls. I was taught the combined continental method by my Great Aunt Arizona from Sweden. I say it's the fastest way to knit, but it does create some problems with intricate patterns.
Thank you. I first learned to knit from my English mother who knit arm pit style. It has been fascinating to learn more about that method from your podcasts over the years and. gives me greater insight to how that English culture contributed to how my mother was raised to be a worker bee. After a few short years a friend taught me how to knit continental - which evolved into combo knitting. But nowadays my preferred method is to purl Norwegian style - although according to Arne and Carlos it is not Norwegian because I have my left pointer finger raised. I have too much arthritis to have my hands in the closed style for very long.
I'm such a sucker for this kinda stuff! I'm continental combined. I guess I have a low open grip. My left forefinger and thumb both touch the needle tip, but it's open like a circle behind there. Like you, I keep my right needle still, and keep the needles perpendicular
I love how detailed this whole video is. I personally am a closed knitter so it really shocked me that someone would demonstrate multiple styles of the continental methods… Thanks so much!
I am an English style knitter because that was how I was taught when I was very young. Recently I've learned to do Norwegian Style knitting from Arne and Carlos UA-cam videos. They have several tutorials showing how to do Norwegian Style. When purling in a closed purl style stitch, they don't move the working yarn to the front of the piece. It's very challenging to do when you aren't used to it. However what I found when knitting color work with 5 DP needles, this style works so much better because you don't get the yarn tangled up in the needles. I have to practice on is tension. For some reason my tension is very loose when doing this method. It takes serious intentional practice because I know the English way so well. Thanks for all the wonderful tutorials and information you provide. It's fun and interesting to watch your videos.
I’ve been looking at many knitting videos, most of them with open hands technique and I’ve been struggling so much as I knit with closed hands and I figured I was doing it wrong 🙃 thanks for explaining that I’m indeed normal haha, I’ve been trying the open hand techniques and it’s as natural for me as closed is for you 😂 fun fact, I don’t tension my yarn by wrapping it around any finger but rather keep the tension by tensioning my ring and little finger against my palm with the yarn in between.
Thank you for this encouraging how-to on continental knitting and showing everyone that there are different ways of doing it..whatever is most comfortable for the knitter! I was taught the English style and have tried switching to continental by watching other videos that show the picking method which I found frustrating. I like your method so much better using an anchor! I will give it a try again. Doing swatches would be a good way for me to practice before tackling an actual project. I think you were brave learning how to knit continental the first time by knitting a sock! Thank you so much for a wonderful demo! I especially appreciated when you knitted in slow motion, thus clearly showing exactly what you are doing, every step of the way!
So happy to see you differentiate between open and closed! I didn’t realize I was doing closed and, watching tutorials, a lot of them show open (which is SO HARD for me). So for that, thank you so much!
Im a self-taught crocheter of 2 decades, dabbling in the craft since childhood when my paternal grandmother taught me how to chain. Yes, that's all she taught me. I took it from there at some point in my 20s. Im also a self-taught kniter whose dabbled here and there but mostly made wash cloths until recently. I wrap my left working thread for tension differently from 99% of any other crocheter or knitter I've watched. I use the same wrap for both modalities. I've tried to wrap and hold my left hand according to aurhorities of teaching such matters, but it messes with my tension consistency frightfully. And it frustrates me to such an extent that I'd rather not engage in either craft if I can't do what works for me. I knit continental, although I never was taught since I'm self-taught. I purl the Norwegian purl method. My maternal grandmother is full Norwegian, but she never taught me any knitting. I just do what's always worked best. When it comes to how I hold my work in my left hand, I would say that it's a modified open-closed hold where I use my pointerfinger like a hook arm to complete the knit or purl stich before I drag the new stictch off to the working needle. The only work my working needle performs is jabing the next stitch to be worked and performing the purl twists of the Norwegian purl. I'm still working out my end stitch tension but it's improved greatly after watching a video to learn how to prevent a loopy end stitch. All of that to say, I'm not nearly as concerned with what methods I use or what they are called as I am with improving my skill sets and making wearable garments I could be proud to brag about if I were the bragging sort😅.
Well as a crocheter who has been 👀 looking at trying knitting I’m really thankful for this because I think continental will suit me better and I had no idea about open and closed hand mentors and I’ll try both of those out to see what feels natural to me. Thank you!
thank you so much for the detailed instruction! I’m a crocheter learning to knit and the English style really troubled me! Lucky I found this style which IMO suits crocheters better than English style 🌹
This tutorial was extremely helpful. My knitting style, in terms of how I hold my hands and yarn, is exactly like yours which made the tutorial so easy to follow. In fact, although I also crochet, I find my hands wanting to knit because it just feels more natural. What I learned most from this tutorial was to allow my hands to do what feels natural to them and to not try to force myself to knit like someone else! Thank you 🧶
I’ve taken up knitting again after more than 30 years. I find the continental method to be natural for me because it feels like crocheting. However, holding my left index finger up to keep the tension has become difficult because of arthritis. Thank you for showing the closed hand technique. I’m hoping this method will help me to continue to knit for longer periods of time.
Wow. You actually read my mind with this video. Just this morning I was looking for your old how I purl video because I decided I was finally going to figure out how to do a continental purl at least somewhat proficiently. Also a little tip for the closed hand style knit stitch, I find it helps to have the yarn coming over the last segment of the pointer finger right below (or even right on) the fingernail. I find it makes for a better angle to "pick" the working yarn off the finger if the working yarn is tensioned farther to the right, usually even beyond the tip of the left needle.
Wow, this is really good awareness for people who don't know or misunderstood continental knitting. After all, it has varieties to suit different hands. Love your videos, not many people shed light on this. Really appreciate it. My style is kind of in between but more of the closed hand method. I find that I don't need to ankle the yarn as you do, because it's closed hand, my index has lots of room, I would lift the index to quickly wrap or tug the yarn since it's just very slight movement, same goes for purl, I find it easier to do closed hand for purling than open hand. It's fascinating to see different styles, it's almost like our hands are different brands of knitting machines! Just like different brand of sewing machines or knitting machines tension differently, so are our hands, it's like a mini machine but naturally built in us!
At 3:50 ish; the pinky finger is stronger than we think. I learned in cosmetology of the strength and dexterity and The Power that is in each finger. Most people think dabbing cream to the most delicate of skin on the face - the eye area - should be done with the pinky finger... non, non, mon amie! The middle finger is the gentlest, sensitive ( think about that for a moment, ladies...and gents...) delicate, most precise, and the one you can control the best and although seeming to be the most delicate of all fingers especially by its lonesome, the pinky finger is the anchor of almost anything you need to do with your hand/fingers -- it could fight in the wrestling ring with the index finger and possibly win the bout - it's small but wiry. Much too powerful for the gentle taps you need to apply for the under-eye area. The ring finger is the weakest, can't hardly do anything without the middle finger. It is too awkward for the under-eye area. It does everything the middle finger tells it to do. Completely subordinate to both the middle and pinky finger.
Wow, I feel so important now:). My Russian grandma taught me to knit. But I now know the name of that style : "closed- hand -continental -no pinky- involved". It is so convenient, so ergonomic and so fast!
