Russian purl vs. Continental (German) purl in knitting
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- čas přidán 3. 07. 2024
- There is a lot of confusion about the difference between the Russian and Continental (German) knitting. The sole difference between these two styles of knitting lies in their different methods of making a purl stitch. I demonstrate both types of stitches and show how the stitch mount varies between the two, and explain why that matters and the advantages of each.
Finally! Someone who purls the way I do! My Swedish Grandmother taught me to knit Continental style about 53 years ago when I was about 7 years old. I keep telling people there is no reason to fear the purl stitch. There are days when I purl faster than I knit, LOL! Because I knit and purl with left and right index fingers in contact with needles and yarn, the Doctor allowed me to knit while I was in a pillow sling after rotator cuff repair surgery - I would have ended up in a padded room otherwise. Russian purl. I have been checking CZcams off and on for a few years now to find someone else who purls the way I do.
Here, in Hungary everybody di this type of purl stich. I was surprized when I saw the english style.
This explains the purl stitch better than other videos I've seen. Also very clear visual. Excellent tutorial
I love the Russian purl - also called twisted purl - for ribbing since on the other side I'm knitting and can easily untwist the stitches. But in stockinette stitch it makes a totally different pattern so it is necessary to pay attention.
This was so helpful! This is exactly the way my mother taught me and watching youtube videos made me think I was knitting wrong. Thank you!
I have always heard this called Eastern Twisted purl. If you don’t untwist on the next row you get a firmer more windproof fabric.
One site was referring the Eastern purl to enable us to keep the purl rows tighter and more uniform with the knit rows, in stockingnette. Thanks, you’ve just confirmed this purl uses slightly less yarn!
Hi - I'm so glad to find this video! Learned to knit in home ec back in the mid 60s, in Alabama. She taught us the continental style. But when youtube came along I saw videos of the purl stitch - and that was not the way I learned it! It took a while but I finally learned from your video that I purl in the Russian style. Of course, I've been doing it so long it comes totally naturally, and I'm confused these days when I hear people say they have trouble with purling. So a big THANK YOU!
My friend from Lithuania taught me how to knit 6 years ago and I have been wanting to knit again and all the tutorials were showing me different styles but my finger memory muscles were doing the job for me and little did I know I was doing Russian knitting all this time and it was not a mistake I was remembering it well. Thank you for this video.
I learned the knit stitch from a Norwegian knitter and then learned the purl stitch on my own online and apparently I naturally purl the russian way
All these years I didn’t know I use the Russian purl method. I guess it just came more natural. I knew it was different than the normal instructions for continental but I ended up with easier & faster purl stitches. I will have a closer look now at increases & decreases. I’ve usually stuck with a few that look right & scrapped the rest. Now you have shown me something that I should have realized years ago 😂😂 Ty for pointing this out for me!
The Chilly Dog shows/explains combination decreases.
I'm not sure how my video got so much attention, but thanks for all the love, everyone! It's very much appreciated. Since someone mentioned the yarn, I thought I'd say that it came from Speckled Finch Studios, the Morning Glory colorway. No affiliation, just a happy customer.
I love your style, and subscribed, but it seems to be the only knitting video there at yakityak. Do you have other videos?
Thanks a lot! Because now I know the name of my purl Stitches. I made them this way since I learned by myself and some people told me it was a mistake. It's such an easier way! I can't do the other.. I'm french.
I learned to knit this way from my mother when I was little. I am Norwegian. Looks like there are different ways of knitting "The Continental" way.😄
Me too!!
@@oddrunhaland I came here from the comments in a video about the speed of knitters on the Shetland islands! Apparently people there came from Norway. People where talking about how Russian pearls are faster. This is all very interesting. I am Swedish myself.
Me too! I knit entirely from the back loop for knit and purl stitches. It looks the same with a lot of flipped stitches for increases and decreases. 😂
I am also self-taught and originally made my purls like this. Once I discovered the twisted stitches, I had to self-correct and do it the regular way so I could have smoother knitting - no twists and no pattern changes to correct those twists.
