50 Years of Knitting Portuguese Style - Andrea Wong's Story

[@rosadinardo7610]

My mother taught me how to knit when I was very young. I remember sitting on the stoop with a pair of steel knitting needles the ends of which had a little hook that looked a little like crochet hooks. I remember that I was knitting with a ball of blue recycled yarn. the knitting style was what you call Portuguese knitting but I did not know it then. There I was on the front stoop with yarn around my neck practising the garter stitch. She (my mother) would put a safety pin on her shoulder to knit. My mother was born in Italy and this was the style of knitting practised in that part of Italy. All the women in my family knit this way. they also crocheted passing the yarn through a needle on their shoulder. I then learned to knit continental style. Since finding you, I have picked up this old way of knitting and I derive a lot of pleasure from it. Somehow it makes me feel as though my mother is still with me and I am keeping her way of knitting alive, By the way she never learned to knit in any other style. I am so happy to have found you.

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Dear Rosa, thank you for sharing your good memories with me. My family is also Italian, but my mother has learned from a neighbor that was Portuguese. Later in my research I fond that some Italians knit and crochet this way too. A geographical denomination is not ideal because of this. As you do, I feel close to my mother when I knit. Keep up your good work and sharing your memories with the younger generations!

[@Anne5440_]

Congrats! Portuguese knitting is the reason I can knit today. I got wrist and hand trouble from 11 years knitting the American way and had to give up knitting to my heartbreak. In 2017 I was taught Portuguese style. I am so happy to be able to knit again in my old age. Thank you so much.

[@AndreaWongKnits]

You are most welcome! I am so glad you keep knitting. My main goal is to bring people's lives the joy of knitting as it does to me!

[@robinmarks5638]

I really enjoyed this!! I am turning 60 and a few years ago wanted to learn to knit. I thought the continental style would be best as I crochet. Not so!! Because of totally different tension and my hands hurt so much I decided I did so many hobbies I didn't need to knit. Then I seen your craftsy classes and I tried it and my hands dont hurt because of this style of knitting. Thank you so much Andrea for spreading around your style of knitting!!!

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Hi Robin, thank you for your kind words! I am turning 60 next year, so we are the same age. So glad you enjoy Portuguese Knitting! If you have questions as you work your projects, just email me at [e-mail]

[@cindymaag4212]

Congratulations Andrea! Thank you for teaching me Portuguese knitting. It's become my default knitting. You've influenced so many of us. I am so grateful for you!

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Thank you, Cindy! It has been my passion and brought me the most wonderful people to my life! I love to teach!

[@ridingnorthernlights]

Knitting is what I love to do when I'm stressed out and need to decompress. Cheapest therapy I could find...well, unless I find a sale at my local knitting supply store! 😊 Parabems, senhora Andrea...Que Deus lhe abençoe com mais 50 anos de saúde para continuar sua arte de tricotar.

[@AndreaWongKnits]

@@ridingnorthernlights muito obrigada! Thank you so much! I knit always, to decompress or not, but I agree a yarn sale makes me very happy!

[@qltygrl3187]

I have switched to using in this style almost exclusively. I find I can knit all day pain-free and my tension is even throughout! I’m glad I discovered your class and KZbin channel!

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Wow! Once you master the tension of the yarn, there is no looking back!

[@kathyevans6260]

Congratulations on 50 years and for being a wonderful representative for your Portuguese knitting style!! You have changed the lives of many knitters!!

[@AndreaWongKnits]

That's sweet of you to say, Kathy! It's my pleasure to share it with the world!

[@AnikSales]

Congratulations! You are a talented knitter, and I learned to knit with you through your Crafty videos. Forever grateful!

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Thank you! I am glad to learn you have learned Portuguese Knitting! Enjoy it and contact me if you have any questions. 😊😊😊

[@claudiapedroso8761]

What a milestone!! What a beautiful way to commemorate it! Thanks for sharing this story with us. I truly appreciate all you do for keeping this art alive!! Here’s to another 50 years! 😁

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Thank you, Claudia! I am slowing down with teaching, but my passion for knitting never goes away!

[@SaraHerrera-c5u]

I just love this. Thank you for teaching us! I am still new to knitting. I love this style. So much easier. Now If I could fix my mistakes.

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Wonderful! Please keep in touch!

