Fix Untidy Tension with Combination Knitting |Tip Jar Tutorial

[@Me-Myself-Ann]

Combined continental was how my grandmother taught me to knit. It took me the longest time to figure out why when I followed patterns, my K2tog always leaned the wrong direction. Once I understood the difference between left-leaning and right-leaning increases and decreases, following patterns was a lot easier. With this method of knitting my flat Stockinette is much faster than most knitters I know. You did a great job of explaining this method.

[@Knicoleknits]

Thank you so much! ☺️

[@bettinafoertig7011]

This is so funny! I've knitted like this for decades, didn't know it's called combined knitting. And had similar "problems" with k2tog! I do sometimes get the gaps every 2nd row, but if I use smaller needles it evens out.

[@danielalaatz57]

Same here. On the plus side I never had the striping tension issue.

[@osmia]

Appreciative of the jumbo stitch visual for my old eyes

[@marcy7162]

I know this video was about continental knitting, but english knitters can also use combination knitting. Because even with english knitting, more yarn is going into a purl stitch. Western knitting, both english and continental, wrap the yarn COUNTERCLOCKWISE around the needles. Eastern knitting goes CLOCKWISE around the needle (as does crochet, by the way). Combination knitting is simply wrapping the knit stitches counterclockwise, and wrapping the purl stitches clockwise. And that can be done with the yarn held in either hand.

[@Knicoleknits]

Thanks for this! I hadn't explored this alternative 😊

[@karlamilton5281]

First I have heard of Continental combined knitting. Interesting. I detest purling in Continental so this may work. Thanks

[@Katnip7770]

This is awesome! I didn’t know why my transition from knit to purl stitches in ribbing was wonky…now I better understand. Thank you! As a fairly new knitter, it may take time to wrap my head around this to incorporate these tips in my knitting, but I’ll get there. 😊

[@Knicoleknits]

There’s so much to learn with knitting, no can absorb it all right away. I only know what I know because I’ve been knitting on and off for 40 years! 😋

[@susanhunt8594]

I am an English great grandmother and was taught to knit by my grandmother 60 years ago. I thought the way I was taught, and have always knitted, was the only way to knit. Watching you tube I discovered the continental style which the majority of the rest of the world uses. I have never had the ‘rowing out’ problem that you are demonstrating. Is this problem peculiar to continental style. I have tried knitting with the yarn in my left hand but find it very awkward to do, I am naturally right handed so maybe that’s why. I love your videos, always cheer me up, we may not share a knitting style but we do share a sense of humour!

[@Knicoleknits]

Thanks so much for watching! Yes, it's less of an issue for right-handed "throwers," but it can happen for them too. If your knitting style works well for you, then it's exactly the "right" way to knit! :D

[@elizabethbarker5213]

Im an English style knitter. I had no idea that this problem existed. Perhaps this is why the modern knitting world has embraced the idea of blocking and using mohair to disguise their “imperfect” tension…let’s just say..I’m glad I’m an English style knitter. Love your videos btw.

[@marlasivak5978]

Thank you for this explanation. My grandmother was from Eastern Europe and taught me how to knit in the Continental Combination style. Every woman I knew growing up knit this way. When I had more time and joined a knitting group about 12 years ago, no one knit the way I did. Everyone said I was knitting wrong. Most were throwers, English style, and other Continentals did their purls differently, but hated purling. I liked purling as wells knitting, so I didn't understand what they were talking about. My tension was always even and I don't mind color work in purl. I figured out that I needed to remount my decrease stitches, but that's not a big deal.I'm so glad that I learned that way!

[@Knicoleknits]

You were so lucky to learn it from the start! Good job ignoring the “you’re doing it wrong” crowd 😁

[@susansouthard]

I’m an English knitter, however, I do sometimes pick my net stitches if I’m on a really long row like making a blanket or something, because I get tired of throwing. For the pearl stitch, however, on a long stretch of stitches, like a blanket, I knit backwards. I can’t pearl with my left hand, as in Continental, it just won’t work for me. However, I have a friend who has only ever crocheted, and she wants to learn to knit. I’m going to share this video with her, so if you can see this method, I have started her on knitting a washcloth. She also is left-handed, which makes it difficult for me as a right handed person to show her how to knit. I think that this will help her to see a method that may be comfortable for her, and because you showed the anatomy of the knit stitches, that will also be useful to her to see how the knitting works. I too, gave her an lesson in knitting anatomy, but your lesson on knitting anatomy is much better than mine.

[@Knicoleknits]

Thanks for sharing this with your friend! I hope it helps her 😊

[@lisatagio5790]

Thanks so much for this. I just finished a big swatch to test this method and the problem is completely solved. My stockinette stitch has never looked so good! On both sides! Thank you thank you thank you!

