What Is Continental Knitting?

Continental Knitting Explained 🧵

If you’ve ever seen someone knit so quickly it looks like magic (or maybe old-school homestead sorcery), they might be using Continental knitting. This technique, often called “picking,” involves holding the yarn in your left hand and grabbing it with the needle rather than wrapping it around manually. It’s efficient, elegant, and a favorite among speed knitters and cozy crafters alike.

What Makes Continental Knitting Different?

Unlike English-style knitting (where the yarn is held in the right hand and “thrown” around the needle), Continental knitting keeps the yarn tensioned in the left hand. The right needle grabs or “picks” the yarn to form each stitch: less flailing, more flow.

Continental knitting tends to be faster for many folks once they get the hang of it. Because there’s less hand movement between stitches, your projects can fly off the needles. It’s perfect for finishing up a sweater before the snow hits or gifting beanies to everyone at the bonfire.

Continental Knitting vs. English Knitting

Benefits of Continental Knitting for Beginners

Speed: With practice, it can dramatically increase your knitting speed.
Efficiency: Fewer movements mean less hand strain, which can help reduce repetitive stress injuries.
Great for left-handed knitters: Since the yarn is in your left hand, some lefties find this method more intuitive.
Smooth colorwork: Stranded knitting (like Fair Isle) is easier because you can hold one color in each hand and feel like a yarn-wielding wizard next to the woodstove.

Personal Note from Liz 🖋️

I actually never learned to knit any other way. Because I started with crochet, knitting Continental felt more natural from the start. Holding the yarn in my left hand just made sense. There was no awkward learning curve or dramatic battle with tension. I didn’t even know it had a fancy name; it was just what my hands wanted to do.

Now, I teach Continental knitting in my lessons at PurlsAndPixels.com/learn-to-knit because it helps beginners build even tension and knit more fluidly from the start. That page walks you through step-by-step video tutorials for each foundational skill: from casting on, to knitting and purling Continental style, to finishing your first project with rustic flair.

Continental Knitting Tips for Beginners

Practice your tension with simple face scrubbies. Try my free swatch pattern here.
Try holding the yarn the way you would for crochet if you’re familiar with that.
Focus on relaxed fingers and wrist movement. Knitting tension should come from finger placement, not hand strain.
Use worsted-weight yarn and medium needles (like US 8 / 5 mm) when learning. Here’s a beginner supply list.

Want to try this right away? Grab your yarn and follow along with my free video tutorials at my Learn to Knit Index. You’ll be grabbing stitches like a pro in no time.

How to hold your yarn when knitting, a lesson from Liz @PurlsAndPixels

Common Mistakes When Learning Continental

Twisting stitches by wrapping the yarn the wrong way. You can check your stitch orientation with my knit stitch breakdown.
Holding the yarn too tight (cutting off movement) or too loose (making loopy stitches).
Choosing knitting needles that are too small or slick. Go for bamboo or wood until you get the hang of it (and reduce your chances of dropping stitches off the needles).

Should You Switch to Continental Knitting?

If you already knit comfortably using English style, there’s no need to switch unless you’re curious or want to knit fast enough to make your coffee jealous. But if you’re just starting out, Continental knitting can be a smoother road to even stitches and faster progress.

Get Started with Continental Knitting Lessons

🧵 Want a head start? Sign up here to get my free Knitting Starter Kit. It includes printable cheat sheets, beginner tips, a free pattern, and everything you need to start stitching with confidence.

🧶 Ready to follow along? Visit the Learn to Knit Index to get free knitting lessons, watch full video demonstrations, get a printable guide, and explore beginner-friendly knitting patterns to get you going.

📚 Prefer books? Grab a copy of Liz Chandler’s Knitting Guide: Learn to Knit with Practical Patterns, an all-in-one, eye-catching textbook with step-by-step instructions, patterns, and guidance to take you from your first stitch to your first finished project.

Frequently Asked Questions about Continental Knitting

Q: Is Continental knitting better than English?
A: It depends on your style. Continental is faster and more ergonomic for some knitters. English style might feel more natural if you’re used to it.

Q: Is Continental knitting good for beginners?
A: Absolutely! Especially if you’ve crocheted before, holding yarn in your left hand will feel familiar.

Q: Can Continental knitting improve my speed?
A: Yes. Many knitters report faster knitting with less hand fatigue once they get used to the movements.

Q: What’s the best yarn for learning Continental knitting?
A: A medium-weight yarn (like worsted) in a light color makes it easier to see your stitches. Pair it with wood or bamboo needles to keep things steady.