To continue with my knitting theme, which method do you use? Continental or Throw Method? I’ve TiVo’d the latest episodes of Knitty Gritty and watching them knit helps it all seem so much clearer.
Then again, actually getting out the yarn and needles would probably help too… If only I could find where I put my Stitch n’ Bitch book!
15 replies on “Knit, Purl… How?”
I use the English method (throw). Continental looks so pretty, but it baffles me. I just can’t get a good rhythm when I try it that way.
I knit Continental–I learned to crochet first, so holding the yarn in my left hand feels much more natural to me. I don’t grok English method at all. You should totally take up knitting. It’s lots of fun and very relaxing–I’m a big process person, so end products aren’t necessarily hugely important to me.
Continental. It is a lot easier, especially if you were a crocheter first.
-H
I use the English method, not tried continental as it looks difficult to me. Besides, I’d probably confuse myself if I tried to learn another method! heh
I am also a continental knitter, and as the others have said, I think it is because I started crocheting first.
Let me know if you ever need knitting help or have questions or need recommendations on books. I have turned into a knitting freak lately 🙂
Continental here too. 🙂
I use English way. I tried the continental, but my left hand was too wonky with the carpal tunnel to hold the yarn and a needle at the same time.
Both. I tend to favor continental though (not by much). Typically it depends on my mood.
Although I started out crocheting, I use English, simply because that’s how I was taught. I would like to learn continental, though, because I think it might be easier on my wrists and even a little faster. Here’s a really good article on the history of the two types that I found interesting: http://www.fuzzygalore.biz/articles/continental.shtml
i do continental but manage to do a bit of throwing even with the yarn in my left hand. One will definitely feel more comfortable when you try though.
Continental here. I also was a crocheter first, but I chose continental just because most of the knitting books at my library (Knitting Without Tears, etc.) favored it overwhelmingly. I’ve tried the English way but in comparison it feels too awkward and very slow.
I knit both ways. If there is color work one color is carried continental and one thrown (the main color) otherwise I throw at all times.
I also started out crocheting, but the throw method feels more comfortable to me. Perhaps it’s because I’m left-handed and so learned crocheting backwards. Whatever the reason, I can keep the tension perfectly with the throw method but have no tension whatsoever with the continental.
Help: I have been teaching my self to do the continental purl, I’ve master the knit. Live so many I have crochet most of my life and this feels more natural. Smiles: Mary
I have just learned to knit again (did it briefly many years ago) and was taught to throw. I just couldn’t get the hang of it, ’twas like herding cats. I found a demo of continental knitting which was my AHAAA. It is so much easier and faster for me. I am a crocheter which is probably why holding the yarn in my left hand and kind of hooking the yarn instead of throwing it is easier for me. The site I found so helpful is http://www.knittinghelp.com it is full of videos and verbal instruction.