how I knit fast using the English method
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 ก.ย. 2024
- // a video by AnnieDot Creative, maker of the Something About Yarn podcast
// I have had many knitters since 2009, when I really got serious about knitting (though I learned in 2007), ask me how I knit so fast using the English method. I've wanted to make a video about it for a really long time, and I've finally done it!
I know a lot of people who watch this will think I am using a method called “flicking” but I have had knitting veterans over the years try to figure it out and tell me I am not flicking, that it’s a hybrid method they’ve never seen before. So that’s why I wanted to share!
I will say, though, that I recommend giving this a try if you're frustrated by knitting slowly and it takes away from the joy you find in knitting. I would urge you to focus on enhancing your knitting experience, not just learning to knit faster for the sake of it because then it can take away the joy found in the process.
Also, if you are a knitter who takes their hand off the needle to loop the yarn, I assure you I'm not picking on anyone with this video -- in fact, that's part of the bone to pick that I have with a lot of the "speed-knitting" or "knit faster" videos out there.. they depict English knitting that way as they bash it in comparison to "how awesome Continental is" and all that. Which I dislike. You knit how you knit, and you should only change it in the event that, as I said, you wish to enhance the process for yourself.
That's my two cents / disclaimer for this video. I hope you find it useful!
Annie oxo
// find my knitting patterns here: www.ravelry.co...
// music credit
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I also felt irritated by the way some knitters compared continental and english knitting. Thanks for this video!!
I got the same from my mother-in-law when I happened to be knitting when I was visiting her. She said I am doing it wrong. She was so proud that she could knit faster than all her friends. Yes, she got done first, but did not receive any calming effects from her drive to be the fastest.
@@ruthgoebel723
Hi Ruth, ha yes I absolutely agree with your comment.
Knitting is so calming for me and it's certainly not a race.
I just find it so therapeutic as it helps with any anxiety I might be feeling.
I taught myself to knit and crochet so I haven't knitted with/around anyone else but being by myself I *will* practice going faster just for me (usually because I'm excited to start my next knitting/crochet project! 🥰 )
I've only been doing this for about two years and just fell in love with everything about it- the yarn... ohh all that scrumptious yarn!
I made a shawl using Yarn Bee Hint of Silk, it's cool to the touch and the drape is just incredible.
Still learning though and trying different stitches.
Peace and Blessings to you🙏
This is how I have knit for the last 60 years. I’ve heard it referred to as the “flick”. We tend to knit how we were taught and develop our own modifications. Watching me attempt continental is hilarious. I don’t know how or why knitting has developed into a competition of methods. Who cares? Lol. Let’s all just knit and be happy.
Thank you for this , I agree, I don't understand why continental is always pushed as "better" than English. I love English and this tip to work faster is fantastic.
Om English and I knit a combination of lever and English
Thank you. I knit English like you do. I really tried to knit Continental and can do it but it's just not as relaxing for me. I'm not a fan of seeing who can knit the fastest. I do enjoy the process.
as a continental knitter, this video made me finally understand why anyone would WANT to knit english. i thought it was really odd how people would choose a method that involved letting go of the work to pick up and wrap the yarn, when you could just... not do that... like i learned to knit when i was about 7-8 years old (it didn't really pique my interest until i was 20 though) and have thus been knitting continental for about 15 years, so when i learned about english, i was absolutely BAFFLED because i could just not comprehend why anyone would choose to knit in a way that seemed so ineffective to me. guess youtube is just really bad at highlighting the fact that you can knit english in more than one way
Oh wow, that’s so interesting! I really enjoy hearing others’ perspectives, so thank you for taking the time to comment!! Glad I could shed some light on the why of English knitting for you ☺️
For most people, their knitting style is not a matter of choice of course! You are taught in a certain way and lots of knitters never find out there are different styles! TH-cam can be a revelation 😂
@@maartjeobdeijn1212 yes!! I’m new but my mom taught me to knit english when i was a kid and I can’t wrap my brain around continental
I lit like you do, I just tension my yarn differently. I taught myself to knit using TH-cam!
