Comment from wenders
Time: July 25, 2006, 4:29 pm

I, too, feel like I should switch, but do not have the patience it takes to practice/learn a new method of knitting. ;)

And do you always hold the needles underhanded, or only if knitting continential? I only ask because your picture at the top of the blog has you holding the needles like pencils. :)

Comment from anna
Time: July 25, 2006, 4:51 pm

i’ve never switched, and haven’t even been able to master ‘English’ style for stranded knitting - I use two strands in one hand for fairisle. But I do know that my continental style is very fast, about 80 sts per minute, so maybe there’s just not a sufficiently compelling reason to try!

Comment from JulieT
Time: July 25, 2006, 4:55 pm

I knit continental, partly because that’s how I was taught, and mostly because it interferes least with my hand problems. I do a lot of stranded color work and have always wondered at the cause/effect: Do I like stranded color because I knit continental and it’s easy, or do I knit continental because I want to do stranded color…?

Honestly, I’m of the firm opinion that if you’re happy with your knitting, it doesn’t unravel, and you don’t wind up with carpal tunnel, then you’re doing it right. If you like English, go for it.

Comment from anne
Time: July 25, 2006, 4:59 pm

i also only use contintental when i do stranded knitting (which is rare), and then it feels right and speedy. but i also knit very quickly in the english style and every time i try to switch, it feels wrong and awkward?just as you said!

my biggest problem in getting things done is NOT the speed at which i knit, but how MUCH time i can actually make each day for knitting!

Comment from Emma
Time: July 25, 2006, 6:01 pm

I’ve been thinking about this recently, too. I knit ‘English underhand’ also. I do hold the yarn differently in that I wrap it round one finger and use my thumb to maintain tension. Mt tension is usually pretty even and usually matches that given on the yarn lael with the suggested needle size.

I’ve tried switching and usually give up after a couple of rows. I do wonder whether my speed would improve if I persisted.

Then of course there’s the whole issue of how to purl…

I might give it another go while knitting a plain, boring sock - at least that would delay the whole purl issue :)

Comment from maryse
Time: July 25, 2006, 6:16 pm

my mother taught me how to knit “continental” but my hands just wouldn’t work that way. i eventually became a “thrower” after i saw the technique in a book. every now and again, i try to go back, but the hands won’t have anything to do with it. and if it ain’t broke … why fix it.

Comment from Juno
Time: July 25, 2006, 6:42 pm

In the shetland style you use, are knitting and purling about the same motion in reverse? Because if so, I think that you already knit the fastest way.

You certainly seem to produce quickly. If ain’t broke, baby, if it ain’t broke….

Comment from jen
Time: July 25, 2006, 6:53 pm

I tried continental cos everyone said it was faster, but I felt too much like a beginner to persevere so I went back to whatever it is I do! It’s cool you did a stitch test though!

Comment from Annarella
Time: July 25, 2006, 8:12 pm

I’m with Jen on that one, but would like to learn properly one day {adds to to-do list}

xx

Comment from Lesa
Time: July 25, 2006, 8:48 pm

I have a friend who is the fastest knitter I have ever seen. Actually, I have never seen her knit; her hands are just too darn fast. She knits English. I am considered to be pretty speedy too, and I also knit English.

I just can’t bring myself to do continental. I tried it with the fair isle, and just can’t seem to get it done. I have been knitting for about 12 years, and I have never been able to do more than make a mess continental.

Comment from alice
Time: July 25, 2006, 9:24 pm

my friend Carolyn always twists her purls and looks weird as she works them. but she swears it “feels right” (twisted rows look pretty, sometimes) for some reason I sometimes end up doing that with doubleknit

I never realised there was a difference between “shetland” and “english” I think I must be working Shetland…. mmm but then I do it different with circs from straights *goes off to knit and stare at her hands for a bit*

Comment from Heather
Time: July 26, 2006, 3:08 am

I mostly knit continental but can do it English style as well, using both hands for fair isle. The only problem is my gauge is much looser in continental. I have heard that the fastest knitter ever clocked was a Shetland knitter using a belt to anchor the needle. Addi circulars really do make my knitting go faster.

