Combination Knitting and 4 Reasons to Try it

[@patriciapaulson3542]

This is how I also have always knitted for 75yrs. My friends at knitting have always told I was doing it “wrong”. Results were the same.

[@courag1]

Patricia Paulson I am interested in how the knitting is done and after having been an English Flicker all my life as that is how my mother knit, not letting go of the needle, I did the same. I learned Continental but never could get my purls in balance with my knits as I could with my English style. But I discovered Combined and my purls were now happy purls. I actually began my interest with making Entrelac and so I did not have to turn the work constantly, I knit backwards, but I didn't change hands with the work, but knitting backwards keeping the yarn in the right hand is the way the Combined stitches work. So I had to learn to do this with my Left hand and so this is how I knit Continental. My English method is not slow as when you Flick you can zoom along but I wanted to be able to knit as fast with the yarn in my left hand so I did what I did knitting backwards and sat in front of a mirror and discovered the way they say you shouldn't do your purls makes the best looking purls. Well, I knit for enjoyment and for it looking good and if other don't like it, that is their choice to not see that the results look great and better than when I try to do it "their way". Perhaps it has something to do with the mechanics of my hands, but it just feels more natural to me. Yes, the knitting police has told me "You are doing it all wrong". This happened in a doctors office. So I asked if the woman was a knitter and then I asked what style she knits, she did not know, just that I was so obviously "wrong". So I knit my English Flicking and asked if that was her style, "NO!", and knit backwards in that and that was not her style either, so I knit Continental and that was not her style either. I did not do English Throwing because it is awkward feeling for me and at the time I did not know how to do Portuguese knitting. I find that one interesting but I do not care to do it for a long period of time and my neck gets "yarn burn" nor wearing a pin and damaging my clothes either. Yes, I agree, that Combined knitting is quite practical. Even if the Knitting Police would like you to just go away. My motto: get more done with fingers that don't get achey.

[@nryane]

@@courag1 Whatever works for you and creates good looking knitting pieces is the “right” way! Knitting police be damned!!!🥸

[@tracyvision]

Who needs more reasons to do combination knitting? That ribbing trick to tighten up the first purl stitch is reason enough! All my future ribbing thanks you.

[@annesinclair3455]

I never knew I used combination knitting! I found that the appearance of the purl stitches is much neater and my tension more even. Thank you for the explanation

[@debullearts]

So happy i found this video for the combination continental purl stich so much easier for me 😅 thank

[@jeannettemurphy940]

Combination knitting is easier for knitting in low light or with vision problems because the direction of the stitch on the needle can be felt easily and a person can knit without looking. This is especially beneficial for me when my husband and I watch TV. I can knit while not only listening to the show but while watching it. It doesn't work as well if there is a pattern to follow but on easier projects, I can literally knit in the dark!

[@thechillydog]

I wish I had thought of that reason when I made this video, because you definitely can feel a difference between the knits and purls, which could make it easier to knit without watching. Happy knitting! 💖

[@JADufault21]

My Grandmother, who was born in Sweden taught me to knit as a child. She taught me to Continental knit and by your video, she taught me to combination knit. Because of this, if my hands are having a good day, I can purl faster than knit.

[@ceuser8144]

My grandmother who is Italian, also taught me to knit this way.

[@ariamahdavi1108]

It is the same in Iran. I think it's so much more difficult to wrap the yarn counterclockwise while purling, because you have to use either the middle or the index finger to control the working yarn. But in the way shown in this video (combination methode), no need to use an extra finger

[@mjmatthews2216]

Yes. I knit like this. I learned from my mother I could never understand why people found purling so difficult b

[@elinastromberg9997]

My grandmother, also from Sweden, taught me how to knit when I was around 8. I found out today that it’s called combination knit what she did. She was left handed (continental) so it was a bit tricky to figure everything out and I ended up twisting my stitches without knowing. Later I switched to ”regular” purl stitching and went with it from there on. I’m so glad to have been reminded of this way of knitting that introduced me to it, I can still vividly picture my grandmother and I sitting by the candlelit table on the evening of Christmas many years ago, her teaching me something that would come to be a significant part of my life.

[@tiner8414]

Its so confusing to me that all these youtubers have a million ways of purling and no one does it like me and all the knitters I know here i Denmark. We knit continental and when purling, take the string, then go opposite into the stich, go around to catch the string again and pull it through. Its fast(er?), we dont have to switch finger or yarn placement and once you learn to do it correctly, it wont loosing the stitch...

