Knitting Tutorial: How to Combination Knit (& Why I Enjoy It!)

In this video I walk you through how to combination knit, what it is and why I choose to knit this way! This tutorial breaks down how to combination knit in a way that is easy to understand (please note that I knit continental style but anyone can knit this way). Additionally, in this tutorial I briefly explain the benefits of combination knitting (especially for a continental knitter).
Please see the link below for the article I mention in the video:
ysolda.com/blo...
/ drowninginyarn
www.ravelry.co...
#combinationpurl #howtocombinationknit #combinationknitting

[@suelowther5104]

Combination knitters of the world unite! So logical and quick!!!!

[@mrdavis3571]

Thank you Caleb! Any chance you can do another combination continental video showing how to handle some of the common increases/decreases? P2Tog, K2Tog, SSK, and YO? This is how my grandmother taught me to knit, and now that I'm coming back to it - Im having trouble adapting western patterns to the Combination Continental style.

[@suno8911]

This video is so weirdly comforting! This is pretty much how I’ve have been knitting for the last 40 years but I have always felt like a weirdo. My mother knits in a competency different way so I cannot remember who taught me this or how I came to it. I’m certain that she taught me pretty much everything else to do with knitting and still does. This method is really fast and comfortable for me, so I swear by it! I did see an Eastern European knitter showing this years ago KZbin, and judging by her comments I believe that it is popular in Slavic countries. The only thing is that all those instructions don’t always make sense and you have to translate them in your head (“ knit through the back... blah, blah, blah”). At some point I knitted a massive queen size blanket and had to adapt my purls. I taught myself to wrap it slightly differently but I still do not move my index or thumb. I just twist the needle on the yarn and pull it out with confidence. 😂

[@jerzgirl7065]

Once I learned combination knitting, I never looked back. Not only is it easier, it sped up my knitting so much! I don’t hate to purl anymore either 🤣

[@Whistlewalk]

I'm working on changing over from the English style of knitting I learned as a kid to the continental that looks easier, but I like the look of the combination style. Great demo! Thanks!.

[@roxannetarjan1411]

Did the same and you’re doing your brain a gift too! New pathways ! Bravo!!

[@phelenacramer8472]

I'm a continental knitter and always have trouble with my purls. I'm definitely giving this a try. Your instructions are clear and easy to understand. Thanks for this video!

[@DrowninginYarn]

Of course! I hope it proves helpful 😊

[@donnaschmid3997]

This video has cleared up so many questions for me. I have always struggled with purling Continental style. I am an English knitter, but I have never been satisfied with my results. I am impressed with the results. My stitches look so tidy now. I now need to work on my muscle memory, as I have a tendency to slip back into the English style. Still really trying to keep an eye on it, but I think that the results are superior. Gracias amigo!

[@JenniferWrenn]

I learnt to knit from you tube and ended up knitting combination style by accident, then felt like I had to relearn the ‘normal’ way. I’m so pleased to have seen this video because it explained it all so nicely and has kind of given me permission to go back to knitting how I find it comfortable! Thank you

[@JennySimon206]

Omg same exact thing just happened to me. I just got my needles today but I'm a crocheter so I'm moving right along thinking to myself 'this is just too fast and easy'. Turns out I'm doing the easy hack and it's totally okay. I was now searching on videos on how to unlearn this but do I need to? I heard it can cause problems in some patterns but u just have to remember to go in the stitch in the leading leg right?

[@JenniferWrenn]

@@JennySimon206 I have ended up changing my knitting style to be more conventional because I struggled to knit flat without twisting my stitches. That doesn’t mean you need to. If you can work out how to keep your style and knit flat when you want to there’s no reason why you should change.

[@bunelladunella]

@@JennySimon206 Right. Always knit or purl through the “leading” leg, irrespective whether it’s in front or back.

[@BeatlesFanSonia]

I’m a continental knitter and I can purl faster than knit! I used to hate to purl but now it’s fine! I didn’t know I was a combination knitted!

[@joannapaluch5393]

Thanks for sharing. This is exactly how I was taught to knit in my childhood ! I find it the fastest and most straightforward but need to remember to adjust written patterns sometimes. Happy knitting!