I'm having some beginner problems. I sometimes can't seem to get my needle through the thread when doing knit stitch. I didn't think my tension was too tight.
Thanks for another great tutorial. I learned to flick English style and just can’t seem to make my hands do Continental. My shoulder tenses and cramps up with continental. I’ve been trying to learn to use my other hand to give my right hand a break, but I guess I’ll stick to flicking since that seems to work for me.
Maria I learnt to knit with the throwing english style at the age of 5 years. I'm now 70 years and because of arthritis in my knuckles of my right hand with the marvel of youtube I have taught myself to knit continental. It was slow going and my tension was rubbish but I persevered and I'm knitting garments again. If I can do so can you just keep practising. I knitted a small blanket in garter stitch first and that helped me get the hang of holding the wool and my hand positions tremendously. It's a joy to be able to create again.😁😁😁
@@ellbow7287 Thank you for the encouragement. I’m so glad you are knitting again. I think I’ve created a bad habit somewhere causing some pain in my right hand. I did try Norwegian purl, and managed to figure that one out, but it only served to make standard continental method a bit easier for me. Lol .... You are correct. Practice will be the remedy.
That was absolutely fantastic! You’re a brilliant teacher! I’m so sorry to admit it, but after practicing your tutorial, and playing with the techniques, I’m a confirmed closed continental knitter (say that five times fast, haha!), as it’s most comfortable for me. But you demonstrated it so beautifully!
I had to switch to continental after developing tendinitis. This is the best explanation ever! I developed my own way due to arthritis its like you have given me permission! So encouraging!
Having been an English style knitter for decades, I recently persevered learning Continental with the knit stitch But I also realized clamping the end of the right needle in my arm pit gave me more facility with my right hand because it took all the weight off so all I had to do was guide without the stress of holding. Hope that makes sense. I'll be working on the Continental purling! Thank you so much!
Thank you for showing both ways of holding the needles. When I try to knit continental, I have a hard time advancing the stitches on the left hand needle without dropping the yarn and having to tension it again. I’m going to keep practicing!
Thank you!!!! I have been knitting off and on for the last few years but I never learned a proper way if holding the yarn which made me such a slow knitter - which made every project take FOREVER! I recently learned the open hand method shown here but the purling method made no sense to me. I just couldn't get it. But your technique for purling seems totally doable. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!
Yes, I'm having a heck of a time purling with the continental hold. Knitting has become pretty quick and easy as a novice knitter, but the purling... 😳😑🤷🏼♀️
This is the best demonstration of knitting I've ever seen. The way you had the camera positioned and how you used closeups and different speeds allowed me to see what you were explaining.
I have been an avid crocheter for 41 years. I have always wanted to learn how to knit. After multiple attempts at different styles I found continental worked best for me. Knitting remained "clumsy" for me though. My issue was the purl stitch....frustrated I gave up and returned to crocheting afghans. My fave project. You nailed it for me at 10:13 continental purl open hand 🙌🏽! I did it....tried your method and I got it. Thank you so much ❤️. Love your channel.
I like the way you anchor the yarn with your right index finger during purling. I have been using my left index as a lever and have been concerned about the stress. Have been suffering with trigger fingers and thumb and have been taking a break. Thanks for your videos.
Dear Roxanne! After years of fretting over which way I want to knit, I watched this video. Bam, it all clicked into place in my brain! In just one day, after many, I got control over my purling finger and now it s a fluid motion for me thanks to you. I’ve watched numerous videos and gave up because I’m a very proficient English knitter. My hand an finger movements are at a minimum but I wanted to understand why continental knitters feel the way they do about it. Now I get it! I firmly believe that the style one will like the best is the one first taught. As an older person, change requires great effort sometimes. I’m happy say you helped me get over the the hump. I teach crochet and knitting once a year at a retreat. This fall I’m scheduled to teach Russian knitting and was hesitant to have traditional continental knitters in my class, but know I’m more confident. Thank you
I'm so glad things finally clicked for you. I was a thrower for more than 20 years before I gradually shifted (over the course of 4 years) to Continental. I still use my original method in some situations, but because it didn't work well for knitting in the round (I keep a long straight needle anchored when I throw), I needed to add another style to my repertoire.
I love to knit but have really hurt myself knitting English for years. Thank you for this. I am trying hard to change my knitting style in order to be able to continue my much loved hobby. This is awkward for me, but determined.
Great tutorial, after learning the British method 60 years ago (and because my right hand doesn’t leave the needle, it’s my right index finger doing the work, I can knit like flash lightning). I decided to look at continental because apart from my curiosity it seemed very efficient and so thought I’d see if I liked it better. Yours is the 4th tutorial I’ve watched and by far the absolute best. You are clear, succinct and the slo-mo spots helpful in cementing hand and wool placement for the best efficiency. Thank you so much 🌹❤️
Thank you for showing all these ways to knit. I have been "okay" with doing things differently, and liked hearing actual terms for 'my style' of holding the needles. I feel more like a legitimate knitter now, except that I purl with my thumb! :)
I knit closed continental, and I often purl with my thumb too! It's called Portuguese style if you're interested :) I have read they purl the entire project and then turn it inside out at the end, something I'd love to try one day! I have also learned Norwegian style purl stitch and Portuguese style knit stitch to make ribbing a little easier
Thank you for this video! It really helped me understand why I wasn't able to follow other tutorials I had been watching. Turns out I knit close handed. Also had a lot of other technique tips that hadn't occurred to me before.
I knit very nearly the same as you. I taught myself to knit continentally about 15 years ago when I knitted a lot of prayer shawls. by the time I finished the first traditional prayer shawl (k3, p3 on repeat for about 4 feet). When purling though I hold the yarn with the thumb of my left hand (not the index finger of my right hand).
I use all the styles of knitting depending on the project. Ribbing: I use combination knitting Flat stockinette: continental and mirror knitting (no purling) Color work: Continental and English In the round 🤷🏻♀️ whatever the mood strikes 😂
I'm so glad you explained this so clearly I'm a intermediate crocheter but beginner in knitting. It's going ok but I really appreciate your video and how you took the speed down and didn't rush through the stitches. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this!! I’m an open hand crocheted, but all the videos on purling demonstrates closed hand knit/purl and the frustration had me almost throwing my project across the room and thinking I couldn’t learn continental because I could they my pointer finger to stop floating! I’m going to give it another shot and see if I can get it. Thank you for demo-ing both and pointing out the differences.
I am a continental knitter and I think I have pretty open hands, I don't grip at all, but I keep my yarn finger close to the needle -- to be honest even the thought of holding it that far makes my hand cramp =)) The purl is very annoying to do this way, though, so I just do a norwegian one, even though it ends up a bit looser for me
Thanks!! I have kind of a hybrid to knit and purl, always have my hands closed as otherwise, they become numb and painfull (carpal tunnel) Thanks for showing both techniques!. Quick question, do you happen to know russian style? I've heard is a very fast method of knitting/purling but there are no many videos on this. Blessings to you and thanks for sharing with all your creativity and knowledge.
