"lucille" wrote in message
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"Olwyn Mary" wrote in message
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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.


I figure that as long as what you're doing results in a knitted piece, that
whatever works for you is right! I taught myself riding on the train when
stationed in London while in the US Navy. matter of fact, I still have some
wool that I bought when I was there over 25 years ago.

Donna in S. Indiana