[@arybatu]

Miss you just saved my sanity. This👏is👏the👏game👏changer👏

[@Knicoleknits]

Hooray! 😁

[@karenbochinski]

I used to purl the pick way. As you call Combination knitting. I had rowing out and did not like it. My purls always had a problem. I learn to purl the Western way , and I am much happier with my purl stitches

[@beachpurls]

as i new knitter (continental)I had no idea why my flat knitting looked so different than my stockinette in the round.. I was knitting regular western but purling like you just showed eastern style, so twisted stitches. I guess I have to knit thru back loop now. Thanks for the clarity!!!

[@debbiedecker9238]

I am a thrower and recently discovered combination knitting really helps to tidy up my wonky ribbing. Much of my knitting seems to be in the round these days. Now I am very curious to see a comparison of flat knitting in regular stockinette and combination.

[@nz-nz]

Oh my 😳 the difference in the size of those swatches!!!!!!! I’m an English knitter but don’t (seem to?) have this rowing out problem. MY issue is with ribbing where I get a big gap between the K and P stitches. I’ll have to re-watch this video as I didn’t know if you were going to address this until I saw you did at the end. Great discussion thanks Nicole!!!!!!

[@Knicoleknits]

I’m so glad you liked it! 😁🥰

[@olympiaspyropoulou5862]

I am a 66 years old grandma,I am a selftaught knitter learned to knit more than 50 years ago and just realised what was going wrong with my knittng.Thank you sooooooo much! xxx

[@Knicoleknits]

Hooray! I find that no matter how long I've been knitting, there's always something new to learn 😊

[@heartland297]

Thank you so much for this video. I have spent this entire weekend tearing my hair out over my wonky edge stitches (figuratively, that is). I completely share your frustration over tension after so many years and am delighted to know you solved the problem with combination knitting. I am ON that shizzle!

[@Knicoleknits]

Hooray! 😃💖

[@EV-D-10]

Maybe others have written the same but here is my easy way of getting an even stockinette stitch, so a fabric that is neat for reverse stockinette too! I use a 1or 2 sizes smaller needle- point to make the purlside. When working flat, your purls do not distort the gauge you have on the knitside. When you knit swatches like this method, you get the same gauge as in a round swatch (only knitstitches) an extra advantage. It also makes knitting in the round easier because there is more room in every stitch to pick up with the right needle and the stitches slide easier over the left needle. I can highly recommend this method. Even when you have to make short rows in stockinette.

[@Knicoleknits]

That is a great alternative to combination knitting! I highly encourage people to try a number of methods and see which one they like best 😊

[@PaulaConnell-d3p]

Thanks for this video. I’m sold !

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

I was not aware that the way that I knit is called combination knitting. Very cool. Thank you. ❤

[@kimberleyoliver8160]

fascinating. I want to learn combination knitting.

[@suelowther5104]

I’m a combination knitter and much faster than my friends! It helps because I am a project knitter also. Nice tension and beautiful ribbing are my greatest joy! Thanks for letting others know just how wonderful combo knitting is!

[@Knicoleknits]

Yay! I'm on a mission to reach the folks who are struggling with tension. Combo knitting isn't for everyone, but it can make a huge difference for some :D

[@suelowther5104]

I’m with you! People hate to purl. This purl is so easy to do continentally. And produces such an even tension.

[@marshalucky]

This makes sense to me. Thank you😊

[@beanaasz4069]

I am a continental knitter. It is how I learned. I always hated to purl. Many years ago (pre KZbin, so I don't know where I saw or read it) I found what I thought was Norwegian purling but must have been Eastern. I am a lazy knitter and saw no reason to remount my stitches and ended up doing my knit stitches mounted with the leading leg in back. Lace was a bit tricky at first as I had to figure out K2tog and SSK were different. A side effect for me was that my row gauge improved. I don't know anyone who knits like me, which I assume is Eastern, but it works for me. Also find it is easier on my hands.

[@Knicoleknits]

If you’re getting a result that you like, then you are doing it RIGHT 😁

[@KalliBella1]

Great video and demo. Thank you! When I first learned to knit I held my right hand needle in my armpit English cottage style, except this is how my Spanish family and friends held the right needle, so I thought it was Spanish LOL. Years later I learned to hold the yarn continental style and liked it much better. I had similar tension issues as yours. I tried continental combination knitting and the change was not much. I must have been doing something wrong. I gave it up and tried Eastern knitting. I knit and purl totally in Eastern style and I got the results I wanted, beautiful even tension. My gauge also changed. It got much tighter so much so that now I consider myself a tight knitter when doing Stockinette stitch. I switch back and forth between Western and Eastern depending on the project especially if the stitch pattern is a sea of Reverse Stockinette! I Eastern knit when I do ribbing and cables as well.

