I Compared Continental & English Knitting To Find Out Which One Is Faster

I knit a pair of socks to find out which knitting style is faster. One sock was knit entirely in continental, and the other in english. I also used a timer to make sure I got the most accurate results.
Watch to the end to find out what my conclusions were. Let me know in the comments what your knitting style is and why it works for you!
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[@hannab.6310]

I think continental is faster, simply bc there is no extra throw movement and the microseconds add up. At the same time, it's purely dependent on your experience and confidence with the technique, if you have more with one style it will definitely show in the pace. So if you are equally confident my bet is on continental.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Great response, thanks for commenting and sharing your thoughts!

[@jujubees]

The title should be "to find out which is faster FOR ME". If I did the test, continental would win hands down.

[@dschaffin]

My German mother taught me to knit English style. I never knew there was another way until I met a woman from England who knitted continental style. Amusing. I only use continental to do color work. I think more important than speed is tensioning. I find it more difficult to maintain an even tension in continental. That being said, the way that most continental knitters describe English knitting is also inaccurate. It’s much more fluid, especially for purl stitches. I’ve never understood why it was an issue really. I’m pretty fast and my hands have never bothered me ever. I’m 67 and have been knitting since I was 10. Continental knitters seem to want to convert everyone and I’m much too old at this point. 😁

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Yes, I think both knitting styles are perfectly fine the way they are. I don't necessarily view one style as more superior. Both have their pros and cons. However, that being said, I think a lot of people achieve quicker results/success with continental which may be why they believe it's the better technique. Personally, I think the best technique is the one you feel most comfortable with! Thanks for commenting! :)

[@wetb1anket]

I have learnt English style first and continental later so I still struggle with it some times. I guess speed depends on which method one is used to rather than the method itself. Love your videos(and your spooky nails)!

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Oh thank you :) Thanks for commenting!

[@stickwithitknitandcrochet]

This was an interesting experiment. I can knit both ways but continental is my usual method because I learned that way first. I like it for ribbing especially. Thanks for sharing your findings. :)

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Thanks for watching!

[@rachelroot2913]

Missing your content, hope you are well. 2023 has turned into the year of knitting consistently for me, made 3 items already and finally started on my first hat. Your videos are always inspiring.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Oh thanks so much. I'm still working on projects and filming as I go. Please continue to stay tuned :)

[@heatherstiara8033]

I knit continental on accident. I learned to crochet first. And when I learned to knit, I simply held the yarn in my left hand because it made more sense. I honestly can’t wrap my head around English style knitting. It hurts my brain to think about it. So backward from most knitters.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Oh wow, thats an interesting story! I can see why it felt more intuitive to hold the yarn in your left hand because of your crochet experience. I always though continental would be the knitting technique for me because I'm left handed. It always felt like 'more work' though. Probably because my hands didn't feel natural, if that makes sense LOL Thanks for sharing :)

[@yvonneparish6007]

I've not tried continental style before it looks complicated. My grandmother taught me to knit what appears to be English style but during the throwing part of the stitch we don't let go of the needle.. she was super fast with the most consistent tension. Great video thanks 🙂

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Thanks for commenting! Glad you enjoyed :)

[@dauser4]

that could be flicking

[@ptty44]

I like to knit English style for most things, but for ribbing I knit continental as i find it easier and it keeps my mind engaged. I used to hate knitting 1x1 rib English style and I would get bored really quickly, but by doing continental just for those parts of a jumper or sock I found I am quicker and enjoy the process more. Not sure if this is just my little quirk, or if this is quite common with knitters in general? Anyway I just wanted to say that I really enjoy your videos and rewatch them quite a lot when I knit. They are lovely quiet moments of joy and also very motivational. They keep teaching me to be patient and to persevere if you want to knit a garment you will love for years to come. Thank you ver much.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Oh, thank you so much! I'm so glad you enjoy my videos :)

[@sherryedwards9571]

Great video!! And a comfy pair of socks to boot. I prefer to knit English style. I have tried continental for the sake of knitting faster, but just didn’t feel comfortable doing it. So I continue to happily knit English style.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Thanks so much. Thats exactly why I learned continental too, but I soon realized I knit faster in English style. Thanks for commenting :)

[@MadiMadeCrafts]

I loved the video so much! I learned to knit English but then started continental because I knitted too tight and it made my hands sore when I would knit English style. But I would definitely say that it depends on the one you most comfortable with is the best method! Also what pattern did you use for the socks? They are so pretty!

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Thanks so much for commenting! I just found a basic sock pattern on ravelry.com

[@alicenora13fwb]

i’m also looking to learning continental as all my knitters have proven to be too tight 😢

[@Enig_Mata]

I guessed right. Even though continental is faster for many, your primary style is English and you're rather fast with it. I guessed that the ribbing in continental may slow you down or the heel area. Either way, what a lovely output after 8 hours of knitting.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Correct! Your assessment is exactly on point with my experience. Thanks so much for watching :) ps. sorry for the late reply!

