Thank you so much I have knitted this way for 15 years and have always been told I have been doing it wrong. I have looked for many years on whether other people knit like me.
Thank you so much for addressing this. I do continental knitting and this is how I was taught to knit as a girl. Years later here in the US, it was extremely confusing for me to figure out why my projects weren't coming out as they were supposed to. I didn't know there were other styles of knitting and that I had to swap my increases and all kind of little details that need attention when working with a pattern. It took me a while to understand all of it! A video like this would have been SO helpful, good thing that you have made this available for those that might need it.
I’m a continental combined knitter, so working yarn on left hand in this style. I learned how to knit the “normal” way, which is having the leading yarn in the front. But I found that purling was really hard on my wrists. So I switched to combination knitting because purling is much more ergonomic. It takes some time getting used to but my wrists really thanked me.
This is the way I thought myself to knit too many years ago. It wasn’t until I knit my first pair of socks that I realized something might be off... I figured it out and switched to knitting through the front leg in the round and back to “combination” when knitting flat!!! Thank you for explaining this!
When I taught myself to knit years ago (from a book! TH-cam wasn't a thing yet!) this is how I naturally knit. When I picked up knitting again as an adult I was told to try to learn not to knit this way because reading patterns would be difficult. I think I may try it again now that I'm more experienced, thank you Staci!
I live in eastern Europe, this is how my grandma taught me to knit, the difference is that we also wrap the knits clockwise. I was very confused when I tried knitting American patterns, I had no idea they were written for a different knitting style. I eventually switched my knitting style since it was much easier to follow American patterns this way.
That’s funny, as I was an English knitter, switched to Combined as the hand hold resting on the needle is more comfortable for my hand. I do Western mount when I want to and Combined stitches after knits as it makes the ribbing look better. I knit whatever way makes sense at the time. I find learning styles interesting, as I tried all of them to help relieve my arthritis pain after changing my diet. It was finger rehabilitation for me in a fun way. My doctor thought it was impossible to get rid of arthritis, I told him, approaching it his way, was impossible (as he is in the business of selling chemicals whereas foods are non-toxic but some foods are not natural for herbivores to eat, when they stop eating them, they get well).
I was taught to knit this way as a child. When I started knitting again as an adult I found that it was impossible to complete American lace patterns. So I watched knitting snd purling videos on TH-cam and was surprised there really was another way. I still use this method to make tighter ribbing stitches in the round. I do a front leg knit stitch and a purl stitch my old way since it pulls the purl still closer to the knit stitch
Wow, this is hands down the first knitting video I've seen so far that I can identify with. I didn't know that style had a name, nor that it was actually a thing. Thank you!
Lol, I'm a Continental knitter, and when I was first learning I would knit through the front leg, but purl like in this video, it was just easier. I never realized it was twisting my stitches because that was how I had always done it. One of my friends pointed out that it was twisting and I spent weeks trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. I think If I have a pattern that calls for lots of purls, I'm going to try this, it's so much easier on my wrists to purl this way.
I did the same thing for years ..not even realizing I was twisting it when I purled. I never understood why people complained about purling since it was so easy to me LOL I will have to try the knitting part and see how hard it is. I may switch or at least do this once in awhile.
I just learned to knit this way and its so much easier to purl now. I dont care if the stitches have to be knit through the back loop...its easier and i am not making things for queen Elizabeth so im fine with my work.
I had no idea my way knitting had a name. Now I know I'm a combination knitter and I hold my yarn in my left hand. This was just the way my mom taught me and I didn't know that everyone didn't do it this way for a long time.
I learn so much from your videos. I just learned that this is the way I knit (by accident) and am constantly turning my stitches to purl, so now I know I don't have to turn them
What a timely subject! I am a thrower but just started experimenting with combined technique in order to improve the appearance of ribbing. Try 1x1 ribbing for a sock cuff, wrapping the purls clockwise; the difference is amazing, especially for perfectionists. Am also experimenting using it for seed stitch. The reason for a thrower to want to combine wrap direction is to shorten the distance yarn travels when working a purl stitch that follows a knit stitch.
It is just a style of knitting, how you work the stitch. The real combination style is when you combine English and Continental style knitting in color work. It is very common in Russian-speaking countries to work purl stitch this way (combination), because it is an easier way to work purls and you get even tension in fabric. Usually, classic continental style purls are more loose than knit stitch, which causes unevenness in fabric and gauge issues. But, this is only because you need to practice more and think more about keeping right tension in continental. In classic continental all stitches are facing same direction, and you won’t have difficulties thinking all the time about twisted stitches. I am Continental knitter, and I tried to switch to this ‘combination’ knitting, but I switched back to continental, worked on my tension, and my stockinette is perfect all the time!