[@Knicoleknits]

Thanks for sharing your story! 😊

[@MOLLIMEDIA]

Now I’m working on learning continental knitting. But… I’ve learned that you can use a smaller size needle when purling to even out the tension. Now I’m combination knitting (which was quite easy to learn), but while knitting stockinette, the stitches tend to lean the opposite way from the previous row. I figure it has something to do with the twist of the yarn - like you’re twisting the yarn in one direction for the knit stitch then untwisting it for the purl stitch. Blocking helps a bit. Something to explore further using various yarns. Thanks for the advice. 🧶

[@Knicoleknits]

You're right that yarn twist can affect how your stitches look. If you have a ball winder, you can try winding a ball twice, then pulling from the outside of the cake instead of the middle. This can help quite a bit with keeping twist under control 😊

[@MOLLIMEDIA]

@@Knicoleknits Thanks for the reply. I do wind my ball twice, reversing the crank direction…. And pull from the outside when I knit. Every little bit helps.

[@gabriellejacobs1192]

I'm a traditional 🇬🇧 knitter but I'm going to try this!

[@JuditSogan]

This is interesting. I'm a continental knitter. And I have noticed from time to time that I "rowed" out but only here and there not regularly. I will definitely try (NOT mid project I promise!) because the combination purl just looks easier. And quicker. Thanks Nicole!!

[@Knicoleknits]

I hope it's as game-changing for you as it was for me 😊

[@callmeaftercoffee]

Oh man! This was not how I was taught but I started trying it a couple years ago because it was faster. All this time I thought I was doing something weird because I've never seen a video of another knitter do purls this way. Now I know there's a name for it haha 👌🏼

[@Knicoleknits]

Yay! And I LOVE your handle 😍

[@RoseWillson-ok4nv]

I taght myself continental style at leat 6 years ago, maybe longer. I started purling this way, and then convinced myself it was wrong, so istarted wrapping it like i was knitting English. I knew it looked different on the reverse/wrong side, but didn't get it till now. Back to knitting every row through the back loop !!! And loveley, flat reverse stockinette!!!

[@Knicoleknits]

Sounds like you've got it figured out! 🎉

[@vulffwardgarr4546]

That sample you show with the obvious "stripes" of slightly looser stitches was what I was creating for years before I even realized it WASN'T supposed to look that way! When I got married, my wife had impeccable tension, every stitch and every row was uniform! Huh! That's not like mine! It took an additional 30 years of experimentation to find how I could accomplish what my wife did so effortlessly. I, by the way knit continental, and my wife knit english style. Turns out continental style inherently creates looser purls than the knits are, so those obvious stripes result UNLESS it is mitigated by changing the tension on the purl rows. Yeah .... long time to learn how to do that!

[@Knicoleknits]

I feel you! It took me forever to figure it out too. However you knit - all knitting is good knitting! 😆

[@madalina.adamoiu]

When I learned to knit almost 3 years ago I tried first english style (not for me), then I discoverd continental style, I practice it ...and then I started my first project: a sweater with cables 😂😂😂. You may be wondering what came out? You won't even imagine what I did 😂 Soooo, I knited the knit stitch in western continental style and the purl stitch in...eastern continental style 😂😂😂 And at that time I didn't even know that there are two continental methods. Of course I frooooged what I've knited, I sterted again to practice and I made a hat (like a normal biginner kniter) and only after some months I found out about this eastern style. But now I knit my knit stitch in regular continental style and purl stitch in...a kind of portuguese style 😅😂 I mean I use my left thumb when I purl. My tension is great, but I think this eastern style is faster and I will try it with my next project. Thanks! You are such a funny and cute lady, I discovered your podcast a few days ago and now I managed to watch almost all your videos because I like you so much and you provide good content and you are a great knitter and etc etc etc 🤗🤗🤗 Hope you know you are great! ❤️❤️❤️

[@Knicoleknits]

Thank you so much!! Keep trying different styles - you’ll know the right one when you get to it 🥰

[@josephpoole3942]

After 16 years of continental knitting its not every day I learn something new about it, though I always wondered why my flat knitting was never as perfect as in the round. I can almost always get stitch gauge but not row gauge like you mentioned which is why I started knitting a swatch during this video with some cotton I want to design a tank top with. Ive done a patch in combination and a patch above it in continental to compare, and I'm currently adding on another section like that in a needle size up to test the drape. After just an hour or so trying it I'm already faster at purling this way (and I was pretty quick at it to begin with), and I can definitely see the difference it makes in the fabric. This may have changed the way I knit forever!