[@welshcatitude4167]

well that shocked me i was always told english is slower 🤷‍♀ i learn to do english 35 years ago so i don't think i could change

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

I think most people will find my result surprising because it goes against what so many believe. That being said, continental is considered the faster method because it's more efficient. However, we cannot factor out how natural a technique feels over the other. I hope you enjoyed and thanks for commenting!

[@barbaraearle4194]

I believe that a person will always be more proficient in the style they learn first. Also, I've never seen anyone knit continental holding their left index finger so close to the needles.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

I've seen some tutorials where people say they learned continental after learning english knitting, and eventually it became their dominant style because they can knit faster & have better tension. I think a lot of it depends on how natural it feels :) And yes, I have a weird way of holding my finger to the needle when knitting continental!

[@thereselegault7217]

It's the Norwegian way of holding the yarn. If you watch Arne and Carlos, it is explained very well.

[@MightyMeg]

English was easy for me to learn bc i learned crochet first. Even though Continental is typically the fastest, I find my clumsy fingers keep dropping the yarn and my tension is waaaaay too loose

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

It sounds to me that English may be your dominant style then!

[@maevemcintyre6817]

what pattern are you using? they look so cosy! 😍

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Oh thank you! I used a pattern I found on ravelry. I just searched for basic sock pattern. Unfortunately, I can't find that exact pattern at the moment. Hope this helps though!

[@rachelraye285]

For purling and color work, continental is faster for me. My finger tends to go up so my speed is a little slower whereas I flick rather then throw for English style. I am coming around to the thinking it is about the pleasure of knitting rather than the speed. Although I want to do all 900 projects I have located😂

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

It's definitely more about the pleasure of knitting! Speed comes in handy though - especially for larger projects. Thanks for commenting and sharing your thoughts :)

[@paulaa6976]

I've been watching english knitters and on the time they knit one stitch I knit two to three continental stitches, so it's faster when you're used to it 😊👍🧶

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Wow, that is super fast! I do think continental is more efficient, but it feels a little more awkward for me. I think that really affected my time. In the end though, it's not about speed. Sounds so cliche, but it's about the process! Thanks for watching :)

[@dostagirl9551]

I think continental is overall faster, but it depends on the knitter and what they are most comfortable with. Continental is draggy for me as I’m just not comfortable with it. I knit English and am a flicker. My right hand never lets go of the needle and the yarn is wrapped with a quick extension of my index finger.

[@jizzypuff]

This is exactly how I knit, I feel like everyone thinks English is slow because they think the only way to wrap the yarn is to let go of the needle and wrap.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Yes, continental is more efficient, but speed truly does depend on how comfortable you are with each knitting technique. Thanks so much for commenting :)

[@greenelephant6539]

I crocheted first. English style was hell for me; I couldn't get tension and everything was a mess. My mom showed me a video about continental style from Chandi at Expression Fiber Arts and it all worked so much better! I could hold tension just as I do for crocheting and there were additional videos focusing on each stitch type. Continental will likely be my forever faster go-to bc with English I will pretty much have a rat's nest of nothing.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

My experience was opposite LOL It took a while for me to get use to continental. I find I knit a little more loosely with continental, and I really have to focus on tension which tends to slow me down. Plus it feels a little more awkward compared to English knitting. Both styles are great though. To each their own :) Thanks for commenting!

[@MiaDholl]

Can you share the sock pattern and size needles used? Thank you:)

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Hi MiaDholl, I tried searching for the sock pattern on Ravely, but I can't seem to find it anymore. I searched for 'basic sock pattern'. I'm sure you can find a pattern similar to the one I used in the video as it was just a very simple beginner friendly pattern. As for the needle sizes, I have linked the details in my description :) ps. sorry for the late reply!

[@MiaDholl]

@@ToTheKnitPoint Thank you, Love your videos😊.

[@kupferknochen]

Prediction before watching: Continental will be faster (am biased because I use it haha, but I always felt the English method looks like it requires a lot more hand movement) Edit: ahh well looks like I was wrong xD I do agree that it's an individual preference thing though, would be interesting to do an experiment with lots of knitters and get an average. Great video!

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Thats a good idea for an experiment! Thanks for the prediction :)

[@DieAlteistwiederda]

I also think that you either need to use a total beginner for this experiment that doesn't have a preference yet or get a bunch of knitters together to get an average. Otherwise you'll never get an unbiased answer.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

@@DieAlteistwiederda Agree. This video was only based off my own personal results.