I watch a lot of knitting videos even some from other countries and in other languages. I see this knitting all the time and wondered how it works. Thank you so much for clarifying. ❤️
I've always knitted this way! Everything still comes out fine when I follow the patterns. My grandmother taught me this way. Consistency is the key to keeping it even. Yes, the decreases do have to be switched. You get used to that.
I've seen this method many times, and I thought was the wrong way, but it was me who didn't know it was another way to do it. So thanks a lot for this video, I learned something new!
Thank you for another excellent tutorial. I've been knitting for a year, and I just figured out that I cast-on tight, but I knit loose. I'm also a continental knitter. This style might work for me
I knit combination style for many years before I switched to what is called eastern european style and I wrap both the purls and knits clockwise, knitting and purling through the back loop.
You're right, the purling in this combined style is easier to continental knitters. I don't necessarily do combined knitting these days, but the one place I use combined knitting is, surprisingly, ribbing in the round, for the purl stitches only of course. For the first round I still have to bring the yarn to the front (and wrap it clockwise) but on the next round I don't even need to bring it to the front (that's a bliss for me!), since the leading leg is at the back, I just yarn over then push the leading leg from the back and scoop the yarn through (clockwise) and voila the purl stitch is made. I largely still knit the western way but use combined knitting only in ribbing in the round, and you're right, I find it unnecessary to wrap the yarn the other way (clockwise) when knitting stockinette combined style in the round, since it's all knit stitches, and I think continental knitters who use this combined style mostly do so because of the easier purling. Nice change of video topic, love it!
I’m a continental knitter but with the way I wrap my yarn, all my stitches are mounted with the leading leg on the back, no matter if the stitch in the previous row was a knit or pearl stitch. Is there a name for this „method“/„style“ of knitting? I’ve actually started to do combination knitting, cause in my current project I need to have right and left leaning decreases, to make the lace pattern look the way it’s supposed to look. With my usual way of knitting I always have to stop before a right leaning decrease, turn the two stitches around so the leading leg is in the front, then knit or pearl them together. For right leaning decreases I have to do that on both sides, the pearl and knit side. But at least in my current pattern, I can just do the left leaning decreases the way they are written in the pattern. This confuses the heck out of me!! The main pattern of my current project is worked in stockinette with an integrated lace pattern. I’ve tried to work the pearl row the way most people seem to do (so the leading leg ends up in the front), but that is such a pain!! Now I understand why so many people say, they don’t like pearling 😂 For the longest time I didn’t get their struggles, cause I never minded pearling. It really seems like combination knitting is the way to go for me with this project, even though it means I still need to turn my stitches around in order to do right leaning decreases on my knit rows. But that’s at least half as often as having to do it on both the knit and pearl rows. I think it was in this video what you said, one has to “swap out” decreases while doing combination knitting. Before giving combination knitting a go I’ve tried to find a way to do right leaning decreases while the leading leg is mounted in the back. I spent two days doing research, reading, watching videos and trying different things, but nothing worked out. Do you maybe have advice for me what I can try to get the decreases leaning the right way? If possible right leaning decreases (when looking from the stockinette side) for both the knit and pearl row 😅 Sadly one can’t add pictures to TH-cam comments, otherwise I could have shown you what I mean…I hope my descriptions were clear enough…
I am a continental knitter,. I usually switch between combination knitting and regular knitting depending on the pattern I am working. I knit a lot faster using combination knitting, but it can be confusing on some stitch patterns. If it is a basic pattern, this is my go to.
I knew my way of knitting was very different from most of people. I'm a continental knitter and my mother taught me to work the stitches always through the back loop, knit and purl as well. I cannot consider that I use combination knitting because I wrap the yarn always counter clock wise. Which would be my method of knitting? BTW I always love your videos, I've learned a lot with you even I started knitting decades ago... Greetings from a Mexican in Hungary.
Woooa! I thought I made a mistake when I took back knitting in my forties after having learned it in my childhood…because none of knitting styles I was seeing were mine! And the few knitters I’ve met and shown my style told me « it’s weird, you’re twisting your knits and untwist then in your purls », but here I ma, now I see there is a name for my style! I just keep the thread on the left hand, like the continental way. So happy to have seen your video! Now I have a label for my knitting style! Oh, by the way, I do have a problem with my tension though: I knit very tightly my purls and very loose my knits and I’m desperate for help with that… do you have an idea about why this is happening?
