If I were to pick one question I like to ask fellow or beginning crafters (and I do, quite frequently), that question would be, "which way do you knit?"
Now, this tends to be dangerous ground. This is the Republican vs. Democrat, Lutheran vs. Calvinist, Union vs. Confederate argument of the knitting world. Everybody has their different way, and this is mine:
I knit continental. I learned to knit English back when I was maybe 6 or 7 from my Granny, and did not stick with it. I lost the knack, and when I decided to pick it up again, I just couldn't get my fingers to work that way. My mom and I went online and watched knitting videos, and decided to try the continental way. We figured it out, and that's the way I've done it since.
One thing several people have observed to me is that continental knitting and crocheting are very similar. The yarn goes over your left hand.
The other thing to observe is that when reading, we are taught to go from left to right. When knitting continental, your yarn is on your left, and you are working the yarn to your right. It is, for me, a very natural flow of things.
English, however, is the style of knitting you are more likely to be taught if you learn from your grandmother. It is the older style, and thus the more established form. Asking an older woman to knit continental would be like asking a Italian to read Spanish. They might be able to do it, but it isn't as comfortable, and that's fine, that's what they are accustomed to.
For those who are beginners, though, perhaps continental is the way to go. I bear no ill will those who knit differently than I, but found that continental was helpful to me, and wanted to make sure I afforded those who are interested in learning the same opportunity. ♥
