continental purl variation - Finish

This continental purl variation involves less finger movement than some other ways and can be faster (I purled quite slowely for details in this video), I find it has advantages for fair isle with both yarns held in the left hand. Please excuse the slight blur occassionally, old camera and camera opperator not practiced at this.

Inspired by this video here - "http://www.kaspaikka.fi/neulonta-A&O/video/nurja_silmukka.mpg"
It is different to Norwegein Purl in that the yarn stays in front of th e needle "http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/basic_techniques/purl.php"

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• knitting
• continental
• easy
• purl
• finish
• fast
• technique

[aedmd]

I really like this method. I am really confused, though, by what is going on in that 1st stitch. It is completely different than the other stitches. Can you explain what you are doing there?

[stell66]

Hi Aedmd - I always slip the first stitch of any row purlwise (that is insert the right needle as if to purl but just transfer it to the right needle without working it), this gives me a chained slip stitch edge up the edge of my knitting which is neat, visually tidy and easy to pick up from if I need to. Some people slip the last stitch - some knit both first and last, some purl first and last ... you can purl the first stitch if that suits what you are knitting.

[warr28]

i have the same question as penelopekc, does this twist the stitch so that it needs to be knitted through the back loop on the other side? thank you so much for this

[stell66]

no not twisted, the same stitch orientation on the needle if knit or purled.

[penelopekc]

If you use this purl method, do you need to knit in the back loop? I think I heard this somewhere. I am a continental knitter, and find that this method of purling is not as clumsy and also is much faster for me. Thanks for your demonstration.

[stell66]

No - the stitch is not twisted, it has the same orientation when purled or knitted.

[applepansy]

I like your video. I knit continental. I use my thumb to guide the yarn form the front.

[Rozikess]

I have been watching so many videos on continental knitting and trying to teach myself how to knit this way and I just get so frustrated with it and go back to English knitting. I will be trying your style , I like how you slow it down for those of us who are trying to learn. Could you show more of how you hold the yarn and slowly? How do you grab the yarn to start? I have tried wrapping the yarn twice around my index finger as you show but then my tension is to tight.

[dobiegirl1000]

A very helpful video. My goal for the new year is to teach myself continental knitting. Have been watching a number of videos and yours has helped me the most. Your slow motions makes it easy to watch every movement of your needles.  Please do more lessons. Thanks! teresac

[AprilNicoleSmith]

Oh my word. Thank you! I love you! LOL!

[sarah6moshe]

Thank YOU SO MUCH for providing this demonstration and making it so clear and easy! It's really so much easier on my left hand than the old "twist the wrist" method I first learned for continental purling.

[ianfusa]

This looks the same as Norwegian purl except with the yarn in front of the left needle instead of behind.

[antoot1]

Finally!!! It's been really hard for me to purl stitch. Garter stitch no problem. I'm left handed. This has really helped. It's exactly how I knit stich just the opposite. Thanks so much.