This video solved my perpetual gauge and tension issues. Thank you so much! It appears that I’m a combination knitting convert. :) One question though…can combination knitting be used for working garter stitch flat or is it used for stockinette only? I was just curious and couldn’t find much info about it elsewhere. Again, thank you for another terrific tutorial!
The link to Annie Modesitt's info on combination knitting doesn't work as such. I appreciate your demo and explanation. So, that's what I've been doing as a "continental knitter"'. I was using combination purl and trying to knit through the front loop, when I realized that the back leg was positioned so that knitting though the back was easier and quicker I've since stuck to this method. I recently tried to purl clockwise on a project but my muscle memory just balked. So Combination it is.
Thank you for that head's up - yes, it looks as if Annie Modesitt has reworked her website, and I can't find her info on combination knitting anymore. I'll see what I can do to find a different resource.
OMG, I've been doing this my entire time knitting and didn't know it! I do continental and this. I started with a tighter gage to begin with, and I think I moved to this style because the "normal" American way seemed so difficult to me. I would have to insert my needle purl wise to pull the loop toward me so that I could get enough room to get my needle into the stitch the "correct" way. It was so much extra work that I finally gave up and started to do this.
if your problem is that your purl rows are too loose, then yes! (this probably isnt relevant to you anymore, but if you're having found another fix, rewatch this video and give it a try)
One advantage is that if you are holding the yarn in your left hand, purling requires much less movement this way (see the video at 3:46). It's not obvious when you watch Staci because she's using her right hand. :-)
Even though I was taught to knit continental, I developed my knitting style as a full eastern. I don't know actually how but I makes a lot more sense like that to me in my head. I struggled a lot with twisted stitches until I figure it out. I have hypermovility of my smallest joints so maybe it has to do with that, but I don't really know...
** I have a question! ** Does combo-knitting aid in creating a smoother fabric? I'm a beginner knitter. Just learned (self-taught English style) how to knit across a row without making holes, dropping stitches and having all the loops slide off my needle. Now I'm concerned with tension as my work looks frumpy. I know lots of practice is required, but I want to one day make my scarves look like the ones on Pinterest. Will combo knitting create a more polished look? TİA
I have knit combined continental for about 45 years. But I am not a tight knitter. My gauge is loose so I usually have to go down a needle size to get gauge. Maybe because I hold the working yarn in my left hand and so the tension on the yarn is looser.
Thank you, Stacie, for another great video as usual - very concise and good attention to detail. My question is, in what applications would this technique be used? What is combination knitting exactly? I clicked because I thought it pertained to knitting two pieces at the same time but it wasn't and I'm a bit confused as to how I could actually use this method. I am a cottage knitter btw and can do it easily enough but was wondering which applications might be considered useful.
It's less of a technique and more of a style of knitting...usually people knit this way because it was the way they were taught, not something they adopted after knitting in a different style. I wanted to get this video out there because I get questions (especially from newer knitters) who ask me why people tell them that they "knit weird", haha. It's not weird, just a different style, and now I can point those question askers to this video to help them understand how they knit.
I did this by accident when I was learning continental knitting. I would twist my purl stitches since it was much easier to do that the 'correct' way. And since I learnt about twisting stitches before I even knew what combination knitting is, I just untwist them with a knit stitch through the back.
Dammit. I have changed my knitting style to continental from combination a while ago to make my life easier, and I was avoiding stockinette stitch because who doesn't, and now I had to do it and I didn't understand why it wasn't working. Now I know. Because my purling was still combination knitting, I had no idea continental purl is different haha! And honestly, it's so much easier this way so apparently, when it comes to stockinette stitch, I'm changing back to combination knitting because life is that much easier.
I've been knitting knit stitches in the combination method; this is how I was taught as as child. And I knit in the back leg of the knit stitch even when working in the round. But I knit purl stitches in the 'regular' or non-combination way. So I guess I am an 'odd ball' knitter! lol
Okay, I was stunned to discover that I have been continental combination purling all this time! I trained myself to learn continental knitting as I have been used to have the yarn on my left hand, as I have been crocheting for 2 decades and took knitting just bout 4 years and a few months ago. Combination knit stitches doesn't do good for me on my projects. It looks weird - in a bad way.
As a continental knitter, I HATE patterns that call for a KTBL stitch for this very reason. 😂 I don’t, however, knit combined method. I’m used to the purl now doing it counter clockwise so I don’t want to switch now (only just learning about this method).
