39718 The Knitters Bible
6

j | HOLDING THE NEEDLES

GETTfNG STARTED

Not every knitter holds their needles and yam in the same way. The yam can be held in either the right or left hand, the needles can be held from above or below. Try each of the methods described here and work in a way that is most comfortable for you. They are all bound to feel awkward and slow at first.

>/ Knrt Perfect

If you leam both the English and Continental ways of knrtting, you will be abłe to hołd a different cołour yam in each hand which will make fair isle knrtting (see page 37) easier and quicker As you start to knrt you will soon find a way of holding the yam and needles that is right for you. Whether you hołd the yam differently, have it wrapped around morę or less fingers to control the tension or hołd the needles from above or below, as long as the yam flows freely through your fingers and the tension on it is consisterrt, stick to the most comfortable method.

English method

(yarn in the right hand)

Left hand: hołd the needle with the stitches in your left hand with your thumb lying along the needle. your index finger resting on top near the tip and the remaining fingers curled under the needle to support itThe thumb and the index finger control the stitches and the tip of the needle.

Right hand: pass the yam over the index finger under the middle and over the third finger.The yam lies between the nail and the first joint and the index finger 'throws' the yarn around the right-hand needle when knitting. The yam should be able to move freely and is tensioned between the middle and third finger. You can wrap the yam around the little finger if you feel it is too loose and it keeps falling off your fingers. Hołd the empty needle in your right hand with your thumb lying along the needle, your index finger near the tip and the remaining fingers curled under the needle to support rt (see right hand in Continental method).

Some knitters prefer to hołd the end of the right-hand needle under their nght arm. anchoring it firmly.Whilst knitting this needle remains still and the right hand is above the needle and moves the yam around it

Altemative hołd

Left hand: hołd the needle in the same way as shown left.

Right hand: hołd the yam in the fingers the same way as shown left. Hołd the needle like a pen. on top of the hand between thumb and index finger The end of the needle will be above your right arm. in the crook of the elbow. As the fabric grows longer. the thumb will hołd the needle behind the knitting.

Continental method

(yam in the left hand)

Left hand: wrap the yam around your little finger under the middle two fingers and then over the index finger between the nail and the first joint The yam is held taut between the index finger and the needle. Hołd the needle with your thumb lying along the needle. your index finger near the tip and remaining fingers curled under the needle to support itThe thumb and index finger control the stitches. yam and needle tip. Right hand: hołd the empty needle in your right hand with your thumb lying along the needle. index finger resting on top near the tip and remaining fingers curled under the needle to support it The thumb and index finger control the stitches and the needle tip. which hooks the yarn and draws the loop through.