I’m 86 and after a lifetime of English knitting decided to really try continental knitting, I’m making beanies and by the fourth one it’s getting quite natural, just proves you are never too old to learn something new.

@cloknits

Ай бұрын

What an inspiration you are! ❤️

@sharinekessock8765

29 күн бұрын

Thank you for giving me the courage to try it too !

@beccabbea2511

4 сағат бұрын

I’m in my early 70s and like you I have decided to learn to knit the Continental way. My first project will be a 'fish and chip jumper' knitted in the round. That way I get to practice the knit stitch on the body of the jumper before venturing into purl and ribbing. I knit a lot of socks so they will be great for practice as well. No we are never too old to learn. Bye the way 'fish and chip jumpers' are knitted for babies in Africa, sometimes the parents are so poor the babies are sent home from hospital wrapped in newspaper. Hence the name. (For those who don’t know when I was a child, in the UK, shop bought fish and chips were served in grease proof paper, wrapped in white paper, then newspaper to keep them warm if we were taking them home. Nope no chips on the newspaper and it’s banned now!) You can find the pattern on the internet. Our 'Knit and Natter' group make them for the charity that sends them to Africa. Thank you for sharing this video.

I am dumbstruck by the clarity of the mechanics you explain in how to achieve knitting in the Continental style. As a right handed knitter, I know how to get a lovely even stockinette fabric with stitches sized to the needle but I feel like I have been such a fumblefingers in Continental when I have tried it (and heaven help me with the Continental purl) - until this video. Your clarity of explanations make me think you are a mechanical engineer of needles and yarn and I feel like I have a great basis now to try again seeing what it takes to create your stitches so smoothly. Thank you a thousand times over. Subscribed!

I started knitting continental style years ago but could never master purling, so when knitting stocking stitch I have the yarn in my left hand for the knit rows and in my right hand for the purl rows. This seems to work .... but for ribbing I had to resort to right hand yarn. Just now I'm working on a 1x1 rib, and the knit stitches are twisted, so knit into the back of the stitch. This is much easier continental style and after watching your video I have finally worked out how to do the purl stitches much more easily. So a very big thank you!

I’ve been amazed (or maybe not) at how difficult it is to retrain oneself after knitting the same way for 60+ years. The inevitable but temporary slowdown is not welcome. 😂

@cloknits

7 ай бұрын

I get it. Breaking habits is so much more difficult than learning something new.

@vanessa1589

4 ай бұрын

Yes!! I’ve been knitting for over 15 years and I am decently fast but knit English and would really LIKE to learn Continental but it’s so infuriating that I end up just going back to what I can already do!

@atomikgal

2 ай бұрын

Oh ditto! I am now 63 and have been knitting the other way since I was about 7. Now, my hands get so sore that I HAVE to change my ways and it is NOT easy. I get frustrated…then get into a rhythm but when I stop or get interrupted I have to stop and recalibrate. I am confident that I will get there.

@nobleelf

15 күн бұрын

It's OK to know yourself, and what makes you happy, and the process enjoyable. I am a one year knitter, 50 year crocheter, who joined a group of English throwers who are really happy with how they knit, as well as what they knit: prayer shawls and beanies. They are always interested in the new things I do, both techniques as to cast-on and different stitch techniques, even having one of them try mitered squares, while the rest just looked on and oohed and aahed. We appreciate the beauty of all that is made by out members, and don't feel we need to change anyone's technique, while being open to sharing anything asked about. You keep on doing what makes you happy with your knitting, and know it is a wonderful thing!

@shobharamgude2304

7 күн бұрын

​@@vanessa1589yeah! I I'm running 59 & knittiting, criocheting and using hair pin ( U pin) for more than 40 years. & really want to work in continental way as smoothly as English style...

I chose Continental knitting style because I first learned to crochet and I am used to holding the yarn in my left hand, and I wanted smallest amount of joint movement as possible because of having arthritis.

@cloknits

Жыл бұрын

Yes, continental knitting is so much easier for crocheter.

@stephaniewilliams8687

4 ай бұрын

I have lupus and my right are gets really sore with English knitting. It is a challenge to learn continental but it really does feel much better.

