What Are Continental and English Knitting?
When you first learn to knit, you are typically taught one specific method for holding the yarn and forming stitches. However, the knitting world is broadly divided into two dominant techniques: English knitting (often called throwing) and Continental knitting (often called picking). These are not different types of knitting in the final product—a knit stitch is a knit stitch regardless of how it was made—but rather two distinct manual techniques for achieving the same result. The core difference lies in which hand holds and tensions the working yarn.
In English knitting, the yarn is held in the right hand. To make a stitch, the knitter uses the right hand to literally "throw" or wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle before pulling it through the existing stitch. This motion can feel very deliberate and is the method most commonly taught in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other English-speaking countries. It is often the default for beginners because the wrapping action is very visible and conceptually straightforward.
In Continental knitting, the yarn is held in the left hand, where it is tensioned over the fingers much like in crochet. The left needle holds the stitches, and the right needle is inserted into a stitch, then the tip of the right needle is used to "pick" or catch the yarn from the left index finger and pull it through to form the new stitch. The motion is generally smaller and more efficient, originating from European traditions. The choice between these styles influences speed, comfort, and suitability for certain advanced techniques, making it a fundamental decision for every knitter's journey.
English Style Knitting — How It Works
English style knitting is characterized by its active use of the right hand. To begin, you tension the working yarn over the fingers of your right hand, often weaving it around your pinky for control and over your index finger to guide it. The right needle is typically held in a similar manner to a pencil or knife, depending on personal preference. The left needle holds the row of existing stitches.
To form a knit stitch, you insert the tip of the right needle from front to back into the first stitch on the left needle. Your right hand then moves to wrap the yarn clockwise around the tip of the right needle. This wrapping action is the "throw." Once the yarn is in place, you use the right needle to draw that wrapped yarn back through the old stitch, simultaneously sliding the old stitch off the left needle. The new stitch now resides on the right needle. For a purl stitch, the process is similar but mirrored: you insert the right needle from back to front, then wrap the yarn counter-clockwise before drawing it through.
This method is often praised for being intuitive for beginners because the wrapping motion is a clear, separate step that reinforces the mechanics of stitch formation. It can be easier to maintain consistent tension initially, as the right hand controls both the needle and the yarn release. However, because it involves a larger, more pronounced movement for each stitch—lifting the hand to wrap the yarn—it can be slower and potentially lead to more hand fatigue over long periods compared to Continental style. It works wonderfully with all yarn types but is often considered very comfortable for bulkier yarns where the wrapping motion feels natural.
Continental Style Knitting — How It Works
Continental knitting emphasizes efficiency and minimal motion, with the yarn controlled by the left hand. The yarn is tensioned by weaving it through the fingers of the left hand, commonly over the index finger which is held up to guide the strand close to the needle tips. The left hand holds both the needle full of stitches and manages the yarn supply. The right needle is used almost like a hook to pick the yarn.
To execute a knit stitch, you insert the tip of the right needle into the front of the stitch on the left needle. With the yarn held taut in front of the work by your left index finger, you simply use the right needle to scoop or "pick" the yarn from below, bringing it through the stitch to the back. You then slide the old stitch off the left needle. The motion is a quick, small pivot of the right wrist. For a purl stitch in Continental, the yarn is brought to the front of the work. The right needle is inserted into the stitch from back to front, and then the tip of the needle moves down and to the left to catch the yarn and pull it back through.
This method is renowned for its speed potential, as the yarn is always poised and ready to be picked, eliminating the need for a separate wrapping motion. It is the natural choice for crocheters learning to knit, as the yarn tensioning in the left hand is identical. It is also the preferred method for stranded colorwork (Fair Isle), as you can hold one color in each hand, allowing for smooth, fast two-handed knitting. The learning curve can be steeper for pure beginners, as coordinating the left-hand tension and the picking motion requires practice, but the long-term ergonomic and efficiency benefits are significant.
Which Style Is Faster?
