How to knit faster - two styles

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Speed knitting! It's already October and you haven't finished any of those sweaters you promised everyone for Christmas so HOP TO IT.
Speed knitting isn't a thing, but people (myself included) will try their hardest to insist it exists. In this video I go over good old continental for knitting and the mysterious, chilly Norwegian purl. Learn these two things and you'll be set for life. FOR LIFE!
Instagram: @RJCollett ( / rjcollett​ )
Twitter: @RJCollett ( / rjcollett​ )
Website and blog: ryancollett.com/

[@TheHermitChick]

Thank you RJ for being such a good teacher. I went from zero knitting knowledge to working on my fourth sweater!

[@cleetus_]

As an avid crocheter who just got into knitting, proud to say i’m knitting super fast already (i taught myself-i do continental knitting and then to purl, i hold the yarn on my left hand between my thumb and pointer finger. Stick the needle through and quickly manuver the yarn over w your thumb and pointer. It’s super fast) And my knitting looks smooth too. I guess my crochet knowledge helps a ton lol

[@RJKnits]

I’m instantly jealous of anyone who crochets and defer all expertise to them! I may try out your thumb/finger way of holding the yarn.

[@DachsieMom75]

I learned the continental style at my mother's knee as a little girl in Denmark, and now, at 74, I don't even have t look at what m doing anymore. Pure muscle memory!. It lends itself wery well to the English rib stitch. We call it "patentstrik." I haven't seen it covered here. It's really fun & stretches in both directions. 😊 knitting!

[@christenagervais7303]

My Danish Mormor taught me how to knit when I was 6 years old. I've now been knitting for 55 years! You are right, it's now muscle memory! 🇨🇦

[@leekasten3549]

I’m so glad I ran across your video! I’m 63 yrs old and have knitted since I was 9 yrs old. I really never knew there were different ways or types of knitting! I have always thrown my yarn but I’m going to try your method of holding the yarn on my left finger for speed. The Norwegian purling looked alittle confusing but of viewer I answered to here showed the video of flickering which I’m going to try also! Thank you too for showing knitting in the round with this type of knitting. I just picked up knitting again and taught myself how to knit socks. This will help me knit them faster…perhaps. 👏👏

[@felixhoover48]

Hello

[@bearpawqs]

I learned to crochet several years before I started to learn knitting. I could not get the traditional style. Then I watched your Speed Knitting video you posted 8 years ago. It made all the difference in the world. I haven't looked back, lol. I love your videos. I like to describe the Norwegian Purl similar to how we learned to do a square knot in Boy Scouts. When you have your right needle behind the working yarn and the front loop on the left needle, the rabbit comes out of her hole, runs around the tree (working yarn) and back into her hole. It's silly but it works for me. Thanks for your awesome work!

[@RJKnits]

Ahh thanks for sticking around for 8 years! This is my redo video to clean up some of those earlier ones 🫣

[@kaitlinfish5905]

I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate/ love your videos. I honestly can’t even imagine where I’d be in knitting if it wasn’t for you. After watching 5 different videos, one of them for 2 hours and 30 mins, crying and also one massively large freak out.. I found your channel. I FINALLY understood how and what was going wrong. Trying not to get to sappy but I was able to finally make a small blanket for my mom’s chemotherapy appointments she loves it. I can’t thank you enough ❤️🙌

[@stalstonestacy4316]

I think I might actually be able to finally learn how to purl after watching this. Purling has plagued me for decades and always hurt my hands. Thank you so much for sharing this

[@RJKnits]

Good luck! 😊

[@Donna-Jayne]

I've come over from crochet. I try and learn a new skill every year and this year its knitting! I've watched a few of your videos and I have to say thank you, not only are you informative and clear with your instructions, your also always happy and so fun to watch. Wishing you the most magical new year for 2023! ☺️☕️

[@dianneredhead2918]

