Monday 8 April 2013

Trying something new

I've started one of my knitting goals:  I've tried continental knitting for the first time, and so far I'm very pleased with the result...


I've started with a washcloth using some of my stash (turquoise cotton, although this photo doesn't show the shade very well).  The tension's very loose compared to my normal knitting and not too even yet, but I'm very happy for my first attempt.

It takes some concentration though... 
My hands felt very clumsy at first: my right hand kept grabbing for the yarn, but it learned over the next few rows to just concentrate on moving the needle. It feels a little like crochet in that respect.




I chose a pattern which began with a few rows of garter stitch to get the feel of knitting before attempting to purl. I watched a YouTube video for the Norwegian purl method, which does seem easier than bringing the yarn to the front.  I may even decide I like moss stitch if I can get the hang of this!


8 comments:

  1. Yay for trying out new methods.When I first started knitting,I started with the continental method and then a lady taught me to knit the English way. I have now completely forgotten that and use the English method for my knitting. I really like colour of your yarn.

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    1. Thanks! It's a lovely deep turquoise cotton, and one of my favourites for baby knits. Great for boys or girls without being too traditional. I love colour :)

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  2. I learned knitting after I knew how to crochet ... and I could not figure out how to hold the yarn in my right hand, so I switched to left. I knitted left-handed for years, and recently forced myself to learn right-handed, so as to avoid repetitive-motion injury. It does get easier if you stick with it!

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    1. Thanks :) I was surprised how quickly I got the hang of it... although I had to start back over again when I picked it up 2 nights later. I'm hoping it'll be a good way to avoid RSI by varying what muscles I'm using.

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  3. I knit Continental - it makes sense as I was a crocheter for years before I learned to knit. I don't know what my purl method is though - I need to check out the video you mention to see if it's similar to what I do! Thanks for visiting my blog - I look forward to visiting here again! :)

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    1. It basically involves keeping the yarn behind the knitting and bringing a loop forward for that stitch only. There's a bit of twisting to get the needles round each other, which is really the bit which feels like crochet.
      There are probably loads of good tutorials - this was just the one I found, but it did the trick for me :)

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  4. That looks great! Good for you trying something new. I have thought about trying Continental but haven't yet.

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    1. I think I enjoy new challenges! It gave my husband a laugh anyway... watching me go right back to being a beginner ;)

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