AS a Continental Knitter, I followed you tuto. You should move the Finger with the yarn towards the needle to Catch easily the yarn for the Knitter Stitch. This is important for the purl Stitch. In Germany, Switzerland and Austria we knit with High Speed with this Methode.. Thank you for the Tutorial
Hello I’m new to continental knitting I love it but am still exploring which method. I’m loving your videos. My first project calls for “ MIL and MIR” they are not working very well. Are you able todo a video on these types of increasing? Please help😊
I've always been told I knit...differently... by my family. they never said "wrong" parsay but when I knit my socks from the inside (sock opening facing me) my mom laughs a little. I stumbled across couched knitting by accident but I'm not sure how to continue that with shorter needles.
I've been knitting for decades. first throwing, then flicking. I decided last week to learn the continental method, and started searching UA-cam for guidance. Tension has been a problem so far. Yours is the BEST video I've found, so thank you so much! I especially appreciate the slowed down parts that allowed me to see exactly what your fingers were doing. I'll be watching this video again. 😀
This is so good--thank for so much for the thorough description and visual. I learned English knitting (throwing) but have learned continental to increase my speed. I naturally do a closed hand, but I see so many vidoes using an open hand, so I thought I was somehow doing it wrong all this time. Open hand just doesn't work for me, and thank you for telling me that's ok! I do like to switch between methods to reduce hand and shoulder fatigue and reduce risk for repetitive motion stress.
Closed-hand looks like how I hold my yarn and work for crochet. My index finger always cramps up if i hold it out. When I get my knitting needles I'm going to try closed-hand. Wish me luck! lol
I use a mix of Continental and English knitting styles, it works most of the time but there are some things I just can't do. Trying to do Scandinavian patterns for example, make me want to dive over my sofa screaming lol BUT I AM trying to lose the English method on my right and go FULL Continental.
Thank you sooo very much for this detailed description of every movement, enabling us to choose the one right for our needs. I have been knitting since I was 16, and am now 77. I decided to try continental knitting to help me speed up. Not only is it proving faster, but it is working much better for my misshapen, arthritic hands. I can not thank you enough, because I am determined to never give up my knitting!😊
I've gotten very fast at closed hand knitting but my purl is kind of English style and much slower. I'm going to try the figure 8 that you showed. Glad this video appeared in my feed. Thank you!
I am a crocheter who has been unsuccessful with knitting. Should probably try it again. I am a "pit knitter" but hold the left needle close to my body and move the right needle, much like moving my crochet hook. Odd, I know. Thanks for the video.
Thank you! I am a crocheter who is learning to knit by watching various videos and getting confused. I’m much like you except I push the left needle into the stitch. 😅
I lay the yarn over my index finger and keep all fingers in the needles with closed hand. Picking off my finger. I could never continental knit before I saw Arne and Carlos knitting this way.my tension and soled have increased 💯. I’m also a combination knitter, so my purls are super fast I do an eastern. Erosion of the Norwegian purl. Super quick for me.
this is exactly the video i needed!! Trying to learn knitting after having done crochet for a while, holding the yarn in my left hand feels way more natural but I was really struggling with how to do purls in this style. Thank you!!
I knit open hand continental wrapping my smaller fingers and go get the yarn with the needle as if to crochet as you demonstrated. English knitters have come up to me puzzled in public to see what in the world I was up to. The only challenges I’ve faced has been with splitty yarn if I’m knitting in dim lighting, and deciphering some knitting instructions like knitting or purling in the front or back loop because I always just go for the front leg and I sometimes have trouble deciphering what they are trying to do. Often, they are just trying to twist a stitch, etc. To me English knitting is just impossible and makes zero sense LOL.
Hi. I have watched quite a few of your videos and I really appreciate how you dive deep and really get into the whys and not just the hows. So I am wondering if you have any ideas about an issue I am having. I live in Norway, taught myself to knit using youtube. I have started a big project and I have tried switching to continental because it goes much faster. However, I find that no matter how loose I hold the yarn, it starts twisting. These are store spun cakes, I am pulling from the inside. So every 20 stitches or so I end up switching the yarn over to my right to try to get the twist to relax. Any ideas why... or better how to avoid the twist? Should I try pulling from the outside instead?
A suggestion: if you move your left hand closer to the tip of the left needle, you won’t have to grab the new stitch with your right index finger. You’ll just be able to “pick” the new stitch from the working yarn and it’ll just slide onto the right needle.
Thank you for breaking this down for me! I’ve been trying off and on for years to learn continental but something never seemed right and I gave up. I’m not going to give up this time thanks to your explanations! ❤
So I'm a closed hand Continental. ha ha Technically I've only been attempting for a week. BUT this is the first time I was able to purl across the entire needle. Thank you!
I was english style knitter but now trying to figure out continental and what is my comfort way of tensioning and holding needles. I found some amazing knitters from Rusia that hold with closed hand and the fabric comes out so even and neat but it's still difficult for me, so frustrating and other knitters with more opened hand but a have problems with tension in yarn, gets too loose or too tight.... and the purl😣I guess it's just a matter of practice like everything in life! Thank you, it was very helpful your video.
Thanks so much for the explanation and demonstration of both techniques of continental knitting. The explanation of the placement of the needles when inserting into the stitch was also very helpful. The slo-mo really helped. I now have a mantra to repeat to myself with each stitch.
Thank you for this I am going to try the closed method. I am new to knitting but get frusted at how long it takes to finish a project & I have also not chosen to do some projects because the stitches are knit, purl, knit, purl & so on that I find I get lost, forget which I just did or the changing back & forth takes too long. O have been wanting to do continental but I just couldn't hold the yarn right it was always floating around & so loose it was uncontrollable. Until I saw this video I realized I hold my hands closed, so I can't wait to give this a try & hopefully have better experience.
I knit continental and open and I have always wondered how other ppl with this technique pull through the working yarn. I actually use my right index to pull the working yarn towards me for knit sts and for purls I use my left thumb. I've never been able to do it differently so I've always wondered how other ppl do it.
This is probably the best knitting video I’ve seen. Thank you for showing us these 2 options of how to hold our needles and yarn! I’m new so seeing all of this in one concise video is tremendously helpful ❤
Excellent video! I echo all the other comments, in particular that there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way. I, for instance, find myself tensioning the yarn differently at different points along the row - that works for me.
I can just about do the knit in this style now ( I like the anchor) but for me, purling feels impossible to get my hands right! I constantly drop it...
I do a closed hand knitting and never do a figure eight to bring the yarn through. It's too complicated. I just pull the yarn through without the figure eight. So simple and fast
Thank you for sharing. I am a continental knitter and self taught...open handed and tensioning on my index finger. I bend/drop my index finger when purling and it works for me. We each need to find what works for us as the goal should be joy in your knitting.
Wow, this is the first time that I see the closed handed continental method exactly how I do it. Even the purl 😄 (only the index finger goes slightly down) and the wrap around the pinky finger
![10 easy ways to improve purling [slow-motion masterclass]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tJvXIxNz4XM/mqdefault.jpg)
Thank goodness we’ve finally fired the knitting police and accepted the fact that the correct way to knit/purl is the one that works to achieve both comfort and tension.
Hear, hear! I "think" I knit Russian and continental mix. I only think.
