How I switched from English to Continental knitting style + Posture tips to relieve strain

English and continental are the two most common knitting styles, at least in my circles, and several years ago I made the switch from English (holding the yarn in my right hand) to Continental (yarn in left hand). It did a lot to improve my speed and tension, which created more even stitches. Maybe it will help you too!

Watch to learn my tips and see exactly how I hold the yarn, and stay tuned for the end, where I'll go over some tips for posture and how to hold the needles to ease strain and prevent fatigue and pain.

0:00 - 0:34 - Overview
0:34 - 1:42 - English style
1:42 - 2:09 - A word of advice
2:09 - 4:50 - Continental style
4:50 - 6:58 - Tips for preventing strain

[BeccaJNorman]

In the beginning of the video, I said English is called "picking" and that's wrong. It's throwing! And then on the pop up graphics I got the names reversed again. Sorry! I can't believe I didn't catch that before the video went live. This may be a sign that I need to hire a professional video editor because I can only look at the same thing so many times before it just becomes a blur.

[nyxqd]

I always wanted to learn to knit as a child, but everyone who tried to teach me tried to teach me the continental style. The technique was always completely lost on me and I would quit, thinking knitting wasn’t for me. Fast forward to me being 15 and I finally decided to buckle down and learn. I drove to Michael’s, picked up a ball of yarn and some needles, and fired up YouTube. I ran into what I now realize were more continental tutorials, which, yet again, made no sense to me, but then I stumbled across someone doing English knitting. Eureka!

Well, it’s been 10 years now and I’ve never had any of the issues with throwing you’ve had. I tend to hold my yarn between my palm and my ring/pinkie finger in a lightly closed fist with my index and middle finger supporting the right needle, a method that would probably make a lot of knitters cringe but hey, it works. I don’t drop stitches or needles, I’m decently quick, it works for the things I need it to work for, and I have no complaints about it. I also don’t tend to curl my wrists under when I knit either, which means I’ve never experienced any carpal tunnel/fatigue yuckiness. No one ever taught me or told me to do any of this, I just kind of developed a “bastard english” style in isolation based on what felt most natural for my body.

However, now that it’s been 10 years and I most definitely understand the theory of knitting at this point, I decided to see if I could pick based on the demonstration you gave here. I happened to be working on a project and decided to pick four knit stitches. (Yes yes I know, but it didn’t screw up my gauge) Turns out I can indeed knit continental style, but I think I hate it. 😂 There’s something about picking that still wrinkles my brain a bit, and I think it would take me a long time to switch over. Oh well, I’ll just stick with what I’m doing for as long as it’s working.

[geegeeay]

I knitted English style for nearly 50 years. Last year I was struggling with arthritis in my left thumb from having to hold onto that left needle while throwing the yarn with the right hand. Looked up the ergonomics of knitting and finally switched to Continental, well, actually Norwegian. WHY DIDNT I DO THIS 20 YEARS AGO? So much faster and my tension has tightened. I can do ribbing, seed stitch with minimal effort! Love it.

[carolwatson]

Am ready to change from throwing to the Continental style because of wrist troubles. I see by your other posts, I am not the only one who is thinking "Why did I wait so long to try this method?"
I learned to knit in high school (1950s) where the fad was to make socks for the boyfriend(s).As the years went by, I took up quilting which gave me great joy and accomplishment. Downsizing time is upon me, so small knitting projects are my work now.
It was quite difficult to find a video that DETAILED the manner of obtaining the correct tension. I think I found the answer in your video, Becca. Thanks. Keep me on your subscriber list. CW

[tiggerfreak]

I've been knitting English for close to 40 years. I really want to learn to crochet, so I think I'm gonna buckle down and learn Continental to help with that

[JacqueD]

I have arthritis in my hands now. Thank you for preparing and doing this video on continental style knitting. I learned to knit at age 6. I’ve knitted many years English style now I either give up knitting and try crochet or I learn continental knitting. It’s m getting into socks. They are fun and small projects to carry with me. You are an angel for your clear, easily understandable video. Just found you at the right time. Many thanks.