I've been knitting English style for 50 years. I self taught myself as a teenager from an old book.
I was never shown how to hold the needles so have my own unique way. From seeing some others knit English style, they seem to hold the right hand needle under the palm. I hold mine like a pencil with the needle resting between my thumb and forefinger. I've tried Continental but my left hand cramps badly trying to direct the yarn, so I just stick with my own way which works fine for me.
I am English. That is so irritating for me too when they portray English knitting as so slow. I don't know anyone that drops the needle. So thanks for this video .
Right!! Thank you for watching and for the comment!!
When I was a child in England in the early fifties most women knitted. Girls were taught at school from five year old upwards.
Most of us could already do basic knitting. I have always used the drop needle wind yarn method even as a child lots of women, including my grandma did pick method. I have always wanted to do this method, very difficult at 75 to change the habit
i wish we were still taught this in school - they'd never trust kids with pointy objects these days - too much health and safety red tape i should imagine! my home ec classes were absolutely useless! we didn't learn to knit at all and 'sewing' was basically making a sock puppet with stick on googly eyes. I've always been in love with 40s and 50s fashion and it's taken me to my mid 30s to teach myself how to sew and knit because i hate everything in the shops. And because i use patterns from the 40s and 50s half of them don't even have markings on them at all just a handful of holes punched out and no instruction sheet and not even my size so i had to learn to grade on top of it. At least sewing patterns from the 50s are still understandable, it's just figuring a substitute for the obsolete yarns that is a complete headache.
I was taught at school from primary school .most people knitted at that time ,the verse that was used for knit stitch was in ,over ,through, and off teaching my daughter in law at the moment and use the verse to her whilst helping her,
This is exactly how my mother taught me! She was such a fast knitter.
Snap. Been knitting the good old English way for over sixty years. It’s how I was taught at school, have tried other techniques but stick to what you know and what works best for you. Carry on knitting everybody.
I’m an English knitter - I mainly use long needles in the Northumbrian pit style. The yarn is wrapped around my right pinky then over my middle finger. The yarn is flicked by moving my middle finger with the right thumb remaining on the needle. The needle is held in place by my arm as it’s tucked under my elbow. I can knit quickly this way.
My mum taught me how to knit when I was a child. She was a prolific knitter for the whole family.
I think what they term ‘English Knitting’ is an American term. I’m British and I knit nothing like that and I never use circular needles
I come from a long line of British knitters (even my Dad knits! haha!) and I believe you are correct! Happy knitting! 🌸
It seems to me that if you learned as a child, how you learned will always be "normal" and is hardwired into your brain and muscle memory. Even though you view TH-cam tutorials and experiment with alternatives, it seems difficult to overcome "normal". I learned English as a little girl in 1960s; didn't even know any other methods existed until fairly recently (I came very late to TH-cam). Perhaps as an adult beginner in current times, with so much more information and demonstrations available, it's possible that you could experiment with English and Continental styles, different tension grips, types of needles, ways of holding needles etc and choose what feels most natural, or works best for you, before one way becomes so dominant that it cannot be overcome.
I too was taught to knit in the 60s as a child as a "thrower". At 55 I found out about Continental (can't do it easily) and English (or flicking). I would say that it only took about an afternoon to catch on to English and I haven't looked back - it definitely felt normal almost from the start. Maybe it is because "throwing" is such an inefficient way to knit in the first place.
This is how I knit. It amuses me that the English style has been so denigrated since the internet with videos exaggerating a fake English style with everyone dropping the needles swinging the yarn around like they're about to pitch a baseball, then slowly try to find their way back to what they were doing. This in aid of convincing us that we're inferior & need to correct our errant ways. I guess the detractors didn't know about the island knitters who were 200+ stitches per minute, & all the grannies out there who could whip out 4 pairs of perfect socks in an evening - english style. 😂
TRUTH!
