knit like the Japanese do.....continental style.
Since becoming slightly obsessed with knitting and crocheting last year, I have started hearing a clicking sound coming from my wrist and sometimes elbow (is this possible?) when I am knitting and also when I am not knitting and it is beginning to worry me. Of course I realize that there are probably some exercises that I can do, but a couple of days ago while knitting a few rounds of the Stripes Go Round top from IK, I decided to teach myself how to knit continental. I've finally got the hang of it, and I love the minimal hand movement required. I do find it harder to maintain constant tension, but I'm assuming that'll come with time. There is a great article about why you should learn both methods at Fuzzy Galore.
I am going to keep up continental style for a while until it really feels natural. I am glad though, that I have found a way to possibly ease the strain on my right wrist. I do NOT want RSI before I turn 30. I've been a bit slack about posting knitting photos of late, so I am going to try and catch up over the weekend.
My goals are:
* to finish Carla from 'It's a Tape Thing'
* and then to post some knitting photos on Pinku
Yes, they'll do as my goals for the weekend. Don't want to set the bar too high!!!! It is the weekend after all. To finish off, here's a fun photo for the weekend!!! Found it on some random Japanese website!!!
So, who wants to knit the ski mask??? or balaclava (in Australian!!!)
the ski mask is FRIGHTENING. Seriously. I might have to make it, just to say I did.... :)
Posted by: Rachael | June 25, 2004 at 09:53 PM
kat - did u see this article from the SMH this week - http://www.smh.com.au/text/articles/2004/06/22/1087844944455.html ??
Posted by: nicole | June 25, 2004 at 11:30 PM
I really like continental knitting, but I learned in the middle of knitting some projects and didn't want my gauge to change (and it really did.) Now that I am past those projects, I still haven't gotten back into experimenting with Continental. I will have to remember that after I finish my current projects.
The balaclava is scary. Can you imagine it in Noro stripes or an eyelash-y yarn? Tell everyone it's the latest style. hehe
Posted by: Jenn | June 26, 2004 at 12:17 AM
since i'm just beginning knitting, i'm learning continental. my mom tried to teach me the english style but i found that anchoring the knitting needle under my arm was awkward and then my other needle would fly about in the air (not good for the subway as someone was bound to lose an eye). besides that, i have also found that my left hand is pretty much useless in all things (i can't play the piano) and i wanted to whip my left hand into shape by teaching it something! the "knitting for dummies" book is really good for teaching both styles. i'm currently just refining the two basic techniques of knitting and purling so i have a long way to go! thanks for the inspiration kat!
Posted by: gleek | June 26, 2004 at 01:39 AM
I noticed that they knit continental style... I have been watching the new live action Sailormoon (yes.. well.. it's a cute show) and they were actually having to knit for home ec! I'm so jealous. But yes, I noticed they were doing it continental. I've tried it a bit - I find purling much harder than knitting, and even the knitting takes some getting used to. I'd like to try now but I've started this sweater the other way and I don't want to mess up my gauge/tension.
Good luck with it! Ganbatte!
Posted by: Julie | June 26, 2004 at 11:34 PM
# 59 is freaky...I like it LOL! I think I might need that for the brutal weather here in Omaha, Nebraska!
Posted by: empress | June 27, 2004 at 01:41 PM
Hey does anyone know a good website with instructions on how to knit continental style?? I would like to learn :)
xxx
Posted by: Lucy | June 28, 2004 at 11:06 AM
Good lord, that mask is scary! How are you supposed to breathe? I'm going to have nightmares about being chased by a psychotic, masked Japanese woman...
Posted by: alison | June 29, 2004 at 01:27 PM
yeah, HAD to post that picture - I really couldn't believe it when I saw it. Very frightening indeed.
Lucy, I am not sure of any websites that detail how to knit continental - probably the best way is to get a good book (Deb Stoller's SNB has pretty good continental knitting instructions). It's really all about how you hold the yarn. It has been stuffing up my tension on my current project, but I'm just going to keep battling on for the sake of my wrist!!!
Posted by: kat | June 29, 2004 at 02:18 PM
I'm trying to find information about the history of crocheting in Japanese culture. I am trying to write a paper about crocheting in differen cultures!! Can you help me?
Posted by: Tanarra Harris | October 06, 2004 at 04:44 AM
I need to know about crocheting in Japan!!!!!!
Posted by: Tanarra Harris | October 21, 2004 at 01:00 AM
Just scanning your most interesting page and came across the ski mask...believe it or not it's EXACTLY what I've been looking for per request of my husband's 77 yr old aunt (we live in New England!). I just told her I had no luck in finding one with just slits for eyes AND all I could picture was knitting it in black and having her look like a bank robber! ANY CHANCE you would have this pattern to share? Aunt Helen would be forever grateful and I would certainly move to the top of her list!!
Posted by: Mary Ellen | January 10, 2005 at 03:21 PM