[@deja3963]

Looks like I'm not the only person who's been doing this naturally the entire time.

[@laurahill9643]

I'm so glad I'm not the only one.

[@suzieirby2137]

I do this also.

[@jenphillips3212]

Me too, I'm self taught as well

[@louiealbrecht1088]

I was taught to knit when I was seven years old and never did much of it (I found crocheting to be much easier). Then, about twenty years ago, when I was around forty, I decided to give knitting a try again because I was finding such beautiful sock patterns to knit. The only problem was the "weird" way I had learned to knit made it hard to follow instructions in books or learn from other knitters. Turns out that I learned combination knitting as a Continental knitter!

[@millychurbuck6925]

Laura Hill hhj

[@heatherpagefiberfreak4230]

This video explains so much! I'm a self taught, continental knitter and it turns out that I have been combination knitting from the beginning. I always wondered why I have to work twisted stitches differently for them to work out right, I thought that everyone knits this way. I thought it was normal for my knit and purl stitches to sit differently on the needle. I just did what was easier because I never knew it made a difference which way you wrap the yarn. You learn something new everyday!

[@morevaseret]

Me too Heather, I learned to continental knit from Fb and do it just this way.

[@alialovephoto]

Same!

[@AM-xo7lr]

Me too, could never work out why twisted stitches and knit-through-back-loop just didn't work 🤣

[@deleahcortes3027]

I have found there are few people who knit this way we should start a support group. I am in a couple of knitting groups but the instructors dont knit this way so working on a project with the group is a little harder to fallow for me. I end up fiddling with things longer and getting frustrated about it

[@AM-xo7lr]

@@deleahcortes3027 Hi, there is a group on the Ravelry website for combination knitters that discusses all the pros, cons and work-arounds. Combination knitting is ABSOLUTELY the most ergonomically efficient way to create stocking-stitch, but you CAN'T use it for everything, because it doesn't always mount the stitches on the current working row correctly for what you need on the next row, for example in rib stitch: you don't want the stitches oriented differently on the next row because you will be repeating the same knit or purl above the previous one. My approach is to use different techniques to solve different problems, so the ribbing on my sock will be continental Western OR Eastern, and if my hands get tired or I get bored, I will go over to English style. The stocking-stitch foot and sole will be Continental combination knit-through-back-loop, purl-thru-front. It would be great to see a written guide to exactly what combi-knitting can and can't do. Oh well, project no. 6790372!

[@denniefitzgerald7729]

Having crocheted since I was a child, when I learned to knit at the age of 64, I did not realized that crocheting was influencing me to naturally knit using the combination method. (Dyslexia also helped, haha) THANK YOU for clarifying my knitting habits as I though I was doing it wrong. Apparently there is no wrong, almost.

[@beccabbea2511]

If you are doing what suits you then, it’s not wrong. As Elizabeth Zimmerman said "if someone tells you, you are knitting incorrectly, just smile sweetly and carry on." 👍

[@robynreid3027]

Thank you for a fantastic video! You explain so clearly what I have been trying to figure out! Clock or anticlockwise + leading leg...+ Western /Eastern... And then influence on finished product. My hands are getting sore, need to change my method, c so this is exactly what I needed to understand

[@BBMc107]

I have been doing this since my first sweater project. It is important for knitters to learn that “front leg” means the leg closest to your working yarn, not the leg in front of the left needle. Learning to read my yarn in this way has opened my horizons and I teach all my students about this. It also helps to keep the yarn from unspinning or overspinning. I do counterclockwise when my front leg is on the front of the left needle and clockwise when the front leg is in the back of the left needle.(Or when it needs to be un or over spun in the other direction, say between stitch markers or about 25 stitches). This keeps the yarn a consistent density becoming neither too loose nor too tightly spun.

[@camerashycoco]

Oh wow! This is a thing that has been really troubling me. I'm a crocheter, and for the most part I don't encounter this problem except for on Z spun yarns, but I definitely noticed when I was knitting. If I'm not mistaken things got loose. Z spun yarns tighten up when I'm crocheting, so I'm guessing that the... nope, I can't remember exactly how it goes. But I was definitely having either a too-tight problem or a too loose problem. With the yarn. Not the stitches. Well, to be honest, I was having problems with the stitches too but that's an entirely different problem. And when I think that this combination knitting might help. Because my knit stitches were tighter than my purl stitches, not because of the way the yarn was spun but because of the wrapping, I think. This makes sense to me. And if your point of using this method to keep the yarn from unspinning or from spinning too tight actually works, this may fix a bunch of my issues. I wonder if I could adjust this method for crochet and get away with using Z spun yarns!? I'm going to try it.