Hi RJ. After seeing your knitting for beginners video yesterday, I decided that it's now or never. I'm 68 years old. My Mom is a huge Kaffe Fasset fan, and her creations are awesome. I've tried knitting a few times over the years but have always become frustrated with my efforts. Meanwhile, Mom is churning out beautiful garments in all varieties of yarns with complicated patterns and stitching. She's 86 now and still enjoying her hobby. She tried teaching me and my sister to knit and crochet when we were young teens and she honestly did her best, but we just didn't have the patience to persevere. Same scenario with my Dad, who's a talented pianist. He tried teaching us to play the piano, but we didn't have the staying power (teenagers!). Anyway, watching your video was a light bulb moment for me. Reason being, that you're a great teacher. You have this way of explaining something in an uncomplicated manner. It's like someone has turned on a light switch in my brain (and cleared the fog). I think that I had a mental block with this knitting story. Well, fast forward to today; I drove to Spotlight which is an arts and crafts supplier here in the Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Their knitting department is a treasure trove of goodies. I picked up 2 x 100g balls of wool and a pair of 9mm needles. After diligently following your videos for all the techniques over the next few days, I'll start with a scarf (it's mid winter here in July). When I get my confidence going, I'll attempt a doggy jersey for my little Chihuahua boy, Tiki. He'll look great in that royal blue colour. Wish me luck! Thanks and regards, Di Redhead / Nairne, South Australia. 😊

[@strangefrequencies4195]

I just want to say as someone who’s never knitted in my life you taught me how to knit in a day so thank you

[@pearlsandmanna]

Oh my! I may need to practice this today. I need to get faster with my knitting and avoid the pain I typically experience from hours of English style knitting. Thank you!

[@marugmad]

Oh, thank god I found this video. I used to knit when little and just got back to it. I watched few videos and after about 2 hours of pain - I switched the yarn to my left hand and started to knit! I am left handed and it was literally impossible to follow most of KZbin tutorials. Thank you!

[@paintnknitter]

Looks like to Norwegian purl to me. Very good demonstration. Carlos and Arne show this also. I have found this technique to resolve my trigger fingers I had a few months ago.

[@grasimandigma6163]

The purling method was so crazy to learn especially for someone very new to knitting. But you were right, once you learn it, its gonna be so easy! Your How to Knit was the video I watched to get me started on my knitting journey. Thank you so much!

[@trish3kimble163]

Wow how many times have I tried to learn how to speed purl? Now after this video I finally have got it. It’s funny how that happens. Thank you

[@DivineDianne]

Your Norwegian purl looks so complicated! 😔 I'm a crocheter who recently learned to knit from your videos but I started holding my yarn the same way I do as in crochet. With the left hand. I also do that with my purl. My left hand makes a "gun" with the index finger sticking out. The yarn rests in my palm and I close the last 3 fingers around it to secure it. I would also use my middle finger to manipulate the yarn that's draped over the gun pointer finger that's sticking out. This really helps switch the yarn quickly from back to front of the needle. It helps with tension also. Even if you're not a crocheter, I encourage you to try it. 🙂

[@lavenderoh]

I think flicking is faster, especially when purling. The yarn overs are so much easier with flicking, too. Continental never felt right for me but I know a few long time (decades) continental knitters and I'm faster than them, even though I've only been knitting regularly for about 3 years! My aunt snubbed my flicking at first and now she's jealous 😂

[@RJKnits]

As I’ve always said, knitting should be an Olympic sport! I think I might need to give flicking another chance.

[@lavenderoh]

@@RJKnits it can't hurt to learn multiple methods - if possible!

[@bonniewerner4121]

I find flicking very efficient, small motions, even tension. But… my flicking finger is worn out now and very arthritic, just too much for one finger to bear. I’m trying to get comfortable with Continental style but tensioning the yarn is a struggle.

[@tj887]

Thank you! Purling this way has finally made me stop dreading rib stitch!

[@heatherruiz9490]

I learned this same method from Arne & Carlos, and I love it!! As I learned crochet first, this was the perfect method for me. When Arne & Carlos described that pearl method, the say cha, cha, cha. 😂

[@Julia-er3my]

I learned how to knit a week ago from your videos and I must say I have no problem with continental knitting, but I am confused by the fast purling. I hope it will get easier with time and practice. Thank you so much for your explanations and videos, they are incredibly helpful for a beginner like me!