For yourself
When teaching someone, I make it clear that there are other ways to do the deed and whichever way they find easier is the one they should use. I am only proficient in 'throwing' so can't easily teach continental. But let them know about UA-cam and how to Pause and Slow the video. I'm still having problems with continental - which is annoying for me because I'm used to being ambidextrous - and can't seem to do both hands for knitting or crocheting or a sewing needle.
@@Marny5580 I learned continental after developing tendinitis, but I still sometimes, and with certain yarns, struggle with continental - for eg., I’m currently knitting a pattern kit for a summer ‘T’ using a 100% silk yarn, and cannot control tension at all using continental, but no problem with English ‘throwing’.
So true. I wrap the yarn the reverse of most English knitting and it’s been called “weird”. No, it’s the way that’s most comfortable for me.
What a great video. I'm 81 & have been a thrower since I learned to knit at age 17. My ribbing is ugly. I've always admired those who rib continental style, but I just couldn't comfortably hold yarn in my left hand. I haven't knit during the last 2-3 yrs, but now want to try the new (to me) flexi style sock needles. So, I've decided now is the time to learn to knit continental style before my hands get too used to my old thrower style. I'd never before seen anyone demonstrate the closed hand method of holding yarn. My hands are arthritic & I can't hold my index finger up with any comfort. I've just completed 2 rows using the closed hand method . I'm still working out exactly what's comfortable, but I think this time I'll succeed. Thank you so much for this wonderful video.
I have arthritis in my hands too- I do stretches for rock climbers 😂 and it helps! I do several stretching exercises for my hands before I start fiber working and I’ve found less fatigue and less swelling in my knuckles.
I also tape my really bad knuckles up with kinesio tape- it’s a stretchy sticky tape they use in PT. There are tutorials online for different ways to tape different body parts.
It’s worked wonders for my knee after surgery, my toe that doesn’t bend and my carpal tunnel!
All my best! Don’t forget to take breaks. ❤❤
I live in a small town, left handed, closed handed, continental is what is comfortable for me. I have become self taught due to being told by a knitting instructor that I had to change the way I held my needles or I would never become a proficient knitter! I am only an intermediate knitter at best, however I continue to learn on my own with the help of UA-cam and your wonderful videos. Thank you for validating my way of holding my needles!!
What does a small town have to do with how you knit?
@@brittanyking7705 : If it's a very small town there's a good chance the local Mrs Know-It-All is going on about how she's knitting the "wrong" way. If it's a small-ish town there's a good chance that the knitting teachers all have the same technique (and may not be aware of other techniques or may, dare I say it, be prejudiced against them).
I just learned to knit after years of crocheting and after struggling to hold the yarn in my right hand i discovered continental and after struggling to copy many open hand you tube demos i finally closed my hands and also learned the norwegian purl. I almost gave up until someone wise told me there was way more than 1 or 2 or 3 ways to knit and that holding it however i was wasnt incorrect. Now i am happily trying all sorts of techniques and patterns and learning from so many great teachers. I do really enjoy your analytical and detailed videos!
That's ironic, because I was the only knitter in a family of proficient crocheters. My grandmother taught me English-style knitting as a child because I wanted to make a Dr. Who scarf, but I quickly lost interest, and found that I was never interested in crocheting despite seeing my grandmother, mother, and, eventually, my sister crocheting away in the evenings. I picked knitting back up in my late 20's and became quite good at it through the repetition of basic stitches. (I made LOTS of scarves in either garter or seed stitch. For years.) While back home visiting, I asked my mom to teach me crochet basics because I wanted to learn to crochet some jingle bell Christmas ornaments, made by her and my grandmother, which I had loved as a child. They involved single, double, and triple crochet, so I was crocheting a sampler of sorts to get those stitch techniques down before moving on to the bell. Even though I was new to crocheting, I was Really pleased with my sampler - which was looking great because managing my yarn tension had already become second nature. My mom, however, completely fixated on the way I was holding my yarn - telling me repeatedly that it was "gross". While she didn't necessarily say it in a nasty way, her criticism was repetitive even though I pointed out that if my tension was good, it didn't really matter how I held my yarn.
I wasn't transitioning correctly from one round to the next, consistently throwing my little bells off-kilter. I knew the problem was that I wasn't recognizing the correct stitch to work into, and I repeated asked her how to identify which stitch I should work into. But instead of explaining, she would just grab it from me and crochet it for me, saying, "THIS is how you do it." Which, in hindsight, may have been why I was never interested in crocheting years earlier - it would have increased her criticism and impatience with me... As a child, I didn't have a choice about being a target. But as an adult, I just very quickly decided, "Nope. Not interested anymore."
I actually didn't mean this to turn into a diatribe about my mother, but here it is. You never know when a burst of introspection will come over you, and I've learned to let them breathe. 😄😊😊
@@Stretch1003 i can totally identify. My moms a little bit the same about sewing. Shes like master level garment making, custom alterations, wizard repairs, perfect elaborate halloween costumes, quilting and shes just gosh darn good at everything but theres a good reason i chose yarn so that we can still be friends lol
I just love the diversity of knitting stlyles! Dealing with personalities is a whole different ball of yarn, haha. Regardless, It reach a few classes with my C and K crowd and I always say, don't sign up with preconceived notions about right and wrong, we are on a journey, BTW check out Portuguese knitting for an eye opener and Russian knitting as well.
@@Stretch1003 Thank God that my mother never attempted to teach me how to knit or crochet, or I would not be any good at either!
I do the same. I close fist continental knit and purl Norwegian.
THANK YOU for this excellent tutorial! The pace is comfortable, the explanations are clear & concise, the camera angle is illustrative, the animated titles are helpful (particularly in the K1P1 section) and occasionally funny, and the slowed-down moments are sooooo helpful. I particularly appreciate how much a "do what's right for you" approach is highlighted, and bless you for showing both open and closed handed techniques. Bravo, and thanks!!!
Ironically, practicing all of these and other techniques seems to have made me a better knitter in my style of preference which is very closed english style is that is how to describe it. It's still considered throwing but all of my movement is in the left hand and I can get going along at a nice clip like a little knitting machine. I practice others just to keep the communication between my brain and hands open. This video was very helpful in fine tuning for me, thanks Roxanne. I also appreciate how you publish the time sequences, so very helpful.
Pointing out the difference between open and closed hand positions is so useful! Thank you very much! I’ve been watching demonstrations of people who work with open hands and I just couldn’t get it and I now see that I am naturally closed hand knitter and I got it straight away and, golly what an easy way to knit!
Me too! 😊
Me too. It's getting easier...particularly purling.
Ah I’m a self-taught knitter and I thought I was alone in holding the yarn with my left hand close to the work- I’m glad it’s an actual technique - now when my knit circle makes fun of my form, I can prove I’m not going rogue with my closed hand continental style! Thank you!
It’s called Norwegian style. Check out Arno and Carlos videos
I’ve attempted the open hand method of continental knitting and it just does not work for me. The closed hands, needles loosely held, with yarn tensioned from my pinky finger, work for me.
I knit mixing Continental and English.