[@latitude1904]

So true! That's why many people call it the Leading leg and not the Front leg

[@peachesaupear8455]

As someone who tried knitting, found it too hard, then turned to crochet, learning this and continental knitting has been a game changer! Thank you!

[@gregorycruse5800]

Thank you so much for this very helpful tutorial! I am a self-taught male knitter. I depend on people like you so much. Keep the advice coming.

[@cathiapizetta4957]

Oh my! I just found out that I knit a combination knitting! That’s why I have such a hard time following tutorials on Italian bind off! Amazing! You just blew my mind girl! Thank you!

[@Jeanokaz]

Thank you for explaining the difference between Western and Eastern. As well as the difference between the formation of the stitch. Clear and simple.

[@ciannacoleman5125]

It is so much more comfortable to do it this way, I’ve always sone it this way and didn’t know it was a combo. Update: I never learned about twisted stitches till this week so turns out I have to modify my knitting to untwist it. This is what happens when a 9 year old teaches themselves and doesn’t seek out professional tips for 12 years 😩

[@saulemaroussault6343]

The twisting of the purl stitches is fairly obvious when knitting ribbing in the round. You have twisted ribbing of one side and regular on the other side. It doesn’t bother me, so I just knit with twisted purls, they’re on the inside and it doesn’t change the appearance of the front side (in my hands at least). But it’s interesting to learn how to not twist them. And if I want twisted ribbing in the round I just have to knit with the inside facing me !

[@marabanara]

I’m pretty sure I do this too!

[@sherylgambardella7799]

Me too Cianna! - except it's been 50+ years and many hours of trying to figure out what I'm doing 'wrong' trying to follow stitch instructions. Thank you for the vindication and the much needed insight Chilly Dog!

[@nataliepappas5075]

I have always knitted this way and it has been frustrating for me to watch knitting videos because nobody knits this way ...now I stumble across your video and am amazed. Now I understand why I knit the way I do. Thank you.

[@thechillydog]

Combination knitting is definitely not wrong, but in the US, Western knitting is customary. It's the way patterns are written how most tutorials are demonstrated. I understand how that could feel frustrating, though.

[@bshowdream]

Same thing happened here😂😅

[@CR0520]

I knit "English style" for many years and didn't enjoy it. Finally I gave in and tried "Continental" and said Wow! It seemed a lot more comfortable and faster. Then I learned Eastern purling and I use it a lot , as you said, to keep from having big stitches or holes when transitioning. Also I found I really like purling (when it's the whole back, not ribbing) the Portuguese style. It is so much faster, I use it on the "back" side of lace shawls and I fly. It's really great to have a multitude of different ways to work.

[@thechillydog]

I just taught a friend how to purl Portuguese style because she always grumbles about how she hates purling. She was happily stunned because it is so much faster and easier. Happy knitting

[@Sheri77]

Chris Reeske I’m a newbie knitter and knit stitch well continental style, but purling is too awkward, so for a ribbing pattern I have to set the right needle secure in my lap and work more like a lever. In this video it showed her doing the combination in the ribbing, so I’m a little confused as to why some are saying they don’t use it for the ribbing,that it won’t come out right...Is it because they weren’t going in through the knit stitch at the bottom of needle?

[@magicalwren7803]

I purl Portuguese style too when working a large area. It keeps my stitches tighter since I always seem to purl loosely. I do like to purl the way shown in the video as well.

[@suzieirby2137]

Chris Reeske try Norwegian knitting combined with Continental pearling

[@mayruthhenzerling1648]

For 14 years, I've been doing it the hard way! I'm a English knitter. Would like to become an Continental knitter. Self taught myself to knit out of a book! So proud of myself!!!!!!!

[@mikemoore8929]

As a self taught knitter, this video cleared up SOOOOOOOO many questions and gauge/tension/twisted stitch issues I've been having! Thank you!!!

[@jaflady]

The best reason for doing this is understanding how your stitches lie and thus being able to "read" your knitting. Then you can work multi-colors using 1 or 2 colors in each hand and thus knitting both styles at once and creating a firm, balanced fabric with intricate color patterns. It is great for Fair-Isle knitting.