[@gwendolenshepard9124]

I watched this episode with interest. I thought great, I will try it. Went back to knitting and realized, I purl that way anyway. Lol I just never realized, I just did it because it made sense.

[@barbarabartelme9845]

I love your tutorials. They explain well how to knit better quality. Thank you.

[@lisacoody]

I've been knitting for 40 years and this style of purling is new to me. I'm already a pretty fast knitter and have never minded purling, BUT this way looks so much more efficient. I just tried it and am a convert! Thank you SO much!

[@maryswift6014]

Exactly what I taught myself to do from day one. It was easier than what I was trying to learn. Gets the job done faster, looks good and enjoyed more!

[@lynnerobyn]

Me, too! This video was so reassuring for this self taught knitter😅

[@takaela]

i re-taught myself how to knit after learning from a book as a kid, and combination is what i ended up with, "by mistake." i usually explain that i knit "wrong" but that it comes out right in the end! i also knit with the right side always facing, so i never have to "purl back!"

[@susanwhitman9999]

I came to this video because my 2x2 ribbing was uneven. As a continental knitter, the advice I got was to tug the first pearl stitch after a knit stitch but that was uncomfortable. So I tried your method and it is a game-changer! My purling speed increased and the first knit stitch after a purl is now much neater. I will never go back to purling in the usual continental method. Thanks so much for sharing (and for also showing that we knitters who hold our fingers farther away from the stitches than "normal" can achieve such uniform, neat stitches!)

[@alyssaaebersold4308]

Thanks for breaking that down! This makes the seed stitch so much more bearable.

[@valliemcc8352]

Learning how to continental knit, I thought purling the 'eastern' way was the correct way ha ha, it just made more sense to me Also, 6:14 I don't like doing ribbing but realizing I could just move my right hand like this blew my mind :O thanks for your tips

[@sarahabc4557]

Everyone thought I would be a continental knitter because I was an advanced crocheter first, but I’m more comfortable with the English way. I feel it keeps my stitches tighter. I use combination when I rip too. I don’t feel it really has a big difference but this is kindda how my learning guided me. Excellent and informative video as always.

[@katedavy6272]

You are very clear about how you are knitting and purling. My problem is wrapping my mind around it. I think I will keep your video and practice it to get more comfortable knitting that way. If I can use it while doing .I dress comfort knitting and pulling, I will have succeeded! Thanks

[@DrowninginYarn]

Thanks! I think it will make sense if you are able to follow along while you’re knitting. Also, check out the link in the description and see if that clarifies it for you 😊

[@daxcollazo3038]

Mind blown! Thanks Caleb!👍👍

[@DrowninginYarn]

My pleasure!

[@sewesme4866]

Beautiful knitting skill!!! I learned this technique from one of my wonderful coworker. She told me that when she was in school in Mexico she took a knitting class and learned this technique there. You will go faster because you don't have to be tossing the yarn back and forward it just naturally does it for you. Thank you so much for sharing! You are Pure AWESOMENESS!!! I like your knitting needles can you tell me what brand they are? Will you do a knitting needle review someday?

[@caro1591]

Wow! Gotta try this. I found Norwegian purl a game-changer but this could be next level game-changer. 🙏🏻❤️

[@lanastraea]

I'm a continental knitter, but I don't mind purling. However, when doing ribbed stitches or moss/seed stitch, I prefer doing continental knit with Norwegian purl because I don't have to waste time bringing the yarn forward and backward constantly.

[@tammymasson2343]

I am a very new knitter and am learning a lot from you! I loved seeing your pooch behind you looking out the window! 😃

[@Danceswithfishes]

I grew uo with the combined method but tried the "fix it" because I read it was wrong. But this makes more sense to me, so Im goong back to my roots 😊

[@emilycreager2269]

I taught myself continental knitting, and this is just how I figured you were supposed to do it. Works great for ribbing, seed/moss stitch, etc. You can knit without looking at your work because you can feel the difference between a knit and a purl. But when I tried a lace pattern with a cable-like knit stitch travelling diagonally up the work, it didn't look right, and upon my research, I found that I was wrapping the needle the "incorrect way", which according to the knitting instructors online, actually took up more yarn anyway than traditional continental knitting (wrapping the yarn counter-clockwise on a purl). Even though I felt like this used less yarn. Regardless, great for some patterns, not-so-great for others. Just be consistent within the same project.