[@mangaluver2010]

I'll be honest, I think it's really up to the creator how fast they are with each style. For instance I've seen English style knitters who can knit 100 stitches a minute, and I've footage of the old Icelandic knitters could knit over 200 stitches a minute using continental. Myself personally, I learned English style and just recently switched over to continental. I found continental was faster for me personally, but that's because I spent many years crocheting before I picked knitting back up, so it is simply more efficient and comfortable to hold my yarn continental. That being said, what you say is true, if you master your craft using the style you are most comfortable with, you'll be faster no matter what.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

I totally agree with you! Thanks for commenting and hope you enjoyed watching :)

[@dschaffin]

Maybe the key is that you also crochet. I know how, but just don’t find anything I need to crochet. I’ll stick with the English. It’s served me well. Interesting about the speed knitters. It would certainly matter if you made your living this way.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

@@dschaffin I can only do a simple crochet chain LOL and I only use it for tubular cast on! I personally like English knitting more as well :)

[@tinkyscraftcorner6434]

Continental knitting

[@sarahrudd4995]

I wonder if the difference is because one is your dominant style and therefore better into muscle memory.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

I do think this is a factor to consider when it comes to knitting speed

[@sharontabor7718]

It doesn't matter. I learned English - but I flick, I don't throw. It took me 3 years to become confortable with Continential. I make fewer mistakes with English but tend to drop stitches with continential. I can't knit with dps continential style. Its six of one, a half dozen of the other.

[@francescaaaaaaaaaaaa]

I am right handed. For some reasons I can never do continental knitting. I've tried but just coulnd't. So I knit the English style! Btw I love ur videos! You amazed me with the Icelandic sweater and you're so amazing! I can't wait for more videos!😀

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Thanks so much for staying tuned :)

[@Michaelalalala07]

I absolutely love your videos especially when you talk in them. Your voice is so relaxing and soothing and I love to knit along with you.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Oh thank you

[@Attirbful]

I would think continental is definitely faster and more easy on the hand joints… However, I, when continental knitting, hold my thread not as close to the needles as you do. I stick out my left forefinger over which I sling the thread twice to control it better… THat way, I do not have to pay close attention to where I pick the thread and have easy control and am very fast paced. I don’t even have to look at what I’m doing. I can knit while watching TV or something else…

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

I think everyone has their own style of knitting continental. I knit very close handed. It’s actually a lot easier for me this way. Thanks for commenting!

[@Attirbful]

@@ToTheKnitPoint I would cramp up knitting that close, for sure. But then again, I would go bonkers having the thread on the right hand, too. Can’t - for the life of me - get myself to knit that way. My brain simply does not compute. So, yes, I guess one is always - more or less - stuck with the way one has learned to knit…

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

Lol yes, I’m stuck knitting contentinental like this @@Attirbful

[@kiknadzeknits]

It completely depends on the knitter. In my eyes, you knit continental wrong, that's why it takes you so much time. I can knit both ways, but continental is just faster and easier on my joints. If you want to knit faster, extend the point finger of your left hand and only work with the right needle. It makes it much faster and literally flies off the needles. That is also how I have been knitting for many years.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

I agree that it depends on the knitter to choose the knitting technique that works best for them. As for my continental knitting style, I'm not too sure what you mean by wrong. I think it must look 'wrong' because my left index finger is held so closely to the needle, whereas most people extend further away, like how you described. I've definitely tried knitting that way, but my tension was too loose and it felt very awkward. So I adjusted by positioning my left pointer finger closer to the needle and it made a huge difference! I hold my yarn and needle this way because it feels most comfortable to me. The motions are still the same. Hope this clears things up, sorry for writing a novel!

[@kiknadzeknits]

@@ToTheKnitPoint @To The Knit Point You can also knit with the "closed hand", but it's not really for someone who's just learning continental or does not have much experience with it. Although, if you wanted to give it a try, the "open hand" continental might be more suitable for you. The tension can be regulated by holding your yarn between your pinky and ring finger too. I can see you wrap the yarn around your middle finger and maybe that's what's making the tension lose. There is ton of tutorials on here how to knit continental. And the rest is just practice. Also, it feels like a lot of right handed people choose the English style as their right hand is dominant whilst with continental, you have to use the left one. Sorry if my comment offended you. Also, this theme is too subjective to be judged on neutral grounds.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

@@kiknadzeknits I'm not offended at all, and I hope you're not too. I'm just replying to your comment. I've tried open handed continental, wrapping the yarn differently - pretty much everything to figure out what felt best for my hands. The way I'm knitting continental in the video is definitely the way that feels most comfortable, despite it looking awkward to others LOL At one point, I did think continental would work best for me because I'm left handed, which is one of the reasons why I taught myself. Of course, it didn't turn out as I thought! English is more for me :) Thanks for the comment

[@scifigrl23]

You intentionally knitted slower in continental style. There is no comparison here. You cannot name a world record holder for knitting who uses English style. They use continental for a reason.

[@dillydallydollo]

Look up Hazel Tindall.

[@ToTheKnitPoint]

I knit each sock at my regular pace. It's not that I wanted one style to win over the other. I think both knitting styles are perfectly fine the way they are. I was simply curious to see my own personal results and wanted to share it.

[@scifigrl23]

@@dillydallydollo Miriam Tegels is the world record holder.