[@guggap57]

Finally I understand my natural knitting method I have used since childhood. It turns out I do the Norwegian method of purling Continental style, with the combination knitting. After watching all kinds of videos on knitting, my firm believe is that it´s the fastest way to knit. Thanks for explaining this for us. :)

[@suelowther5104]

My friends are always amazed at how fast I can finish projects! Combination knitting is my reason

[@whimsymoondesigns]

Wow! I was self taught and this is the way I learned. It definitely made Continental so much easier. But I had a friend tell me that it was incorrect and I have since changed to western style. I’m glad to find out it wasn’t wrong, just different!

[@arlaschmaltz2821]

Thank you!!!! This will definitely solve my issue with the larger stitch at the knit/purl transition in my ribbing. This has been an issue for all my knitting life (some 60 years!) Of all the videos I've watched over the last few years addressing this issue, yours makes the most sense AND it's such an easy thing to do! No tugging, no stretched yarn because of the tugging, just a beautiful rib! Thanks again! Blessings!!!

[@SS2480SS]

I have found the combination knitting so much intuitive and easier but I have always doubted myself because I see no one doing it. So a big thank you for this video.

[@sally0404]

Thank you so much! I thought I was doing it wrong but I just found out I’m a combination knitter!

[@analogstic1972]

Came here to learn a new way of knitting. Realized I already combination knit. Still an interesting video.

[@thechillydog]

If you're already a combination knitter, you may want to check out the companion video, 7 Things every Combination Knitter Should Know, kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIfWYYelhLV3lcU.

[@analogstic1972]

@@thechillydog Thanks for pointing me to that video, very informative

[@mekameka4362]

I've just started practicing continental style knitting. I've been a English western style knitter for years. Ma'am you don't know how much this tutorial means to me. You've opened my eyes to endless possibilities of knitting. Thank you so very much.

[@chelseyummali]

I have been Norwegian Purling for a couple months now so when I started a pair of socks using 9inch inch, I could not NPurl and had to move back to my normal purls. I didn't even realize I was Eastern Purling for the first row (because it very so much more natural) I was wondering why my stitches were twisted and realized I was Eastern Purling and decided to stick with it. I had watched this and your other tips video last year and thought if revisit the video to make sure I was doing everything right and I'm so happy your information I learned last year stuck. Love your videos. I've used them so much this past year while learning to knit.

[@RoamingwithRover]

Wonderful explanation. I was a lefty that taught myself to knit right handed. I am always confused which way to wrap the yarn and now I understand it!!!!

[@nerudh]

I am a continental knitter and this just CHANGED MY LIFE!!!!!! Holy buckets thank you! No more pressing the purl sitich down on anything knitted in the round. When working in the round all sts will constantly be the same! All purls facing one way and knits the other. This is awesome.

[@ingemaumus8442]

Now, I understand my childhood default! And This has untangled so much for me. XX

[@cathymays8746]

Brilliant. Thanks. Been knitting for fifty year and this great information.

[@JustFluffyQuiltingYarnCrafts]

I paused this video to look up so many things - Historian Knits, combination and Irish knitting... You just provided a wealth of information. ♥️🙂 Thank you!

[@thechillydog]

I love that there's always something new to learn about knitting!

[@louiseloaring8486]

I have knitted for 50 years, have just come across combination knitting whilst looking for tips for knitting with lace yarn, I decided to make a whole cardigan using lace weight yarn, the pattern is a 5 stitch moss stitch, followed by 5 stocking stitch, repeated throughout. My tension was so loose, the fabric looked too holey,, having tried combination knitting, it has tightened it up. I am so much happier to continue my project now. Normally my tension is spot on, but this lace weight yarn is something different. Thank you for putting this information out there.

[@judyjones3843]

This is pretty much the way I was taught. Flipping your yarn up and around just seems so cumbersome! No wonder I could never get it before I was taught this method!

[@peachesfireside178]

😊💕You have just made knitting even more enjoyable you explained things that is a true blessing for me❣❣❣I have been doing the combination purl stitch without a problem but the knit stitch I could only knit threw the back if I had done a purl on the previous row I did NOT know it was as simple as how I wrapped my yarn on the knit stitches. I had not ever seen that explained the way you did you made it click in for me. God Bless YOU❣❣❣❣❣❣❣ My husband just had to watch me show him several times see this is how I have been wrapping my yarn and all I had to do is this, can you see what I am showing you, you see this leg is forward in the back now this is sooo amazing and on and on. He even gave me a Kleenex I was so excited. THANK YOU THANK YOU❣💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖

[@thechillydog]

You made my day! I love when people get to experience those "Aha!" moments. Happy knitting! 😘

[@peachesfireside178]

@@thechillydog You have made my knitting life so much better!!! For a couple of months I started to think I would not be able to knit any more at all. Two weeks ago I slowly started to knit again and well long story short because of you I see the light at the end of the tunnel seriously!!! Cables my be on hold for another few weeks though but I'm knitting even more because of this. Everyone that has hand injuries need to know of this method it is SOOO much easier on the hand!

