Continental knitting demo

Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood, host of the CraftSanity podcast, visits Lorilee Beltman, owner of City Knitting in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for a quick "Continental" knitting lesson. As a veteran "thrower" or English style knitter, Jennifer didn't want to pass up the opportunity to see how the other half knit.

She brought her video camera along to record the tutorial for all of you.

• Category

  Film & Animation

[shirleyseventynine]

This is probably the best video on Continental knitting that I've seen. It's very clear, both in explanation and video quality. I especially loved the ideas for tensioning the yarn, which is my biggest problem with Continental knitting. I knit English style, and I don't drop my yarn, but release my needle when "throwing" - which is significantly slower. I may have been improperly taught. Whatever the case, I wasn't insulted by this woman, but helped.

[Brittany Bullard]

Very helpful. I crochet and you were right that technique definitely makes more sense to me haha

[paula walsh]

I agree Elyse. I knit the English way (probably because I'm English) . The way I and every knitter I know knits with the right needle resting between thumb and index finger and flick the wool forward with the middle finger, I think this is the fastest and easiest way to knit.

[Kristan Youngblood]

My computer has no sound at the moment, but I could understand what she was doing...I learned how to knit with the move right had with the yarn..last night I was trying to retrain my brain to learn this way! Far more easier looking and less movement...I deal with hand strain when I knit..I am a crocheter so hopefully with less movement I will be okay with doing both..Thank you for the video!

[romarambles]

Thank you for posting this video. I loved the tip about catching the yarn a little lower before bringing it through. I've had a great time learning the continental knitting and I make sure to catch the yarn lower! Thanks!

[Elyse Coleman]

This video is good at showing continental but the way they show English is how a absolute beginner would knit. English knitters can knit just as efficiently she is in knitting continental. For example, go to very pink knits dot com and see her demonstration of "flicking." Neither way is right or wrong but if you are going to decide which method to use, make sure you are making an equal comparison. Continental knitters seem to want to believe that method is superior but it is not, just different.

[Whitney Young]

Very Good video.. I ready don't know why the others are saying you only talked and didn't show the techniques. I've been searching for a video for days to help me with switching from English to continental and your the only person who has explained and shown it so I know how and why to hold my hands, yarn and needles. THANK YOU!!! :-)

[Diane Blank]

This video would have been better if you had just shown how to do the technique. A ten minute long explanation/demonstration really isn't necessary.

[helloimjewel]

I just can't do it for some reason. They yarn keeps slipping from my needles. :(

[billy mantas]

Hate it

[easyvideocretaion]

Do you know how to create videos in minutes? I know a veeeery good way, I creted my first 5 vids in minutes!

[Sophia Lilly]

So how do you keep the tension even? My knit rows are really tight and my purl rows are really loose...