[@lesliegould7903]

That’s exactly how I knit! (Western knit Eastern purl) Exciting to see others do the same. For me it’s fast and efficient. My purls are nice and tight….

[@kathleenomeara5168]

This was a great episode. Your demonstration was clear and well paced. I had completely misunderstood what was meant by combination knitting. I’m going to give it a try.

[@DrowninginYarn]

Thank you so much! I’m hoping to do more tutorial-ish vids in the future, so I am happy to hear it was clear for you!

[@erisisthename]

Caleb, thank you! This makes so much sense.

[@DrowninginYarn]

I'm so glad you found it helpful :-)

[@erisisthename]

@@DrowninginYarn it is! I’m a continental left handed knitter. So. Trying to purl in any kind of way is difficult at best. This gives me a new method to try. I’m so excited!

[@DEniseCHAVEZ7]

I follow a few knitter from Mexico, and that's how they knit too. Continental and combination😊

[@britibbatts]

Thank you so much for going over the "anatomy of a stitch"! This was super helpful to me as a newer knitter so that I can begin to understand how the stitch is put together, and then how to manipulate it. Great, clear explanation! Thanks again!

[@My_slow_story]

I learned my knitting from my mum and what I understand I knit in Russian/Eastern European style which is even faster than what you have shown. Elaborate patterns could be to tricky to "translate" form English/Western style but that's the fun in learning.

[@sandyvanburen]

Thank you SO much for this video. I hate doing 1-1 ribs but this is a real game changer!

[@courtneyquinn2934]

you don't know how long I was looking for this explanation. I feel like I watched 6 other videos and this is the only one where it feels like it clicked at all. I was (unknowingly) taught combination knitting, and I've been trying to learn continental knitting, and it has been a nightmare. I needed help understanding the relationship between my knits and purls so thank you!

[@the_lio1041]

I just learned that i am combination knitting xD I remember struggling with purling in continental style hard as a child, so when I picked up knitting as an aduld again, I probably started combination knitting intuitively xD

[@Pixxelina]

This combination knitting is a very specific style called Russian In The Round. Russian Flat however is inverted (loop-wise) as it is KTBL and PTFL with yarn picked from the bottom just as in the round version.

[@kayceegreer4418]

I came to learn how to combination knit. This was probably only informative to people who already know some other way to knit. Since they already know a way to knit, they would be able to make the comparisons themselves, but to someone who does not know how and came to learn, they got comparisons and confusion. The best way to teach anyone is to tell what you were going to teach, teach that, and then tell what you taught, hitting the most important details. That is the way it becomes completely established in someone's mind. But if there are comparisons for something else but they don't know it's just so much abstract static in the attic of our mind.

[@DrowninginYarn]

This is not a beginner knitter video... my videos target people who know how to knit and are looking for other information or techniques.

[@kayceegreer4418]

@@DrowninginYarn it's titled "How to...". Imagine my surprise.

[@susanvanvleck3957]

The use of the back leg I've seen in the Turkish tutorials. It's easier on my hands so yay for me!

[@sarahrossignol4554]

Thanks Caleb. I'm going to try this right NOW! Perfect timing. Lol

[@ingrid5432]

Wow, turns out I'm a combination knitter!

[@marikalathem813]

Me tooooo! ✌️

[@jacquedooley1577]

Lucky you!! I definitely want to try. I’m slow English style.

[@annea3567]

I’ve been knitting like this for a while. You can get into such a nice rhythm and ribbing is just way more fun. It looks really nice on the back side too. My hands got tired trying to wrap the yarn counter clockwise for purling. Another thing I do is I use the Portuguese style of yarn control when I do a flat knitting purl row. I just flip the yarn around the back of my neck and purl with my thumb. The stitches are not twisted when I turn the work which they would be with the combo technique. Also having the stitches twisted on top of the pattern being mostly on the knit side is just too confusing for me. Great video! I would not have been able to explain this as well as you did.

[@npigwnl]

Thank you! Love this method, because I very much prefer continental style knitting but I have been using the English style to knit my ribbing because it would come out way too loose!

[@HollyTriedIt]

Great thorough explanation! I love combination knitting, especially for ribbing.