[@ccpperrett7522]

Wow! This is the answer to my tension issues when I purl. Thank you.

[@KissyKitty170]

My American mother-in-law taught me to knit with the American method; however, when I was knitting in the local beauty parlor, the Polish beauticians changed me to the faster European method. I've been knitting that way for years, but I did not realize that I was knitting with the combination method. I'm so happy to have learned it and your video gave me confidence that I was doing it right. Thanks.

[@Mario-xr3jo]

Most Polish knitters knit Russian (sometimes called "Eastern European") method. It's the least complicated and the fastest method.

[@f.a.kam1714]

my mother taught me to knit English style as a child an Ukrainian friend taught to knit this way, she said it is called Russian style. as a crocheter and knitter i find this method easier because i hold the yarn while crocheting and knitting the same way.

[@HeikeWoolard]

It is so much easier to keep better tension on your purl stitches when combination knitting. The knitted piece looks much neater. This is the way I learned to knit/purl a long time ago from my Oma/grandma in Berlin.

[@vashtibandy1614]

Thank you! This made purling so much easier with lever knitting, which is my preferred method!

[@jessiel9754]

I've been knitting western style and when I redo stiches and dome are turned around, I would just knit the yarn behind. But I started learning continental knitting which made me nearly impossible to purl (my fingers seemed a bit short for the technique..), so I purled western style and knitted continental style.. (haha) and avoided ribbing as much as possible.. I'm now glad to know I could do it this way!

[@missgabbyb5460]

This is how I've been knitting all along It comes naturally to me, it just feels right. So now I know the official term for it. So I 👋🏾 am a Combination knitter! 😊

OMG! i've searched a lot for a video like yours which explains the combination style really well. It really cleared up my mind. People always talk about combination style as if it only exists in western way. Thank you so much for clarifying that and telling us we're NOT wrong!

[@littleredd0g]

Wow, I started out as a combination knitter, one day someone told me I wasn't knitting correctly and showed me the "right" way. Since I was self taught I had no idea what I was doing was right for me. Thank you for such a clear and informative video.

[@thechillydog]

You make me smile! I wish more knitters accepted the idea that the "right" way isn't necessarily the ONLY way. It's useful to understand the nuances of different methods and styles because they all have their own advantages and disadvantages. Happy knitting :)

[@carmilmerritt8041]

I WAS SHOWN BY MY MOTHER HOW TO KNIT. I WAS 8 YRS OLD. SHE TAUGHT ME THE WESTERN METHOD OF KNITTING. SHE WAS FROM SCOTLAND. THIS IS SO INFORMATIVE. SO MANY WAYS TO HOLD THE YARN AND WRAPPING IT AROUND THE NEEDLES.👍

[@luisak68]

Omg! I knew I knitted differently. People told me I just did it wrong. But I could never figure out what I was doing differently. But it was the way my mum taught me to knit when I was a about 7. Im a continental knitter & at the same time sister Celestine was making me learn the english style knitting plus crocheting because I was a figidter , I was a very anxious child & couldnt keep my hands still. It was one of the best things, they could have done for me. Its serve me well. I just cant cope with out it. Im mainly a crocheter now simply because I could not figure out what I was doing wrong with my knitting. Recently I discovered I had to change how I do yarn overs, because of my combination knitting. Now that I know what Im doing differently , I can work on correcting some of this muscle memory.. thank you.

[@cathyfield4765]

Thank you, now I understand the difference between east and western styles. This explains that I may be a combination knitter. The thing you really clarified for me is the lead stitches for knit stitches is behind the left needle for the combination.

[@margieknitter995]

It is awesome to know so many of us were doing combination knitting!!! I don’t feel odd knitter out!