@ccpperrett7522

3 ай бұрын

I learn crochet first. A friend taught me to knit continental in the round on dpns. My first projects were mittens. I knitted mittens for my 3 younger sisters. I was so excited to learn how to knit. I purchased a sweater pattern, and it was off to the races. I didn't know what I didn't know. 😂 Thank you for this demo. I have yet to knit any color work. That is my next challenge. ❤❤❤

@sandrader2889

2 ай бұрын

​@@stephaniewilliams8687 I have SLE and going to try this too

@stephaniewilliams8687

2 ай бұрын

@@sandrader2889 Fewer movements help. I don’t extend my index finger. I use the closed method so that my hands are more relaxed. Good luck.

I started knitting in June / July 2021. And I started English style. And this year after watching one of your videos I tried continental style. It was awkward at first but I love it😍thank you

@cloknits

5 күн бұрын

Fun! I love being able to switch between the two. Thank you for leaving a comment.

Thank you for the good tutorial. I really appreciate you introducing the idea of Norwegian purling. As a continental knitter it was really hard to get tension on my yarn to purl & I never knew why until you explained it. Thank you. I looked up Norwegian Purling & am off an running.

@cloknits

2 ай бұрын

Great! Thank you for the comment.

I knit English style and am very comfortable doing it so haven't had much of a motivation to learn Continental, but having watched this I might give it a go 🙂 - thank you.

@cloknits

Жыл бұрын

It's always fun to try out different styles and sometimes it makes you see why you love the one you love even better!

I definitely want to learn continental knitting. I love color work and I am learning how to knit a cowl in color work. I’ve been knitting a few years English style. I don’t like the extra movements. When I have practice knitting continental with my fingers “closed” on the needle. It feels more comfortable. This is a very helpful video for me to use while practicing. Thanks!😊🧶

@cloknits

4 ай бұрын

Wonderful!

thank you so much. I have a disease in both my hands that has made my English style knitting very difficult. I was looking for an easier less painful way to continue and I found it here. Thank you very much. Your tutorial was easy to follow and made sense all the way. I did a knit row very easily as I was watching. Purl will be something else but the clear problem for me is getting the yarn in place on my left hand so I can easily work it forward. Practice!! BTW, in Australia my family has always called in stocking stitch. Mum told me that they used to knit their stockings with one stitch and the garter to hold them up with the other. Fascinating to know we are continuing a centuries old tradition.

@cloknits

Ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing that bit of knowledge. I love getting info from all around the world.

Thank you! I have been trying hard to learn continental but with little success. Your video is so clear and comprehensive that I am anxious to try again while watching this video as I work.. Thank you so much!

@cloknits

4 ай бұрын

Thank you, I hope it works out for you.

I finally got it!!! I’m a crocheter first and just don’t like throwing but couldn’t knit any other way. I want to start making socks, this video really helped. Your specific version of continental was just what I needed. Thanks :)

@cloknits

21 күн бұрын

I'm glad it resonated with you.

Knitting Continental style is something that I have wanted to learn. Your video and tips will help a lot when I try it out. Thanks!

@cloknits

Жыл бұрын

Come back and let me know how it goes once you do!

I have been knitting English for about 45 years and I knit for several hours every day so my muscle memory is pretty ingrained. I do use 2 hands for colorwork and I am very proficient in the continental knit stitch. In fact, I have knit entire sweaters in the round using continental. I execute the continental knit stitch exactly like you. My problem is the purl stitch. So I usually default to English. Recently, I have been knitting a lot of cardigans and I have been experiencing pain in my thumb which I think is from purling a lot so I am looking to switch completely to continental. Thanks for your video. I guess I just need a lot of practice for continental purling. You are right that this is the hard part of switching. I keep looking for a method that clicks.

@cloknits

7 ай бұрын

Maybe the Norwegian purl would work better for you, have you tried it before?

@knitgirl.7676

7 ай бұрын

@@cloknits yes - I have tried it for several ribbed projects and I am pretty proficient with it. I might stick with that but was looking to see if something else flowed better. I do get good tension with the Norwegian purl..better actually than with the English purl, I think.