[tinac]

I was taught to knit English style over 40 years ago, and I've knitted a lot over the years! I'm now transitioning from English style to Continental too, as I've been having a lot of wrist problems lately. I now knit exactly the same as you, and my wrists have been so much better, woo hoo! (love your sense of humour!😁) xx

[jeanboardman]

Thank you. I’m going to try picking style. I am Scottish and was taught on long straight needles with the needle ends tucked in my armpits, yarn in the right hand. When I knit with short needles joined with plastic cord I struggle! So I hope picking style will not be too onerous to get used to and will help me out! Thank you for your instruction! 😊

[amandacline]

Thank you for your video! I have been doing English style knitting for 15 years and I needed to change due to right thumb pain. I've been holding off as long as I can in making the change because I've learned to knit very quickly English style. The way you hold your yarn for continental is very different than how I hold for English and wow it does make a huge helpful difference!

[ruthfifield]

I was taught English by my Grandma more than 50 years ago - but then she was English and so am I! I have tried the continental before, but never managed to grasp it! I’m halfway through 2 projects at the moment, but when I have finished I will be eager to try a swatch with your very clear instructions! Wish me luck! 💜xx

[glo]

Hi, I'm Gloria from Italy, I just discovered your channel. I learned in throwing "style" and this is still my favorite technique because I can work faster, but my yarn doesn't slip because I keep my right needle under my armpit (and the yarn in my right hand), so I make a very slight movement with my right arm to throw the yarn, while the right needle doesn't move. With my left needle I "cross" the thrown yarn. Excuse my English....hope you understand. I tried to learn Continental many times but I find it difficult

[fdouville]

I was taught English style many decades ago, I learnt continental a few weeks ago and love it. It is a more relax way to work.

[Desda]

I lived in England and learned to knit using the throw method.
However when I learned the Continental way, it's my favorite way to knit.
Both are great to know for intarsia.

[Shaktipaj]

I've been knitting since I was 10, that's about 50 years. I was originally taught what was called 'English' which was 'throwing', but also the right hand needle was held like a pen. I always thought it was uncomfortable. I was shown what you refer to as 'English', , with the needle held under the palm, but still 'thrown' by one of my aunts in my teens. She referred to it as 'American.'
When I discovered my personal mentor in Elizabeth Zimmerman around 1980 ( and later, her daughter Meg) One of my first revelations was 'Continental'. Faster, smoother, better tension control. It was a flipping miracle!!!
Ever since, the only time I work any other way is during multiple color strand work, where I use both methods simultaneously.
It wasn't long after I learned Continental that I also stopped using straights, except for the occasional DP. I saw no reason to spend the extra $, plus I was flying more for work. Straights on a flight are a hassle in so many choice was also probably due to EZ's decided preference for circular knitting, and steeking to make colorwork easier.
On another note: have you seen anyone do the work letting the yarn feed around their neck, holding one needle under their arm, and basically pulling the other needle back and forth to create the stitches? I remember watching a video way back when. I think it was common in Greece? Anyway, interesting subject!!!!

[bonniei]

I have been knitting for about 65 years, learned Continental from my grandmother and mother, and do highly recommend it. Everyone holds yarn and needles differently and create yarn tension differently, I brace my left ring finger along the needle in a bent position, the yarn running through the closed finger. Now I am having issues with arthritis, and have a “trigger” finger that sometimes gets stuck bent. I am trying new techniques of yarn tension to avoid this position, but I find muscle memory is a hard thing to change. I recommend teaching new knitters Continental from the start, I find it is very hard to change once you have mastered English for a while. I will try the pinkie wrap and see if that works for me.

[DeirdreDoheny-zheg]

Thank you for this video! I was taught to knit English-style at my local yarn shop, it was just the way the instructor taught. I would like to change to Continental-style because it uses less hand motion and is more streamlined. Once I finish the baby blanket I am working on, I’ll give it a try!

[margaretmetcalfe]

I knit English style and not sure if it is the area of England I am from but I was taught to hold the right needle under my arm so in the armpit, this eliminates the need to just let the needle hang down or to have to put it down for each stitch, the needle is always held in place so this also frees my right hand to throw the yarn slightly quicker, as I said this might be a north east (of England) way of holding the needle. I have tried continental but for me not something that comes easily.

[vsjacinto]

Wow! This has truly changed the way I knit! I too am a former hairdresser and was looking for a way to knit without having so much pain and fatigue! After watching so many videos, I am so happy I found yours ❤ thank you!

[cidinhatorressposito]

Gostei da tua atuação, você é divertida e faz a aula ser agradável. Já me inscrevi, apesar de ter te conhecido apenas hoje, e este vídeo é meio antigo. 😘

[lynnk]

I was also taught English knitting but nowadays I've learnt continental. It's much easier for me n saves a lot of time.