Continental Way of Knitting–Finally

** Updated to include a picture of my knitting sample from class **

What a way to end another year of adventurous knitting. I took my last of three knitting classes last weekend on Continental Knitting. As most of your know, I taught myself to knit almost 3 years ago and I taught myself to knit the English/American way. You know, the throw your right arm to create a stitch. The 1-1/2 hour class was pure stress for me, but in a good way! We started out with a “warm-up” exercise of knitting our normal English way. Pure knitting stitches. Then I did a few rows of stockinette to warm-up with the purl stitches.

Then the Continental lesson began. Brenda, our instructor, broke down the “knit” stitch…the direction the needle goes into the loop and then the direction the yarn wraps around the needle. Got that. We were then instructed to hold the yarn in our left hand/fingers and then try to “knit” a stitch. Almost got that. It took me awhile to figure out how to hold the yarn in my left fingers. I struggled to figure this out first. I noticed others in the class were worried about their gauge. Not me. My first priority was to get the “technique” down first and then worry about tension/gauge later. Can’t worry about both at the same time, otherwise I won’t get it.

After 15 minutes of what felt like re-learning to knit all over again, I finally got it. Close enough to be able to create knitted stitches for several rows. It was uncomfortable at first, but I did fall into a slow rhythm.

We took a 5 minute break to relax our hands and de-stress (at least for me).

We proceeded to learn the purl stitch. Again, Brenda broke down the process of the direction the needle goes into the loop and then the direction the yarn wraps. Made sense to me, but doing it was another head scratching “how am I going to attempt this?” I was able to make a purl stitch, but still had problems with holding the yarn in my left hand.

I had an AH-HA moment. I took the yarn and placed it in my right hand as if to knit. I took note of how the yarn was threaded in and around my fingers: under my pinky, over my ring finger, under my mid-finger, and over my pointer finger. I put the yarn back in my left hand and followed the same threaded pattern I had done with my right hand. Once the yarn went over my pointer finger, I then felt the need to wrap it around once to apply some tension/control to the yarn. It worked! I continued purling for a few rows until I got into a good slow rhythm.

Brenda wanted us to combine the two stitches and we proceeded to do the stockinette stitch for a few rows. A few important things I noticed, I was knitting a bit quicker, I could keep the yarn comfortable in my left hand/fingers while switching between knitting and purling, and all I had to do was switch my needles (circulars) at the end of the row and just keep knitting.

Our last task was to knit a ribbing pattern. I ended up doing a K2P2 for my sample. This ribbing task went fast. I truly appreciated the Continental way of knitting.

At the end of class, I realized the stress of learning a new way of knitting went away. I actually had fun. I noticed my class sample turned out nicely and evenly, even though I have a gauge issue. I had to laugh at myself as I looked like a tight knitter.

While others in class were absorbed in getting gauge and frustrated on how to hold the yarn in their left hand, I found that working on how to hold the yarn first in the left hand helped me accomplished this knitting style much faster with less frustration. Just like how I first learned to knit three years ago, gauge will come with much practice and a lot of swatch knitting.

Here's my sample from class. Below the black line is my English knitting style. Above the black line is my Continental knitting style.



Why am I learning the Continental way? One, to be able to knit the ribbing pattern or seed stitch pattern quick and easily. Two, be able to knit with two colored yarns. Three and overall, to knit faster.

Knitting Weekend

I’m having a fun filled weekend of knitting.  Meaning…hours of non-stop knitting.  From Friday evening until today.   I haven’t had the opportunity to do this in a long while.  I’m having a great weekend.

I’ve finished the basket weave scarf and just need to weave in the ends.

Friday, I CO for the Fetching fingerless gloves and finished them early this morning.  I just need to weave in the ends (more weaving).  Here’s a picture of the left glove with the contrast waste yarn knitted into the glove.  The contrast yarn represents the hole or thumbhole area.  This morning I finished the thumbhole and will post pictures later of using DPNs to pick up the “live stitches” above and below the contrast yarn.  It’s funny that I learned this technique a few weeks ago in my Buttonhole knitting class and then come across this technique again in this pattern. 

This Fetching pattern is a real winner.  It took me less than 6 hours to knit both gloves.  Remember, I’m a slow knitter.  The pattern instructions are easy to memorize.  I’ll be knitting several more of these.  It will be nice to have a small knitting project to take with me on the go and just pick up and knit when I have a few minutes or an hour to spare. 