I got it! Thank you for explaining so well…yes, I put on slow speed too….great way to learn….

@cloknits

5 ай бұрын

I'm glad you liked it!

This looks promising !! Have been dying to get on the continental bandwagon for years but always succumb due to lack of perseverance ! Knitting is pretty intuitive and smooth but continental purling less so. Excited to giving it another go with your suggestions. many thanks

@cloknits

Ай бұрын

Let me know if it works out for you.

This video is amazing. Learned something new today.

@cloknits

2 ай бұрын

I learn something new everyday with knitting. I love it!

Thank you for this video. I am going to try your purl method because that is the stitch that gives me the most trouble.

@cloknits

4 ай бұрын

You're welcome. Let me know if it works!

I learned a few things. I have been trying continental for a long time on and off. Thanks for some clarity !

@cloknits

6 ай бұрын

You're welcome!

Thanks for the video, I will try your tensioning suggestion for Continental purling. I kind of vacillate between a Norwegian Pearl and the Continental Pearl with the Norwegian Pearl being a little easier to tension but having an occasional yarn over by not finishing the turn! And you're right the Norwegian Pearl does involve a little bit more motion and that's what I was trying to eliminate to protect my wrists

@cloknits

4 ай бұрын

Let me know if you end up using my tips! I'm sure you'll find the best method for you eventually.

This is great….Teaching myself to knit. I have the continental knit down but purling is my nemesis. Will try your method Many thanks

@cloknits

8 ай бұрын

Yes, purling is often people's pain point with continental. There are many ways to do it. This one works best for me, I hope it helps.

I’ve been crocheting for a couple of years and I’m now learning how to knit. I’m feeling quite confident in English style already so I’ve been watching lots of different tutorials to learn continental so I can get faster and try color work too, and I feel like this is the first one that actually works for me! I saw a few ways where you mostly move your left hand, but as a crocheter it would take me much much longer to learn it. This way seems much easier for me so thank you!

@cloknits

3 ай бұрын

You are welcome! There are as many ways of knitting as there are knitters and it feels really good when you find the way that works for you.

Thank you for this clear video and thorough explanation! I'm definitely knitting and purling correctly, but my stitches don't always look identical for some reason. I'll continue to research

@cloknits

4 ай бұрын

Look at your stitches closely, you might find the explanation, I'm sure a little more practice will help.

I’ve knit using nearly every style known to man. 😂 I change based upon what the project calls for. Currently, I’m making a 3x2 rib waistcoat. Combination knitting works best (for me) for ribbing. The entire thing is made in ribbing and there are only tiny movements between knit and purl stitches. Being ambidextrous helps with quickly switching knitting styles and mirror (left hand knitting) knitting flat, stockinette projects. It eliminates all purling.

@cloknits

4 ай бұрын

It's so good to be able to switch depending on the stitch. Great way to never get hurt. ❤️

Excellent video!

@cloknits

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

I avoid that wrist twist on purls by using my thumb to put the yarn in place. Less motion, and my wrists stay happy, as does my PT Doctor daughter, who often watches what I do, to see if there is anything that might cause issues later. She did the same with my crocheting, and feel it is the reason that at 71, with her being a doc for 8 years, I've avoided a lot of pain issues others might develop.

@cloknits

13 күн бұрын

I wish I had a PT someone in my life! For now my purling method works great for me but i'll be keeping a close eye on that wrist pain. Thank you for mentioning it!

Thanks for the tips. I will try it as I'd like to improve my picking for stranded colourwork. I would love to know more about your jumper. I couldn't see it on your Rav page and I think it's awesome.

@cloknits

Ай бұрын

Hi thanks for the comment. The sweater I'm wearing is the DRK Everyday by Andrea Mowry which is a perfect blank canvas for a busy yarn. I actually handspun the yarn for this sweater which makes it so much more special!