[@heathers8826]

Someday I will master the Continental stitch, but for now, I've been knitting the basic method you showed at the beginning of the video. Four blankets, several hats, and a few scarves later I'm still going strong. I'm not knitting for anyone else but myself, so how fast I get it done doesn't really matter as long as I learn new techniques.

[@ShannonMurray-kv4ij]

Totally agree

[@jennylarson1216]

I need to get better at the purling shown here, but I’ve got the basics down. As for the continental knitting, I picked it up quickly from your videos and will never go back to the old way. I love it! Thank you so much for all of your videos! They teach me everything I know and are so easy to follow. And I love the preambles. Can’t wait to read your book too!

[@jenp.5715]

I’m a new knitter and I’ve picked up continental style to start with (this was suggested to me since I’ve crocheted a very long time). The purl was my nemesis and this way is SO EASY! I feel this is the only way purling should be taught! Thank you very much! ❤

[@lindacornelius3451]

I’ve been a crosshair for a very long time. I am just now watching lots of tutorials getting ready to start making my first sweater and you have helped me with the continental way. I just casted on all my stitches with the long tail cast on and I just learned that so here we go.

[@ellesmithfagan]

So happy to find you here - I mastered the basics of speedknitting and taught it a bit but hen went on to other things and lost skill. I missed my knitting and yet when I got a bit of yarn and my favorite bakelite needles, I was all thumbs in my speedknit purl. By the way - men used to do the knitting - women did the spinning and created the. yarn,

[@jmcw]

Best anti-preamble preamble ever :D

[@tjchervy]

I learned to knit from your earlier videos. This is the only way I knit and I would have to really think to hold my yarn in my right hand. Being able to do this the way you show also really helps when doing cables or other fancy work. I've done a couple sweaters, hats, socks, scarf and mittens. (I like hats the best - though I use a circular needle instead of double pointed ones)

[@severine7753]

Wow mind blowing! I will need to watch this on repeat before mastering it a bite. Thanks

[@olid6601]

YAAAASSSSSS! I needed this in my life and I am grateful.

[@sharoncombs58]

I like your common sense--and realistic approach so much I decided to subscribe to your channel

[@terrijones7279]

I started learning how to knit watching your videos. I've only been knitting for about 3 weeks now, the latest pattern I've picked up is making a cable knit headband.

[@Razanalali3738]

im a new suscriber and i just wanna say your knitting vids really do help , you make it look so easy

[@gaylynyoung6387]

I’m a Lever knitter. I always thought I was an English knitter. I decided to learn Continental because it’s faster. Uh… nope. In fact purling was a pain. Then I saw a video on Irish Cottage Knitting or Lever Knitting to knit faster. I watched it out of curiosity. Wow! It’s the way I knit! (Except for the use of really long needles tucked under the arm - I don’t do that). It’s the way I was taught by my mother when I was a child. I wish I could ask her who taught her. I’ve watched a couple of your videos now and you have a nice pace and good explanations. I’m trying to learn double knitting.

[@Wallie-ragnwall]

Hi RJ love your channel❤️, I just subscribed 👍. Your purls and knits are exactly how i've always knit and I am Norwegian😁.

[@christineborgatti3760]

Great video. I might actually try it, but I do love throwing. My one concern is tension.

[@christenagervais7303]

I was taught to knit Continental by my Danish Mormor when I was 6, 55 years ago. I may try to give your way of purling a go. Although, it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks! 🇨🇦

[@ramonacowman7409]

Thank you for sharing!

[@felixhoover48]

Hello

[@bobbieistutu]

I just found your video thank you soooo much you make the styles look easy!

[@freestyle3016]

In your slow motion of your speed purl I remember it by thinking it’s like an infinity loop. 😂

[@meganellington7008]

I wa t to knit but I didn't know how now I do thank u I am a 6 yr crocheted and love it

[@patrickhart8595]

Great video

[@MsTequilaSheila]

I knit and purl continental. I hold my yarn in my left hand also. When I purl, I hold the yarn in front. It seems so much faster and smoother than Norwegian Purl. I don’t understand why people do it? 🤔

[@RJKnits]

Continental purling? Now I’m intrigued... More research awaits!

[@paintnknitter]

Holding in the front for purling requires the finger to lever the yarn. The Norwegian way puts less stress on the fingers as you keep them close to the needles. This method enabled me to keep knitting.