This style of knitting actually has a name it's called flicking. Check out Very Pink Knits. She has tutorials on this as well, I came across her channel a few years ago. Nice video. You did a nice job, You go slow enough that it's easy to follow you.
Thank you!
I do not like her channel I’ve watched a few of her videos and I find her very pretentious it appears that’s she’s more worried about how her presence, her hands and nails look rather than trying to teach you how to knit. I like the tutorials that just get into the ‘knitty’ gritty of the process and most of them are ones who don’t even show their faces so the viewer is more connected with the actual tutorial than what the teacher looks like. Sorry that’s just my opinion and because I’m a fierce English knitter that will not be convinced that continental is the way to go, I’ll stick yo what I was taught and what I know.
When Very Pink Knits flicks, she wraps her yarn on her index finger from back to front rather than coming directly over the finger/nail.
I think that many of the people who film tutorials for their projects, ostensibly to help “English style” knitters understand, are continental knitters who aren’t comfortable knitting English style. These people never tension their yarn, and always let go and wrap. I can tell, because they make it look so awkward. The knitters who win speed competitions seem to hold the yarn in their right hand. Personally, I knit using different methods, depending on whether I’m doing straight stockinette, rib, colorwork, lace, cables, etc. I have several techniques in my arsenal, to avoid injury.
I'm not quite a beginner, but I did stop knitting for over a decade, so at this point both ways make me feel like Edward Scissorhands lol I knit English, but keeping tension with my index finger, not having it on the needle while I work, feels so awkward! I also think it's unfortunate that people who are heavy into a hobby get so snotty as if there's only *one* way to do something. I'm not sure why they would want to fracture the community like that...Thanks for the video 🙂
This might have been said already but I think your wrapping style is called “flicking”. I knit continental but I have a lot of strain in my left index finger and I am looking to tweak my approach.
I have been knitting this way for 60 years. It is how my great aunt taught me.
In my family everyone knitted "English style" Mum, Dad, Cousins, Grannies! My Mum learned to knot "German-Style" when she lived in Hamburg before the war, but she taught me to knit as you are knitting. I use ,y left when I do colour work but as I'm just new to that I find it really tiring and frustrating. I'm just not ambidextrous enough. So I stretch the left hand stitches and somehow they always seem to tighten themselves as I knit! I have startec knitting again after 50 years and I am really loving it. Knit to enjoy not to compete! If you are a slower knitter enjoy it. Most of us aren't knitting to keep bread on the table.
Your method seems a lot like the "flicking" style of English knitting. I am going to try this, but I have a feeling that I might revert to my English "throwing."
I just want to say thank you. I just retired in May.1st time knitter @ 62..
as an aside, that yarn is gorgeous! It's like faded blue jeans!
you are what is called a flicker i have tryed continental thrower english style but discovered flicking like you that is my favorite
Thank you for this video. I just practised Continental Knitting for two hours for the very first time. Now that I am watching you I may just work on knitting English Method faster. You show us your method so clearly. Great job!!!!
No way is the right way & no way is the wrong way,you knit& purl in the style that makes sense to you.....
Thank you! I’m getting it finally with your help!❤️
I learned to knit using the English style, recently I saw on TH-cam some people suggest using the continental style. I try to learn but it makes it slower to knit and get frustrated. in the end I still use the English style, where my knitting method is almost similar to you. Thank so much
I have been trying for several years to English style with this flicking motion. I have read and watched all kinds of videos. Even if you aren’t doing this to speed up, it is more efficient and appears to be easier on the wrists and fingers. I also like the rhythm of flicking. I have been a knitter for 55 years, knowledgeable but not necessarily dedicated. I think part of my problem is I hold onto everything (needles and yarn) without dropping the yarn but my index finger is wrapping instead of being like a shuttle.