[@Knicoleknits]

Yay! I’m so happy it’s working for you 🤩

[@2u2a]

I had a break in knitting for almost 10 years (picked up some different hobbies). I have learned a little bit from my grandma, and a little bit from the youtube. So to get back into it I played some random tutorials, started knitting. An hour into it I have noticed that somehow I am doing stuff completely different than the watched tutorial. Turns out that muscle memory worked its way and I was back to my old ways- combination knitting. I was a little bit confused, because the tutorials warned against twisted stitches, yet I was getting pretty stockinette. So I started googling why twisted stitches are bad... and then I stumbled upon the combination knitting. Turns out I was doing this my whole life, without knowing it.

[@Knicoleknits]

Clearly your instincts were right on the money! 😃

[@mytrueserenity5666]

Loved your video explanation! I'm a tight thrower, and my purls are looser than my knit stitches. I've been thinking about trying combination knitting for this reason and I do want to knit faster with less tension on my hands. I do wonder though, if one is combination knitting and the pattern states to KTBL (knit through the back loop), how is this achieved?

[@Knicoleknits]

The solution is pretty simple, you just need to re-seat the stitch on the needle so it's mounted the "regular" way, then work through the back loop as usual 😊

[@mytrueserenity5666]

@@Knicoleknits Thanks!

[@TheSuzberry]

Every lesson on stitch anatomy is welcome. How does this work with patterned stitches, e.g., brioche?

[@Knicoleknits]

I’ve been knitting combined continental for 10 years now and haven’t found a stitch or technique yet that I can’t do. You just need to understand when to change the stitch mount to match the pattern instructions ☺️

[@TheSuzberry]

@@Knicoleknits TY

[@JoJoSXMGyal]

I've seen this method a couple of times and as a recent self-taught knitter I did quite a bit of eastern wrapping in error, I have to say I haven't the need for this method simply because I'm a tight knitter... I've actually had to try to loosen my tension because I had to go like 3 needle sizes up just to meet gauge... It was ridiculous. Of course I figured that this is typical of new knitters NOW but when I just started recently it was discouraging for me. Everything is working out for me bc I know I will never be able to do continental knitting because of my RA and with my ulnar deviation in my hands it's a miracle I can knit at all 😅 It took a while to keep the counter clockwise wrapping as a standard... No way I'm going to jumble that up... 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@sheilafritz4791]

This changed my knitting! Thank you! I've been knitting about two months now and you have made my left handed brain so happy. I knit English (Continental makes me want to throw my needles out the window) and have been told combination knitting only works for Continental knitters. THAT IS NOT TRUE! I hate to be dense but I would love to know if you use combination knitting for everything or just stockinette. I'm trying to learn the seed stitch and a few things from a pattern book and wondering if I can use it there as well. THANK YOU THANK YOU for all your helpful tips. I'm likely to cry when I catch up to you in real time. I live in Seattle, can I come visit? We can park our Airstream out front. (Kidding, I'm not going to come try and find you, promise!) Knitting Bag of Tricks was a brilliant suggestion too. Have an absolutely wonderful day! I hope someone brings as much joy into your day as you have mine.

[@Knicoleknits]

You can definitely use combination knitting for more than just stockinette! I use it for everything. Maybe we can catch up with each other at a knitting event in your area or mine 😀💖

[@rachelchudley1527]

You keep frying my mind !!!! Sooo much to think about thank you

[@Knicoleknits]

You are so welcome 😊

[@giedre8921]

I am a combination knitter, dont see them a lot on the internet. At first i thought i was doing something wrong :D

[@Knicoleknits]

There is no wrong way to knit!! 😁

[@maryhoge247]

Beautiful explanation!

[@thehopefulheliophile]

This was so helpful, thank you! I've only been knitting for about 3 weeks and quickly switched to working stockinette in the round projects because my purling was so loose when knitting flat. I started the Tolsta tee yesterday and found my purling in the round was looser than I wanted too. I'm just through the german short rows so now I'm trying to decide if it's worth ripping back to the collar and starting again so things are more even. Either way, I am so happy I found this video. Thank you for showing the anatomy of a stich on the larger yarn, I hadn't quite wrapped my mind around that yet.

[@Knicoleknits]

Yay! It makes me so happy when new knitters pick this up early. As for ripping back and re-doing, that's entirely up to your comfort level. I'm pretty fussbudgety, so I tend to re-do anything I'm not 100% happy with 😋

[@fh8015]

Hello Nicole I am new to your channel Thank you for your tips Really enjoy your energy Best regards Francine 😊

[@Knicoleknits]

Thanks Francine, I'm so glad you're enjoying the channel! 😊

[@valoriec]

This tip is so great! I'm using it in a mosaic project, and it makes the colorwork look so much tidier! Thank you!