This was so helpful. I really appreciate you showing the difference and also when you wouldn’t necessarily want to use the Russian purl. I intuitively started purling like this and didn’t know it had a name.
I always understood that continental knitting meant to hold the yarn with the left hand. And inside continental style there were diferent purling types: Germán russian, norwegan, portugués and Even someone which i do not know it s mame. Also thar one when you bring the yarn in front with your left Index finger forming a horizontal 90degrees with the needle. I love continental so much.❤
I combine English and continental for colorwork.
I’ve always done that & am surprised it’s not more popular!
Same here!
Mostly it's not as popular because it twists the stitches - then you have to remember to always correct it - else the knitting isn't smooth. (At least that's my opinion.)
I taught myself how to knit and I was knitting „Russian“ Style all along without even knowing! I always thought I was just knitting in a weird way😂 but I never changed to continental style, because this is so much faster and more comfortable to me. Suddenly it all makes sense now. Thanks for this informative video!
I noticed this same tension when I switched to Norwegian purl. Now I purl this way w/o thinking - learned this technique via a You Tube channel last week.
I thought I was continental knitting incorrectly, but turns out I was just doing a Russian purl lol. So much easier knitting in Russian style when you are a crochetter!! I moved to continental purl and got terrible cramp in my hand.
Basically, when you Russian purl, the stitches are twisted and you have to knit into the back of the stitch when knitting them. I was actually taught German purling by my Russian grandmother! Go figua.
This is an excellent demo, thank you!
such a beautiful yarn! thank you for the video.
In Russia we name this style "grandma's style" and it is rather popular. I myself use this method for years now, and it was my grandmother, who taught me it )) There are good and bad things about this method.
The good thing is that it is an easy, fast and economical way, the bad thing is that it is not well suited for circular knitting. You may use it for circular knitting, of course, but it is tricky and not that economical. Anyway, thank you for mention it, now I know the name of this method in English!
I am so glad you found the video interesting! What I call Russian knitting is also known as Eastern, Eastern Uncrossed or Combination Knitting. (And know I can also call it "grandma's style" which is awesome! 🤣) I am unaware of a non-regional type name for how many western Europeans knit ... I only know it as Continental Knitting, and more rarely it is called German Knitting. If anyone knows more names for it, please weigh in!
I have to politely disagree. I make socks, hats, and mittens using circular knitting in the Russian style all the time, with excellent results, and no hand issues.
@@vbolton9This method twists stitches on knit rows. How do you untwist your stitches wi th out purling?
@@latitude1904 The stitches would be twisted if I were knitting English style. Because I'm knitting Russian style, all the knit stitches are the same, and the purls are the exact reverse of the knits, no twisting.
@@latitude1904 I'm AuntVickyBee on Ravelry, if you want to see my 'not-twisted' projects.
I'm so glad you shared this! Kim so glad I found it -- a year later.
I've been doing this for the longest time. Thanks for giving me a name for it.
Thank you so much Ive been trying to change to continental style but just could do purl this Russian style is much easier and you explain it so well and then to knit into the back of the stitches for stocking stitches great. Just need practice now
Thank you so much for this video! My mum taught me how to knit when I was little and I recently got back to it, but watching many tutorials made me believe I misremembered the technique. Now I finally understand what's going on with my knitting!
Thank you so so so much, I was literally pulling my hair out trying to knit pearl. You've saved me so much 🥰
Hello thank. you for your instructions. They were very helpful and just like you were sitting here showing me. I am doing circular so thank you for Anna for mentioning it. But I'm doing a garter stitch so I'll be knitting the next round so I think I'll be ok.
I learned To knit many, many years ago from a Russian lady and have been doing it ever since. Thank you clarifying and validating this ergonomically efficient style
How do you correct all the twisted stitches? That's what I'm curious about.
