I hold my yarn strangely

1044 Views 15 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Jenn_M, Feb 18, 2010

Halfasianmomma

Discussion Starter · Feb 11, 2010

I was taught how to knit in high school, but apparently whoever did it, didn't do a great job because I know realize I learned a "bad habit". We never learned the Continental style, so whenever I give that a go, I can't even knit a stitch.

The way I do is a convoluted version of the English style. My left hand holds the left needle, but when I "throw" my yarn, it also holds onto the right needle and my entire right hand does the work, not just my index finger. Does that make sense? Having watched videos of how to knit "properly" I realize that it would go much faster if I did it the right way, but I can't seem to unlearn my weirdo knitting style.

Anyone else do this?

1 - 16 of 16 Posts

woodchick

· #2 · Feb 11, 2010

I tend to use my whole right hand to throw the yarn as well, but I'm very quick at it! Sometimes if I'm in the right groove I'll notice that only my index finger is doign the work, but I'm not too sure how often that is.

I've tried to re learn using the continental method, but my brain just doesn't want to do it

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Ellien C

· #3 · Feb 11, 2010

You must read the yarn harlot! There is no proper-one-way to knit. Anyway you can make stitches and feel comfortable is right and proper. I tell this to all my knitting students. Having said that there are some ways that are more efficient and can allow you to knit faster once you are over the initial hump. But you'll probably still find that you are dominant in a particular way of knitting.

I learned "continental/picking" but when I wanted to do color work, I taught myself "american/throwing." It was work, but it reminded me of what my students go through when they learn to knit. It was very humbling. I can knit both styles now and I do when I use color work, but I'm really still "pick" dominant.

I think they way you are knitting is fine and there's no need to change if it's working for you. But I also know people with arthritis and other issues who have changed their style of knitting to accomodate that. I've purled a few differnet ways by picking, but I'm still not truly happy with any of them. Really, you can change - but it will be like being a beginner all over. You might just challenge yourself to do a few rows at a time the new way, then go back to the old way to make some progress. Eventually you will be to do the new way for longer periods of time.

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honeybunmom

· #4 · Feb 11, 2010

(Raises hand) Me! I do this, too. I never thought there was anything wrong or convoluted about it. Actually, when I get going and only use my index finger I feel a little strange.

Juvysen

· #5 · Feb 11, 2010

I throw with my whole hand too

I learned to pick recently, though, and now that I've practiced, it's just SO much faster that I'm pretty pick dominant now...

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katelove

· #6 · Feb 11, 2010

I do it too. I don't know why cos my mum and grandmother taught me to knit and they both do the index finger only style. I have tried the other way but I'm so slow at it that I get frustrated and revert to my original style.

Jenn_M

· #7 · Feb 11, 2010

I'm a picker but just about everyone I know IRL (not that many) throws. I agree with the PPs.. there isn't a right or wrong way. Do whatever makes you comfortable. Throwing felt very awkward to me and I picked up on continental knitting very quickly.

Halfasianmomma

Discussion Starter · #8 · Feb 11, 2010

Wow thanks for the input!

I guess I wish I knew the Continental style because I do tend to get cramps in my hands or shoulders, and I feel like my knitting sometimes take a long time to get anywhere. I tried a few rows last night, but I don't think I was doing it right. I'd need to see a slooooow motion video of it!

abiyhayil

· #9 · Feb 11, 2010

I've tried to change too, I hadn't heard of using only your index finger, I'll try that now. I've been working on a washcloth for at 4 days now

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PinkCedar

· #10 · Feb 13, 2010

Continental is easy if you know how to crochet. People who learned how to crochet first, just naturally hold their yarn continental.

So, rather than trying to re-learn your knitting, which is a habit now... maybe learn to crochet? After your learn how to crochet, and are comfortable with it, then pick up your knitting again, and you'll find the hold will come naturally I bet. And you'll have picked up a new skill!

It's an idea anyway.

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mum21andtwins

· #11 · Feb 16, 2010

I knit wrong too

I'm not sure what you mean about thrwoing and picking I knit combined fwiw and people here in the UK allways tell me I do it wrong lol!

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Carma

· #12 · Feb 16, 2010

I also don't knit continental, and I learned it on the European continent from my Grandmother. I hold the right needle under my right arm and I trow the yarn from my right hand. My left hand just holds the left needle. Think I am pretty fast this way.

Carma

mkmb129

· #13 · Feb 17, 2010

I throw with my whole right hand, too. I didn't realize I was doing it err, the more difficult way until last week on a plane the lady in front of me was knitting socks-- and using only her index finger! She was fast and it looked so easy. So I watched for for a while (that's not too weird, right? haha) then when I got home gave it a shot. I like it best for purling. Still kinda clumsy with it, but it is easier on the hand, less cramps, so I'll keep on trying until it feels natural.

meco

· #14 · Feb 17, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodchick

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I tend to use my whole right hand to throw the yarn as well, but I'm very quick at it! Sometimes if I'm in the right groove I'll notice that only my index finger is doign the work, but I'm not too sure how often that is.

I am the same way!

I have relearned, but I still find myself falling back into what works. But I was taught to do what is most comfortable so I don't get too hung up on proper technique--unless I am teaching someone else.

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deditus

· #15 · Feb 18, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by HornOfTheGoatNymph

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Continental is easy if you know how to crochet. People who learned how to crochet first, just naturally hold their yarn continental.

So, rather than trying to re-learn your knitting, which is a habit now... maybe learn to crochet? After your learn how to crochet, and are comfortable with it, then pick up your knitting again, and you'll find the hold will come naturally I bet. And you'll have picked up a new skill!

It's an idea anyway.

Yup, I always tried to learn throwing (as that is how everyone I knew knit), but I couldn't because I was already a crocheter! I finally was able to teach myself using continental style.

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2

Jenn_M

· #16 · Feb 18, 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by deditus

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Yup, I always tried to learn throwing (as that is how everyone I knew knit), but I couldn't because I was already a crocheter! I finally was able to teach myself using continental style.

Maybe this is why I picked up on continental knitting so quickly.. I had been crocheting for a long time before I tried knitting!

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