lucille wrote:

"Olwyn Mary" wrote in message
...
suzee wrote:
L wrote:

I KNOW 'continental style' knitting (where the yarn is held in the
left hand, as in crochet) is faster than 'American style' (where you
hold the yarn in your right hand and 'throw' it over the needle).
I've seen the video's.


Not necessarily!

With a niece and a nephew each expecting an addition to their
families, I figured a baby blanket would be the perfect way to learn
this new (to me) method. I chose one that was primarily garter
stitch (re-learn one stitch at a time!). I find it much slower than
my 'throw' method because the movements are new. And, each time I
pick it up, I find myself 'reverting' to my old method out of habit!

So, I will try and persevere, because I have so many knitted
projects in my head right now I could certainly use a faster way to
knit.


Check youtube for different ways `throwers' knit; you'll find that
many of them don't throw. Here's a few to get you started, the first
one is similar to how I knit, and also read the comments -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCO8qALs4-w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0xSRqavicgc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeTmm_EwZq0

sue

I knit very much faster in English style, but then, that's how I was
taught as a little girl in England. What is not shown, and what
contributes a lot to my speed, is the fact that I use 14" straight
needles, with the right needle held firmly in my right armpit, leaving
the fingers of my right hand free to manipulate the yarn. So, with
that needle stable, I can use a sort of combination of the "i'm a
thrower" and "I'm a flicker" styles.

When I discovered circular needles, I had to switch to Continental
stitch, but as I am holding both needles then, I am not nearly so
fast. However, if I am knitting on a plane where I don't want to jab
my seatmate with the needles, Continental style is necessary! Also,
it is amazing how many stitches you can cram onto a 14" straight - I
once knit a triangular shawl on them - but for some very wide
projects, long circs are just more convenient.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans

I knit very fast using Continental and English style slows me down to a
crawl. I think it's all in the way you learned as a kid.

Not everyone learned as a kid, though. Some people switch and find out
the other style may suit them better, therefore they're 'faster' with
it. It's all in what the individual is more comfortable with.

sue