[@Knicoleknits]

Yay! Thanks for watching 😊

[@peaches7551]

This was a great tutorial. Thank you ! Im going to try this

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

I didn’t understand a lot of this because of how much of a beginner I am at knitting. I’m still _very much_ at the unconscious incompetence stage. Since I started my knitting journey with a velvety yarn (and a blanket that my kid wants for the feel, rather than the look) it’s rather forgiving of my mistakes, because they can’t be easily seen. However, it also means that it’s a bit tricky to see exactly what I’m doing, so I’m kind of looking forward to knitting with some non-fluffy yarn so that I can start experimenting and tidying up my knitting. Having said that, I decided to try mirror knitting on this since it means I don’t have to manhandle the blanket every time I get to the end of a row, and I’m wondering if mirror knitting means I’m not encountering the problem you described. Looking at the back of it now (I’m doing it so that it’s all knit on one side and all purl on the other), it maybe does look a bit like it’s got sets of two rows on the purl side. I guess I’ll find out more once I start experimenting with a flatter yarn!

[@Knicoleknits]

Let me know how the mirror knitting works for you!

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

@ I’m liking it, but now that I’m trying out the other style of knitting (picking, I think, instead of throwing?) I now feel sort of like I’m trying to write left-handed!!

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

@ Well! Today I got myself some smaller needles (4.5mm, and circular!) and started knitting some swatches with a flatter yarn (50/50 cotton and acrylic) so that I could see more easily (than with the velvety yarn I’ve been using for the blanket I’m making for my 12-year-old) if my stitches are neat and tidy and the loops are twisted. Turns out that every second row, I was twisting the loops like you mentioned in this video! I’m not sure if I’m looping it around eastern or western (is that what you called it?) but now I’m remembering with my mirror knitting to swing the needle down under the yarn on my finger and around no matter which direction I’m knitting, and now my loops aren’t twisted. I’m honestly not sure I would’ve realised what it was doing and how to fix it, for a very long time, if I hadn’t come across this video of yours. Thank you!!

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

Wait, maybe not. It’s late and my brain wants to sleep and now I’m confused. 🤣

[@Pstrokrotka]

Thank you for the tip :) Probably another way to solve this problem is to take one needle a size or a half size bigger if it is hard to switch to combined knitting 🤔. Actually my mother also showed me the combined way at first, but I gave the knitting up that time. And then when I was learning knitting years later from YT I realised that "it was wrong". Now I knit continental way and switching to combined knitting will take some time, but I see it is worth the effort due to such neet and regular effect :) Though when I was watching me kniting I realised that it might not be the problem of purl, but of the knitted stitches. I mean when I knit I don't block the knitted stitch by my right hand finger so it is more tight then when I purl. When I started blocking it (putting my right hand finger on the knitted stitch) the yarn did not tighten so much so it was similar to the purl stitches. It may be just my case of course, we all hold needles and needlework differently :)

[@Knicoleknits]

You’re right - some folks do use different needle sizes or tips for knit and purl rows! That is a workaround if changing up methods is too much. Finding the right method can be a big challenge! 😊

[@heatherroach7817]

Thanks for reminding me about combination knitting. I've tried all types of knitting and settled in Continental. After several top down in the round jumpers that require very little purling, I'm planning a cardigan that will include acres 😥of stockinette. I'm happy to purl but each stitch needs an extra little tug to tighten it which slows my knitting. I'll swatch with combination and see how it goes. 🌹

[@Knicoleknits]

Yay! I hope it works as well for you as it does for me 😊

[@kaylemoine1571]

I think I will have to try it. Thanks.

[@leahhorton4818]

I love this! It reminds me of yarning under vs yarning over in crochet. I like to make amigurumi, but I don’t love how my knitted ones turn out - they just seem loose and floppy. I’m going to try combined knitting to see if that helps. Thanks for the tutorial!

[@Knicoleknits]

Oh my, I have so much to learn about crochet. Maybe 2025 will be my year to dive deeper 😃

[@leahhorton4818]

@ I really love both crafts, but I have definitely preferred crochet for toys. I’m excited to try the combined knitting method. I’ll let you know how it goes!

[@liorahgolomb7405]

I'm a combination knitter but if I'm knitting two together I don't reorient them, I just knit them through the back loop together. Is there a benefit or a difference to remounting them?

[@Knicoleknits]

I’m pretty sure if you don’t remount them, you’re not making a right leaning decrease. This only matters if you’re doing paired decreases 😊

[@chrismurphy6034]

Thank you so much!!

