Trouble knitting continental style

[Lizars1735]

Hi. I'm in the process of trying to switch from English, throwing style, to the faster continental style with the yarn on my left finger. I can't seem to keep any tension in the yarn no matter how I wrap it around my fingers. I can do a straight knit, but not purl, or anything else complicated. As soon as I start to lose tension it all falls apart. Any advice?