Continental Knitting vs. French knitting technique
Other countries, other knitting customs...
So we have the widely used techniques of continental knitting and French knitting and there are other less common techniques around the world. What distinguishes the two most popular techniques and what are the advantages or disadvantages? More about this in the following article.
Continental Knitting
In Germany, it is customary to hold a knitting needle in the right hand and the other in the left. In doing so, the thread coming from the ball of wool is placed over the fingers of the left hand and brought up with the needle and placed around the needle.
This type of knitting is called "Continental Knitting" or also called "left-hand knitting".
Continental Knitting
In Germany, it is customary to hold a knitting needle in the right hand and the other in the left. In doing so, the thread coming from the ball of wool is placed over the fingers of the left hand and brought up with the needle and placed around the needle.
This type of knitting is called "Continental Knitting" or also called "left-hand knitting".
Advantages of Continental Knitting
Many knitters think that continental knitting or continental knitting is the fastest way to knit because both needles are not released and the thread can be quickly wrapped around the right needle with the left finger.
When mastered, continental knitting can be a great way to make garments quickly, ideal for the coming winter! It is also a good technique for knitters who have a dominant left hand.
Advantages of Continental Knitting
Many knitters think that continental knitting or continental knitting is the fastest way to knit because both needles are not released and the thread can be quickly wrapped around the right needle with the left finger.
When mastered, continental knitting can be a great way to make garments quickly, ideal for the coming winter! It is also a good technique for knitters who have a dominant left hand.
Disadvantages of Continental Knitting
This knitting technique is a little more difficult to learn for beginners, as both needles and the thread have to be held at the same time. The yarn tension can be difficult to regulate at first.
The purl stitches can also be a little more difficult and/or take a little longer, as these require additional laying of the yarn around the needle in order to knit the yarn. A garter stitch or a garter stitch knitted in the round will therefore pass more quickly through the fingers of some knitters.
Disadvantages of Continental Knitting
This knitting technique is a little more difficult to learn for beginners, as both needles and the thread have to be held at the same time. The yarn tension can be difficult to regulate at first.
The purl stitches can also be a little more difficult and/or take a little longer, as these require additional laying of the yarn around the needle in order to knit the yarn. A garter stitch or a garter stitch knitted in the round will therefore pass more quickly through the fingers of some knitters.
French or English knitting technique
A second common knitting technique is the "English or French knitting technique", or also "english style"as is customary in England and France. The special feature here is the thread guidance in the right hand. With a short hand movement, the thread is swung over the needle - either the thread otherwise hangs loosely down, but it can also be held with the finger of the right hand in this knitting technique.
The right needle is either released or also clamped under the arm.
French or English knitting technique
A second common knitting technique is the "English or French knitting technique", or also "english style"as is customary in England and France. The special feature here is the thread guidance in the right hand. With a short hand movement, the thread is swung over the needle - either the thread otherwise hangs loosely down, but it can also be held with the finger of the right hand in this knitting technique.
The right needle is either released or also clamped under the arm.
Advantages of the French knitting technique
Even if it sounds strange at first, the French knitting technique helps to keep the fingers in the right position and more relaxed. It also creates a more even knit.
Right-handed people and especially left-handed people find it pleasant and easy to put the thread around with the right hand.
Two-colour knitting or Fair Isle is also easy to do with this technique, because both threads can be placed alternately around the needle.
The thread tension is relatively even because it is regulated by hand every time you put it around, which creates a nice, even stitch pattern.
Advantages of the French knitting technique
Even if it sounds strange at first, the French knitting technique helps to keep the fingers in the right position and more relaxed. It also creates a more even knit.
Right-handed people and especially left-handed people find it pleasant and easy to put the thread around with the right hand.
Two-colour knitting or Fair Isle is also easy to do with this technique, because both threads can be placed alternately around the needle.
The thread tension is relatively even because it is regulated by hand every time you put it around, which creates a nice, even stitch pattern.
Disadvantages of the French knitting technique
There are also a few things to keep in mind with the French knitting technique. For example, a wrong posture or the wrong position of the hands can cause the back to start hurting or the fingers to cramp.
Those who knit particularly loosely should also be careful not to lose their right needle when it is released to fold over the thread.
Disadvantages of the French knitting technique
There are also a few things to keep in mind with the French knitting technique. For example, a wrong posture or the wrong position of the hands can cause the back to start hurting or the fingers to cramp.
Those who knit particularly loosely should also be careful not to lose their right needle when it is released to fold over the thread.
Which kind of knitting is your favourite?
There are other knitting techniques such as in the portuguese style - the thread is placed around the neck. There are also countless variations of the techniques already described.
Do you have a special way of knitting? Or would you like to learn a new technique? On YouTube there are numerous videos on the knitting techniques described.
Or are you perhaps not a knitting enthusiast at all, but rather on the crochet side? No problem! Soon we will tell you more about the History of Crochet and Tunisian Crochet.
There are other knitting techniques such as in the portuguese style - the thread is placed around the neck. There are also countless variations of the techniques already described.
Do you have a special way of knitting? Or would you like to learn a new technique? On YouTube there are numerous videos on the knitting techniques described.
Or are you perhaps not a knitting enthusiast at all, but rather on the crochet side? No problem! Soon we will tell you more about the History of Crochet and Tunisian Crochet.