Hi. Just found this video and your channel while looking for instructions for continental knitting. I am also an English knitter looking at continental for color work! I found one video saying you can hold both yarns in your right hand, but both hands just makes sense. I tried continental about a year ago and was hold my finger high and it was really uncomfortable so now I’m looking at different methods. I’d LOVE to see how you do stranded colorwork 😊

@cloknits

4 ай бұрын

That's a great topic for a futur video. Thanks!

thank you for your purl continental. your video helped me the most of any other video. I am practicing with a slick yarn and I will try it with another yarn that is not so slick.... ugh

@cloknits

2 ай бұрын

Glad it was helpful! Yes give yourself a little help for the yarn to practice and get it down. Then you can go back to the slippy yarn.

Thank you!

@cloknits

5 ай бұрын

You're welcome!

Thank you💝

@cloknits

3 ай бұрын

You're welcome 😊

Ah, colourwork! The gateway drug for English knitters to continental knitting. I'm still working on my tension for continental knitting. If I wrap the wool around my little finger (mirrors what I do when English knitting), that is too tight but if I go for the over the pinky, under the ring and middle fingers then over the index, that is too skithery. I don't yet have the control to manage ribbing at anything other than a very slow speed, although I can definitely see that once a person gets their skills up, continental ribbing would be easier than English style. I can work brioche with continental knitting. Indeed, I can _only_ work brioche with continental knitting, I refuse to attempt it with English knitting! So, overall, I'm at the stage of still practising. EDIT: There are some stitches where I am probably going to stick with English, like the good old basic knitted cast off. You anchor the stitch that is having the other stitch behind it lifted over it with the wool, so there's very little need for additional assistance from Peter Pointer to keep the stitches from falling off your needle. Similarly, lifting a yarn over over the next stitch (or stitches) is easier English style. Both styles have their advantages and if you can work English and continental along side each other in the one row in colourwork, there is no reason you shouldn't combine them in a large project if that works for you.

@cloknits

3 ай бұрын

I love your approach. Having many options for knitting different stitches is so helpful. As for the tension, try playing with how you hold your needles, I feel like my tension more so held by my hand being closed on the yarn rather than how the yarn is wrapped on the fingers.

After crocheting for 50 years, trying to hold the yarn in my right hand never worked. Throwing meant dropped stitches off my left needle, and frustrating results. Continental, holding the yarn in the left hand, meant I already had muscle memory as to tensioning and holding, and knitting became fun!

@cloknits

13 күн бұрын

It's always surprising to me when crocheters learn to knit english style. Usually they struggle more that way and when they learn continental, it feels much more natural.

You are so Easy to fallow along with. I appreciate your Teaching. I'm having my 1st Grandbabies . Yes❣❣im so exciting.. i have to refresh myself knitting. Continent is by far the Easiest. I recall i left my yarn behind both ways knitting and purling. I can crochet and some Tunisian. I want the tightest for no little fingers or toes to get caught. I have the softest thicker yarn. Thanks for the refresh. I have arthritis in both thumbs so continental is easier on me. I just found you.. and subscribing to your channel and going to go through your Video's. AGAIN THANK YOU. Any suggestions i would appreciate On and my daughter is having TWIN BOYS.. I'm so overjoyed.. 🙏🕊🤟

@cloknits

Ай бұрын

Congratulations on the new babies! It's so exciting. I made many cute baby sweaters for my daughters and they were so fun.

this video was very very helpful... you mentioned that the needle determines the gauge, so do you have a video on that aspect please?

@cloknits

2 ай бұрын

Yes! I have a video about tension: kzread.info/dash/bejne/mIOuy6uflbvOmNY.htmlsi=j3gudGAFrlb-yqIh

I am a beginner knitter and have very recently decided to try learning continental style, but find that I can only knit for short periods due to my right hand cramping. I hope that my muscle memory will kick in because continental style seems so much more efficient.

@cloknits

27 күн бұрын

I'm sure you'll find the right way that feels comfortable to you, as long as you are willing to spend a bit of time practicing and tweaking.