[@eriickaugusto474]

hahaha me as a left handed knitter/crochet I used to learn to knit by the english style... but I always wanted to learn the continental way. it went too hard... but I learned little by little by knitting from left to the right (instead of purling), I felt like using the left hand for picking the stitches (on continental way), so then I got able to know how to knit in this way. AND now I knit using the continental most of time.

[@eriickaugusto474]

by the way I love the english way, because it feels to peacefully and relaxing. the continental looks like, breathtaking hahaha, left hand just frozen, it hurts a little

[@ryanswango8786]

Love it!

[@MariaNattestad]

I grew up learning to knit this way in Denmark and were initially confused by all the tutorials on KZbin since they were doing it so differently. It's nice to know my method is called Continental. To me it's way easier, and I think it's easier to learn (even after accounting for my bias and muscle memory). Why do all the "knitting for beginners" videos teach the other way at all? RJ, maybe you could make a beginner video using these methods and call it something like "having trouble learning to knit? try this!".

[@tonestorbraten9205]

Yes! Just the way I learned to knit as a child. (Yes, I am Norwegian)

[@martyjunkins]

Hey RJ! Great content and wonderful presentation. I learned the basics 30 years ago then forgot all about knitting until this year. I'm starting out slow but doing ok. At this point I could use guidance on tension. Left uncorrected I am a frightfully tight knitter. It feels right when I'm doing it but I see your style is much more relaxed. What's normal? What should I be doing for tension? Thanks in advance! Keep up the great work.

[@noirpinot]

hi ryan your video tutorials really help a lot!! i like the way you explain, it’s really easy to follow! mind doing some tutorial on color change?

[@RLaraMoore]

I would like to see the regular purl (yarn in right hand), side by side to the Norwegian speed purl (in slow motion) .... ...to see how they both wind up doing the same thing.

[@dauser4]

i feel like the norwegian purl method is just continental with extra step. like in the continental m.the working yarn is in the front, in the norwegian m. you first pick up the yarn and then you stick your needle into the stich. so you basically bring the yarn back to the front amd then purl just like in the continental m. so why bother putting it in the back in the first place? it just seems easier when the yarn is in the front the whole time so you dont have to bring it back with every stich you make.

[@HandKnittingArt4220]

it was amazing, thank you

[@SaraEvelinaLofqvist]

Awesome 👍🏻

[@dawnmontgomery73]

I personally do a combination of throwing and continental knitting. I hold my yarn in my right hand but I don’t “throw” the yarn. I basically create the stitches using the same technique as in continental knitting. Sad part is, as long as I’ve been doing it, I just realized it about 2 weeks ago🤦🏻‍♀️😂I guess it’s my way of speeding up without actually committing to the continental style lol

[@lavenderoh]

It's just a different style, called flicking. I do it too. 🙂

[@dawnmontgomery73]

@@lavenderoh ahh okay, I’ve never heard of that! Cool😊

[@R3APERxG1RLX]

This interesting. I call my knitting caveman style. I hold my needles similar to you, but your purl is making me wonder if I'm doing mine wrong. I hold the yarn in front, insert the needle purl wise, bring the tip over the working yarn and slip the stitch off. Also, I don't know how to push my stitches along so I use my thumb to push on the tip of the needle, which gets uncomfortable. I'm gonna try out your purl. P.S. I'm currently knitting a hoodie variation of your top down sweater! Great instructions. I'm on my first sleeve.

[@betsylatham5023]

With the purling it seems that first movement under the yarn would be better described as putting the yarn in front of the needle (the “normal” position) rather than picking up the yarn or a stitch.

[@hbrownst]

Soooooooo helpful , thanks

[@caseyrussell7395]

Whats the best stitch knitting for a blanket? I literally saw a temperature blanket for everyday of the year. Never knitted a day in my life but i want to take this on next year.

[@joycem.7857]

I love it!

[@felixhoover48]

Hello

[@rebeccalemos454]

How do you control the tension? In the beginner method I learned from your tutorial, controlling the tension is easy as you use both hands, but I am having difficulty controlling the tension after the knit or purl. Suggestions?

