It’s definitely a learning curve. Using the wool in the wrong hand, holding the needles differently – its like driving on the wrong side of the road, in the wrong side of the car…
But, it doesn’t take long to pick it up. This afternoon is the first time I have attempted left-handed knitting – even though I am a left-handed person – and after a few stumbles for an hour or so, I had it. Now I just have to keep it. That means practicing, regularly. Well, I am knitting a plain garter stitch scarf as well as the lacy one, so that will be a good opportunity to get in plenty of practice.
Oh dear, I don’t seem to have any excuses not to practice…
I am quite surprised how easy continental knitting is once you get the hang of it. I’m by no means fast yet, too soon, and I still ‘loose the wool’ by the tension slacking off, but I’m getting the hang of it.
There are plenty of videos on YouTube of varying lengths for ‘hands-on’ tuition. Even with Continental knitting there are a few techniques. Some hold the wool wrapped around the little finger and over the forefinger, others double wrap the wool just around the forefinger, some hold the forefinger away from the needle when knitting the stitches, or it can be held close and ‘pick’ the yarn directly off the finger. These are just a few techniques, there are more.
I’m still working out which way is the best for me. Whichever way you find suits you is the right way – for you.