Does anybody else have this problem? I don’t mean slow as in, I have trouble figuring out patterns. The patterns usually come pretty quickly to me. I just physically knit slowly, and I can’t seem to speed it up because when I do, I tend to lose stitches. It’s not really a big deal, but sometimes it just seems like it takes forever to make anything. My progress isn’t as quick as I’d like it to be, and then I get discouraged and let projects sit for months or years.
I just wondered if anybody had any tips on speeding up knitting, or knew how I might make my projects go a little faster. I have so many things I want to make, and so much yarn stashed, but I just can’t seem to finish the things I’ve already started.
It just comes with practice I think, most of us were slow starting out. You might try a different style - there’s english, continental and combination - one that you’re not doing might be better for you. Or how do you work your yarn? Many english knitters actually do `throw’ their yarn and take their hand off the needle and move it around in a large circle when knitting. This isn’t necessary; I barely skim the needle, keeping part of my fingers on it. I couldn’t find a video exactly like I do it, but it’s similar to what’s these videos - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LxuKeg3PQJw and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCO8qALs4-w&feature=related
I knit English style or throw my yarn and apparently have so decent speed according to my friends. Also being a crocheter I’ve learned to just move my wrist and not the whole arm.
But the longer you knit the faster you will become. I still have to watch my knitting so i don’t drop stitches and sometimes I still drop them.
Continenatal can be faster on the knit st, but not so much on the purl. English purling is faster, you use the same motions as knitting, just inserting the needle differently.
OMG - are we twin knitters?? I have the same problem. But what I’ve noticed is that my life has been so crazy busy and beyond hectic, that my knitting has been very sporatic. And when your knitting is sporatic, every time you pick up the needles, it’s almost like starting over. Practice will make us faster. WE just need to find time to knit every day.
I suffer from the same problem, but I am also a beginner. I have a couple of other things working against me, too: I knit in the English method (as has been mentioned, most people swear that Continential is faster) and I “throw” my yarn. I have noticed that I can breeze right through knit stitches, but purling is probably half the speed.
Don’t rush it. Knit at your own pace. It’s better to be slow than sloppy. You’ll likely naturally get faster as you gain more experience.
I’ve been knitting a little less than two years but I know I used to be MUCH slower than I am now, and am now probably much slower than I will be two years from now.
Oh, I’m slower than a seven year itch!!! I don’t have much free time, so each knitting session is pretty brief. Also, I “throw” the yarn, too…and I mean the whole “from the shoulder” type motion. I never learned the “wrapping the yarn around such and such a finger” technique, and now anytime I try it it’s a hideous mess. Of course, as in a vicious circle, I don’t have time to practice the “yarn wrap” and do the knitting I want to do and get finished with it.
So, I guess I’ll just accept that I’m not a speedy knitter, and plan my projects well in advance!!!:teehee:
I think I spend 4+ hours a day knitting. Mind you that is not all in one sitting and I also knit on more than one project at a time too. (I have a 3 yr old and stay at home) Between knitting I do get the wash done and clean.
But I practice and try to advance my knitting so I become a more rounded knitter.
I’m an English knitter. I have been knitting for over 7 years. I also am a slow knitter. I have to admit I’m faster than I was. I would still like to finish my wip’s in much less time than I do. I think I lose interest in my work because of how long it takes to finish it.
Suzeeq, Thanks for the video sites. I’m sure they will help out a lot.
I agree with Mason, better to be slow than sloppy. I still find myself counting all the time to make sure I always have the right number of stitches. It’s a bit OCD, really.
I taught myself to knit using a book that used the English throwing method. I was completely frustrated by the purl stitch this way. It slowed down my knitting so much I almost gave up. Then, I taught myself Continental knitting using Amy’s videos on this site and I absolutely love it. It is SOOOO much faster for me than English. I don’t even think I could do English knitting now.
Another thing I did for myself - I only knit one project at a time. No more multiple needles and projects going. It saves on yarn costs and makes me less stressed about those projects just sitting there. It takes discipline, but I find it totally worth it.
Practice, practice, practice with whatever method you choose. Speed is not necessary.
I also throw my yarn but coming from Scotland I have to say I’m a Scottish knitter not english LOL
My speed depends on the pattern but after looking at those videos(thank you) I can see where the continental style would be faster…but I think I’m in the,old dog-new tricks,category.
Maybe when I get caught up on all my projects I’ll have time to practise
Knit with whatever method works for you. One is not really better than the other. I’ve seen some very fast english knitters, too! It takes practice. Besides, no need to hurry, just enjoy the journey.
I don’t wrap the yarn around my fingers either miccisue; I thread it through them and kind of `flick’ out my first and 2nd fingers. I suppose I’ll have to get a video done that shows how. I tried to see if there was one on youtube, but didn’t find anything that’s close.
Yes, use whatever’s comfortable for you, practice does help improve the mechanics though. I think I knit fairly fast, depends on the yarn and needle size though; I’m pretty slow with lace weight yarn.
Thanks for the tips everybody. I really love this board. Um, did I forget to mention that I’ve been knitting for almost 5 years? :teehee: I am a lot faster than I was, but I’m like knitpurlgurl, I do it very sporadically. In fact, I pretty much haven’t knit all summer because I just couldn’t get into it. However, I’m currently working on a baby blanket I started when my sister-in-law was pregnant. My niece just turned 2. I’m making it now for her sister. hehe.
I use the English style. I’ve tried Continental a few times, but it’s just not happening. I do get frustrated because I can’t finish things quickly, but I’m glad to learn I’m not the only one. I guess maybe, like Jan said, I should start looking at it as a journey, not just an end product.
Thanks again!
Oh, suzeeq, I forgot to thank you for the videos. My style is very similar to what is shown in the first video. Just slower. lol.
I think you just gotta find your groove so to speak…When I have long breaks from knitting and then resume, I always start out slow, but, the more I knit, the quicker I get. I’ve noticed music really helps me move a bit faster too. I just get lost in what I’m listening to (while still somehow paying attention to what I’m doing…lol) and zip right along.
Um, did I forget to mention that I’ve been knitting for almost 5 years? :teehee: I am a lot faster than I was, but I’m like knitpurlgurl, I do it very sporadically. In fact, I pretty much haven’t knit all summer because I just couldn’t get into it. However, I’m currently working on a baby blanket I started when my sister-in-law was pregnant. My niece just turned 2. I’m making it now for her sister. hehe.