I’m knitting another pair of socks (amongst a million other projects) and they are taking ages. Way longer than any other pair of socks I have knitted.
Why? Well I wouldn’t recommend this whilst actually mid-project but I decided to use this pair to try new knitting methods. All in a bid to knit faster.
I am normally a ‘thrower’ when I knit, which I understand to be a fairly inefficient method. I was knitting fairly quickly but when faced with a whole leg or foot of stocking stitch, I started wondering. Could I speed things up a bit?
I think most knitters ‘flick’, so I started with that. No faster, although if I persevered I’m sure I would master it.
So I tried ‘continental’. This is the method recommend for crocheters and I immediately liked it for that reason. Way faster.
To give you an idea of the difference in time. I can knit a round in half the time continental style. I can’t purl continental so rib and heel sections take the same time but overall I’ve been able to knock some of the time off.
Great, faster knitting! Yes but now I have a whole new issue to contend with. Tension.
Look at the leg sections below.
The one on the left has been knitted using throwing and the right is continental. Can you see how much looser (scruffy?) the one on the right is?
Lay one on the other and it is really obvious. My gauge has completely changed.
Like I said, I changed methods half way through knitting a sock and had to frog it as the difference was so noticeable. Now I’ll have to reknit the one using my original method, so not so fast after all!
Other implications are that the stitches used to stay on my 23cm short circular needles, now they want to spring off all of the time.
If I’m going to continue to knit continental for the stockinette section of my socks I’m going to have to reconsider the number if stitches I cast on or my needle size. Obvious to an experienced knitter I’m sure but not to a newbie like me!
What type of knitter are you and have you ever tried other methods? I’d be interested to hear.
x
Buttercup and Bee 
I’m a continental knitter because that’s how I learned. At least I think that’s how I learned. I’m also a crocheter from a young age so it’s always made the most sense to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I just wish I could purl continental style too. Instead I suppose I shall only use it for stockinette in the round or garter stitch. I’ll be choosing patterns accordingly!
LikeLiked by 1 person
In the round is a breeze!
I have to admit I’m very handicapped in using my left hand so I prop the left needle under my arm (if it’s long enough) and just knit and purl off that. That allows me to go faster yet.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think everyone finds a method that works for them in the end, at least that’s what I hope. I’ve never knitted with long needles, they scare me!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is news to me! I didn’t know there were different methods. Maybe if I find the right one, I will get more into knitting. Interesting…
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s worth a try. I kept finding myself picking up my needles and yarn as if I was crocheting so looked into continental. YouTube was, as always, invaluable.
LikeLike
Blimey! Knitting always seems to be complicated, I’m not much good at it! I love the yarn you’ve used for these socks
Xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I find knitting makes me work hard for an end product! It isn’t as complicated as it first seems and I recommend going on a knitting workshop, that’s what I did for socks. I feel the same about embroidery!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Gosh, I don’t know which type of knitter I am. I was never that fast though although my Mum told me my tension was loose so who knows?! So many ways to hold those needles and hooks, it gets so confusing! 🙂 Nice socks by the way 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Another pair for my husband. I think I shall always be a slow knitter. If someone on Ravelry says it took them a couple of hours, it will usually take me ten!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I knit continental style. When I try to knit by throwing the yarn, my gauge is definitely different. I have to start and end a project using the same style.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m on a steep learning curve and have definitely learned not to try different styles mid project!
LikeLike
I’m a thrower – I only knit continental when I’m doing fair isle. I’ve also found continental to be much looser, which is a benefit sometimes and other times not, as you’ve found! Congrats on picking up a new technique. This is why I love knitting – always something new to try.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I’m interested to hear how other people knit. I’ve taken to watching knitting podcasts and I look so closely at the knitting techniques!
LikeLike
I’ve been an English-style knitter for 20 years! Just can’t get the hang of continental, even though it seems to be much faster… yesitsjillian.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Jillian. I’m beginning to think that I should stick to what I know!
LikeLike
Oh, I just looked at your lovely website. Those little booties that you knitters are adorable 🙂
LikeLike
Just came across your website. I’m what I call a continental hybrid knitter. I wouldn’t have realized that there was such a difference in tension but maybe yours would tighten up over time. I feel like maybe throwing the yarn makes for a better end stitch to the row though but I’ve never been able to get the hang of it to find out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love the socks btw.
LikeLike
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. Since I write this post I’ve stopped using continental unless I’m doing colour work so now I’m thinking I should try it again and see if it does tighten up. I even learned how to purl continental too.
LikeLiked by 1 person