The question of speed is a perennial debate among knitters. Generally, Continental knitting is considered faster for most experienced practitioners. The reason is physics and economy of motion: the yarn is stationary in the left hand, and the right needle performs a short, picking motion that can be executed very quickly with practice. There is no need to release the right needle to wrap the yarn for every stitch, which saves a fraction of a second that adds up over thousands of stitches. Many speed knitters and professionals use Continental for this reason.
However, this is not an absolute rule. A proficient English knitter using the "flicking" technique can achieve comparable speeds. Flicking is a refined version of English where the yarn is tensioned over the right index finger, and instead of a full-hand wrap, the finger flicks the yarn around the needle tip with a small, rapid movement while the right hand maintains its grip on the needle. This hybrid method combines the intuitive control of English with a more efficient motion. Ultimately, raw speed is less important for most hobbyists than consistency, comfort, and enjoyment.
The style you practice the most will become your fastest. A knitter who has used English for twenty years will almost certainly be faster than a novice attempting Continental for speed's sake. Video comparisons often show Continental with an edge, but the difference is most pronounced in simple stockinette knitting. For complex patterns requiring frequent switching between knit and purl, the speed advantage may diminish depending on the knitter's proficiency with the purl motion in each style. The best advice is to choose the method that feels most sustainable and causes the least strain, as a relaxed knitter is a fast, happy knitter.
Switching Between Styles
Many knitters wonder if they must commit to one style forever. The answer is a resounding no. Being bilingual in knitting techniques is a tremendous asset. Switching between Continental and English is not only possible but often recommended to tackle different project demands. Some knitters naturally become "combination knitters," using one style for knit rows and the other for purl rows if it feels more comfortable. Others master both to specialize: using Continental for speed on large stockinette sections and English for intricate cable work where the throwing motion provides more control for crossing stitches.
Learning the other style after being proficient in one can feel frustrating, like learning to write with your non-dominant hand. Your tension will likely be inconsistent at first. The best approach is to start a small, simple practice swatch with the new method. Focus on the new muscle memory without the pressure of a project. Many knitters find it helpful to watch slow-motion video tutorials to break down the unfamiliar hand movements. Remember, you already understand the fabric construction; you are just learning a new way to execute it.
There is no need to switch mid-project unless you want to experiment on a swatch. If you do switch in a project, be aware that your gauge might change slightly, which could affect fit. The finished stitch, however, will be identical. Embracing both styles opens up advanced techniques with ease, particularly two-handed stranded colorwork, where you hold one color in the left hand (Continental) and the other in the right (English), allowing for clean, fast pattern work without tangling yarns.
Common Questions About Knitting Style
Which style is easier for a complete beginner? For most absolute beginners, English (throwing) is often taught first as the wrapping motion is a very clear, visual action. It directly demonstrates how the yarn loops to form a stitch. However, a beginner who has prior experience with crochet will almost always find Continental (picking) more intuitive, as the left-hand yarn tension is identical.
Does my knitting style affect my gauge (stitch tension)? Yes, it can. Your personal tension is unique, and you may knit slightly tighter or looser in one style versus the other. This is why it's crucial to make a gauge swatch in the style you plan to use for the project. Switching styles mid-project could create a noticeable change in fabric density.
Can I switch knitting styles in the middle of a project? Technically, yes, as the resulting stitch is the same. However, it is not generally advised for a large section because your gauge might shift. If you must switch, try to do it at the edge of a piece or at a seam line where a slight variation will be less noticeable.
Which style do most professional knitters or designers use? There is no single standard. The knitting community is diverse. Many professional speed knitters and those who produce large volumes of work lean towards Continental for efficiency. Designers and technical editors use whatever style they are most proficient and consistent with, as accuracy is more critical than speed. Most are familiar with both.
What about left-handed knitting? True left-handed knitting, where the work moves from the right needle to the left, is taught but is rare. It can create complications when following standard patterns. The common recommendation for left-handed individuals is to learn the standard right-handed methods (either English or Continental), as they are ambidextrous skills. A left-handed person may find Continental more natural, as the dominant right hand controls the active "picking" needle, or they may adapt English to a left-hand hold. Mirroring standard instructions is the simplest path.