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Knitting Style English or Contenental? Which knitting style is most common?
a7yrstitch   Intermediate TX USA Member since 4/1/08 Posts: 4375	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/17/11 7:14 PM Hi all, My knitting experience is limited to about a one week self taught trial of a very long piece with a fat cable stitch plunked in the middle. At the time there were two little boys hanging on me watching with sweet hubbie right over the shoulder. It wasn't the thing to do at the time. Now I'm ready. My mom was a fabulous and exceedingly fast knitter. I asked her to teach me and she said it wasn't a good idea as she handled her needle and yarn differently than everyone else and had to make some adjustments on some patterns. She was born in 1928 and learned to knit as a child. She was born and raised in Wisconsin. Her mom and her grandparents were German and the upstairs landlady that doted on her was Danish. She said the only other person she met that knit the same way was a sailor. Now I see that our new local yarn shop offers lessons in something called Continental Knitting. Checking online, it is also referenced as German Style. I don't know who, if anyone, taught Mom to knit. Does anyone know which might be the more common knitting style in the U.S. and which style my mom might have used? I'm ready and want to learn using my mom's method. Additionally, for anyone else interested in knitting, are there any advantages or disadvantages that you would like to mention regarding one method over the other? Thank you. ------ I have no idea what Apple thought I was saying so be a Peach and credit anything bizarre to auto correct.
Peggy   Advanced Beginner MT USA Member since 10/8/02 Posts: 651	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/17/11 8:20 PM I think the continental stitch will allow you to knit faster. I've never learned it but I've seen people really zipping along with it. I use the english style. If you started with something that has a cable, that is pretty ambitious. Here is an easy dishcloth/washcloth pattern that is really nice looking. The is a world of information and videos on the internet to demonstrate any of this. Dishcloth: Cast on 4 stitches. Row 1 Knit Row 2 Knit two, yarn over, knit across to end of the row. Repeat row 2 until you have about 50 stiches on your needle (I use size 10) Row 3: Knit 1, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 2 together, then knit to the end of row. Repeat row 3 until you have four stitches on your needle. Bind off. Good Luck -- Edited on 9/17/11 8:21 PM --
a7yrstitch   Intermediate TX USA Member since 4/1/08 Posts: 4375	Login to reply to this post In reply to Peggy Like this post Date: 9/17/11 8:34 PM Thanks Peggy, The dishcloths are a great suggestion. I have some that have been given to me and I have a jillion uses for them. Might as well start making them for myself. They make great washable soap holders in the bathroom and in my Y bag. ------ I have no idea what Apple thought I was saying so be a Peach and credit anything bizarre to auto correct.
threaddy   Advanced WY USA Member since 4/22/09 Posts: 2307	Login to reply to this post In reply to a7yrstitch Like this post Date: 9/17/11 11:03 PM http://sewing.patternreview.com/cgi-bin/sewingclasses/board.pl?t=48408...hmm don't know if that worked. there was a topic a bit back called learning to knit which I tried to link. Continental vs. american style is discussed. Your Mother probably learned continental if she is in Wisconsin. That is where I learned to knit and the instructor gave us the option . Continental is WAY faster and a lot less hand motion. Get your Mother to teach you her style!!!! Most US knitters use the American or English style which involves throwing the yarn around a lot. I think a lot more people are using the Continental method lately though. ------ "The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem." Theodore Rubin "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life's about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw Bernina vintage and embroidery serger 234 and BLcoverstitch
threaddy   Advanced WY USA Member since 4/22/09 Posts: 2307	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/17/11 11:17 PM see link it worked! -- Edited on 9/17/11 11:18 PM -- ------ "The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem." Theodore Rubin "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life's about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw Bernina vintage and embroidery serger 234 and BLcoverstitch
threaddy   Advanced WY USA Member since 4/22/09 Posts: 2307	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/17/11 11:21 PM There was another topic ...I'll see if i can link it too/ no didn't work...just type in continental and look in the messages you'll see a number of discussions. Sorry I'm such a computer doofus -- Edited on 9/17/11 11:24 PM -- ------ "The problem is not that there are problems. The problem is expecting otherwise and thinking that having problems is a problem." Theodore Rubin "Life isn't about finding yourself. Life's about creating yourself." George Bernard Shaw Bernina vintage and embroidery serger 234 and BLcoverstitch
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6980	Login to reply to this post In reply to a7yrstitch Like this post Date: 9/17/11 11:56 PM I learned to knit American style, and then relearned again, 40 years later. However, I taught myself Continental recently, and it's so much faster! Continental, coming from American, had a bit of a learning curve, but I go back to it if I get off track. ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
jadamo00 Advanced NY USA Member since 3/13/06 Posts: 1232	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/18/11 7:17 AM You will zip along with Continental and, when knitting stockinette you barely even have to look at the work: great for TV. j.
Wino Intermediate PA USA Member since 9/24/06 Posts: 358	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/18/11 8:41 AM Continental seems quicker and has much less hand movement. In Continental the yarn from the skein is in your left hand while in American/British it's in your right hand. Continental knitters are "pickers" while American are "throwers". Continental is easier IMHO. The Knittinghelp web site has videos and instructions for both methods, as does the Stitch n Bitch books. Good luck ! ------ wino
Annie- oh Intermediate CO USA Member since 2/7/04 Posts: 1167	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/18/11 11:47 AM Miss Fairchild, I'm with you: I learned American style over 50 years ago (oh, I was very young), and recently learned Continental. Love it, love it, can't believe the way I've done it all these years. Also like you, Miss Fairchild, I fall back on Amrican for a spot or row when I get into trouble. Kinda like a security blanket? ------ I try all things. I achieve what I can. "Moby Dick" We stand here confronted by insurmountable opportinities. Pogo

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