I think there are as many different knitting methods as there are knitters. I remember when I was first starting to really knit I got frustrated at a small error in my stitch composition. A friend who had been knitting a little longer than I said....
"oh don't worry about that, knitting is an individual activity and those small things in your stitching is what makes your work unique."
I recently have been knitting up a lacy cowl, and I was questioning why some knitters lace have big holes and some knitters lace has small holes. Intriguing really, so I was off to try and find out the answer.
I knit "Continental style" so I decided to watch videos on line of Continental style knitting and I discovered that I was making my stitch differently than those in the video.
When I took the stitch off the left needle with my right needle I wrapped the yarn from the back to the front of the needle clockwise. In the video they wrapped the yarn counter clockwise.
As I examined my work I saw that by going clockwise I was putting a little twist in each stitch therefore decreasing the size of my hole in my lace work.
I have since been wrapping my yarn counter clockwise however I have knitted for a couple of decades now using the clockwise wrap and the garments turn out beautiful.
This really can equate to us as individuals just as each hand knit item is unique, each knitter is unique, there is not a right or wrong way really just "your way". I encourage you to explore the world of knitting methods you may discover something exciting that you can incorporate into your work.
Whatever you do just knit! Enjoy it, it is an expression of who you are.
Appreciate you sharing this! I just watched a program of Christian women talking about how God creates each of us uniquely. One lady commented that sometimes that unique creativity comes as a result of a process of learning and exploration; try and fail and relearn and suceed!
ReplyDeleteGreat analogy. You are inspiring me to get my needles out. While cleaning the basement yesterday, I was sorting through some craft boxes and came upon a knitting project that I didn't quite finish from several years ago. I wonder if my style will be the same now.
ReplyDeleteI am a continental knitter. For years, I wanted to knit, but just couldn't do it. Then I discovered the continental style. I was a crocheter, and found the continental style has a motion similar to crochet. Then, I became a maniac knitter for many years. Thanks for the reminder to get back at it. :)
I'm a picker :) I too discovered that I twist my stitches .. but instead of trying to learn to wrap the other direction, I knit through the back leg. This "untwists" the stitch. For purling, it's a bit more difficult to go through the back leg, so often I will leave those twisted. If I am doing stockinette, I learned how to knit left to right for a entrelac project, and it works great for stockinette .. never turn my work .. just knit right to left then knit left to right .. :) much faster. I found that I can't wrap the other way, so I adjusted differently :) There is definitely a difference in the look of twisted stitches and untwisted stitches .. you just have to decide which you want and then adjust :) Glad I'm not the only knitter who twists!
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