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Old March 1st 09, 03:38 AM posted to rec.crafts.textiles.yarn
Olwyn Mary
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Posts: 459
Default Continental Style knitting

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
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