[@yagmursude]

My turkish mum taught me combination knitting. I thought everyone did this up until getting back into knitting a few months ago. I could not understand why it looked weird 😅 turns out it’s just a different method and I’m not delulu. Thanks for clearing it up. This video is the best explanation I’ve been able to find ❤

[@cristinalattuada5322]

That’s why my stitches are always facing the other way. I learnt very young from my aunt the eastern continental knitting, I wasn’t sure if I was doing something wrong. Thank you 😊

[@marialuisaponce18]

I didn't know I was doing combination knitting, until until I saw this video, that's when I found out I've been doing combination knitting all my life, and I didn't even know it, until now. thank you, your video was very informative.

[@ingermoll]

Thank you for showing this method. I am a Danish knitter (72) who has always knitted this combination method. I find it is much easier and looks nicer, and I don’t need to look at the work, as I can feel in my fingers if the stich is a knit or purl stich that is twisted. I have learnt the purl method from both my grandmother and mother, both coming from Denmark. Very few use this method in Denmark which is a shame.

[@penelope8980]

Thank you - I've been wondering how to improve the "stretched out" appearance of switching between knit and purl stitches.

[@maryjaneomalley9888]

Thanks for sharing how to make ribbing flawless...I’ve always hated the look on the right and do know about legs ...truly helpful.

[@georgiabutka3770]

WOW! This is amazing and really makes it easier for me to understand as a beginner!. I am a lifelong crocheter.....

[@ThePursuitofperfect]

Thanks. You have a lovely teaching voice and explained this very well. I taught myself continental knitting with KZbin videos but didn't love purling. Instinctively I felt there had to be a better way but wouldn't have been able to work it out given my skill level. So this is a great help.

[@stephkrunic3884]

Thanks for the video. I sort of happened into this style of working last year. It had been years since I'd picked up needles. I didnt have a lot of time for knitting and my old style seemed slow and my hands were getting tense and tired. So I decided to try continental (left hand holding the yarn so I wasnt letting go of the right needle every stitch). It worked well! At first I noticed my new comfy speedy pearl stitches were backwards but figured as long as they were worked with the leading edge it worked out fine. Thanks for putting this together confirming that it really does work out nicely - and for the reminder to CHECK GUAGE! I wouldn't have and just started the next project with the wool that's waiting for summer to end... so Thanks for the video.

[@shayprimrose1678]

I've been a continental knitter for years and this is mind-blowing

[@KEJacques]

i learned to knit from a book and trial and error. this is how i knit lol, i never knew i was doing anything different. but it does explain why my ribbing is always firmer than expected.

[@knitwit5810]

Great video! For decades, I've been a combination knitter and have been told I do it wrong and that my stitches are twisted . . . .yet, my purl stitches untwist the knit stitches! Love this video for the clarity of the explanations and the great visual demo. I also like the explanation of Western vs Eastern . . . I never knew it had to do with how the yarn is wrapped (not which hand you hold the yarn). This has always been a speedy and fun way for me to knit. Purling is so simple and intuitive this way. Again, GREAT video!!!

[@BigglesAboutTown]

This is what I've always done instinctively. I never knew it had a name

[@lesfullerton267]

same, i just always wrap from the outside to the inside

[@FeMkE67]

Same here, I learned this way from my grandma and I’ve seen a few other continental knitters do this as well

[@barbaraboudreau8801]

I thought this is how all continental knitters did it. Learned from my grandmother too.

[@francinekeenleyside3419]

FeMkE67 Me to lol ?

[@kathy3221]

just seems like common sense to me.

[@liloberfluer]

Thank you! I finally know that I am a combination knitter, and why I've never been able to successfully do complicated patterns. My Hungarian mother taught me the very basics when I was about 6, but I was self taught after that. Mind you, she used to loop the yarn over her forefinger and I simply hook it in the first knuckle of my bent middle finger. I've never seen anyone else do that. I am a very fast and neat knitter.

[@liloberfluer]

I can also knit without looking because I can feel which direction the stitch is going.

[@Heathertube2012]

So awesome! This explains so well also solved a mystery I had because I didn't know I was inconsistent in my West vs East motions and never even heard of that. Now I know how to do it correctly and interpret stitches after the fact. Thank you!!!

[@AshleyRay-xk7cq]

Thank you so much for making this video! It definitely cleared up quite a bit for me. I've crocheted for a few years. When I started learning to knit, I went for a continental style because I was used to holding my yarn similarly when crocheting, but I really struggled with the continental purling. Knitting combination has been so much easier, but I've seen people comment that it's " the wrong way ". I'm glad your video cleared those things up!

[@missmaria165]

Wow. Very clear instructions. Thank you. I have always been knitting English style and have recently decided to learn the European style. This just makes so much sense. Thanks for the great video.