Thank you for sharing. I’m fairly new to knitting, but I do have a lot of background of sitting at a computer keyboard. This brings me to comment on a concern of Repetitive Stress Inuries (RSI). Constant small repetitive movements of small joints and muscles tends to be the biggest cause. I find one of the ways to counteract that is to knit (continental) as if I’m a bird flapping its wings. If I can get my larger muscles and joints to move rather than stressing the smaller ones (like bending the wrist in a contorted manner), I believe that is a way I am going to help avoiding knitting related RSI injuries. If anyone knows for sure, please chime in. Nothing like finding and getting really good at something only to have to stop after a couple of years due to pain and injury.

@cloknits

Ай бұрын

If you are interested in the ergonomics of knitting Carson Demers has a wonderful book about it. Mostly, your posture and taking stretching breaks are key. Also, having multiple projects going at once with different size yarn and needles helps me not strain my muscles because I switch the motion I use a lot.

I knit the English style, but my Mum knitted Continental Style and I always wanted to knit Continental style, but I struggle with tension.

@cloknits

4 ай бұрын

Playing with how you wrap (or don't) your yarn and how you move your hands as you form the stitch will let you find your perfect technique.

My Mom learned this method from her Canadian neighbor who had moved to a beach in the 1950's.I didn't see her knit much as she preferred sewing.

@cloknits

4 ай бұрын

Interesting. I rarely see other Canadians knit this way.

@hattiem.7966

4 ай бұрын

@@cloknits Many Canadians are of English background.This neighbor could have learned it from a English relative.I wish I had asked where in Canada the lady was from?Morehead City,NC is pretty far from Canada.

Thanks for this... I still hate purling via continental... I've tried so many times... I have given up. I have discovered Portuguese/Greek knitting...there is even less movement of the hands and wrists, I think. I have learned to knit English with throwing, English with flicking (not my best but I can), Continental knits, for sure, purling is ok.... but if you try Portuguese/Greek style, I think you might be hooked, as I am. If you look up Andrea Wong, she is the main proponent of this on YT... and she has LOTS of videos on basic setup, knitting, purling and of course stitch patterns etc... It is the only way I knit now (but I do want to eventually learn lever knitting... Thanks for the video, but you did not convince me on the purl stitch in continental. In Portuguese, in fact, purl is slightly easier than the knit stitch, so if I am doing knitting in the round or flat garter, I will purl every row.... :)

@cloknits

5 ай бұрын

Thank for the tips. I love the way I knit and purl right now but I know Portuguese is a great way as well.

have you checked out the eastern style, not sure what it is called. It uses the purl wrap clockwise instead of counter clockwise then the reverse side working through the back loop to reset the stitch presentation?

@cloknits

Жыл бұрын

Yes, I've tried it and I think it's a great options for those who really struggle with the purl stitch. When you only wrap the purl stitches clockwise it's called combination knitting. For me, the purl stitch was not that much faster and it then slowed down the ones I had to knit through the back loop, so not really helpful for me personally

I crocheted for many years before i knit so I naturally knit continental and many of your tips and techniques are ones that i do as well. I tried English style but to me it felt like wearing a left shoe on my right foot so it just didn't work for me.

@cloknits

Жыл бұрын

Yes, it's so much easier for crocheters to knit continental!

@resourcedragon

3 ай бұрын

@@cloknits: Unless they're left handed crocheters...

you are a fast knitter

@cloknits

Ай бұрын

I am. But that was never my intention. It just happened with practice.

I would like to know, is it a good idea for a left handed knitter to change to right handed.

@cloknits

2 ай бұрын

When you say "left handed knitter" do you mean that you hold your yarn in the left of that you knit from right to left?

I was a child when i learned knitting from my mother. We knit portuguese style with the yarn around your neck. Purling is so much easier with portuguese style. To knit the knit-stitch i changed my movement, i got a very easy for that too. I noticed, that the gauge for knitting in the round (the 2nd way you showed in your other video) doesnt work with portuguese style 😓 thats realy a pity

@cloknits

Ай бұрын

I guess you could make it work by changing the way your wrap the yarn around your neck... but it might be more trouble than it's worth.

I am certainly a right-handed “English” knitter. However, I have no issue knitting continental and using more than one color. I have found that my attention may be different depending on the way I knit. I would like to have an identical gauge. Purl stitch is not as easy to convert to.

