Switching from English to Continental? Recommended?

boo1 · 11-19-2007, 11:21 AM

I love to knit but I hate the slow pace. (I'm used to crochet, that, while boring, moves much faster).

Wondering if anyone has switched and how difficult it was to do so.

Thanks!

knitncook · 11-19-2007, 11:41 AM

I can knit both, but do a sort of combination of the two. I still hold my yarn in my right hand but I pick at it rather than wrapping. It's easier to show than write about. I'm much slower with continental, but only because I've been knitting English for so long. If you are a fairly new knitter you may be able to pick it up faster without all the built in memory of 30 years of English knitting holding you back

You also build up speed the longer you knit.

boo1 · 11-19-2007, 11:54 AM

I am a fairly new knitter. I spent years crocheting, and that is supposed to make it easier to knit continental. But I haven't found very much *easy* about knitting.

I ordered a DVD, I'll see how it goes!

thanks again,
Laura

alleusion · 11-19-2007, 12:42 PM

Originally Posted by boo1

I am a fairly new knitter. I spent years crocheting, and that is supposed to make it easier to knit continental. But I haven't found very much *easy* about knitting.

I ordered a DVD, I'll see how it goes!

thanks again,
Laura

I crocheted for years and years and taught myself to knit about 9 years ago, but didn't really do anything with it until a year ago. I took a sock class and the instructor knit continental and offered to show how it was done. I agree that in the beginning it takes some concentration and it's slow and awkward at first. However, if you have someone that can show you, or you can learn easily off of videos, then I highly recommend it.

I knit much much faster and the tension is more even than it is when I knit English. Purling is still a struggle for me though. I switch back and forth between continental and English for when I have to purl. You'll find the style that suits you best, but no harm done if you try it and find you don't like it.

Wanda Witch · 11-19-2007, 01:10 PM

I am so glad to read the above replies to the question of switching from English to Continental style of knitting. I began knitting the English way many years ago and years went by before very recently I decided to take up knitting once more. I am going to 'try' and learn the Continental style - after my current project (a sweater/jacket) is completed. I saw a video of the Continental knitting,Finnish, and it looked easier - but did not see one for the purl stitch. No harm in trying and maybe this old dog can indeed learn new tricks. I will be interested in reading how 'alleusion' fares with the Continental method. Good luck.

aprildavis99 · 11-19-2007, 03:54 PM

I crocheted for years before I decided to learn to knit. I found that knitting was so hard because it required me to hold the yarn in my right hand whereas I held it in my left hand to crochet. After 2 years of struggling on and off with learning to knit, I found knittinghelp.com and found out you can knit holding the yarn in the left hand (it even had a name---Continental) After finding that out, I taught myself how to knit almost over night!

I wouldn't say Continental is quicker than English...I've seen some English knitters who are blindingly fast, but I would say that I definitely learned quicker using Continental. I think knitting is always going to be slower than crochet no matter which style you use. I do find that if I need something made quickly or if it's a rather large piece..like an adult sized afghan...I'll use crochet. Smaller, more intricate things, I use knit.

Jeremy · 11-19-2007, 04:02 PM

kemp · 11-20-2007, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by boo1

I am a fairly new knitter. I spent years crocheting, and that is supposed to make it easier to knit continental. But I haven't found very much *easy* about knitting.

I ordered a DVD, I'll see how it goes!

thanks again,
Laura

I knew how to crochet before knitting and continental definitely seemed easier to me when I was learning. Just try it and see what you think!

MomofAlex · 11-19-2007, 12:34 PM

I switched a little over a year ago after a long hiatus away from knitting, and feel that I knit much closer to gauge knitting continental. It just took a little concentration in the beginning but wasn't difficult to adjust, and the results are definitely worth it.

Becky Morgan · 11-19-2007, 06:52 PM

Try it. If you don't like it, the knitting police aren't gonna come get you

I crocheted first, too, and it's just easier for me to knit with the yarn in my left hand. If you want to make stockinette go really fast, knit continental in the round and keep your stitches mounted so you're knitting tbl and not twisting them. Your hands barely move and it makes the rows fly off the needles.