Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Becoming a continental knitter and the perfect project

Dear readers,
I'm taking a continental class to switch my knitting to a presumably fast knitting method at my local yarn store, Anacapa Fine Yarns.  I'm right handed and thus, a thrower (English Style).   I like throwing but in knitting lore, the continental knitter is speedy.  I'm interested in your thoughts if you have an opinion.  The class is tonight so I will do a follow up post.

So, I've picked out a project that J. has been asking for all year:
The Dr. Who Scarf.  Yes, it's a twelve - twenty foot scarf by eleven inches wide.  .   . there is also a webpage dedicated to this scarf.  I'm making it in acrylic, both due to the fact that the yarn is .  The webpage, should you wish to browse, is Doctor Who Scarf.
I expect to finish sometime next year. . . . and more on the continental style.  I thought this would be a good project to break my muscle memory as a thrower.

XOXO,

Pam


7 comments:

K.Line said...

I'm left handed and I have no natural aptitude for continental. I've tried to learn (maybe a class would help?) but my tension is nowhere near as accurate and going from knit to purl is hideous! It's like a new language I really want to learn. But I don't know if I want to learn badly enough it to impede my current pace.

Pam said...

I know -- I'm very very slow -- especially on socks -- I see some of my friends and they are speedy. I'll let you know if this helps!

Pam said...

I'll let you know Kristen . . . I'm suspect (although right handed). BTW, I've completely picked up your aversion to DPNs. I can't take them anymore (the stitches keep falling off the needles!).

Dr. Fun (AKA Sister) said...

Hmm, I'm left-handed but my mom taught me to knit right-handed, so I have no idea how continental is, or even how fast I knit compared to other people. I've seen some videos on YouTube where you almost can't see their fingers because they're flying along - maybe they're continental!

Pam said...

Yes, it would seem so those continental folks are fast! In continental you have the yarn wrapped around your left hand same as the needle and it is supposedly ergonomically MUCH better for you. It was quite awkward, but already faster I could tell. Downside: I have to figure out how to redo all my stitches --- YO, Slipstich, Make a Stitch . .

Unknown said...

HI - I just found your blog on someone else's blog roll! Long live Contiental!

Pam said...

That's great -- hopefully I'll be a little more consistent with my blogging! Yeah Continental!