[@BugsNRoo]

I've been combination knitting for years. It's so much faster than any other knitting method I have used. I knit continental combination.

[@missmaria165]

I've tried this, it's so much better. Thank you....it's so easy and creates a much better look.

[@MagSanJon]

This is how I taught myself how to knit 45 years ago. Combination knitting helps with dark yarn when it’s hard to tell whether your next stitch on the needle is a purl or a knit.

[@thechillydog]

I had never thought about using combination knitting for dark yarns, but that's genius! Thanks for sharing your tip.

[@smallfootprint2961]

I think I figured out the stance of the stitches and how to fix them, after some little knitting accident, but didn't really know that some people combine the stitches regularly. I'll have to give it a try. Your video is very clear. Thank you.

[@annmcnew2485]

This is how I learned to knit as a child. Grandma called it German style.

[@cindywright2848]

Ann McNew I leaned this way from a Japanese lady.

[@whattheflyingfuck...]

Same here Ann, this is how I learned it in Germany and I was taught to use the left to control the yarn, so there is no flipping and/or pushing it down with the fingertip. It is faster and I don't even have to look at it while knitting.

[@veladarney]

You still work the purl stitches counterclockwise, though, even with "German" style knitting. At least that's how we were taught at school. (Knitter from Germany here - been knitting like that all my life, and while the combination method is explained very well here it just unnecessarily complicates things, at least for me.)

[@jenphillips3212]

What little instruction I got was from a German friend of my mum, I have been combination knitting all my life

[@sgtpepper.6511]

I knit this way as well. The closet I can find to my style is Russian knitting on Instagram. It’s fast and the tension is even. Great patterns available on Instagram.

[@vsavitriyt]

Oh wauw! I used to doing my knitting using the combination. When I moved to the west and using western patterns, I got the feeling that I did it the wrong way, so I adjusted my way of knitting, and was not contented. So I now pick up my crochet instead. Well, I know now that I've been doing okay actually. Thank you for explaining this 👌🌷

[@thechillydog]

Not wrong, just different. 🙂

[@erberry1]

Finally someone explaines what I've been doing and thinking it was wrong. I do always knit into the back of my Twisted knit stitches, but knitting combination is so fast and I will continue to do it now knowing it is totally smart. Thank you again so much for defining this method.

[@bekesize]

Thanks for a thorough explanation with clear visuals!

[@DebbyRoad]

Thank you so much for this CLEAR explanation!!! Just tried it for the first time and oh what a difference, it’s so much easier and smoother. I’m going to practice this. This is the purl-solution!!! 👏🏽🥳🥰

[@krikeles]

Thanks Chilly Dog, this was an exceptionally clear explanation of Eastern and Western wrapping. I'm a self-taught Continental-combination knitter who settled on this method because it feels the most ergonomic. Interesting to learn that it can effect gauge, although I might not want to change my style just to get to gauge.

[@rebeccahard2006]

I am taking the TKGA Taming Tension Course in preparation to take the Master Hand Knitter Course and, though I didn't realize it, I have tension problems. Turns out that combination knitting gives me more uniform stitches with less gutters. Thank you for these videos about combination knitting. They are the best explanations and clearest instructions.

[@thechillydog]

I've heard good things about TKGA's master hand knitter class. Best of luck and happy knitting! 💖

[@a.b.5634]

How cool, never thought there was a theory behind this,and it actually had a name. I've been knitting like this without ever thinking about it.

[@100Diamonds10]

Wow! I'm a combination knitter! with a Continental style. Sharing with my sister so she will understand how I knit. Thank you!

[@marym2912]

I also was doing combination knitting until I started knitting lace and textured stitches. I had to retrain myself to wrap the standard way to make sense of the increases and decreases without all the slipping to reorient stitches on the needles. I returned to using combination knitting for stockinette as it makes my purl rows the same tension as the knit rows, plus is much faster. Great video and explanation.

[@stefaniestaniak4329]

Very interesting. I’m not sure that getting into the “habit” of combining the two types of stitches would be easy, but I do like how it looks. This would be one to practice. Thank you, great tutorial.

[@whattheflyingfuck...]

Use the left hand to control the yarn and it will be even easier once you get the habit of it.

[@stefaniestaniak4329]

It works, I like it and I’m even knitting a bit faster. Thanks again.