So is this another method of knitting that gives you the same result...with a tighter gage? Or is this an actual knit stitch that gives you a twisted stitch?
I don't know what knitting style I am. I hold the stitches on my right hand and put them on my empty needle in my left hand. I hold the yarn in my right hand. And when I get all the stitches onto the left needle I switch the needles and repeat
I actually learned combination knitting without knowing what it was called. I was taught by a left handed person. I knit about 5 different ways now lol.
My late mother used this method just for ribbing on sweaters.....I presume because it gives a neater, firmer finish to the cuffs and bottom of the garment.
This is less of a technique and more of a style of knitting...usually people knit this way because it was the way they were taught, not something they adopted after knitting in a different style. I wanted to get this video out there because I get questions (especially from newer knitters) who ask me why people tell them that they "knit weird", haha. It's not weird, just a different style, and now I can point those question askers to this video to help them understand how they knit.
This is less of a technique and more of a style of knitting...usually people knit this way because it was the way they were taught, not something they adopted after knitting in a different style. I wanted to get this video out there because I get questions (especially from newer knitters) who ask me why people tell them that they "knit weird", haha. It's not weird, just a different style, and now I can point those question askers to this video to help them understand how they knit.
This is less of a technique and more of a style of knitting...usually people knit this way because it was the way they were taught, not something they adopted after knitting in a different style. I wanted to get this video out there because I get questions (especially from newer knitters) who ask me why people tell them that they "knit weird", haha. It's not weird, just a different style, and now I can point those question askers to this video to help them understand how they knit.
Ellen over at TheChillyDog here on TH-cam has several videos about Combination Knitting that are very informative. Check her out here: th-cam.com/video/6Vs0ToOPD_c/w-d-xo.html 🙂 Happy Knitting!
I realize this is a different knitting technique like knitting continental or European or even Portuguese, but I don't understand actually *learning* this as a way to knit. It's like creating an (not exactly) issue or problem by knitting into the back loop and then essentially (again, not exactly) untwisting the stitch. Why twist the stitch to only un-twist it the following row? I mean, it's not like there's a wrong or right way of knitting, you're still pulling a loop of yarn through an existing loop of yarn... but this technique looks like you're doing it wrong on one row, only to fix it the following row by un-twisting. And then switching the decreases? Girl please. Just learn how to knit how the other 99% of people already do it. It's not easier or more creative, and this "technique" is supposed to be easier for continental knitters? It's not. And it's not worth the hassle. Next!
This is a traditional way of knitting, taught from generation to generation all over the world. It isn't meant to be especially creative or cool...it is another way of knitting. If you give it a try, I think you'll find Continental purling really easy and fast this way, so there are advantages.
Thank you so much I have knitted this way for 15 years and have always been told I have been doing it wrong. I have looked for many years on whether other people knit like me.
Thank you so much for addressing this. I do continental knitting and this is how I was taught to knit as a girl. Years later here in the US, it was extremely confusing for me to figure out why my projects weren't coming out as they were supposed to. I didn't know there were other styles of knitting and that I had to swap my increases and all kind of little details that need attention when working with a pattern. It took me a while to understand all of it! A video like this would have been SO helpful, good thing that you have made this available for those that might need it.
I’m a continental combined knitter, so working yarn on left hand in this style. I learned how to knit the “normal” way, which is having the leading yarn in the front. But I found that purling was really hard on my wrists. So I switched to combination knitting because purling is much more ergonomic. It takes some time getting used to but my wrists really thanked me.
This is the way I thought myself to knit too many years ago. It wasn’t until I knit my first pair of socks that I realized something might be off... I figured it out and switched to knitting through the front leg in the round and back to “combination” when knitting flat!!! Thank you for explaining this!
When I taught myself to knit years ago (from a book! TH-cam wasn't a thing yet!) this is how I naturally knit. When I picked up knitting again as an adult I was told to try to learn not to knit this way because reading patterns would be difficult. I think I may try it again now that I'm more experienced, thank you Staci!
Apparently there are now guides of how to modify them
@@MTGirlthegamer that’s awesome! I’ve faced the same problem, with more complicated patterns!
I live in eastern Europe, this is how my grandma taught me to knit, the difference is that we also wrap the knits clockwise. I was very confused when I tried knitting American patterns, I had no idea they were written for a different knitting style. I eventually switched my knitting style since it was much easier to follow American patterns this way.
