How to Knit and Purl, Continental-Style For Dummies

[thatnerdtori]

I was taught to knit and purl in the traditional method by my grandmother but picked up the continental style kind of accidentally after learning how to crochet (you hold the yarn the same way) and I've always wondered if there was a way to purl using the same yarn hold. Thanks for explaining it!

[tippy2416]

Great instructions. Thanks so much

[YarrrMatey08]

when i was like 13 my mom taught me how to knit using continental style. when i got older i completely forgot how to do it so i relearned using the traditional method. it has confused me my entire life until now.

[JoJoBinks97]

thank you so much for uploading this!!!!! the person that taught me how to knit taught me in the continental style. she taught me to cast on/off, knit, and purl, but i forgot how to purl. this helped alot:)

[JoJoBinks97]

wow thats actually kind of funny to all of those that cant do it this style because i cant do it the other style:P lol

[ancatdubh43]

Ugh, I'm so jealous of people who can pick up this style easily...I've tried many times and I always end up having the working yard slip off my finger as I try to wrap it around. Or I try to form the stitch by just moving the right needle, but then the tension is basically zero for the resulting stiches :/

[Pixelfyed]

I can't do it :''''''''''''''''''(((((((

[CupcakeHippiex3]

thanks a million, i completely forgot.

[BrangerLove]

Thank you so much!!!

[Entilodont]

Teaching myself both at once since I'm doing the rib portion of a new vest *Sigh* this is going to take longer now, but will be faster in a few days

[Tarranosaurus]

Gypsyqueen: Are you aware that there are two basic knitting techniques: Continental and English, though I've heard different terms used for each. IMHO, Continental is NOT the easiest method for beginners to learn and would suggest you try the English/American style in which you hold the yarn in the right hand and "throw" it around the needle and slip the loop through. I'm sure there are plenty of online examples and explanations in most knitting books. Once you become adept at the basics, go ba

[gypsyqueen64]

I didn't get that far. I cast on, tried to do the purl stitch, and the stitches were too loose in some places and too tight in others. This is a nightmare. :-( Anyone have a method of knitting for absolute retards? I'm there. Knitting is so awkward. I'm about to go back to crocheting. It's so much easier.

[DLMTheFourth]

@gypsyqueen64 Sounds like you have problems with your tension. It's all a matter of practice. Remember when you learned how to crochet? I'm sure back then you had tension problems too, it's a common problem for beginners.

Just keep purling and after a while your hands will know how to do them properly and you won't have to worry about them anymore.

The purl stitch is worked rather awkwardly in this video. There are better ways to knit the purl stitch, without having to break your fingers.

[gypsyqueen64]

@DLMTheFourth I practiced the long tail cast on over and over and over again until I finally got it right. Then I did the Continental style of knitting and purling, and everything was alright afterwards. It took a few days of practice, but I was patient enough to hang in there. I've found that the Portuguese style of knitting is a bit easier to do than the American or Continental style, too.

[BabyOrcaLover]

@gypsyqueen64 I know exactly what you mean. I just watched a video from a professional & she goes against everything this demonstration video is talking about, especially with the way to hold the yarn. Wish I would have saved that other video so I could share it with you. And I fully agree with you, crochet IS a whole lot easier & you can do so much more with less tools . . . just one hook and you can create such wonders! (self taught crocheter for 8 years here)

[bonnebon3000]

Super helpful.

[Writerspace]

Best video I've seen. Thank you.