I’ve been knitting “continental” for two years now I guess. I just taught myself and didn’t follow any videos. I have always just used my index finger and not my middle finger at all. Is it wrong to do this. I mean, would my knitting be improved if I relearned (aargh). It seems to looks alright except that my first purl stitch on ribbing always seems loose to me. Did I mention my struggle with perfectionism?
I appreciate all the input you guys offer and I’d just like your ideas. Thanks.
My MIL taught me the basic knit and purl stitches English stlye, and i had huge ladders between my knits and purls. When I switched to continental (which I like so much better) the problem got better. I’ve found that for me the best way to purl is the combined stlye (shown in one of Amy’s videos). I have to work some decreases differently, but the purling goes lots faster and the tension is almost the same as with my knits.
If it works for you it can’t be wrong.
There is no right or wrong. Do what works for you! 
Go look on youtube at all the knitting videos - people knit all different ways!
I, personally, only use my index finger, too, and it’s working good so far (a whole month - BUT, a bunch of dishclothes, a boa, a scarf and three hats later I think I’m doing alright!)
If you’re wrong, so am I. If it works, it’s all good!
Phew!
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it. 
Carrie,
If you knit continental and purl combined don’t you end up twisting your stitches?
I used to knit combined (I didn’t know that at the time – it was just the way I learned) and when I watched some friends knitting English I changed my knit stitch from back to front but left my purl stitch the way I always did it (combined) This resulted in a twisted stitch. I had to either knit all combined or all continental.
You might want to check and see if the same thing is happening to you.
Just a thought.
Susan
Carrie,
I taught myself to knit Continental style, too. And I always use my index finger when I purl. Never any problems, either.
And yes, Susan, I did twist my purls for several years. Then I realized that it was all in how you insert that right-hand needle through the stitch. How you throw the yarn over for the new stitch was not the issue. I fixed the way I stuck it to the old stitch, and for the last 40 years, all has been well.
It was only recently that I’ve heard about Continental Style knitting. I’d always been told I was simply doing it wrong. But it worked for me, so… HardHead never paid them folks any mind 'tall.
After all, I had numerous blue ribbons from the County Fair that showed I was doing something right!
Dot
ditto. Again, if it works, what is “wrong” about it…other than some might THINK it looks wrong to them, but again…if it works…
Have fun!!
That’s me, exactly. I too taught myself, and everyone said I was doing it left-handed, backwards, or just plain wrong. Everything I was doing looked ok to me, but I was just about to try to re-learn, when I discovered this site, and hear about continental! :cheering:
I knit continental, but I kind of ‘throw’ the yarn around when I knit. When purling I use my thumb to pull the yarn down! Plenty of weird ways to knit out there.
OK I’m a little upset at the moment…I have been purling wrong. I guess my purls are twisted. I really need someone who knows what they are doing to look at my work. Maybe I can find the cord that hooks up the camera to post a pic so someone can help me. I watch Amys video and I have been bringing my working yarn BELOW (not above like in the vidoe) the needle and picking it up through the loop.
No need to be upset Jens, your stitches won’t be twisted if you pick the purl stitch up through the needle. What you do is knit on the return through the back loop. This will untwist your stitches. What you are doing is called combined knitting. Go here to see more about combination knitting. Again, you are doing nothing wrong!!! [U]
The same thing happened to me – When I first started knitting, I knitted combination. However I had no idea that is what it was at all. All I knew is I knitted through the back of the loop and purled differently from everyone else.
So in order to knit like everyone else, I started knitting through the front of the loop but I didn’t know enough to change my purl stitch.
When I finally learned the difference between continental knitting and combination knitting I realized I would either have to go back to knitting through the back of the loop (which results in having to adjust some stitches in regular knitting patterns) or change the way I purled.
I opted to change the purl and while it didn’t take long to adjust, now I can’t remember how to purl combination anymore – go figure.
But in order to avoid the twisted stitches you have to choose one or the other, change the knit or change the purl.
I have to admit being really pissed off for awhile after realizing I had been twisting my stitches in all my knitted garments and I didn’t touch my needles for a month or so because of that but I am over that now.