That’s funny, as I was an English knitter, switched to Combined as the hand hold resting on the needle is more comfortable for my hand. I do Western mount when I want to and Combined stitches after knits as it makes the ribbing look better. I knit whatever way makes sense at the time. I find learning styles interesting, as I tried all of them to help relieve my arthritis pain after changing my diet. It was finger rehabilitation for me in a fun way. My doctor thought it was impossible to get rid of arthritis, I told him, approaching it his way, was impossible (as he is in the business of selling chemicals whereas foods are non-toxic but some foods are not natural for herbivores to eat, when they stop eating them, they get well).
I was taught to knit this way as a child. When I started knitting again as an adult I found that it was impossible to complete American lace patterns. So I watched knitting snd purling videos on TH-cam and was surprised there really was another way. I still use this method to make tighter ribbing stitches in the round. I do a front leg knit stitch and a purl stitch my old way since it pulls the purl still closer to the knit stitch
Wow, this is hands down the first knitting video I've seen so far that I can identify with. I didn't know that style had a name, nor that it was actually a thing. Thank you!
Lol, I'm a Continental knitter, and when I was first learning I would knit through the front leg, but purl like in this video, it was just easier. I never realized it was twisting my stitches because that was how I had always done it. One of my friends pointed out that it was twisting and I spent weeks trying to figure out what I was doing wrong. I think If I have a pattern that calls for lots of purls, I'm going to try this, it's so much easier on my wrists to purl this way.
I did the same thing for years ..not even realizing I was twisting it when I purled. I never understood why people complained about purling since it was so easy to me LOL I will have to try the knitting part and see how hard it is. I may switch or at least do this once in awhile.
I just learned to knit this way and its so much easier to purl now. I dont care if the stitches have to be knit through the back loop...its easier and i am not making things for queen Elizabeth so im fine with my work.
I had no idea my way knitting had a name. Now I know I'm a combination knitter and I hold my yarn in my left hand. This was just the way my mom taught me and I didn't know that everyone didn't do it this way for a long time.
Well, I'm from the Middle East and this is how I was taught to knitt. This comes more natural to me. Thanks for your video
I learn so much from your videos. I just learned that this is the way I knit (by accident) and am constantly turning my stitches to purl, so now I know I don't have to turn them
What a timely subject! I am a thrower but just started experimenting with combined technique in order to improve the appearance of ribbing. Try 1x1 ribbing for a sock cuff, wrapping the purls clockwise; the difference is amazing, especially for perfectionists. Am also experimenting using it for seed stitch. The reason for a thrower to want to combine wrap direction is to shorten the distance yarn travels when working a purl stitch that follows a knit stitch.
Ohhhh that's why I was having problems. I was purling in combination but knitting in regular and everything is so tight. Interesting!
It is just a style of knitting, how you work the stitch. The real combination style is when you combine English and Continental style knitting in color work. It is very common in Russian-speaking countries to work purl stitch this way (combination), because it is an easier way to work purls and you get even tension in fabric. Usually, classic continental style purls are more loose than knit stitch, which causes unevenness in fabric and gauge issues. But, this is only because you need to practice more and think more about keeping right tension in continental. In classic continental all stitches are facing same direction, and you won’t have difficulties thinking all the time about twisted stitches. I am Continental knitter, and I tried to switch to this ‘combination’ knitting, but I switched back to continental, worked on my tension, and my stockinette is perfect all the time!
I watch a lot of knitting videos even some from other countries and in other languages. I see this knitting all the time and wondered how it works. Thank you so much for clarifying. ❤️
I've always knitted this way! Everything still comes out fine when I follow the patterns. My grandmother taught me this way. Consistency is the key to keeping it even. Yes, the decreases do have to be switched. You get used to that.
I've seen this method many times, and I thought was the wrong way, but it was me who didn't know it was another way to do it. So thanks a lot for this video, I learned something new!
I was told it was wrong way too, but then I learned that if you like it, there is NO wrong way to knit! 😊
Well as long it can work out with the knitting system, there shouldn't be any problem with it.
I knit this way continental. In my exploration of knitting styles, I discovered that this style is common in Russia and Eastern Europe.
Thank you for another excellent tutorial. I've been knitting for a year, and I just figured out that I cast-on tight, but I knit loose. I'm also a continental knitter. This style might work for me
I like this and next project will be knit using this style of knitting. Thanks for another great video tutorial, Staci!
I knit combination style for many years before I switched to what is called eastern european style and I wrap both the purls and knits clockwise, knitting and purling through the back loop.
You're right, the purling in this combined style is easier to continental knitters.