[@mistyblue5312]

Hello Caleb. Nice video - love the close up visuals, speed, and soothing teaching voice. I knit my Purls this way mostly (if it’s just a rib, simple design,etc) as a faster/efficient way to finish something. However, I do use the authentic traditional Norwegian Purl for more complex work that need the purls to be aligned correctly. Norwegian knitting (as you know) never has the index finger pointing in the air. Nothing wrong with using a variety of styles to have fun while knitting. I would definitely call myself a combination knitter lol! Thanks again and keep those tutorials coming. Blessings and stay safe always. ☺️

[@roxannetarjan1411]

Thanks so much. For the demo and the link. Definitely trying this!

[@ellenweigold4408]

I will try this for sure. Love the saddle color.

[@xandidouglas]

Very helpful - thank you

[@mamelvik]

I also knit this way and love it. It also makes a tubular cast off for 1x1 ribbing flow so much easier.

[@annmariebusu9924]

I am combination knitter 🥰. I do it in both styles English and continental. It’s so much faster and intuitive for me. I noticed the back of my ribbing looks different front the front side as a result. The only draw back is knitting stockinette flat. Every other row of my stitches will be twisted. When following patterns sometimes I am forced to purl the right way that hurts my hand. I would love to see you doing stranded colour work.

[@satsumamoon]

Just form the knit stitches differently . Knit into the other leg.

[@moniquem8093]

so cool, after 50-plus years of knitting I learned something new, even better you knit continental, Do I start just purling as you do or is there a special setup I need to do? thank you

[@beautifulmercury]

I've been doing this without knowing what I was doing so I'm glad it's a valid approach :D

[@DrowninginYarn]

Glad I could help!

[@melanezoe]

Never had a name for what I do. Thanks.

[@Animalbandittt]

Also… how does this work once you switch from ribbing to stockinette in the round? What about lace? I have all the questions!

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

This is wonderful. Thank you for sharing! ❤

[@chelseyummali]

I was purling clockwise and thought it was wrong...but I was doing it through the front string, I see your doing it through the back? I switched to counterclockwise because I thought I’d mess up my knitting (I’m new so I’m still trying to understand basics) it’s a bit more challenging but manageable. Do you need to purl through the back if you want to combination knit? I know if your knitting flat your reverse side (knit stitch) needs to be worked through the back....but what if your in the round. It still confuses me how your yarn is supposed to be on the needle and how it works when you stitch it. Thanks.

[@chelseyummali]

I want to combination knit but so many people say it makes patterns much more difficult. Please explain how you’d work a pattern please! I’m knitting 1x1 ribbing and with socks…I can’t stand the twisting or leaning of the finger, it’s just uncomfortable.

[@LordRubino]

Here back in Italy my grandma was using the same style as you and was arguing with the neighbour that was using a "norvegian style" knitting. I like the norvegian style because don't require the extra movement of front and back for the yarn but i still think the combination knit look even quicker. Did you ever tried Norvegian style knit?

[@dozergetscrafty]

I knit Norwegian. Look up Arne and Carlos on youtube. Its a much more relaxing way to knit with less stress on fingers and hands. Its super quick and it solved all my tension issues. I purl russian style. Which is purl with yarn in back like norwegiam but you end up with a eastern mount stitch like this

[@paintnknitter]

Thanks for this video. I just started knitting Eastern where I knit in the back leg of the stitch and purl in the front, both clockwise. It is much easier for the purl. I am not sure what roadblocks I will run into with patterns intended for counterclockwise.

[@fru9176]

Finally someone who knits as I do!:D but yeah, definitely will have some figuring out to do with different patterns, especially in the round. Still hella quick when knitting stockinette😉

[@TheMetallicaMonster]

Caleb: "so I prefer combination knitting BECAUSE . . . ." Doggo: *existential crisis, "what if I never find out who's a good boy??"

[@tomjtreat]

Great video! I've seen plenty of combination and eastern knitting before - but I'm always so inspired by you. This dinosaur is actually going to try something new! hahahah. I'll have to let you know how I go with it.

[@KnittingsAndSewings]

Caleb, this is a clear, easy-to -understand tutorial. I ran into someone last weekend who does ribbing this way. My question is, do you do the combination purling process only on ribbing, or do you do it on everything? I am a Continental knitter with very loose purls and I can see this is a good way to purl, seems much easier and less yarn. Thanks!

