Continental Knitting For Beginners Step By Step
Knitting is a delightful and rewarding craft that offers numerous styles and techniques to explore. Continental knitting, in particular, is a popular method that many beginners and experienced knitters alike find efficient and ergonomic. This guide provides a step-by-step approach to learn continental knitting, especially designed for beginners.
Essential Highlights
- Introduction to Continental Knitting: Understand what continental knitting is and why many knitters prefer it.
- Tools and Materials Needed: Gather the necessary tools and materials to start your knitting journey.
- Step-by-Step Instructions: Follow a detailed walkthrough of basic continental knitting techniques.
- Common Mistakes to Avoid: Learn about typical beginner mistakes and how to fix them.
- FAQs about Continental Knitting: Get answers to common questions beginners have about this knitting style.
Table of Contents
- What is Continental Knitting?
- Tools and Materials You Will Need
- Step-by-Step Guide to Continental Knitting
- Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
- FAQs about Continental Knitting
What is Continental Knitting?
Continental knitting is a method where the yarn is held in the left hand. This method is often quicker and requires less hand movement than the English style, where the yarn is held in the right hand. Continental knitting is especially beneficial for those who have been crocheting, as it uses similar hand movements and yarn tension.
Tools and Materials You Will Need
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
- Knitting needles (typically size 7 or 8 for beginners).
- Yarn (choose a medium-weight yarn labeled as #4 on the packaging).
- Scissors to cut your yarn.
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.
For a detailed guide on what you need, check out For Beginners’ essential knitting materials guide.
Step-by-Step Guide to Continental Knitting
Holding the Yarn
Learning to properly hold the yarn is crucial in continental knitting. Wrap the yarn around your left pinky finger, weave it above your ring finger, under the middle finger, and over the index finger. This allows you to maintain the right tension.
Casting On
- Create a slip knot and place it on your knitting needle.
- Hold the needle in your right hand and use your left hand to hold the yarn.
- Use the long-tail cast-on method to create more stitches by looping the yarn around your thumb and needle.
For more detailed instructions on casting on, visit For Beginners.
The Knit Stitch
- Insert the right needle into the first stitch from left to right.
- Using your left index finger, loop the yarn around the right needle.
- Pull the right needle back through the stitch, creating a new stitch on the right needle.
Learn more about specific knitting techniques with Knitting Help.
The Purl Stitch
- Insert the right needle into the first stitch from right to left.
- Pull the yarn from the top of the right needle between the needles and back.
- Draw the right needle back through, transferring the stitch from the left to the right needle.
Understanding the purl stitch can be explored further on Very Pink.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
Making mistakes is part of learning:
- Tension issues: If your stitches are too tight or too loose, practice adjusting your yarn hold and finger placement.
- Dropped stitches: Learn how to pick up dropped stitches using a crochet hook or needle.
- Twisted stitches: Ensure your stitches are sitting correctly on the needle by observing their orientation.
FAQs about Continental Knitting
1. What is the main difference between continental and English knitting?
Continental knitting involves holding the yarn with the left hand, which can result in faster knitting as opposed to the English method where the yarn is held in the right hand.
2. Is continental knitting easier for beginners?
Many find it easier if they have prior experience with crochet. However, personal preference plays a big role.
3. How do you maintain tension in continental knitting?
Practice and adjusting how you wrap the yarn around your fingers will improve tension control.
4. Can I switch from English to Continental knitting easily?
Yes, it may take some practice, but transitioning between the two methods is entirely possible.
5. What resources are available to help improve my technique?
Check out videos and articles from trusted knitting sites like For Beginners and Knitty.