[@dobeus8957]

I’m a beginner and I somehow added 10 stitches…I don’t want to lose everything I started because my scarf is already 6 inches…I’m no where near ready for speed but do you have a video on how to correct mistakes?

[@ellenfuller4393]

Hey I started a v neck vest for my husband, knitting in the round. I'm ready to do the arm and neck but I'm lost no pattern to speak of. Can you point out a pattern that I can use in the round? I. Don't have a yarn store.

[@irenew6202]

Have you ever watched Laylock video on how to purl the easy way ..I have never seen anyone do it like that...

[@beadpoet]

Still so gorgeous 😍

[@SatisfayingFact]

Amazing

[@RLaraMoore]

I can't see what's happening on the final, after the twist, motion of the speed purling?

[@erikasallinen]

Always doing norwegian way, was taught to knit so. What i feel with my problem is that the purl is always too loose compared to holding the yarn in left hand. Im still new to knitting so maybe i have the wrong tension or something.

[@erikasallinen]

Sorry i meant *holding yarn in right hand/ throwing yarn.

[@ezekailemaderazo315]

Does he have a tutorial for extending the width of the scarf I made a wrong width and it's done. So plss make a tutorial on how to extend it plss

[@Read_and_Purl]

I could never get used to continental knitting - my tension was never consistent with the yarn on my left hand. So I still hold my yarn in my right hand. However, I learned to flick the yarn from Staci over at VeryPink Knits. Here's the vid where she shows how to flick (kzbin.info/www/bejne/r2aXaIRrfc-Wq9E)

[@RJKnits]

I envy people who can throw/flick fast like this. I’ve never been able to figure it out or get it to feel natural.

[@leekasten3549]

Thank you for this info. I might have to check this out and try it!

[@bonnadowns524]

Love your channel 👌🙏👍🤩

[@kifottesuveg]

Can you show me how to knit a frog? I see it everywhere but none of the videos are clear. 🥺

[@GM-qq1wi]

What about the style of speed knitting used by shetland island knitters who could apparently knit 200 stitches a minute.

[@bbyghostie1044]

I'm having an issue with the purling method here. I can do it, but the stitches end up extremely tight on the right needle. Any ideas why that might be? 😥 Edit: I got the first method just fine. I don't think the stitches I cast on were too tight either 🤔

[@danieallen5609]

Throwing the yarn is a lot easier to teach, even small kids get it. I've taught everyone in my house to knit that way. It may be slower but there is never a dropped stitch and I mean never with anyone I've taught. Friends are always amazed by how simple it really is. With it being slow you get the true construct of the stitch then you can move on to faster methods. Just my theory.

[@RJKnits]

Yep it’s definitely the easier method to both teach and learn.

[@scriptgoddess]

The Purling at 3:30 was so fast, I couldn't actually see what you were doing and it wasn't explained, unfortunately. Continental was WAY more helpful!

[@shirley6074]

That's the Norwegian way to purl

[@shankariab1687]

4:00 knit 9:37 purl

[@chrissiefel.78]

Bucket hats???

[@kristinaburns5825]

I cannot get the understanding how to pull it through I keep pulling the whole thing off the needle

[@kristinaburns5825]

I keep pulling the whole stitches off the needles I'm not sure how you're pulling it through I

[@CMeyer-ut3dd]

This is exactly what I do. I just can’t flick. My fingers don’t work that way.

[@indesrpringles5356]

👌👌

[@abigailjones2408]

I’m making my sister A baby blanket I am 15 and she is due in 7 days I am so close but I need to go faster 😂

[@creativeunit4357]

i am a knitter animator author and guitarist 😂

[@mariajosearboledarizo-patr2159]

this looks alot like crocheting

[@mariajosearboledarizo-patr2159]

in the way you grab the things

[@javon0]

Do you know how to crochet

[@meganellington7008]

I do if u want help I might be able to help I'm 6 year crocheter and am slow but I can help if u want

[@ginnyjohnson6717]

You need to purl slower

[@vozaaa]

Going to fast

[@dinglebat63]

Please shush. Just do the stitch over and over. We'll slow the video down to 'click on' how to do it.

[@itseemee]

norwegian method is WILD

[@Razanalali3738]

great video 👍