Holy smokes - yarn over the fingernail is a huge game changer for me! Thank you ❤️
Thank you so much for this video! I'm new to knitting after learning crochet and tried continental but got frustrated and quit. I want to try this way 😊👍🥰💖
I just retired in May of this year. I am learning how to knit. I just want to say thank you.
Thank you SO much for watching and for taking the time to comment! Congrats on retiring and learning to knit! :)
I can do either but prefer English over continental. I'm not slow and I don't drop my needle 😅
Really enjoyed this tutorial however could you use a white background so it shows up better 😊 so happy to hear someone is doing this for the first time and I certainly hope we will see more in the future 😊
Thank you so much for watching! And yes, I do have plans for remaking this with better lighting and a white background. Life’s been so crazy, but this is on my list for the near future!
Creo que lo llaman #flicking . Estoy practicándolo actualmente, es más fácil con agujas cortas circulares y no rectas largas, aunque mi abuela tejía con este método, rapidísimo y sin mirar casi. Supongo que lo fue desarrollando naturalmente y adoptandolo con la practica y tejiendo mucho, fue como una evolución natural hacia el flicking. Yo aprendí continental hace 2 años y debo decir q para el punto derecho (knit) es rápido, pero el revés (purl) hay que agarrarle la mano y aún no estoy 100%cómoda... pero como dices ninguno es mejor q otro, hay muchas formas de tejer, y es maravilloso 👏
thank you for taking the time to comment! and yes, it is a lot easier on short circular needles for sure!
I'm so glad to see that someone else, rather than me , enjoys english knitting!!! I've been taught by my mother 40 years ago, we mostly do it here in Italy, (she's still doing it!!) , I tried continental but it's not for me
Thank you very much for this video that explains very good how can this method be fast ad well !
Thanks for the video - I knit English (though much, much slower) and never knew there was any other way to knit!
Imma have to apologize for laughing at the thought that this was even possible....but it is!!! I used to have to stop and change hand position to switch between k&p now thank you very much I use a style of your method. Thank you!!!
Oh wow, I’m so glad!! Thank you for taking the time to let me know!
I also knit english style and "throw" the yarn around the needle but I wrap the yarn the opposite direction around my index finger and pinch it between my index and middle finger to give myself better tension control. I've never been able to get consistent tension with continental, so much so that I hate crocheting because I can't figure out a good way to hold the yarn in my right hand. :P
Try left handed crocheting. I’m a lefty and hold the yarn in my right hand, thus English style knitting works better for me.
I have learned Continental knitting and purling within the last month from several ladies on TH-cam, and of course Norman. I really do enjoy it. I learned English knitting over 40 years ago and enjoy that very much as well. I love both English and Continental. I am not concerned with "going fast." As Emma Simmons mentioned below, I enjoy the process - the very activity of knitting and making something with my hands. I also crochet, cross-stitch, quilt, and sew among other things. Believe me, I am not searching out videos that will help me go faster at any one of these crafts. I simply love the process of each type of needlework and appreciate everyone's ability and methods they use to do crafts no matter what speed they go. To me, it is all about the process and enjoyment of the activity.
Thank you everyone on TH-cam for making videos of the things you enjoy and your methods for doing them; you have taught me so much and I learn new things and methods all the time. God bless you all.
I’m glad you enjoy the process of knitting. Though from your comment I feel like you may have missed where I emphasize the fact that I made this video mainly for the knitters who don’t enjoy the process because they knit slowly. My hopes were that I could help them improve their process so that they do find enjoyment in it. ;)
This is how I knit...😊
You knit like I do!!
Best and fastest way to knit I don’t care how much anyone tries to convince me to try the continental way. I have and it’s frustrating....all fingers and thumbs and if you ever watch a tutorial with the teacher using continental you can’t even see what they’re doing. No thanks
Im a self taught knitter and I havent tried for about 3 or 4 yrs I get frustrated taking it back apart so much and I picked up my kneedle to try again can you so a video on how to fix knit and pearl mistakes I'm slow enough without doing this
I’d love to do a video on fixing mistakes! Are you dropping stitches or is it another scenario? Tell me a little more so I know what you’d need covered in the video!