@cloknits

Ай бұрын

Yes, a lot of people have different gauges with one hand or the other. If you are aware of which one is tighter, there are ways to train yourself to loosen up on that side a bit. Have you seen my video about improving your tension?

@kevinorr6880

Ай бұрын

@@cloknits I have not seen that video yet. I will go look for it. Thank you.

This is the way I do it in knitting but I am having so much trouble with purling

@cloknits

5 ай бұрын

It takes some little adjustments to find your confortable spot. Maybe norwegian purling or portuguese purling would make sense for you.

@gabbyferreira4786

5 ай бұрын

@@cloknits , I have been trying for years, I just can’t keep the yarn on my fingers

I am Norwegian and have knitted continental for 60 years. Knitted heaps. But haven't been able to knit because of pain between shoulder blades. So I try to learn English or lever style. But when knitting Norwegian I don't twirl the yarn like that. Only around the index finger. And not lifting the index finger either. That will really strain. You are too active in the left index finger. Continental makes for a lot of movement in the right hand, it really activates the muscle in the middle of the back. That's not the way we purl in Norway. Looks very cumbersome. Lift the first stich off without knitting for a good, even side. The last stich you always knit as a right, never pearl.

@cloknits

Ай бұрын

Thank you for all your tips. The beauty in knitting is that there are so many ways and as long as they are not hurting the knitters, they are totally right for them. I've tried many ways to knit and this one fits me perfectly. I hope you find the way that makes your pain go away. It must be very hard not being able to knit.

After I purl continental style it’s hard to put the needle in the front loop when knitting so I put it in the back loop

@cloknits

Ай бұрын

That's interesting, it shouldn't affect how you insert your needle... Unless you wrap the yarn in the opposite way, then it changes the mount of the stitch and you have to knit through the back loop on the next row to keep the stitch from being twisted.

@crybabyknots8005

Ай бұрын

@@cloknits I found it strange too. Maybe I am wrapping my yarn differently but I found that this way makes me knit and purl faster. Also when I knit through the back loop it doesn’t get twisted

I can’t seem to get my finger to stay close to the needle and holding the yarn this way makes my yarn slide way too quickly and my stitches are loosey-goosey with terrible tension. I don’t know what I’m doing wrong and it’s very frustrating.

@cloknits

3 ай бұрын

You can play with how the yarn is wrapped or not around your fingers to find the sweet spot for you. It takes a bit of fiddling around for sure.

I knit like you but and struggling to knit continental stranded. I want to have two yarns in left hand instead of one in each hand. Can you do continental stranded (2yarns)? If you are doing that yourself then I’d relish an instruction video on that. Thanks Clo😀

@cloknits

10 ай бұрын

Yes I do knit stranded with the two yarns in my left hand. That's a great idea for a tutorial. Thank you!

I find continent way mor ergonomic and ecconomical.

I knit latnenitnoc… ✋🏼

@cloknits

Ай бұрын

OMG it took me way too long to understand that it was continental backwards!!! 😂

@lolam.9291

Ай бұрын

@@cloknits Leftie 😉

Portuguese knitting style is way more efficient and kinder to the hands than Continental and English! Try it!

@cloknits

2 ай бұрын

I've tried it a bit but I didn't really get into the groove. Maybe I'll try again at some point.

Why does continental look NOTHING like the other method? English is flat and smooth and continental is all bumpy and loopy??? I want to learn the flat, smooth stitch! What's it called - that flat smooth one???

@cloknits

4 ай бұрын

You can create exactly the same fabrics using continental and english style knitting. You are talking about stockinette stitch which is all knit stitch on the front of the work and all purl stitches on the back.

Continental purling is super awkward and looks awkward. Whatever is made up with the ease of the knit stitch is lost with the purl. It looks as awkward as, if not more, than the english style purl. It’s certainly individual and personal but I’ve seen people knit fast using both styles. Whatever it is just takes a lot of practice, I think.

@cloknits

Ай бұрын

Yes, all methods are great methods. You just have to find the one that fits you best. Mine is definitely continental.