I don't necessarily do combined knitting these days, but the one place I use combined knitting is, surprisingly, ribbing in the round, for the purl stitches only of course.
For the first round I still have to bring the yarn to the front (and wrap it clockwise) but on the next round I don't even need to bring it to the front (that's a bliss for me!), since the leading leg is at the back, I just yarn over then push the leading leg from the back and scoop the yarn through (clockwise) and voila the purl stitch is made.
I largely still knit the western way but use combined knitting only in ribbing in the round, and you're right, I find it unnecessary to wrap the yarn the other way (clockwise) when knitting stockinette combined style in the round, since it's all knit stitches, and I think continental knitters who use this combined style mostly do so because of the easier purling.
Nice change of video topic, love it!
This is the same way I knit. Everything is worked so differently than everyone else. I learned from a German woman when I was 12 years old.
I just hold my yarn with my left hand.
I’m a continental knitter but with the way I wrap my yarn, all my stitches are mounted with the leading leg on the back, no matter if the stitch in the previous row was a knit or pearl stitch. Is there a name for this „method“/„style“ of knitting?
I’ve actually started to do combination knitting, cause in my current project I need to have right and left leaning decreases, to make the lace pattern look the way it’s supposed to look. With my usual way of knitting I always have to stop before a right leaning decrease, turn the two stitches around so the leading leg is in the front, then knit or pearl them together. For right leaning decreases I have to do that on both sides, the pearl and knit side. But at least in my current pattern, I can just do the left leaning decreases the way they are written in the pattern. This confuses the heck out of me!!
The main pattern of my current project is worked in stockinette with an integrated lace pattern. I’ve tried to work the pearl row the way most people seem to do (so the leading leg ends up in the front), but that is such a pain!! Now I understand why so many people say, they don’t like pearling 😂 For the longest time I didn’t get their struggles, cause I never minded pearling.
It really seems like combination knitting is the way to go for me with this project, even though it means I still need to turn my stitches around in order to do right leaning decreases on my knit rows. But that’s at least half as often as having to do it on both the knit and pearl rows.
I think it was in this video what you said, one has to “swap out” decreases while doing combination knitting. Before giving combination knitting a go I’ve tried to find a way to do right leaning decreases while the leading leg is mounted in the back. I spent two days doing research, reading, watching videos and trying different things, but nothing worked out. Do you maybe have advice for me what I can try to get the decreases leaning the right way? If possible right leaning decreases (when looking from the stockinette side) for both the knit and pearl row 😅
Sadly one can’t add pictures to TH-cam comments, otherwise I could have shown you what I mean…I hope my descriptions were clear enough…
I am a continental knitter,. I usually switch between combination knitting and regular knitting depending on the pattern I am working. I knit a lot faster using combination knitting, but it can be confusing on some stitch patterns. If it is a basic pattern, this is my go to.
I knew my way of knitting was very different from most of people. I'm a continental knitter and my mother taught me to work the stitches always through the back loop, knit and purl as well.
I cannot consider that I use combination knitting because I wrap the yarn always counter clock wise. Which would be my method of knitting? BTW I always love your videos, I've learned a lot with you even I started knitting decades ago... Greetings from a Mexican in Hungary.
Woooa! I thought I made a mistake when I took back knitting in my forties after having learned it in my childhood…because none of knitting styles I was seeing were mine! And the few knitters I’ve met and shown my style told me « it’s weird, you’re twisting your knits and untwist then in your purls », but here I ma, now I see there is a name for my style! I just keep the thread on the left hand, like the continental way.
So happy to have seen your video! Now I have a label for my knitting style!
Oh, by the way, I do have a problem with my tension though: I knit very tightly my purls and very loose my knits and I’m desperate for help with that… do you have an idea about why this is happening?
This video solved my perpetual gauge and tension issues. Thank you so much! It appears that I’m a combination knitting convert. :) One question though…can combination knitting be used for working garter stitch flat or is it used for stockinette only? I was just curious and couldn’t find much info about it elsewhere. Again, thank you for another terrific tutorial!
The link to Annie Modesitt's info on combination knitting doesn't work as such. I appreciate your demo and explanation. So, that's what I've been doing as a "continental knitter"'. I was using combination purl and trying to knit through the front loop, when I realized that the back leg was positioned so that knitting though the back was easier and quicker I've since stuck to this method. I recently tried to purl clockwise on a project but my muscle memory just balked. So Combination it is.