@@cosysageleaf sometimes I notice I have dropped stiches and a few times extra stitches got added somehow and a few times my project has dropped off the needle and I get them back on in the opposite way as they was
Okay! Yes, dropped stitches can be a pain for sure! I’ll think about how I want to cover it, along with anything else I’d need to go over, and get something put together. Probably within the next 2-3 or so. Keep an eye out!
@@cosysageleaf ok thanks ill keep checking
I was taught the English over 50+yrs ago, so this is new but like other methods I try, it’s worth trying too! Thanks 😊
OMG! You are the first video I find that knits like me! Thank you! And, I agree, to me, it is just as fast as continental.
This is a very good video, but I only discovered it today a year after it was posted. I believe I knit as you do, or very similarly. It just developed over time. I still occasionally try to knit continental. I am not so far out from my beginner knitter days that I don't remember how odd knitting felt to do. However, as much as I like to have many tools in my belt, I am not so motivated as to dedicate serious amts. Of time to working on it. Finding a balance between speed and enjoying the process is my goal, bc I do want to knit all the things.
Thank you for watching and for your comment! Yes, finding that balance is so important!
Hi! I wonder if you could do this video with longer needles? I'm newer to knitting and do English with the throw. I would like to get faster though. I do have smaller hands. Does it matter if you are left or right handed? I have "tried" contiential and it is not a fit for me. I love your quick right to left motion. I know it isn't a race, but I would like to be quicker. Thank you for any help!
thank you for watching my video! do you mean straight needles or just longer circular needles? would definitely like to know, as I'm wanting to do a new video with better lighting!
Hi! Straight needles, please. Thank you for replying!
Gotcha, so I don’t actually use straight needles because they hurt my hands. 😅 For items knit flat, I still use circulars for comfort and also for easier transportation.
I want to learn to knit continental because everyone is saying how fast it is, but I have serious problems with dexterity. However, I have developed a technique especially with English purling- I used to dread it, but know prefer it. I bring the stitches to the top and literally pull them off the needle. It works for me and works up quite fast.
Nice video
I knit neither English nor Continental (nor combination, which most people want it to be for some reason). My stitches are *always oriented back leg forward and when doing a knit stitch it enters from the right side and "wrapped" by just picking up a stitch from the yarn stretched behind & below. I confess that purling this way can require more wrist motion so I am attracted to circular knitting projects or in later life I've become a garter stitch fan. I hated those when younger. 8 no longer do the two handed color work because it always led to tension issues for me. I lay the 2 colors across my be left finger & since I'm just 'picking' crochet style, it is easy to just select the correct color for the stitch. My point is that it is not "either English or Continental". There are many ways to accomplish great knitting. Look into Eastern uncrossed,. Combo (popularized by Anny Modiset) or Russian (Eastern but with a twist on the purl.)
I'm late to the party, but I enjoyed this video. Thank you! I did not read through all the comments, but isn't this an example of *flicking*?
I've been knitting on & off for years & I 1st learned English *throw*, then learned & loved continental, & Portuguese.
I'm now trying flicking for variety.
Thank you for the tips, I will give it a whirl . I will suggest though that if you were to use brighter colour of yarn for your demonstrations it would be easier to see your motions. The yarn, needles and table are very similar in colour. Thanks again for your tips 👍
What you are doing is called "flicking". It is a lesser known variation of "English style " knitting. I also flick. And it does make my knitting faster.
Let everyone knit as they like. Personally, I've always used the English method and I don't keep my right finger straight (after a while my hand is tense and aching). It simply "rests" on the pin and moves to wrap the yarn.
Could you use this method Knitting Continental 🙏If you could please do a tutorial 🙏🙏🙏❤️🐑🧶🐑LAMBIE 🙏🐑🧶
IMPORTANT.