[@lydiageric3580]

So how would I do increases and decreases and lace. Do I have to change patterns

[@angiesusi9891]

I knit both knit and purl Eastern as you call it. I tried the other way and my wrist hurts. My stitches are much more even and I knit faster as well.

[@ImCFoxx]

Definitely makes sense -I’m at Continental nether and I’m going to give this a try.thanks.

[@JennySimon206]

I'm a crocheter learning to knit. Just got my interchangables. So excited. Okay so, been practicing all day and realized I'm doing combination continental style. I'm relieved you use it mostly. I find it soooo fast omg and hand movement is so slight my hands don't hurt. Okay so I don't need to worry right now right? I heard it can cause problems in some patterns.

[@Trapper4265]

Hi, I would like to complete a scarf that I started and put down about three years ago. I am 3/4 done, but I can remember how to start again. I've looked at several demos but none make sense. Can you help me? Thanks, Kurtis in Rockford, IL

[@RosieKuhnPhD]

This was great! Thank you!

[@peepers4763]

Enjoyable And educational. Reminds me of the action of English style pulling back, no need to turn the work. Still trying to get the tension right in continental ...

[@Kutaro92]

i should try this !

[@mrscraftalot]

If you’re knitting flat, how do you deal with the fact that on the reverse side the purls are twisted stitches?

[@latitude1904]

You'd have to knit through the back leg since that's now your leading leg - to straighten the stitches back out.

[@AnneBeamish]

You've sold me on trying combination knitting in my next project. Thank you!

[@DrowninginYarn]

You are so welcome!

[@chrisb1682]

Like the look it gives.... Thank you for showing. Will def try on a new knit! 🌿

[@valentinabelousova8883]

It works well for circular knitting (classical knit+eastern purl), but not so much for flat knitting as you'd have to stick to either eastern or western style..

[@DrowninginYarn]

I like to knit flat this way and just knit through the back loop on the stitches with the leading leg behind the needle. It helps me have a more even tension when knitting flat. Otherwise my purl rows are looser.

[@valentinabelousova8883]

@@DrowninginYarn interesting, Caleb. I knit eastern purls only when I knit circular, socks, hats, etc. Here in Russia we knit continental mainly and we basically have two schools of thought :) it's either Classical knitting (western) or Granny's knitting (it's not eastern.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHyqaWiqf8iaebM). I personally knit either way: you just have to be careful and watch how the stitch looks like and follow it so that the stitches don't twist. Eastern style is something different. I tried knitting flat using it for both purls and knits but for some reason the purl rows looked loose. I know it's only because I didn't have enough experience in eastern knitting, but for now I use it for circular knitting only.

[@cheribowers9434]

This is even easier than Russian Grandma style when making socks! :) thanks!

[@kml223]

Very nice way to purl. I'm gonna try this way.

[@DrowninginYarn]

I hope you find it to be a helpful addition to you skill set!

[@Animalbandittt]

I’m new to the game… how do I switch to do this way? And what if I’m working stockinette flat (like yolk shaping)? I’m super interested but can’t find much! I am willing to do research but wondering if maybe this is just breaking my brain…

[@louisakeys]

Thank you!!!!

[@susanwhitman9999]

Thanks!

[@lucy219759]

Why did i just find out about this. I started trying this out on a sleeve thats 2x2 ribbing. Im still pretty slow since I've only done like 10rows, but it looks so much neater that my regular continental!

[@judylee3589]

*squeel* I can't wait to try this, thank you so much!

[@marielasessa2921]

hi, How does the result differ from Eastern ribbing?

[@Kaet_RN]

Definitely going to try this, my ribbing as a continental knitter is never my best work. I would love to see how you knit color work, I am teaching myself and as a continental knitter struggling!

[@darcygrignon8149]

In combination knitting...why would you need to do this...say...what instance would it require to use this technique?

[@justinkollock1685]

So fascinating!!! I wish I was more comfortable knitting continental, but I’m a stubborn old man and set it my ways 🤣. I’ll have to try this English! Great video! ❤️🧶

[@DrowninginYarn]

Thank you, Justin!!! And it’s great to make ribbing look more tidy while English knitting too... the most important thing is just that you enjoy your knitting though! I tried to learn to knit English at first and just hated it... so that’s why I learned continental! Now I’m enjoying learning about Portuguese knitting tho!