Thank you for that head's up - yes, it looks as if Annie Modesitt has reworked her website, and I can't find her info on combination knitting anymore. I'll see what I can do to find a different resource.
OMG, I've been doing this my entire time knitting and didn't know it! I do continental and this. I started with a tighter gage to begin with, and I think I moved to this style because the "normal" American way seemed so difficult to me. I would have to insert my needle purl wise to pull the loop toward me so that I could get enough room to get my needle into the stitch the "correct" way. It was so much extra work that I finally gave up and started to do this.
I am a continental knitter and I’m wondering if this will help my gauge problem between purl and knit rows? Thanks for the vlog! Interesting
if your problem is that your purl rows are too loose, then yes! (this probably isnt relevant to you anymore, but if you're having found another fix, rewatch this video and give it a try)
Hmmmm, I'm still practicing on knitting continental style! Right now, I go to town English knitting, but am trying out new styles!
Very informative! What are the advantages of combination knitting?
One advantage is that if you are holding the yarn in your left hand, purling requires much less movement this way (see the video at 3:46). It's not obvious when you watch Staci because she's using her right hand. :-)
Even though I was taught to knit continental, I developed my knitting style as a full eastern. I don't know actually how but I makes a lot more sense like that to me in my head. I struggled a lot with twisted stitches until I figure it out. I have hypermovility of my smallest joints so maybe it has to do with that, but I don't really know...
I'm just a right handed flick style knitting. 🙂 what yarn is that you use in the video?
Every knitting method has its strengths, it is my favorite method for making ribbing.
** I have a question! **
Does combo-knitting aid in creating a smoother fabric?
I'm a beginner knitter. Just learned (self-taught English style) how to knit across a row without making holes, dropping stitches and having all the loops slide off my needle. Now I'm concerned with tension as my work looks frumpy. I know lots of practice is required, but I want to one day make my scarves look like the ones on Pinterest. Will combo knitting create a more polished look? TİA
The end result with Combination Knitting is the same as with non-combo knitting, so no difference in the finished fabric.
I knit continentally and I love combination knitting
Hi stacy thank you for this turtorial. Its very helpful.....i like to learn something new😄
I have knit combined continental for about 45 years. But I am not a tight knitter. My gauge is loose so I usually have to go down a needle size to get gauge. Maybe because I hold the working yarn in my left hand and so the tension on the yarn is looser.
Thank you, Stacie, for another great video as usual - very concise and good attention to detail. My question is, in what applications would this technique be used? What is combination knitting exactly? I clicked because I thought it pertained to knitting two pieces at the same time but it wasn't and I'm a bit confused as to how I could actually use this method. I am a cottage knitter btw and can do it easily enough but was wondering which applications might be considered useful.
It's less of a technique and more of a style of knitting...usually people knit this way because it was the way they were taught, not something they adopted after knitting in a different style. I wanted to get this video out there because I get questions (especially from newer knitters) who ask me why people tell them that they "knit weird", haha. It's not weird, just a different style, and now I can point those question askers to this video to help them understand how they knit.
@@verypinkknits okay! I thought I was just missing out on something. All knitting is good knitting lol - thanks again!
Thank you, Staci. ❤
I did this by accident when I was learning continental knitting. I would twist my purl stitches since it was much easier to do that the 'correct' way. And since I learnt about twisting stitches before I even knew what combination knitting is, I just untwist them with a knit stitch through the back.
I'm a continental knitter, but purl in the combination style, so only my pork stitches are mounted backwards.
Thank you. I might want to give this a try as it looks normal for me!
Dammit. I have changed my knitting style to continental from combination a while ago to make my life easier, and I was avoiding stockinette stitch because who doesn't, and now I had to do it and I didn't understand why it wasn't working. Now I know. Because my purling was still combination knitting, I had no idea continental purl is different haha! And honestly, it's so much easier this way so apparently, when it comes to stockinette stitch, I'm changing back to combination knitting because life is that much easier.
Thank you so much! Your videos are the best!!!
I've been knitting knit stitches in the combination method; this is how I was taught as as child. And I knit in the back leg of the knit stitch even when working in the round.
But I knit purl stitches in the 'regular' or non-combination way. So I guess I am an 'odd ball' knitter! lol
Okay, I was stunned to discover that I have been continental combination purling all this time! I trained myself to learn continental knitting as I have been used to have the yarn on my left hand, as I have been crocheting for 2 decades and took knitting just bout 4 years and a few months ago.
Combination knit stitches doesn't do good for me on my projects. It looks weird - in a bad way.
