Benefits to learning continental knitting?

[blueygh2]

I switched from english to continental as well, and I like the purling much better. Foremost, it's quite easier to switch from knit to purl,...

But as others said, it's good to know both.

As for me, I knit faster when doing continental.

[hyperactive]

Just to add a voice:

I knit Continental. I LOVE it.
At first sight I thought that English knitting was awkward, strange and very slow. Then I looked closer: some people DO whip that yarn around. And yes, there are terribly slow Continental knitters as well. So what works best for you is your way.

For me, after having tried English but not becoming a good English knitter, no way, Continental is my choice still because if feels "right". But looking over the line to English has gotten me understanding better.

I think that for my way of knitting it feels ergonomic, effortless, fast, secure, done blindly...

So: Whatever you do: find YOUR way, even if that means that you constantly switch by mood. Some do that and feel happy.

[trvvn5]

I switched from english to continental as well, and I like the purling much better. Foremost, it's quite easier to switch from knit to purl,...

But as others said, it's good to know both.

As for me, I knit faster when doing continental.

I knit ridiculously faster in Continental than I do in English. I would say that I go probably 2 to 3 times faster with Continental.

But thats just me. I've seen some English knitters that throw that yarn so fast they could easily beat me in a speed contest.

[Woodi]

I was taught the English method in childhood, over 50 years ago (my has it been that long?!)....but lately, with arthritis setting into my fingers, I gave continental a try, just so my usual muscles and bones could move differently, get some rest.

I find the continental is more like crocheting, cuz you grab a loop, pull it through...it allows my right elbow and shoulder a rest. It's nice to have a choice, when arms and fingers get tired.

[fatoldladyinpjs]

I think Continental is faster and puts less strain on the wrist. I used to be a Continental knitter but have now switched to Eastern knitting. This is used in South American, Eastern Europe, and Arab countries. What I like about it is that it gives you even tension. The yarn is always in the back of the needles, even for purling, so you always keep a steady tension on the yarn. There's not much online written about it. Here's a great site that I learned it from.
http://azazello.org/nataliaknits/

[TekoaKnits]

he says that when I really start to get into it
the bed shakes like there's an earthquake
from me throwing the yarn...

I never get joint pain (I'm 20),
but I want to lessen the damage as much as possible
so that I don't have to give up knitting
when I get older from arthritis.

I've done that too! My poor husband... teehee.

I'm 23 and just now started having incredible pain my elbow and shoulder from knitting too much (RSI-Repetitive Stress Injury). I also knit the English way, "throwing the yarn", because it's easier for me. I've also tried Continental but it didn't stick because I was so used to the other way. I heard that the Continental method is easier on the joints. So after I finish my socks I'm going to change over. I've been knitting since I was 6, so hopefully I won't have to give up knitting - what else will I do in my spare time?

The Continental method is also more fluid and once you get the hang of it, takes less time to make the stitches.
Like others have said, take a few weeks and try it. You won't know how you like it until you've tried!
Good luck!

[KatzKnitter]

I'm doing English, and I know it's inefficient. It really does take me twice as long as my friends who knit continental. I have a problem trying to purl. I go through all sorts of contortions and usually drop the stitch or purl it through the wrong loop and too tightly. I've watched any number of videos and tried to imitate them. Is it possible that short fingers would make continental difficult? And I'm not joking.

[suzeeq]

Continental purling seems to be harder than english purling for a lot of people so it may not be easier for you. Try it and see if it works better for you, or try to watch a bunch of english purling videos to see if you're doing it the right way, or for ways to hold your yarn differntly.

[crazykntter83]

I knit continentally and I had a really hard time learning the purl stitch. I finally got the hang of it about a month ago, and here's my method of it....hope it helps some...

First of all, I wrap the yarn around my pinkie and let it slide my index finger.
Next, I hold the yarn behind the stitch that I'm going to be working with my index finger, to make sure that it stays in place.
I insert my needle into the stitch, backwards from how I would have it for the knit stitch.
Last, I let the yarn "pop" from my index finger, and grab the yarn with my needle.

Hope this helps a little. I've though about making a video of my method, because it took me so long to understand it, and wonder if I could help anyone with the problems that I've had...

[KatzKnitter]

Continental purling seems to be harder than english purling for a lot of people so it may not be easier for you. Try it and see if it works better for you, or try to watch a bunch of english purling videos to see if you're doing it the right way, or for ways to hold your yarn differntly.

I am absolutely doing English the right way, but it's obviously inefficient for most of us who are not speed knitters. You're dropping the needle, wrapping the yarn, then stitching, 3 processes.