[@TorchwoodPandP]

Thank you for explaining the right and left leaning decrease, and the anatomy of a stitch. I wonder if this is even an issue in Norwegian knitting? I’m a very raw learner, so I’m flummoxed by all the terms still, but Norwegian purling really helped me!

[@Knicoleknits]

I tried Norwegian purling so long ago, I can’t really remember much about how it worked, except that I found it difficult. This was pre-KZbin, so I probably didn’t learn it correctly 😋

[@TorchwoodPandP]

@@Knicoleknits I tried looking at Arne & Carlos, with his cha-cha-cha explanation, and didn’t get it. Then I found this lady: her explanation is really brilliant: kzbin.info/www/bejne/n3OalZJ4jbmXmJYsi=HSPtmAPLar0ue6wO . But, of course, I haven’t got enough experience to grasp how that all works with increase, decrease, and all the other fancy stitches I’ve not yet involved myself with. In any case, thank you for your many, many informative videos, and your never flagging enthusiasm. ❤️❤️

[@Knicoleknits]

@TorchwoodPandP Thanks for the link! I probably won't change to Norwegian purling, but I'll watch nonetheless because I do like to "know" things 😀😋

[@Ch-revolutionary62]

How do you do short rows with the eastern mount I am an eastern knitter and it confuses me how a heel of a sock is done. I can truly understand the different decrease mounts with your clear explanation in this video. Can you do one on short rows even with the combo knitting I can switch it easily to eastern. I may actually start socks again I stoped as I was struggling so much. ❤

[@Knicoleknits]

I'm planning a sock knitting video soon - I'll see if I can sneak this in 😋

[@Ch-revolutionary62]

@ amazing thank you!!! 🩷🩷🩷

[@adrahtaylor7993]

Thank you! Super video!

[@Knicoleknits]

Thank you very much!

[@katerogers5365]

If you prefer to hold yarn in right hand, can you pick by simply reversing the direction you wrap the purl? It seems to work, but I am still experimenting. It is helpful at my age to have alternative styles that allow me to rest my hands.

[@Knicoleknits]

Excellent question! I don’t have an answer for you. Keep experimenting and let us know how it goes 😊

[@vonniestreet7812]

This was very helpful. I'm a lifelong combination knitter. Do you have anything on how to handle cables abd reverse purl stitches and when the pattern calls for knitting through the back loop???

[@Knicoleknits]

What you need to do is re-mount the stitches with the leading leg in front and THEN knit them through the back loop

[@categ50]

I was taught the 'throw the yarn over the left needle' method. It's not as fast as holding the yarn with your left hand, but that is all I knew. I've tried the other way and I get frustrated quickly and return to throwing🤨. I am making a sweater now with ss and the wrong side looks good. Is that because of the way I knit? Love your vids!

[@Knicoleknits]

Thanks for watching! I believe that "throwers" (right hand carry) generally have fewer issues with rowing out or uneven tension than "pickers" (left hand carry), so your good-looking reverse stockinette is likely due to the way you knit 😊

[@DR-ee5ul]

Excellent tutorial. Thank you. It seems you will need much more yarn with the combination knitting since the fabric is more compact. Is that correct?

[@Knicoleknits]

Not necessarily. You may have to go up a needle size or two to compensate for that "compactness" but if you are getting the gauge the pattern calls for, you shouldn't need more yarn 😊

[@DR-ee5ul]

@@Knicoleknits Ah. Got it. Thank you.

[@stilllookingfortreasure]

How would you do something like German short rows for combination knitting? I started out as a combination knitter and then had switch back to normal Continental because I couldn't figure out how to do German short rows, and especially how to resolve the last purl double stitch once we go back to knitting in the round. Edit: wanted to add that I also had trouble when I went to do an Italian bind off after doing ribbing this way. Can you do a tutorial please?

[@Knicoleknits]

Thanks for your question. Both German short rows and Italian bind off are totally possible when combination knitting. You're right - I clearly need a follow up video to address how to manage certain techniques when the stitches are sitting differently on the needle. In the meantime, if you haven't watched my video called: The Secret to Becoming a "Real" Knitter, go check that one out because it might help with understanding how the legs of a stitch sit on the needle. 😊

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

13:01 Okay, so I think this is part of where I’m getting confused. I assumed ‘western’ and ‘eastern’ were referring to different styles, not the direction the yarn is wrapped around the needle. It doesn’t help that not only am I terrible at remembering my left and right, but that I’m also terrible at cardinal directions. And on top of that, when one says ‘this way’ or ‘that way’ are we talking about the direction from the top or the bottom of the loop that’s happening??? Admittedly I’m new to knitting, but surely some people would describe the direction as clockwise and anti-clockwise, right?? I mean, it just makes more sense?!!