As a continental knitter, I HATE patterns that call for a KTBL stitch for this very reason. 😂 I don’t, however, knit combined method. I’m used to the purl now doing it counter clockwise so I don’t want to switch now (only just learning about this method).
can you make a video of how to start a combination knitting where you do it as continential and not flicking? :)
It's super easy, basically using it like a crochet hook.
I'd love to try this, but not sure I could give it enough concentration to not wrap it the wrong way!
So is this another method of knitting that gives you the same result...with a tighter gage? Or is this an actual knit stitch that gives you a twisted stitch?
love your teaching and really like your hair
I don't know what knitting style I am. I hold the stitches on my right hand and put them on my empty needle in my left hand. I hold the yarn in my right hand. And when I get all the stitches onto the left needle I switch the needles and repeat
I actually learned combination knitting without knowing what it was called. I was taught by a left handed person. I knit about 5 different ways now lol.
My late mother used this method just for ribbing on sweaters.....I presume because it gives a neater, firmer finish to the cuffs and bottom of the garment.
Amazing work💛🌹♥😃
Is combination knitting and Russian knitting the same?
I just realized that I’ve been purling the combination way while knitting non-combination for the entire time I’ve known how to purl (like 6months)!
Is there a specific use for combination knitting or is is this just a knitting style?
This is less of a technique and more of a style of knitting...usually people knit this way because it was the way they were taught, not something they adopted after knitting in a different style. I wanted to get this video out there because I get questions (especially from newer knitters) who ask me why people tell them that they "knit weird", haha. It's not weird, just a different style, and now I can point those question askers to this video to help them understand how they knit.
I taught my self this when I was 8 because for some reason I couldn’t understand the other way
I'm a combination knitter and my knitting is much looser. I have to go down two needle sizes for gauge with every project.
You don’t have to swap ssk for k2tog, you just change the orientation of the stitches for k2tog.
I LOVE that purple yarn! Nice color. This sounds almost like lefty knitting. I knit and purl into the back loop and I swap ssk and k2tog in patterns.
Why would one want to combination knit instead of the regular way? I'm a continental knitter?
This is less of a technique and more of a style of knitting...usually people knit this way because it was the way they were taught, not something they adopted after knitting in a different style. I wanted to get this video out there because I get questions (especially from newer knitters) who ask me why people tell them that they "knit weird", haha. It's not weird, just a different style, and now I can point those question askers to this video to help them understand how they knit.
Is this the same as Easterns European knitting?
yes
Is there a benefit to knitting this way?
This is less of a technique and more of a style of knitting...usually people knit this way because it was the way they were taught, not something they adopted after knitting in a different style. I wanted to get this video out there because I get questions (especially from newer knitters) who ask me why people tell them that they "knit weird", haha. It's not weird, just a different style, and now I can point those question askers to this video to help them understand how they knit.
Your nails are exquisite
Hmmm. Wondering how this works when a pattern says ‘knit through the back of the stitch’? Can of worms
This is just Russian knitting right? I don’t see the difference between them.
yeeeeert
Hmm. Interesting.
*flat knit row:* 2:05 (western knitting on eastern purls)
*flat purl row:* 3:16 (eastern purling on western knits)
*knit round:* 4:58 (eastern knitting on western knits)
Ellen over at TheChillyDog here on TH-cam has several videos about Combination Knitting that are very informative. Check her out here: th-cam.com/video/6Vs0ToOPD_c/w-d-xo.html 🙂
Happy Knitting!
Because it’s a dark color couldn’t see any difference.
I'm demonstrating the size difference between the swatches, not anything specific on the swatches themselves.
Looks like Russian knitting.
I realize this is a different knitting technique like knitting continental or European or even Portuguese, but I don't understand actually *learning* this as a way to knit. It's like creating an (not exactly) issue or problem by knitting into the back loop and then essentially (again, not exactly) untwisting the stitch. Why twist the stitch to only un-twist it the following row? I mean, it's not like there's a wrong or right way of knitting, you're still pulling a loop of yarn through an existing loop of yarn... but this technique looks like you're doing it wrong on one row, only to fix it the following row by un-twisting. And then switching the decreases? Girl please. Just learn how to knit how the other 99% of people already do it. It's not easier or more creative, and this "technique" is supposed to be easier for continental knitters? It's not. And it's not worth the hassle. Next!
This is a traditional way of knitting, taught from generation to generation all over the world. It isn't meant to be especially creative or cool...it is another way of knitting. If you give it a try, I think you'll find Continental purling really easy and fast this way, so there are advantages.