The Left forefinger is in motion. Pushing the stitch forward and off and your right thumb is also assisting.
excellent video.
I love Handmade i do respect for all of any style of knitting. Just do the way you like and feel comfortable with it. Faster come later when you just get ust to it. For me I am a Lefthandel Crochet. I do all the crochet stuff as a mirror. I hold the hook on my left hand and right hand hold the yarn. I am learning how to knit I am doing a Continental style as a mirror too and I found that I used too much my left hand to move I right hand which hold the yarn doesn't move too much and I feel pain. So I am considering to knit as English style which I could move my right hand a bit more and that good for myself and I am happy about it. In the end you just feel happy about the result and proud of yourself 🎉😊
I do exactly as you do! My mother taught me…I. Am now 79… have tried continental and I can do it but it’s lower for me. The wool to wrap does not need to be held in two fingers but balanced on the end of the finger is sufficient!
Lastly it’s all down to practice!
I learned how to knit, when I was 5 yo, from my German SIL, so I learned continental on steel needles. She then taught me to English knit so I would be able to used two colors without letting go of the needle. We did everything except socks on metal needles. Socks were done on DP wooden needles. I will switch up from Continental to English and back, just to keep proficient in both.
I think the thing I've struggled with the most with this method of english style is that my stitches just end up super tight. When I learned to knit I did continental and found that just the way my hands sit, the yarn tends to be tensioned below the needle rather than above it. With it being above the stitch, I end up pulling the stitch up and tight.
I noticed that trend when I taught knitting classes. Then when I taught them this method, they definitely got better with time and relaxed their tension!
Thankyou so much for this! Trying to knit faster purely because I have so many Christmas projects to finish for presents. Tried to continental knit and just can't get along with it, uncomfortable and slow for me as constantly dropping the yarn and uneven tension. Tried this way and love it! Very comfortable more so than the standard English knitting (less cramps) and its alot faster thanks! x
You’re so welcome!!💕
I knit as you do, like flicking, technically. But my right finger is much closer in - not as much yarn between right needle and right index finger. I will mention that years of knitting this way has caused significant arthritis in my index finger and large knuckle. So I switch to Continental from time to time, which I can do proficiently but rly has never seemed comfortable for me. Thank you.
My mother taught me to knit English style, but she had an odd way of wrapping the yarn around her finger, and seemed to have a long "throw". Your way is closer to what I have ended up with. Mind you, I sadly don't knit much.
Just like you don't like how people portray English style, I don't like your representation of continental, I absolutely do not have to move my finger like that to Purl, nor do I have to move my finger past my thumb to do so. Just like there are tips and tricks to make your style easier, there are tips and tricks to make continental easier.
I have made myself learn every new style I can just to try them.
A fab video thank you. Funnily enough... I also knit like yourself and find myself much quicker this way plus my tension is also best this way. I too find that continental does not really work for me. I guess we are all different in life!😅🥰🥰🥰
English knitting is easier for me than continental because I started out with crochet and I'm left handed. I was already used to holding yarn in the right so this is way more natural feeling for me.
This is exactly how I knit. I learned from an elderly German lady when I was 8 years old. I call this German knitting.
It’s all based on how you’ve learned!! I’m self taught from a book… The book only showed the English style of knitting…
By the time I saw the Continental style, I was quite fast with English!!!
This new technique seems wonderful, but with the many orders I have, to adopt this technique would put me behind..
But to the newbies, definitely give it a try…. The faster you are, the more money to be made!!!
As long as your finished work is FABULOUS!!!! …That’s all that matters!!!
Because FAST WITH FLAWS won’t cut it!!!!
That's not English knitting, it's American knitting. English or continental is the same to us. If you can go slower during your stitch it would help a great deal.
