How we knit Throwing or Picking

JennyC@5 wrote

on Sep 9, 2009 8:26 AM

In your Sept 9th issue about how we knit: Throwing or Picking, you have mixed up Fig 1 and Fig 2.  Fig1 shows purling, and Fig 2 knitting, they should be the other way round.

Nice to have an article on knitting too!  I'm a little tired of non-knitting articles.  Knitting Daily - its in the name!!

JennyC

JaneanE wrote

on Sep 9, 2009 10:07 AM

I learned crochet first many years ago, as a child.  I always wanted to learn to knit, and having learned lots of new things on my own from books and research I figured that knitting would be no different.  I followed all the instructions, even watched videos on youtube, but I could not get it.  One day while watching a craft show on tv, I saw someone knitting and holding their yarn with there left hand, and thought I would try it.  Amazing how natural it came to me, I was so used to holding and tensioning the yarn in my left hand all these years, switching to the right was just so unnatural.  I made a few swatches, and then a bag, I could not believe it.  So long story short, people that are skilled at crochet that want to pick up needles should give continental knitting a try, atleast one thing will feel natural from the start, and the rest can fall into line.  My tension became even very quickly as well, just the swatches were enough practice to move on to the bag.

Janean

ALA wrote

on Sep 9, 2009 11:52 AM

JaneaneE, that's pretty much how it worked for me, too.

sjpenny wrote

on Sep 14, 2009 6:32 PM

I recently tried continental knitting and became frustrated.  The problem was working the thread and needle with my left.  Oddly, I am ambidextrous.     It was the purling that gave me problems.   I watched the videos and several knitting books that I have in my library but still I could manipulate the thread around the needle with my index finger...I had no tension control.    According to some of the articles  continental knitting does improve the outcome of your garment, especially controlling the tension.   If anyone can give some pointers...I'll take them.  Thank you. 

sjpenny wrote

on Sep 14, 2009 6:32 PM

I recently tried continental knitting and because frustrated.  I am not going to give up though.   I could hold the thread and needle simultaneously.  It wasn't too bad knitting but the purling made it frustrating.  I watched the videos and several knitting books I have in my library but still can't get the hang of it. 
According to some of the articles it appears to continental knitting does improve the outcome of your garment, especially controlling the tension.  I won't give up.  If anyone can give some pointers...I'll take them.  Thank you. 

DebraH@9 wrote

on Sep 14, 2009 7:47 PM

Hi sjpenny,

I also knitted many years with the "throw" method before I taught myself the continental method.  Honestly, I still don't really like to purl all that much, but, oh!, how I love the knit stich!   I tried several things to make the purl easier, and finally found a way of slightly tilting my hand that holds the yarn slightly toward me.  This causes the yarn to sort of slip right down between the needles so it can be scooped up with the other needle.  I also found that it helps to think of the needle "scooping" the yarn on the purl stitch.  Hope this helps!

Debbie

gscalet wrote

on Oct 21, 2009 2:32 PM

What videos did you watch?  Also, what books?  I'm wanting to learn and I need some resources.  Thanks.