Fun with wool - Continental versus British knitting styles

You go to Europe, and people knit in the exact same way we do here in Britain... or do they? In fact knitters don't all knit the same way, and the difference is about much more than simply the way you hold the needles. Every individual knitter has their own unique way of placing and holding the yarn, and creating the right tension. It all goes to create your own knitting style. And we tend to do things very differently over in Europe than we do over here.

What's the difference between continental knitting styles and the way we do things in Britain, on our lovely little island? The first thing to say is that neither one is right or wrong, they're just different. There's no rivalry, and learning both styles will liven up your knitting life no end.

What's the difference between continental and UK knitting?

The main difference in English vs. Continental knitting is the way the yarn is wrapped around the right needle before you pull it through to create a stitch. English-style knitting is sometimes called 'throwing' or 'American knitting' while continental knitting involves 'picking'. Continental knitting is also called German knitting, left-handed knitting, or European knitting. Here's how the two methods differ.

About English style knitting:

• You hold the wool in your right hand
• You throw the wool when wrapping
• This style is a lot easier when using chunky yarns

Continental-style knitting:

• You hold the wool in your left hand
• You pick up the wool when wrapping
• This style makes for much faster knit stitch, but a slower purl stitch
• Because it's easier to alternate between knits and purls, continental knitting is perfect for alternating seed stitch and ribbing
• People who already crochet tend to find this style easier to learn that English knitting

Which to choose?

Some say knitting continental style is faster than English style, and plenty of the planet's fastest knitters use the continental style because it takes fewer movement to make a stitch. It's also popular with people who suffer from repetitive stress injuries. And while some believe continental style knitting is best for the left-handed amongst us, both methods are fine for both hands. After all, one always knits with the right and left hands!

Changing your knitting style has physical benefits

Knitters, like anyone else who makes lots of repetitive movements, can suffer from RSI, repetitive strain injuries. Changing your knitting style can relieve your wrists and hands, reducing the pain and strain. English style demands a completely different hand and wrist action than continental, where the yarn is 'picked'.

Both can leave you with RSI, but combining the two means the effect of all those repeated actions is lessened. Plenty of people also find that the continental method demands a different tension, which also helps reduce pain.

However you like to knit, our stunning wools and yarns will help you make something totally stunning. Why not explore our collection and get inspired?