[@rrmother3748]

I had no idea that this is what I was instinctively doing as a Continental knitter. Explains why so many of my stitches ended up twisted. Would love another in depth video on what you can use combo knitting for and what you CAN'T! Thank you so much!

[@thechillydog]

Hi Peggy - Great idea! Make sure you are subscribed to my channel because I am currently working on follow up video for this topic (tentatively January 2020). Happy knitting. ❤

[@northerngail0385]

Enlightening video! I am a combination knitter--naturally, I guess. Learned knitting as a child as soon as my grandmother was certain I was old enough to use knitting needles and not poke my eye out. She taught me knitting English style but I have always done the clockwise and counterclockwise knit/purl stitches and thought it was just due to being right-handed. KZbin and the internet are wonderful tools for needleworkers.

[@anidubidumdum]

Ive been doing this combination knitting unknowingly for years! Hah! It makes so much sense when you explain it 😍😍😍

[@theclageraghty1]

I worked really hard to train myself out of this. Great to know it's OK to do what comes naturally!

[@kaaatjeful]

This is how I allways did it. Feels the most natural, east meets west.

[@dorothywilliams8160]

Thank you for this video.. I was a Western knitter. Now after 40+ years knitting I have converted. I am a combination knitter when combination knitting makes sense - in ribbing and to adjust my tension slightly and will probably use it more as time passes. I really appreciate your explanation.

[@JamileSm]

Wow, good to know there is a name for it. I was going this instinctively. Then I changed to knit the correct way, and my knitting became all loosie goosey. I can go back to doing this, knowing it is not wrong.

[@abittwisted]

Interesting concept. I have been trying continental knitting and found I just naturally did exactly what you did for a purl stitch.

[@pixienyx]

Super helpful! I've been knitting self taught for years and I was today years old when I found out that combo knitting isn't the most common way. Really good to know I can do it either way based on what I need.

[@terriem3922]

After watching 3 different sources for how to make stitches, I finally understand. Wrap around the leading leg. Well, I will watch a few more times! Norwegian, Russian, German, English... I think I was doing Russian, but kept getting twisted stitches. I do like the combination for ribbing.

[@laureng7104]

I just can't believe how much this has improved my knitting technique! I am working on a pair of 2x2 rib, fold over socks, and this technique combined with the Norwegian cast on method from your other video has taken my knitting to a whole new level. I really want to thank you for creating this KZbin Channel. It is quickly becoming my go-to site for knitting instruction. Your videos are well done and very easy to follow.

[@lesrambel]

I have always knitted the way that you are teaching. Interesting.

[@indyw3458]

I’m so pleased to see this video. My gauge is sometimes off when knitting hats. Now, I’m going to incorporate combination knitting in my rib work and hopefully this will rectify the problem and give me better results. Thank you for sharing these techniques.

[@JeanannO]

I was a crocheted before I learned how to knit. I love doing both but I prefer crochet. This is the main reason I continental knit or eastern knit. I never realized all of that with the way the stitches sit on the needle. I have to try this. Thanks for a great video!

[@camille6346]

I used combination knitting for sweaters I made for my granddaughters, and they did turn out to be very nice! Had difficulty with decrease and increase until I caught on. Thank you.

[@zoedoodle]

This is very helpful and I am excited to try it. I have never seen this before and I've watched a lot of knitting vids 😀. I'm a loose continental knitter and I've been really struggling with gauge. I love continental but have been told that if I go back to English style, my gauge will tighten up. With experimentation, I can see that this is true. However, I don't have any fun knitting English style 😔. And my stitches are now too tight which slows my knitting down because stitches don't move well along on the needles. I have tried to learn flicking but my index finger just won't remain straight so the yarn continually slips off. Also, I have arthritic hands that just don't hang on to the yarn. With your combination knitting, I'm hoping that I can tighten up my continental style knitting without the frustration! Thank you so very much!

[@DragonBeaux]

Your tutorial is very well done. It was detailed and easy to understand. I’m a self taught knitter and I’m trying to learn more about how the stitches work in Knitting. Thank you. You have cleared up some of my confusion. 👍🏻👏🏻😊

[@canelifylmaz389]

this was very enlightening! i have just switched to continental knitting, i got really fast with knits but the i purls were just not happening. so i was looking for different ways to hold the yarn in continental purls, then i stumbled upon your video. purling cw on the back and ktbl on the right side literally solved all of my problems, thank you very much!

[@debsievert4766]

Reason #4 is for me!! I’ve always hated that loose edge on the rib that I’ve knit! Thank you!