Linda D. wrote:



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


Why did you feel the need to switch to the Continental Style of
knitting when you work with circular needles?

99% of the time I use circular needles and always knit English Style.
I'm just not sure why you would need to switch styles.

take care, Linda D. in B.C., Canada

As I mentioned, when I knit English syle I do it with the right hand
needle tucked firmly under my arm. It is not possible to do this with
circs, so I found it easier just to switch to Continental style than to
try to retrain my fingers to hold the needle as well as manipulating the
yarn. After all, in crochet I hold the yarn in my left hand. Note, I
have not yet tried to do two-color work in circs, that would be a major
challenge, as I, too, keep a yarn in each hand in two-color work on
straights.

Olwyn Mary in New Orleans