[@anne-karinwilby2303]

Hi. I am an English knitter & have always purled like this. I wondered why my knit stitches were coming out so tight. Now I know that they are twisted, so correct the knit stitch by going thru the back leg.

[@DrowninginYarn]

Glad it was helpful!

[@dozergetscrafty]

I learned how to purl with the yarn in the back russiam style. So its like a norweigian purl. I cant hold my finger up like that with yarn all wrapped around everything. I knit Norwegian style with my fingers all down and the yarn just layed over my finger. The russian ( eastern) purl with yarn in the back is alot easiet than the Norwegian purl. Makes ribbing super fast.

[@bikrgran]

I notice you use a finger to "help" you scoop on the purl st. It's THAT motion that I REALLY have a problem with. Holding my hands close to the needles, negates that move. Just MY way of continental/combo purling.

[@janeangstrom3483]

I’ve always knit this way ( continental) Why do you hold your index finger up in the air? It looks painful! I just wrap the yarn around my little finger, hold my thumb along the left needle in front & my index finger (with the yarn looped over the top) rests in back of the two needles, controlling my tension & moving my stitches along. I taught myself to knit & have been knitting almost 70 years! Much easier on the hand & wrist, fast too!

[@DrowninginYarn]

That’s just how I hold it. Haha. Its comfortable for me and I’m able to tension my yarn properly this way. S

[@Lostinscenes]

@@DrowninginYarn this is how my mum taught me. I agree with Jane, it does not look comfortable, but you do it for long enough, it becomes comfortable.

[@lissyperez4299]

Yes, Eastern, Russian style. I like the Norwegian pearl but I find it stretches out my stitches a little , maybe I'm doing it wrong!

[@rushiaj1222]

I’m definitely trying this method because my purl stitches are always looser than my knits.

[@DrowninginYarn]

I hope it works well for you!

[@rushiaj1222]

@@DrowninginYarn IT WORKS!!! I 💜it. My purl stitches are way more conformed 😊

[@hfwrose6797]

Also a continental knitter and dislike purls. I'm going to try this technique. Thanks so much. Is this strictly for in the round or does it work the same knitting flat? I imagine you can knit into the back leg heh. I'll have to play with it. Good video

[@thesueferguson]

How do you bind off ribbing in combination knitting?

[@thomase3551]

Thanks for sharing!!!

[@Richard_Szobi]

Hi, this kind of purl is fast but called as false purl as it will be twisted. In purl/ knit is ok fast but if u knit patterns as lace or cable u have problems with twisted stiches. I so this method mostly in Russia, Ukraine, Balticts. We in Central Europe as me Czech Republic or in Germany, Austria use the "correct" purl. Yes, you are correct is fast method and maybe by rip looks nice. The English/American knitting is for my personaly very slow, to much motions

[@patriciajimenez1630]

I've just realized why my pearls are looser than my knits! 🤯 thank you 😊

[@DrowninginYarn]

No problem! There are other ways to go about tackling this problem, but this is the way I like to do it :-)

[@patriciajimenez1630]

@@DrowninginYarn 🤗

[@papowspacegirl]

That color is gorgeous.

[@DrowninginYarn]

Isn't it?! All of the Ranch 03 colors are amazing!

[@clivewitcomb2839]

Love your style of presentation! I just Finger-knitted a blanket, and am now keen to try with sticks 😉 Can I ask, how did you learn when you started? Any recommendations? Thanks in advance! X

[@culinarygurly987]

I knit the Norwegian style which is an ergo Continental, you end up picking the yarn from the left finger not manuvering the yarn around the needle.

[@nrasjid]

I used to be combination knitting and I found it purling was fast. But I had difficulty when I came across cable ktbl. I had to adjusted my knitting’s leg all the time. Do you have any idea how to ktbl on top of purl eastern way of knitting? Thank you

[@stephaniethomas8858]

I was wondering about this as well. Would love some direction for this situation, thanks!

[@sandrajarrells3440]

I am a left handed knitter (knit in the opposite direction) how would you execute purling through the back loop using your style of combination knitting? Would it look similar to knitting through the back loop? Trying to wrap my head around how to do it left handed. thanks!