I'm English I knit really fast by using straight needles with one needle end under my right arm, the left needle is the only one that moves, the wool is over my 3rd finger and over my index finger, I always thought it of a North Yorkshire way of knitting but I have found out lately is a Irish
I'm going to try this tomorrow, I'm using too many motions when I knit, I'm actually left handed and ambidextrous too in that I use my right hand for many things. Thanks for this video
Thank you for watching!!
Just a suggestion, use a light background with dark yarn.
Thanks for a great video! It really shows why american knitting is a bit stupid and needs double the work for just one stitch. This comes in handy when teaching!
This is exactly how I knit and it’s the quickest and most natural way for me. I feel I have so much more control over my work.
I can knit continental fairly fast but I find my tension isn’t as even due to the different finger movements, as you said. Continental also generally places knit and purl stitches on the needle differently as well and it’s something I can usually spot in people’s FOs. (Norwegian style being the exception- which is a very balanced way to knit continental)
Not sure why people keep calling it “flicking”. Flicking involves levering the right needle in a sort of circular flick motion up to catch the yarn, whereas your right needle is pretty stationary while your forefinger does most of the work.
I think most inefficient English knitting is the result of people watching how-to videos that use exaggerated, super slow motions where they remove their hand from the right needle. Unfortunately it gets committed to muscle memory and becomes a hard habit to break.
Thank you so much for your informative comment! I’m going to pin it because it definitely adds info I didn’t think to include!
This tutorial was more helpful for me than the other "pink" one that teaches what she calls "flicking." Thank you! I'm practicing with a small scarf and I've improved in just 3".
Flicking is both with rotating into the stitch or stretching to complete the stitch, it varies and depends on whether you are knitting a small tube, the size of the needle, if it is in the round or in the flat. I think it is interesting to know really what other are doing as there are some projects that lend themselves to use one style over another. We live in an age when now 1/3rd to 1/2 of seniors end up with Alzheimer’s.
We want it to be easy to get more done, a senior like me, with a dad who died of Alzheimer’s thinks “how can I make it more difficult, how can I overcome the challenge”. Either the style is harder or the pattern has to come with the learning and difficulty.
I do not want to become like my dad, not only for myself but for my family: kids, grandkids and husband.
That is so cool. I use all kinds of knitting, even with a belt. Having the yarn over your nail is the key. Watching you, I see that I have the yarn over my nail, but I use my forefinger to move the fabric. Fascinating how flexible your efficiency is with using the forefinger. Also, your palm is more facing left instead of down. Very ergonomic. Thank you so much. I'm excited to change my habit since my thumb depends on a change. Knitting used to be fun. Maybe this, and ice water, will make the difference. Really glad you put this out there. I did see a competition between English and Continental, and it was almost a dead heat. It wasn't set up as specifically one against the other, just turned out that way. Sock Summit. Fun event, sadly in the past.
Thank you for the feedback! Hope it helps!
Hi Can you do a tutorial for beginners on how you hold your yarn in right hand? I cannot get the tension! Thank you for your videos.
That method would make my fingers ache - that is American ‘English’ knitting 😂
I have always knitted continental but wonder if this more gentle on my left wrist...will try this!!❤
This was great. I was taught English style. I have tried several times with continental knitting, but it frustrates the crap out of me. I enjoy English knitting. It's relaxing for me. Thank you for the wonderful tips.
what you are demonstrating is the way knitters, trained in England, knit. In English schools, all the girls, starting at age 6, had to learn how to knit and crochet.
I knit in this same style, since I was 5 years old. Thank you for this video. I thought I was knitting wrong watching others knit.i tried to change to Continental but I cannot Master it.
You're very good and it's obvious how practiced you are. I will absolutely give this method a try!
Thanks, this was very helpful to speed up my English style knitting. 😃🧶
Awesome! Glad to hear it!
I have knitted the same way you to forever. never knew it was different until someone teaching me continental watched me and wondered how I knit the way I do lol
Great explanation! I would still like to see you ‘slowly’ grasp the yarn in your right hand.