You will notice that both the gloves and the scarf are knitted with the same yarn – Berroco Comfort.  I like this color which is a brown heather with a berry hue to it.  This yarn creates beautiful stitch definitions.  It’s machine washable and the knitted fabric is very soft. 

Later this afternoon, I will be attending my last of three knitting class at my LYS.  I will be learning to knit Continental style.  We’ll see if I can accomplish this within this 1-1/2 hour session.  Wish me luck!

Happy Knitting!

Two Down, One to Go

I’ve completed another knitting class.  This one was on seaming.  This class confirmed my seaming techniques that I already have been practicing.  I did learn something new.  When I “sew” two knitted pieces together, my seams should match my knitting tension.  So, no more pulling the yarn too tight which causes the seams or the knitted stitches to look wonky on the right side. 

During the class session, we did use all seven swatches.  There was a lot of stitching and seaming going on.  In the end, I had perfect seams…both on the inside as well as the outside. 

Next up?  Is the long awaited Continental knitting.  I’ve always wanted to learn to knit this way, but could never figure it out on my own.  I’m looking forward to this class in December.

On the knitting project front, I’m almost finished with a basket weave patterned scarf for my brother.  I have just 2-4 more inches to go and it will be done.  It’s been a slow project as I have to switch from knit to purl stitches every 4 stitches.  I’m constantly throwing my right arm.  A good reason to learn the Continental way. 

One Very Good Reason to Take a Class

Here I am, closing in on the end of October. I'm approaching my three year mark when I started to learn to knit. During my first year, I taught myself the knit and purl stitch and knitted many scarves. Then I attempted my first hand knitted garment, a long sleeve two tone sweater. I knew I could do this on my own as I've had garment sewing experience and knew what the garment pieces should look like. My sweater looked pretty good as long as you didn't look too closely. I made a lot of "knitting newbie" mistakes. From there and in the last two years, I've moved onto more elaborate garments and accessories I would not have imagined knitting on my own.

What did I use to teach myself knitting? Books, magazines, and the Internet were my resources for tackling new knitting skills and inspiration. I've come to realize I'm a self starter. I'm always in the mood to challenge myself. To learn something.

I've been cranking out knitting lots of garments and I think I've come to a crossroads in my knitting life. I've realized that my knitting skills may need some polishing. Maybe it's time I learn from a knitting master or two. A real person who could go back to the basics and provide some tips and suggestions. Maybe a real class.

Here's an example of what made me stop and reassess my knitting skills. I've been working on "My Favorite Cardigan" and knitting right along. Instead of knitting the sleeves, I decided to start working on the front button and buttonhole bands. I was appalled to see what I had done:



I'm not a perfectionist. (That word is not allowed in my knitting vocabulary). When I see something like this at an RTW (ready to wear) store, it gives me the willies. I immediately took a picture of my bad knitting to document "my what not to do next time" and then proceeded to frog my button band.

I've come to realize it's time to take a class. While books, magazines, and the Internet can help a knitter like me, there are times when I just need to fine tune my techniques by learning from a master. Someone with many years of knitting experience who could help me take my knitting to the next level.

My Favorite Cardigan has been sitting in my knitting bag for the last two weeks, waiting to be brought back to life. I will be back to post the results of what I learned in class. Stay tuned!

I've Signed Up for Some Knitting Classes

For the last two-plus years, I've had a fun adventure in learning and teaching myself to knit. It's time for me to turn over a new leaf.

One of my favorite LYS is offering some exciting knitting classes. There were several classes that caught my eye and I managed to narrow my list down to three important ones: Button and Buttonhole Bands, Seaming, and Continental Knitting. The first two skills, I've had the chance to practice on my own. Now, I'm going to refine those skills by learning new techniques. The Button and Buttonhole Bands class will come in handy as I'm in the midst of working on My Favorite Cardigan which has button down front. I've already knitted the button band and I've put the buttonhole band on hold to see if I learn something new from class. I'm sure I will.

I've had a lot of practice with seaming, but I feel my seaming techniques are just average. Looking forward to techniques that I'm missing.

The third class, Continental Knitting, is something I've always wanted to learn. I'm an English knitter...I throw my yarn to knit a stitch. I've tried to teach myself the Continental way and it just doesn't feel natural. Go figure. I learned to be a proficient crocheter before becoming a knitter. Hopefully, something will "click" in this class or I'll have an "ah ha!" moment.

So, it's time for me to learn from a knitting master or two. My first knitting classes and I can't wait for them to start. I'm off to complete my homework projects/assignments before the classes begin. I'll be back over the next few weeks to post what I've learned.

Happy Knitting!