Comment from clementine
Time: July 26, 2006, 7:30 am

i knit continental cos i find it quicker and less stress on my shoulder (yea, weird, i don’t know why my shoulder is affected).

but i purl English. my continental purling sucks.

I learnt initially using English method but when I took up knitting properly, a friend taught me continental method because i was “knitting wrong”… ah, love those arguments!

and in asnwer to your question… i think i’m a very slow knitter either way, but definitely faster with continental cos it’s smaller movements.

Comment from Rose
Time: July 26, 2006, 12:06 pm

hrrrmmmm ummmmm don’t think I ….know…what…English….is…..

*runs to look at a knitting book and figure out how the heck she’s knitting*

Comment from Catherine
Time: July 26, 2006, 12:23 pm

oh, i’m not sure whether i knit english or continental…probably english. In fact, I’m left handed - I maybe do everything in the opposite to right handers….mmmmm

Comment from jezze
Time: July 26, 2006, 12:27 pm

I can do both, but I can’t read when knitting the continental way, so that rules it out most of the time. I also knit faster and more evenly when I don’t look at what I’m doing - hence the need to read.

Continental knitting seems to go better with circular needles, at least for me.

Comment from av
Time: July 26, 2006, 3:13 pm

perhaps to answer your question; I read in the Rachael Matthews book that the world’s fastest knitter knits english

Comment from Bloo
Time: July 26, 2006, 3:26 pm

Hmmm… I never, ever knew before that I am a “Shetland” knitter (if I’m interpreting you correctly), that is great to know. I use long needles and hold the end of the right needle in my right armpit and don’t really support the needle with my right hand at all. This is good to know that it is an actual style - I just thought that this is what worked for me since I rarely see others knit this way.

I would like to learn continental at some point but haven’t gotten there yet. I agree - stick with what works for you!

And by the way, I love your blog!

Comment from elisa
Time: July 26, 2006, 7:43 pm

I knit english too and only with the right needle under my armpit as to block it and leave my right hand free to wrap speedly. I’d really like to learn the continental, just to let me use dp or circular correctly but I find it so difficult. My hand movements are slowly and uncoordinated and after few rows I usually give up. Maybe I’ve never tried seriously…

Comment from shana
Time: July 27, 2006, 3:30 am

I taught myself to knit from a book, and found English to be much easier at first. That being said, I slowly taught myself to knit continental and have increased my speed dramatically. It took about 3 or 4 weeks to get to the point where I was knitting as fast as I had using the English method, but once I got the hang of it I found it to be much easier. No way I’ll ever learn to purl that way, though.

Comment from Dorothy B
Time: July 27, 2006, 4:20 pm

I’m a Combination Knitter and I wouldn’t switch. I’d rather tweak a pattern than my knitting style.

You’re the one holding the needles and manipulating the yarn. You should knit the way that suits you.

Comment from jess
Time: July 28, 2006, 9:16 pm

I think it’s so interesting how everyone knits differently, even two English Western knitters won’t necessarily knit the same way! Knit the way you feel most comfortable. If you ever feel the need to switch, switch. ;)

For me, it depends. I can’t knit english western at all, possibly because I knew how to crochet long before I could knit, so I always want my yarn on my left. I taught myself how to knit continental western, and I thumb purl [which is one of those really weird things that I've only seen a few other people do].

After some time, I learned how to knit continental combination, and I do that at times, but I’m still not quite as fast as I am continental western w/thumb purl, so continental western is still my go-to method.

I enjoyed reading everyone’s comments!

Comment from Katie
Time: August 16, 2006, 8:37 pm

I thought about switching from English to continental (like you, I use continental or combined when doing color work, but use English all the time otherwise). In the end, I decided that knitting wasn’t about speed (and I’m pretty fast with English, anyway). If I want something in a hurry, I go out and buy it. I don’t knit it.