I knit English style. I have since I started knitting. I have resisted the pressure to switch hands (almost everyone at my old knit night in Oregon knitted continental style). I liked being one of the rebels of the group. If all the cool kids knit continental, then I will knit English. Illogical? Yes. But a girl doesn’t go into engineering because she likes following the cool crowd.
However, logic has trumped emotion and I’ve changed my mind. Starting with the washcloth I just finished, I am going to knit continental style. Why switch? Honestly, speed. I know it’s not about the speed, but I want to do more projects and spend less time knitting each one. Since I’ve gotten into designing my own patterns, speed matters more to me. Especially since I will start and rip several times before I get something I like. (I mean why finish it if you already don’t like how it looks?)
I now understand Elizabeth Zimmermann’s disdain for purling. What a pain! I haven’t found a comfortable way to hold the yarn while purling. If anything will make me switch back, it’s purling. I hope in several months I will have figured out how to purl comfortably and continental style will be as natural for me as English style is for me now.
Hi E.B.,
Good for you for switching. After only about 6 months of knitting, I was fed up with how slow it was - so I took Tess’ continental knitting class and never looked back. Purling was the hardest for me as well, but I got through it - finally!
I love your new site - it looks great and has good content. I hope to contribute an article on teaching elementary school kids to knit. I’m currently teaching two after school clubs at my son’s school (no, he doesn’t knit…)and host a lunchtime recess knitting circle on Wednesdays. I currently have about 40 kids knitting and it’s so fun for me I can hardly stand it! Sheryl of the FH Knit Night is helping me with the big group (20)of beginners. I have a smaller group of 8 who took my first class last term and we are making a small felted bag.
I hope all is well with you in the bay area.
Best regards,
Patricia
Hey Patricia,
Who knew kids could be so interested in knitting! I think it’s fantastic that you are doing that. You should absolutely post an article about it.
I’m glad you like the site and I hope you will post any tips and tricks that you have in your arsenal.
E.B.
I’m of two minds about continental knitting. I use it now and again, but I really prefer English style. I don’t notice a big difference in speed, though maybe I would if I practiced Continental style more. Also, there’s something about the movements of English style that appeal to me. I don’t like purling with Continental, and controlling tension of the yarn in this style is harder on my hands.
I’m not arguing that Continental is a bad idea. It’s just a matter of individual preference. I’ve seen Continental knitters going at lightning speed. But then, I’ve seen UK knitters going at a pretty good clip, too. I don’t know who would “win.” But I knit quickly enough to finish several projects a year. Works for me!
Cheers,
Trish