@@barbarapinto2305 My mom was Norwegian and taught me, it's different for sure and hard to break the habit having learned at 6yrs old. Wen Scott is right, do what's comfortable and tension achievable.
@@barbarapinto2305oh interesting. My mom who’s Swedish taught me. I always thought I was knitting wrong. Now I know it’s just another style
I knit Continental using the picking style, kind of a open and close method but that’s what I love about knitting, find what works for you. If I hadn’t moved from English style to Continental I don’t think I would have continued knitting, the purling was an issue and prior to knitting I was crocheting so it was easier to adapt to the Continental style. Thank you for video!
This is what I encourage crocheters to do! Try continental style first! I didn’t learn how to tension my yarn in my right hand. Then I learned crochet and enjoyed that, then learning continental was a breeze.
I am a crocheter who could never make peace with knitting (dropping loops is so scary) I feel like this style is gonna make more sense for my hands
"Again I'm not adept at this"
*Shows the easiest to follow closed handed continental purl I've ever seen*
Thank you 😂😊🥰
Great video and just the right level of detail. I keep avoiding changing to continental style but this gave me motivation to try again. Many thanks xox
I appreciate how you start your lesson with the fact that different ways work for different people, even if you call it "English" or "continental." I knew there were different styles of English (how I generally knit); and now I know there are also different ways of continental knitting! Thanks for the lesson.
I definitely need to practice my continental knitting, I learned English style and I'm happy with it, but continental seems much more efficient. It's just so awkward to switch styles once you've learned one.
I’m having a struggle with that, too!
Me three. I can sort of do continental with bigger needles and yarn in slow motion.
@@CarinaPiersay It's so worth the trouble. Then, if you ever do double knitting, it will be a breeze.
@Lorraine Hutter I really think I do. I get bored because English style goes so slow. I think it’s just a matter of having the patience to see it through, practice and let it evolve.
Changing styles once you have learnt one does take time and frequent short practises as you are changing or adding to a brain pattern -allow 6 weeks with regular practise. I use continental predominately as that is what my mother and grandmother did but school it was English - so it I seldom finished anything and it was in my late teens that I completed something of my own choice in my own style. English is great when frequently colour change and I now have a combination of English and continental if working in two colours.
The advantage of continental is that it is more wrist and less arm so if you having elbow/shoulder issues you can continue knitting by switching styles.
This was so incredibly helpful thank you! I’m only on day 3 of learning how to knit and have been exploring options on my own to find what works best for me. As a crocheter it took about 2 minutes to know Continental style was right for me, but past that I’ve been fumbling around in the dark. Seeing the different options and what to look for when watching other videos has clarified so much. Thank you!
The very best explanation on video yet. THANK YOU 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
As a long time crocheter the Norwegian style (subset of Continental) is what works for me. I use a closed hand style of holding the needle and *always* keep the working yarn behind the needles. Thus the purl the way I learned (via Arne&Carlos) is almost a mirror of what you show. I’m glad I found a way that works for me because flipping the yarn back and forth was giving me fits.
Glad you mentioned this.
ooh i will look into that! love arne and carlos 🥰
@@welpppppppppppppp ... So simple, and less strain on the hands... ie, no finger in the air! lol
Recently discovered Norwegian purling and I LOVE IT!!!
I’m a closed hand continental knitter and don’t purl in the way shown or the way Arne and Carlos do it. I wrap the yarn the other way so the movement is really small. To keep 1x1 ribbing neater I can do this with the yarn in back.
It is great that showed different hand and needle position and movement. Ive tried continental knitting a few times and it’s just never stuck. This help me realize where I may have a problem or a simple adjustments that maybe helpful. Thank you as always for your wonderful tips.
This was a LOVELY and highly informative video. I loved the way you presented each style AND the slow-motion/silent knitting and purling at the end. I also really appreciated the segment that showed you being less than comfortable knitting using a method that is not the one you usually use. Hey, loads of the viewers can relate to that segment! Indeed, we are watching this video because we are working (very, very hard) to adapt to a particular method of knitting and purling (i.e., for me, going from the English method to the Continental method! YIKES!!). I fully enjoyed and appreciated the care and attention that you gave to this video. I will be watching it, I am certain, more than once. :)
As an English style knitter, I've learned to "throw" very quickly, using my index finger to speedily throw the yarn over the needle, and while knitting it's very satisfying but purling still slows me down somewhat. I might try tensioning your way. The tension problem was what kept me from mastering the Continental style, but I'm going to give it another try. Thank you so much for this great tutorial!
Same here. I have to keep letting the yarn go to re tension it and can’t get a proper flow. Also not sure that my right index finger is up for all that work! Fun to try and to gain another skill though.
Interesting, bc it’s the purls that I’m fast with and slow with the knits. I knit the same way except I use my left thumb to kinda push the right needle up a bit so it’s closer to the yarn as I throw it.
This was very helpful, thank you! I struggle with keeping tension in my yarn and your explanations and well as the slow motion helped me a lot, I think I’m getting it! (I also had no idea anchored knitting was a thing and always thought I was just a weird knitter)
Ah I’m so glad to see closed hand knitting included here!
Just what I needed to see. I am currently looking at alternative styles of knitting to combat joint problems. I have 'mastered' Portuguese style which is good when my shoulders hurt. I have attempted Continental but ended up with a combination purl,which is ok most of the time. I will try the 8 motion later. Thanks
Fascinating tutorials - love the way you showed the action at different speeds. 💫
Amazing tutorial
i used to use long needles and anchor the needle between my knees because i learned to knit when i was maybe 8 and my hands were too small to hold everything lol!
Yes! We all get to knit the way that works for us 👍 I am a standard continental knitter that uses my left index finger for tension and to put the yarn around my right needle for knit or purl. Happy knitting everyone!
I'm a combined continental knitter. This marvelous video helped me to learn how to easily purl (the figure 8). This will make my lace knitting easier. I do not hold the yarn up, and always knit "picking" the yarn off my finger. I am still practicing this purl, watching tension, as I find I need to tension the yarn a bit tighter or there will be slack in between purls. I was taught the combined continental method by my Great Aunt Arizona from Sweden. I say it's the fastest way to knit, but it does create some problems with intricate patterns.
Thank you. I first learned to knit from my English mother who knit arm pit style. It has been fascinating to learn more about that method from your podcasts over the years and. gives me greater insight to how that English culture contributed to how my mother was raised to be a worker bee. After a few short years a friend taught me how to knit continental - which evolved into combo knitting. But nowadays my preferred method is to purl Norwegian style - although according to Arne and Carlos it is not Norwegian because I have my left pointer finger raised. I have too much arthritis to have my hands in the closed style for very long.
I'm such a sucker for this kinda stuff!
I'm continental combined. I guess I have a low open grip. My left forefinger and thumb both touch the needle tip, but it's open like a circle behind there. Like you, I keep my right needle still, and keep the needles perpendicular
I love how detailed this whole video is. I personally am a closed knitter so it really shocked me that someone would demonstrate multiple styles of the continental methods… Thanks so much!
