Learn The Knit Stitch Continental Style [FREE Knitting Tutorial]

There are two basic stitches that form the basis for thousands of stitch patterns in knitting. The two stitches are the Knit Stitch and the Purl Stitch.  Furthermore, in Western knitting, there are two main knitting styles in use: Continental Style and English Style.

In fact, there are a number of differences between the two knitting styles. The main one being how you hold your yarn.

In the Knit Stitch Continental Style, you hold the yarn in your left hand. Conversely, in the English Style, you hold the yarn in your right hand.

You might be wondering which style you should go for. We recommend that you experiment with both styles before you decide on the one that you feel most comfortable with.

The knit stitch is normally abbreviated with just a “k” in knitting patterns.

Starting with the Continental Knit Stitch

The knit stitch is usually the first stitch any knitter learns. So, in this knitting tutorial, you will learn how to make the Continental Knit Stitch.

As you learn more about knitting, you will find that there are many variations of the Continental Style, just like there are many variations of the English Style.

We cannot cover all these variations here, so we have opted for the most common one in this tutorial.

Before you can start knitting, you will need to cast on some stitches. So, we recommend that you check out these tutorials before you start:

• Making a Slip Knot
• Learn How to Do The Slingshot Position
• Learn How to Do A Long-Tail Cast On

Step-by-Step Knit Stitch Continental Style Tutorial

Begin by gripping the working yarn between your left index and middle fingers.

 

TIP: To keep a firm hold while working with slippery types of yarn (ex. silk, cotton, linen, rayon), you may also grip the working yarn between your ring and pinky fingers.

While keeping the grip on they yarn, turn your left hand around as you grab the knitting needle with the cast-on stitches on it. Hold the empty needle in your right hand. Make sure you hold the yarn taut behind the left needle.

 

 

Slip the right-hand needle in between the first and second stitches, going from the left to the right creating an ‘X’ figure with the right-hand needle underneath the left-hand needle. The needle should go behind the yarn.

Rotate the tip of the right-hand needle downwards and under the working yarn, picking it up from your left index finger. In effect, you are using the right-hand needle as a “hook”.

Pull the working yarn through the stitch.

Slip the cast-on stitch off the left-hand needle.

Repeat all the steps until all stitches are transferred from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle.