Learn to knit in the Continental Style with the working yarn held in the left hand. Many knitters find this method much quicker than the style where the working yarn is held in the right hand.
Knit (Continental Style)
Category: Video Lessons
Knit Purl Hunter video lessons are listed below in alphabetical order. Just click on the post title to view the video.
Knit Below
Often referred to as the knit one below, this stitch is executed by knitting into a stitch one or more rows below the stitch on the left hand needle. The knit below stitch will safely unravel a stitch to create texture and is the foundation of brioche knitting.
Knit Through the Back Loop (ktbl)
Knitting through the back loop of a stitch on the left hand needle will twist, or reorient, the stitch as it moves onto the right hand needle. Knitting through the back loop can twist a stitch to make it firmer or untwist a stitch that has been incorrectly seated on the needle. It is also used to create some interesting stitch patterns.
Knitted Cast On
I love the knitted cast on for several reasons. First of all, it is how my grandmother taught me to cast on when I was a young girl and I can still see her steady hands guiding me through the process. I’m sure she chose this method because it is an easy cast on for beginners since it mimics the knit stitch. Secondly, unlike the long tail cast on, it requires no calculation of the tail length making it perfect for projects requiring many stitches. It is a loose cast making it suitable for afghans or scarves. I also use it when making a hemmed picot edge because the loopy edge makes for easy hemming.
Give this cast on a try and maybe you can pass along your love of knitting to the next generation!
Knitting Backwards (mirror knitting)
This handy trick replaces the wrong side purl row in flat knitting thus eliminating the need to turn the work. A huge timesaver in bobbles and entrelac!
Knot Stitch
Add a beautiful textured appearance to your knitting with this simple stitch. P2tog leaving the stitches on the left hand needle. Now, work a k2tog into the same two stitches and remove from the left hand needle.
The knot stitch is worked over an even number of stitches. Although there are two decreases, the stitch count remains constant because each pair of stitches is worked twice.
Left Twist
The left twist is a bit trickier to execute than its counterpart the right twist, but these two stitches open the door to many design possibilities. There are several ways to create that finicky left twist, but I demonstrate the simplest in this video. Give it a whirl and enjoy all the new stitch opportunities!
Left Twist – Mirror Image to Right Twist
Create a beautiful mirror image to the right twist with this method. It is so nice you will want to use it even without a paired right twist.