I am an English style knitter because that was how I was taught when I was very young. Recently I've learned to do Norwegian Style knitting from Arne and Carlos UA-cam videos. They have several tutorials showing how to do Norwegian Style. When purling in a closed purl style stitch, they don't move the working yarn to the front of the piece. It's very challenging to do when you aren't used to it. However what I found when knitting color work with 5 DP needles, this style works so much better because you don't get the yarn tangled up in the needles. I have to practice on is tension. For some reason my tension is very loose when doing this method. It takes serious intentional practice because I know the English way so well. Thanks for all the wonderful tutorials and information you provide. It's fun and interesting to watch your videos.
I did a video on Norwegian purl many years ago. :-)
At last, an easy to follow video, best I've seen personally. Thank you so much, I'm going to give it a try.😊
I’ve been looking at many knitting videos, most of them with open hands technique and I’ve been struggling so much as I knit with closed hands and I figured I was doing it wrong 🙃 thanks for explaining that I’m indeed normal haha, I’ve been trying the open hand techniques and it’s as natural for me as closed is for you 😂 fun fact, I don’t tension my yarn by wrapping it around any finger but rather keep the tension by tensioning my ring and little finger against my palm with the yarn in between.
Thank you for this encouraging how-to on continental knitting and showing everyone that there are different ways of doing it..whatever is most comfortable for the knitter! I was taught the English style and have tried switching to continental by watching other videos that show the picking method which I found frustrating. I like your method so much better using an anchor! I will give it a try again. Doing swatches would be a good way for me to practice before tackling an actual project. I think you were brave learning how to knit continental the first time by knitting a sock! Thank you so much for a wonderful demo! I especially appreciated when you knitted in slow motion, thus clearly showing exactly what you are doing, every step of the way!
So happy to see you differentiate between open and closed! I didn’t realize I was doing closed and, watching tutorials, a lot of them show open (which is SO HARD for me). So for that, thank you so much!
⁹
YES! Open is so unnatural for me
Im a self-taught crocheter of 2 decades, dabbling in the craft since childhood when my paternal grandmother taught me how to chain. Yes, that's all she taught me. I took it from there at some point in my 20s.
Im also a self-taught kniter whose dabbled here and there but mostly made wash cloths until recently. I wrap my left working thread for tension differently from 99% of any other crocheter or knitter I've watched. I use the same wrap for both modalities. I've tried to wrap and hold my left hand according to aurhorities of teaching such matters, but it messes with my tension consistency frightfully. And it frustrates me to such an extent that I'd rather not engage in either craft if I can't do what works for me. I knit continental, although I never was taught since I'm self-taught. I purl the Norwegian purl method. My maternal grandmother is full Norwegian, but she never taught me any knitting. I just do what's always worked best.
When it comes to how I hold my work in my left hand, I would say that it's a modified open-closed hold where I use my pointerfinger like a hook arm to complete the knit or purl stich before I drag the new stictch off to the working needle. The only work my working needle performs is jabing the next stitch to be worked and performing the purl twists of the Norwegian purl. I'm still working out my end stitch tension but it's improved greatly after watching a video to learn how to prevent a loopy end stitch.
All of that to say, I'm not nearly as concerned with what methods I use or what they are called as I am with improving my skill sets and making wearable garments I could be proud to brag about if I were the bragging sort😅.
Well as a crocheter who has been 👀 looking at trying knitting I’m really thankful for this because I think continental will suit me better and I had no idea about open and closed hand mentors and I’ll try both of those out to see what feels natural to me. Thank you!
thank you so much for the detailed instruction! I’m a crocheter learning to knit and the English style really troubled me! Lucky I found this style which IMO suits crocheters better than English style 🌹
This tutorial was extremely helpful. My knitting style, in terms of how I hold my hands and yarn, is exactly like yours which made the tutorial so easy to follow. In fact, although I also crochet, I find my hands wanting to knit because it just feels more natural. What I learned most from this tutorial was to allow my hands to do what feels natural to them and to not try to force myself to knit like someone else! Thank you 🧶
I’ve taken up knitting again after more than 30 years. I find the continental method to be natural for me because it feels like crocheting. However, holding my left index finger up to keep the tension has become difficult because of arthritis. Thank you for showing the closed hand technique. I’m hoping this method will help me to continue to knit for longer periods of time.
Wow. You actually read my mind with this video. Just this morning I was looking for your old how I purl video because I decided I was finally going to figure out how to do a continental purl at least somewhat proficiently.
Also a little tip for the closed hand style knit stitch, I find it helps to have the yarn coming over the last segment of the pointer finger right below (or even right on) the fingernail. I find it makes for a better angle to "pick" the working yarn off the finger if the working yarn is tensioned farther to the right, usually even beyond the tip of the left needle.
Wow, this is really good awareness for people who don't know or misunderstood continental knitting. After all, it has varieties to suit different hands. Love your videos, not many people shed light on this. Really appreciate it.
My style is kind of in between but more of the closed hand method. I find that I don't need to ankle the yarn as you do, because it's closed hand, my index has lots of room, I would lift the index to quickly wrap or tug the yarn since it's just very slight movement, same goes for purl, I find it easier to do closed hand for purling than open hand.
It's fascinating to see different styles, it's almost like our hands are different brands of knitting machines! Just like different brand of sewing machines or knitting machines tension differently, so are our hands, it's like a mini machine but naturally built in us!
At 3:50 ish; the pinky finger is stronger than we think. I learned in cosmetology of the strength and dexterity and The Power that is in each finger. Most people think dabbing cream to the most delicate of skin on the face - the eye area - should be done with the pinky finger... non, non, mon amie! The middle finger is the gentlest, sensitive ( think about that for a moment, ladies...and gents...) delicate, most precise, and the one you can control the best and although seeming to be the most delicate of all fingers especially by its lonesome, the pinky finger is the anchor of almost anything you need to do with your hand/fingers -- it could fight in the wrestling ring with the index finger and possibly win the bout - it's small but wiry. Much too powerful for the gentle taps you need to apply for the under-eye area. The ring finger is the weakest, can't hardly do anything without the middle finger. It is too awkward for the under-eye area. It does everything the middle finger tells it to do. Completely subordinate to both the middle and pinky finger.
Wow! How interesting! Amazing to learn about our own equipment!
I could never continental style. I'm an open hand English style (dominant left handed) but I'm so happy to stumble upon your tutorial. THANK YOU!
Wow, I feel so important now:). My Russian grandma taught me to knit. But I now know the name of that style : "closed- hand -continental -no pinky- involved". It is so convenient, so ergonomic and so fast!
I'm having some beginner problems. I sometimes can't seem to get my needle through the thread when doing knit stitch. I didn't think my tension was too tight.
Thanks for another great tutorial. I learned to flick English style and just can’t seem to make my hands do Continental. My shoulder tenses and cramps up with continental. I’ve been trying to learn to use my other hand to give my right hand a break, but I guess I’ll stick to flicking since that seems to work for me.
Check out Norwegian style knitting with Arne&Carlos - it will help give your hand a break ❤️ it’s a very ergonomic knitting style :)
Maria I learnt to knit with the throwing english style at the age of 5 years. I'm now 70 years and because of arthritis in my knuckles of my right hand with the marvel of youtube I have taught myself to knit continental. It was slow going and my tension was rubbish but I persevered and I'm knitting garments again. If I can do so can you just keep practising. I knitted a small blanket in garter stitch first and that helped me get the hang of holding the wool and my hand positions tremendously. It's a joy to be able to create again.😁😁😁
@@ellbow7287 Thank you for the encouragement. I’m so glad you are knitting again. I think I’ve created a bad habit somewhere causing some pain in my right hand. I did try Norwegian purl, and managed to figure that one out, but it only served to make standard continental method a bit easier for me. Lol .... You are correct. Practice will be the remedy.
That was absolutely fantastic! You’re a brilliant teacher! I’m so sorry to admit it, but after practicing your tutorial, and playing with the techniques, I’m a confirmed closed continental knitter (say that five times fast, haha!), as it’s most comfortable for me. But you demonstrated it so beautifully!
Nothing to be sorry about! The way I knit isn't better or worse than any other method, it just happens to be what works best for me. :-)
I had to switch to continental after developing tendinitis. This is the best explanation ever! I developed my own way due to arthritis its like you have given me permission! So encouraging!
Having been an English style knitter for decades, I recently persevered learning Continental with the knit stitch But I also realized clamping the end of the right needle in my arm pit gave me more facility with my right hand because it took all the weight off so all I had to do was guide without the stress of holding. Hope that makes sense. I'll be working on the Continental purling! Thank you so much!
Thank you for showing both ways of holding the needles. When I try to knit continental, I have a hard time advancing the stitches on the left hand needle without dropping the yarn and having to tension it again. I’m going to keep practicing!
Thank you!!!! I have been knitting off and on for the last few years but I never learned a proper way if holding the yarn which made me such a slow knitter - which made every project take FOREVER! I recently learned the open hand method shown here but the purling method made no sense to me. I just couldn't get it. But your technique for purling seems totally doable. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!
Yes, I'm having a heck of a time purling with the continental hold. Knitting has become pretty quick and easy as a novice knitter, but the purling... 😳😑🤷🏼♀️
Very clear and well organised tutorial ( as is usually the case) and nicely filmed to give an excellent view of what’s going on. Thankyou.
I love your videos!! Thank you for posting!! I learn so much from you.
This is the best demonstration of knitting I've ever seen. The way you had the camera positioned and how you used closeups and different speeds allowed me to see what you were explaining.
I have been an avid crocheter for 41 years. I have always wanted to learn how to knit. After multiple attempts at different styles I found continental worked best for me. Knitting remained "clumsy" for me though. My issue was the purl stitch....frustrated I gave up and returned to crocheting afghans. My fave project. You nailed it for me at 10:13 continental purl open hand 🙌🏽! I did it....tried your method and I got it. Thank you so much ❤️. Love your channel.
I like the way you anchor the yarn with your right index finger during purling. I have been using my left index as a lever and have been concerned about the stress. Have been suffering with trigger fingers and thumb and have been taking a break. Thanks for your videos.
Dear Roxanne! After years of fretting over which way I want to knit, I watched this video. Bam, it all clicked into place in my brain! In just one day, after many, I got control over my purling finger and now it s a fluid motion for me thanks to you. I’ve watched numerous videos and gave up because I’m a very proficient English knitter. My hand an finger movements are at a minimum but I wanted to understand why continental knitters feel the way they do about it. Now I get it! I firmly believe that the style one will like the best is the one first taught. As an older person, change requires great effort sometimes. I’m happy say you helped me get over the the hump. I teach crochet and knitting once a year at a retreat. This fall I’m scheduled to teach Russian knitting and was hesitant to have traditional continental knitters in my class, but know I’m more confident. Thank you
I'm so glad things finally clicked for you. I was a thrower for more than 20 years before I gradually shifted (over the course of 4 years) to Continental. I still use my original method in some situations, but because it didn't work well for knitting in the round (I keep a long straight needle anchored when I throw), I needed to add another style to my repertoire.
I love to knit but have really hurt myself knitting English for years. Thank you for this. I am trying hard to change my knitting style in order to be able to continue my much loved hobby. This is awkward for me, but determined.
I knit in the Norwegian style
Great tutorial, after learning the British method 60 years ago (and because my right hand doesn’t leave the needle, it’s my right index finger doing the work, I can knit like flash lightning). I decided to look at continental because apart from my curiosity it seemed very efficient and so thought I’d see if I liked it better. Yours is the 4th tutorial I’ve watched and by far the absolute best. You are clear, succinct and the slo-mo spots helpful in cementing hand and wool placement for the best efficiency. Thank you so much 🌹❤️
Thank you for showing all these ways to knit. I have been "okay" with doing things differently, and liked hearing actual terms for 'my style' of holding the needles. I feel more like a legitimate knitter now, except that I purl with my thumb! :)
I knit closed continental, and I often purl with my thumb too! It's called Portuguese style if you're interested :) I have read they purl the entire project and then turn it inside out at the end, something I'd love to try one day! I have also learned Norwegian style purl stitch and Portuguese style knit stitch to make ribbing a little easier
Thank you for this video! It really helped me understand why I wasn't able to follow other tutorials I had been watching. Turns out I knit close handed. Also had a lot of other technique tips that hadn't occurred to me before.
I knit very nearly the same as you. I taught myself to knit continentally about 15 years ago when I knitted a lot of prayer shawls. by the time I finished the first traditional prayer shawl (k3, p3 on repeat for about 4 feet). When purling though I hold the yarn with the thumb of my left hand (not the index finger of my right hand).
I use all the styles of knitting depending on the project.
Ribbing: I use combination knitting
Flat stockinette: continental and mirror knitting (no purling)
Color work: Continental and English
In the round 🤷🏻♀️ whatever the mood strikes 😂
I do the anchoring method thinking I was wrong. However purling is difficult. Excellent video divided into segments. Thankyou.
I'm so glad you explained this so clearly I'm a intermediate crocheter but beginner in knitting. It's going ok but I really appreciate your video and how you took the speed down and didn't rush through the stitches. Thank you!
Thank you so much for this!! I’m an open hand crocheted, but all the videos on purling demonstrates closed hand knit/purl and the frustration had me almost throwing my project across the room and thinking I couldn’t learn continental because I could they my pointer finger to stop floating! I’m going to give it another shot and see if I can get it. Thank you for demo-ing both and pointing out the differences.
I am a continental knitter and I think I have pretty open hands, I don't grip at all, but I keep my yarn finger close to the needle -- to be honest even the thought of holding it that far makes my hand cramp =)) The purl is very annoying to do this way, though, so I just do a norwegian one, even though it ends up a bit looser for me
Thanks!! I have kind of a hybrid to knit and purl, always have my hands closed as otherwise, they become numb and painfull (carpal tunnel) Thanks for showing both techniques!. Quick question, do you happen to know russian style? I've heard is a very fast method of knitting/purling but there are no many videos on this. Blessings to you and thanks for sharing with all your creativity and knowledge.
Ah I’m so glad to see closed hand knitting included here!
I’m a closed handed knitter too but I have never seen anyone else who does it closed. I always thought I was wrong but it feels right.