[@thesueferguson]

Thank you for sharing these interesting details about your knitting. I love Portuguese knitting and hope I can get to a place where I knit everything in that style. Blessings!!!

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Thank you, Sue. You will knit everything Portuguese, just keep practicing. It is easier than you think! If you need help, don't hesitate to call me.

[@daliamcclintock1491]

Parabéns Andrea! What a lovely video about your life and passion for knitting. Muito obrigada!

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Obrigada você, Dália! I could do it without each one of you!

[@darlenefarmer5921]

Very nice! Thank you for sharing! Congrats on 50 yrs of knitting!

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Thank you Darlene! Enjoying every minute!

[@monicavazquez3744]

Hello, just found your channel and I love it. I’m a continental knitter of many, many years. Unfortunately old surgeries on both hands are giving me pain problems these days. I’ve recently learned Norwegian purling and knitting style, it helped me very much, although after a while pain returns. I’ve come upon the Portuguese technique and fell in love with it. Still in the process of loosening my tension a little bit. I’ve noticed you’ve stopped posting. Will you be coming back with new videos? Thankful for you sharing this way of knitting, ❤greetings from México City. ❤

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Dear Monica, I am so glad you reached me and you enjoy Portuguese Knitting! Life is busy and I have a full time job besides my business, so it’s true: o have not posted anything in a long time. Yes, I am planing more content for the near future. My husband and I were in Mexico City last November and we loved! We stay at Zocalo Central. We enjoy the food and your people is so friendly! Please let me know if you have suggestions. I will have new posts. I am on Instagram too and I just published a new digital book on hats. 🙂

[@monicavazquez3744]

@@AndreaWongKnits Dear Andrea: I was so pleased to hear from you so soon. I'm sorry I missed you in México. Would have loved to meet you and your husband, oh well maybe when you come back hopefully I'll get the chance right? I will most certainly look you up in your other social media for sure! and of course be standing by for KZbin content. A quick update on my knitting Portuguese tech., ... today is the third day fiddling with it and I'm so happy to report that by watching your hand movements on different videos, I've made huge progress! (and very little tightness but NO PAIN in the hands!) I just know this will be my permanent way of knitting from now on. Thank you for taking the time to talk to me Andrea. I hope you don't mind my returning from time to time to say hello. 🌼🌈 Take care, Your friend abroad, Mónica🙋🏻‍♀️

[@AndreaWongKnits]

@@monicavazquez3744 I am so glad with your quick progress, Monica! You are doing great! It takes a little bit to get the tension right. If you are too tight, wrap the yarn on a weaker finger, like your pinky. Just try different ways to hold the yarn in your fingers, or use your non dominant hand instead. And please, say Hi from time to time. One day I will return to Mexico! ☺

[@monicavazquez3744]

@@AndreaWongKnits 👍❣️😉

[@emiliabarbosa8835]

Parabéns! Uma vida completa e linda❤

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Obrigada!!!

[@salrai17]

Wonderful video, I am such a fan of this style of knitting. Thank you for sharing. Salli Rainwater

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Thank you for supporting me and taking the time to make a nice comment! I love this style of knitting as well and I am sharing it with the world!😊😊😊

[@Masala_Pizzaa]

Hi Andrea, thank you so much for all the tutorials you have put out. I am from India and all knitters around me knit English style, but it's not for me. I would really appreciate some help regarding colourwork in the flat. After being done with the purl row (the wrong side), how do you proceed after turning your work so as to not have floats on the right side. And what would be the difference in the process for more than 2 colours. I have been unable to find any resources online (I have learnt entirely online) and would really appreciate any advice. If possible, could you also direct me on how to add a new colour to my work) I apologise for so many questions haha, but any help is deeply appreciated.

[@christy2244]

Congrats on 50 years, you are an amazing knittter, i love watching you knit, its so relaxing. Thank you for sharing your past with us! Keep up the wonderful work!

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Thank you, Christy! I am glad that I could share with you all, so you can keep sharing Portuguese Style with future knitters!

[@EvieO1950]

Congrats on 50 years!! Such an interesting journey!!!

[@AndreaWongKnits]

It certainly has been an interesting journey! It is one that is bearing many good fruits!

[@nelliemelo9004]

Congratulations! Beautiful story 🥰🧶

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Thank you, Nellie!

[@HollyTriedIt]

Wonderful story.

[@AndreaWongKnits]

Thank you, Holly!