I am an English knitter having learned from watching my Gran over 65 - 70 years ago. While I flick I keep the yarn over my nail as you do but close to the needle. That finger glides along the right needle and around the tip... the image is of a tongue flicking in and out of the needle tip.
I only needed to watch about 30 seconds of this video, but you were so relatable I stuck around for 5 minutes. I am here because I know it’s a myth that English is slower, but I just can’t *get it* like continental. Thank you for your help in fixing that soon!!
Aw, thank you so much. I appreciate the feedback and am so glad it helped!!
I have tried this but could not keep the tension tight enough to twist around the left needle.
I worked close to t h e tips and it made my knitting smaller.
Funnily enough I'm a continental knitter (mostly because I learned how to knit after being a crocheter) and the fastest knitting I've seen was Mina from the knitting expect and she's an "english knitter" who flicks and you seem to knit similarly.
Your style is very similar to Hazel Tindall. She is considered one of the world's fastest knitters. I am also faster using my right hand.
I didn’t know that, very cool!
Excellent tutorial. I knit and purl the same way. I started knitting like this when I became a more confident knitter and I realized that I wasn't being very efficient. I remember when I began knitting many years ago, it was all I could do was to keep from dropping stitches! I wish someone had told me there were other ways to knit. Thank you!
My dominate hand is my left but I do so many things with my right hand. I don't consider myself to be ambidextrous but I use my right hand quite a bit.
I knit almost the same as you the only thing I do differently is the direction I wrap the yarn around the needle and how I tension my yarn.
I used to wrap my yarn a different direction, and a friend realized I was twisting stitches when I did it. Do you have that problem as well?? I'm so curious!
@@cosysageleaf I forgot to mention this in my first comment but I make all my stitches through the back loop which keeps the stitches from twisting.
@@wheelchairboy88 oh wow, that's interesting! thank you for replying
I knit like you do, but I also knit continental.
I like both methods.
I have a feeling my right index finger would start to ache from holding it up like that. I think I tried this once upon a time. Does anyone find that? Also, I mostly knit English style but I rest the right needle on my thumb, I.e. hold it from underneath as if it were a pencil. That way, although I do let go of the needle it doesn’t go anywhere and is easy to pick up again.
It’s actually a more natural, relaxed position than trying to hold it down on the needle. Like just letting it relax straight, and the tension of the yarn helps keep it curved.
@@cosysageleaf I will try it out at some point on a simpler knit that I am doing now. Thanks!
I knit as you do and I knit quickly.
oh my gosh. When I learned purling, I learned you HAD to wrap your yarn around the working needle going the other direction than you would to knit (so if you wrap counter clockwise to knit, you wrap clockwise to purl). I already tension my yarn on my fingers similarly to the way you do, so wrapping my yarn the same way regardless of whether I'm knitting or purling has just changed things drastically for me! You probably cut my purling time down by a third just with this. Thanks for sharing!
Wooooow that makes me SO happy to hear! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know!
English is The Best, you get correct tension. My Stitches Fly Off the Needles... Thanks For Sharing 👏
I am English and knit English but have been practicing cotinental for a while, my stitches are much looser and inconsistent tension so definitely prefer Engilsh.
I'm sorry, i dont understand what you say.
I really struggle trying to keep the tension right holding it like you show here. I’m pretty new to knitting. I have mostly just done crochet.
I did not knit this way when I first started! It really developed over time, so do whatever you feel most comfy with for now and then tweak from there!! I went to knitting from crochet too, so it took time to adjust to how different it is.
This is how I knit always known as flicking. English from what I understand is throwing.
English refers to the fact that I'm holding the yarn in my right hand vs my left, not how I'm moving the yarn or holding the needles themselves. :)
You have a long length of yarn between your forefinger and the needle. I only carry one inch or less and my knitting is extremely fast if I want it to be.
Yes, for this video I did leave it a bit longer. But when I'm not knitting to show my process, I keep my finger much closer to the needle and move a lot faster.