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

Okay, nope nope nope. I haven’t got it!!! Is this combination knitting method about which direction the yarn is looped around the needle, or is it about knitting through the back loop when on the stocking stitch side? I’m so confused and I don’t know why the legs of my stitches keep getting crossed. They’ve been drinking too much water and they’re busting for the loo? Is that it??? Seriously, I’m so confused. 🫤 😱🤯

[@Knicoleknits]

Oh dear! This might be a situation of too much information too quickly. 😋Have you watched my video called "The Secret to Becoming a "Real" Knitter"? That one is about reading your stitches. I think if you watch that, then come back to this one, it will make more sense to you. 😊

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

@ This morning I came to that same conclusion. I did some normal stocking stitch in easy-to-read yarn and my tension seems to be okay, but once I finish that fuzzy blanket, I think I’ll do some longer pieces of stocking stitch and see how my tension is going. I’m still gaining a lot from your videos, but realising now that I need to try to go a bit slower. LOL!

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

@ Oh, and yes, I have watched that one. It’s a great video!!

[@coralieofjumpwithnofear]

OMG, I’ve got it!!! I’m so excited!!!! And I can do it mirror style, too! WOOHOO!!!

[@nicolakerrison]

Great tutorial, thanks. Do you knit combination for all projects? I've considered combination knitting but always got put off by having varied stitch mounts if I was working something that had knits and purls scattered together, or slip stitch colourwork, for example. After seeing that it's what you do I'm tempted to reconsider, but I'm worried I'm setting myself up for hassle and twisted stitches when my tension seems to be "good enough".

[@Knicoleknits]

I do use combination for everything. Once you get the hang of it, you don’t have to think about remounting every time - it’s just something you’ll do naturally. Give it a try and see how you feel about it. You’re the only one who can say if it’s “worth it” for you 😊

[@kurczak3745]

Just wanted to add one more benefit and one drawback of combined knitting: because the mount is different for knit and purple stitches, it is easier to knit ribbings without looking. However the mount is an issue for many techniques. This is just not compatible with any information you can find in books or on youtube. It took me a long time to find why I can't graft or do the Italian bind off. I suppose left handed people feel like this quite often.

[@Knicoleknits]

The key to combination knitting (no pun intended) is understanding how the stitches sit on the needle and when you need to "re-sit" them in order to work standard patterns. So far I haven't found a technique that I can't do in combination knitting 😊

[@marygood906]

If you knit up to the armholes and then have to knit back and forth, do you knit through the back loop up to the arm holes or regular knitting? Great tutorial by the way.

[@Knicoleknits]

It’s all going to be regular knitting when you’re working the round. It’s only when you’re working back and forth and purling on the wrong side that you need to correct the stitch on the right side by knitting into the back loop. 😊

[@preciousodyssey]

What about the right side purls?

[@karendiesner5008]

Hi Nicole! I’ve tried combination knitting with mixed results. I love 1x1 rib in the round (sock tops) in combination knitting, but flat it looks awful! And when I combination knit flat stockinet, my knit and purl rows zig and zag. I learned from Patty Lyons and Bruce Weinstein on Craftsy many years ago but all I can use combo for is the sock top ribbing! Any thoughts what might be happening? Thanks in advance, Karen from England x

[@Knicoleknits]

My guess is that you might not be correcting the stitch mount on the knit side. Remember that when you wrap a purl in the opposite direction, you have to knit through the back of the stitch on the right side to re-mount the stitch and keep from twisting it. 🤔😊

[@karendiesner5008]

@ Hi Nicole, that’s the puzzling thing. I was correcting the stitch mount by knitting through the back loop on K rows, and combo purling on P rows each time, so there is no twisting. I am wondering myself if it has to do with the yarn and how it is plied. I will keep on experimenting (I also like swatching!). Thanks again for all your fab videos! And Happy Christmas!

[@lavendercottagefibrearts]

Thank you for this explanation Nicole! I was wondering if I try this technique on a piece with cables that is knit flat, will I need to remount the stitches in the cables before cabling them? Now that I am getting a bit more experienced with my knitting I am trying experiment with different methods to finesse the overall look of my work and I think this might be a good one to try.

[@Knicoleknits]

You do not need to remount stitches for cables! You would just move them and knit them through the back loop just the same as any other knit stitch 😊

[@lavendercottagefibrearts]

@@Knicoleknits great thanks for the clarification!