AS a Continental Knitter, I followed you tuto. You should move the Finger with the yarn towards the needle to Catch easily the yarn for the Knitter Stitch. This is important for the purl Stitch. In Germany, Switzerland and Austria we knit with High Speed with this Methode.. Thank you for the Tutorial
Hello I’m new to continental knitting I love it but am still exploring which method. I’m loving your videos. My first project calls for “ MIL and MIR” they are not working very well. Are you able todo a video on these types of increasing? Please help😊
I've always been told I knit...differently... by my family. they never said "wrong" parsay but when I knit my socks from the inside (sock opening facing me) my mom laughs a little. I stumbled across couched knitting by accident but I'm not sure how to continue that with shorter needles.
I've been knitting for decades. first throwing, then flicking. I decided last week to learn the continental method, and started searching UA-cam for guidance. Tension has been a problem so far. Yours is the BEST video I've found, so thank you so much! I especially appreciate the slowed down parts that allowed me to see exactly what your fingers were doing. I'll be watching this video again. 😀
This is so good--thank for so much for the thorough description and visual. I learned English knitting (throwing) but have learned continental to increase my speed. I naturally do a closed hand, but I see so many vidoes using an open hand, so I thought I was somehow doing it wrong all this time. Open hand just doesn't work for me, and thank you for telling me that's ok! I do like to switch between methods to reduce hand and shoulder fatigue and reduce risk for repetitive motion stress.
Closed-hand looks like how I hold my yarn and work for crochet. My index finger always cramps up if i hold it out. When I get my knitting needles I'm going to try closed-hand. Wish me luck! lol
I use a mix of Continental and English knitting styles, it works most of the time but there are some things I just can't do. Trying to do Scandinavian patterns for example, make me want to dive over my sofa screaming lol BUT I AM trying to lose the English method on my right and go FULL Continental.
Thank you sooo very much for this detailed description of every movement, enabling us to choose the one right for our needs. I have been knitting since I was 16, and am now 77. I decided to try continental knitting to help me speed up. Not only is it proving faster, but it is working much better for my misshapen, arthritic hands. I can not thank you enough, because I am determined to never give up my knitting!😊
I've gotten very fast at closed hand knitting but my purl is kind of English style and much slower. I'm going to try the figure 8 that you showed. Glad this video appeared in my feed. Thank you!
I am a crocheter who has been unsuccessful with knitting. Should probably try it again. I am a "pit knitter" but hold the left needle close to my body and move the right needle, much like moving my crochet hook. Odd, I know. Thanks for the video.
Thank you! I am a crocheter who is learning to knit by watching various videos and getting confused. I’m much like you except I push the left needle into the stitch. 😅
I lay the yarn over my index finger and keep all fingers in the needles with closed hand. Picking off my finger. I could never continental knit before I saw Arne and Carlos knitting this way.my tension and soled have increased 💯. I’m also a combination knitter, so my purls are super fast I do an eastern. Erosion of the Norwegian purl. Super quick for me.
this is exactly the video i needed!! Trying to learn knitting after having done crochet for a while, holding the yarn in my left hand feels way more natural but I was really struggling with how to do purls in this style. Thank you!!
I knit open hand continental wrapping my smaller fingers and go get the yarn with the needle as if to crochet as you demonstrated. English knitters have come up to me puzzled in public to see what in the world I was up to. The only challenges I’ve faced has been with splitty yarn if I’m knitting in dim lighting, and deciphering some knitting instructions like knitting or purling in the front or back loop because I always just go for the front leg and I sometimes have trouble deciphering what they are trying to do. Often, they are just trying to twist a stitch, etc. To me English knitting is just impossible and makes zero sense LOL.
Birger Berge on Instagram has an amazing video on what you are referring to as the ‘closed hand’ method.
Hi. I have watched quite a few of your videos and I really appreciate how you dive deep and really get into the whys and not just the hows. So I am wondering if you have any ideas about an issue I am having. I live in Norway, taught myself to knit using youtube. I have started a big project and I have tried switching to continental because it goes much faster. However, I find that no matter how loose I hold the yarn, it starts twisting. These are store spun cakes, I am pulling from the inside. So every 20 stitches or so I end up switching the yarn over to my right to try to get the twist to relax. Any ideas why... or better how to avoid the twist? Should I try pulling from the outside instead?
A suggestion: if you move your left hand closer to the tip of the left needle, you won’t have to grab the new stitch with your right index finger. You’ll just be able to “pick” the new stitch from the working yarn and it’ll just slide onto the right needle.
Thank you for breaking this down for me! I’ve been trying off and on for years to learn continental but something never seemed right and I gave up. I’m not going to give up this time thanks to your explanations! ❤
So I'm a closed hand Continental. ha ha Technically I've only been attempting for a week. BUT this is the first time I was able to purl across the entire needle. Thank you!
I was english style knitter but now trying to figure out continental and what is my comfort way of tensioning and holding needles. I found some amazing knitters from Rusia that hold with closed hand and the fabric comes out so even and neat but it's still difficult for me, so frustrating and other knitters with more opened hand but a have problems with tension in yarn, gets too loose or too tight.... and the purl😣I guess it's just a matter of practice like everything in life! Thank you, it was very helpful your video.
Thanks so much for the explanation and demonstration of both techniques of continental knitting. The explanation of the placement of the needles when inserting into the stitch was also very helpful. The slo-mo really helped. I now have a mantra to repeat to myself with each stitch.
Thank you for this I am going to try the closed method.
I am new to knitting but get frusted at how long it takes to finish a project & I have also not chosen to do some projects because the stitches are knit, purl, knit, purl & so on that I find I get lost, forget which I just did or the changing back & forth takes too long.
O have been wanting to do continental but I just couldn't hold the yarn right it was always floating around & so loose it was uncontrollable.
Until I saw this video I realized I hold my hands closed, so I can't wait to give this a try & hopefully have better experience.
I knit continental and open and I have always wondered how other ppl with this technique pull through the working yarn. I actually use my right index to pull the working yarn towards me for knit sts and for purls I use my left thumb. I've never been able to do it differently so I've always wondered how other ppl do it.
Exceptionally clear and concise video. Many thanks 😀
You're very welcome!
This is probably the best knitting video I’ve seen. Thank you for showing us these 2 options of how to hold our needles and yarn! I’m new so seeing all of this in one concise video is tremendously helpful ❤
I'm so glad you liked it! I hope you find it helpful in your knitting journey. :-)
Excellent video! I echo all the other comments, in particular that there is no 'right' or 'wrong' way. I, for instance, find myself tensioning the yarn differently at different points along the row - that works for me.
I can just about do the knit in this style now ( I like the anchor) but for me, purling feels impossible to get my hands right! I constantly drop it...
I do a closed hand knitting and never do a figure eight to bring the yarn through. It's too complicated. I just pull the yarn through without the figure eight. So simple and fast
Thank you for sharing. I am a continental knitter and self taught...open handed and tensioning on my index finger. I bend/drop my index finger when purling and it works for me. We each need to find what works for us as the goal should be joy in your knitting.
Wow, this is the first time that I see the closed handed continental method exactly how I do it. Even the purl 😄 (only the index finger goes slightly down) and the wrap around the pinky finger
Thank you so much. Finally, I could understand. I'm going to practice more.