Continental, American or Both?

[debbiecakes]

Just out of curiousity, how does everyone knit?

I am continental knitting a super bulky queen-king sized blanket.
I am American knitting two different sport scarves.

For me:
Continental Style = loose, relaxed and quick.
American Style = Tight, tense and slooooow.

The super bulky blanket looks great but when I tried the sport weighted scarves, they ended up looking sloppy so I started over with the American style. Just a quick comparison, I casted on 12 when I started with continental but when I switched to American I had to cast on 26.

I've been knitting off and on for years but I still consider myself to be a novice. Fingers-crossed, with more practice my continental will shape up so I can ditch the American style. Over all I prefer continental because of speed, ease to switch from knitting/purling, and it feels more comfortable in my hands. :)

Comments

[beachlass]

Mainly in which hand you hold the yarn. English/American knitting = holding the yarn in your right hand and throwing it around the needle. Continemtal = holding the yarn tail in your left and flickimg it around the needle.

[aryas_zehral]

Now I'm trying to work out which I do. English. The only way seems awkward in my head (although I'll probably try it later). :)

Thanks for the info.

[glinda]

Thank you, I'm always so confused by these discussions and now I know the difference! :D