[@susangobin8726]

Perfect. Pls can you help? I never manage to get the sides of my knitting perfect. Loose knit stitches on one side... Tighter knit stitches on the other.. Why? Thankyou

[@Knicoleknits]

It’s hard for me to evaluate this without seeing what you’re actually working on, but it’s not at all unusual to have slightly different tension near the edges of a flat piece of knitting. Are you a fairly new knitter? If so, it might be something that just smooths out with practice. 😊

[@MonicaLea]

Is this a Continental issue because I knit English and have never had a problem with rowing out?

[@Katnip7770]

I knit English style and have this issue, particularly with rib knit.

[@Knicoleknits]

It’s primarily a Continental issue, but anyone can have tension issues with any knitting method. The trick is finding the right one that works for you and your hands 😁

[@witatter1]

I knit Continental but i purl Norwegian and i do not row out. Did you try Norwegian purling to see how it compares when you were testing?

[@Knicoleknits]

I tried Norwegian purling many years ago, but I struggled with it. It is another good option for “pickers” though 😊

[@sylviaearl9543]

I am a Continental knitter and I learned combined from several knitters on Craftsy. I was reasonably happy with it, but I struggled to reinterpret patterns, so I learned a different way of tensioning my yarn and switched back. You make a compelling argument for combined, though.

[@AlrickWagner]

I changed knitting methods in the middle of a project. I'm still busy with the project, I'm hoping blocking will fix it though🤣

[@Knicoleknits]

Fingers crossed for you! 🤞😋

[@zeynep7573]

i'm from turkey and we mostly knit like this, but as soon as i learned that i was knitting "wrong" i stopped and switch to normal continental and since then my tension sucks :/ all of the patterns and knit technics are for normal continental, if you show this versions techincs it would be awesome

[@Knicoleknits]

It's interesting how different regions have different knitting styles! Maybe a tutorial on how to combine Eastern and Western knitting for smoother tension would be interesting. 🤔

[@Bethabara9]

Thats how I knit but I do it because it hurts my hands less. I knit thru back loop. Ive had a few people ask me if I knew that I was doing that, well yeah, ha ha I like how it looks, its faster, my hands hurt less. For some reason though, the 6mm circular needles still hurt my hands. Don't know why. I finished a long, long piano scarf (88 keys) and had to use long straight needles, bamboo no less. Crazy.

[@Knicoleknits]

Have you tried square needles? I used them for quite a while. They seem to be easier to hold if you have hand issues. Might be worth experimenting with :)

[@nobleelf]

So, all those knitters that told me I was wrapping my purls backward, should just have let me alone, but told me to do my knit stitches from the back loop???Sheesh. I canNOT wait to go to knit group tomorrow and go na-na-na-na-nahhhh. Now my reverse stockinette looks better than their 'traditional' ❤😂

[@Knicoleknits]

Ha ha! 😂

[@monamona3273]

Knit the old Eastern European way( known also as Turkish, old Russian)yarn in left hand, pick the closest leg to the right needle to knit or purl. Even knitting, no strain on your hands. I never understood why people choose to knit any way

[@madalina-elenastanciu2618]

Yeeessss! I dropped knitting for crocheting in the last 2-3 years, and lately I started collecting expensive knitting needles sets, merino wool yarns and knitting patterns, to go back to knitting, and while I was watching some tutorials, I thought I’m going crazy and kinda got scared I wasted so much money, as I don’t know how to knit anymore!!! So many tutorials are using these weird ways of picking up stitches, while my Romanian grandma taught me to knit when I was like 4-5 years old in this “combined continental” way, or so called, while for my 30 years of my existence this was just knitting:))))

[@monamona3273]

@@madalina-elenastanciu2618 knit the way your grandmother did, it is not painful, minimal movements, the easiest purling. I also wrap my working yarn around my index finger and I have perfect tension. Do not listen to people that try to teach you how to knit their way. I learned how to knit in school from the nuns, in Austria. One draw back, you need to pay attention if you follow patterns, they are not written for us, directions are wonky for us

[@monamona3273]

@@madalina-elenastanciu2618 there are great KZbinrs from Russia and Moldova that are gracious enough to have free patterns and knit alongs, in Russian or Romanian language, you are Romanian by name, look for these knitters

[@hortensia411]

I've always been an English style knitter for decades now and I can honestly say that I did not know this was a problem. Honestly, in my opinion, which is probably unpopular, English style is way easier and not as awkward to get your stitches worked and on to your right needle. Just saying.... no offence.

[@Knicoleknits]

No offence taken! 😊 All knitting is good knitting 😀

[@Analee23497]

This is how people knit in Russia

[@Knicoleknits]

Interesting! 😀

[@sibleyhoneybee427]

Wow! This was amazing. Thank you so much for this wonderful video. Excellent way of explaining and solving gauge issues.❤🧶

[@Knicoleknits]

Glad it was helpful!