This is really helpful. I have been experimenting with various types of knitting, mainly because of the tension issues. Your video clearly explains different types of purling. It would be interesting to see how you do a stockinette Russian style.
Thank you very much for this excellent video.
She showed you. You go in the back.
Thank you for this very informative tutorial! I came here researching how to achieve nicer results in ribbing in the round (cuffs), and this works very well for me. It was slower in the beginning than the "continental" way (picking/scooping the yarn so that it's wrapped counter-clockwise) that I learned in Germany 40+ years ago (muscle memory...) Now I'm already getting used to the Russian/Eastern/combined (whatever) purl stitch, also because it is much more economical on hand movements. I never found it difficult to purl the way I was taught as a child, but it's always nice to learn new methods, especially if they lead to even nicer results.
This is how I learned. Tuen I switched to Continental a few years ago because I was afraid of the decreases and all. Joe I developed a bad pain in my left index fingers from all the flicking. And so I am going back to combined knitting 😂 thanks to CZcams there are videos on hiw to takle increases and decreases if you are using this Russian method😊
Thank you! I've been trying to figure out how to purl tighter and this seems to be doing the trick. My stockinette used to wave/ripple because the purls were just a little looser. I have to focus on knitting and purling into the back to untwist the stitches, but I'll get more comfortable as I practice.
Thank you for this most interesting tutorial.. You have explained the purl stitch so clearly and in such detail. I found this extremely helpful,.
Excellent explanation! Thank you.
This was so helpful!! Thanks 😊
Thank you so much! I have a hard time knitting. I taught myself how to crochet when I was a child and have been trying to get into knitting. Recently, I’ve decided to learn knooking (knitting with a crochet hook) and the method that I use to knook is similar to Russian knitting in terms of the stitch mount and the yarn position before the needle pulls it through the loop.
This is the best way, Thank you.
I love the Russian style! Trying it tonight. The continental purl method is what keeps me from knitting continental. I can not manipulate the purls. Russian looks much easier.
Best thing I ever did as was learn to read my own knitting rather than be awkward. I knit by wrapping in the “wrong” direction and had to figure out why my stitches crossed. I purl normally. Actually, now that I understand “front leg” to be the one closest to the working needle rather than in front of the actual left needle, I can do whatever I want. This comes in handy for unwinding yarn that has wound too tightly. I just wrap in the other direction until it is fixed. Garter stitch fixes itself.
I am french but I learnt knitting with my mother who was swedish and probably learnt the russian way from her russian mother. So, here I am discovering that I knit the russian way. Funny . Thank you for your video.
I've been doing the Russian Purl all my life because it makes more even purl stitches. I didn't know what it was called. Thank you
Same here because it was easier. I actually knit German, but it's in the older way and the name has changed. I throw the yarn with my left hand, so it was just easier to do a Russian purl because the wrapping didn't make sense back then otherwise.
Watching different yt videos, I thought I was doing it wrong or that people were doing it using this odd, nonergonometric style but, thanks to you, I've just learnt I have been doing the Russian or Eastern purl (which kinda makes sense, since I'm Polish) the entire time. Never thought there would be so many ways of doing. Mind blown...
😮 This was so clear!! I just heard about the Continental Stitching, I didn’t even know there was Russian Stitch too… I intuitively did it Russian because I am still learning holding the yarn in my left hand and etc., so I am slower and have to look and learn this new technique. Thank you for clarifying this! ❤
THANK YOU! I will use this video to help others - the Russian purl is what I do! I never understood why people thought that purls were so awkward.
I'm so glad I found this video. As a crocheter, the Continental purl was really hurting my hands. I tried the Russian purl method you shared and no pain! Thank you so much for the great tutorial!
Thank you so much. I have had numerous wrist surgeries and have arthritis. This may help me be able to knit again.
Oh I really hope so! If you remember and are up for keeping me posted, I really am interested to hear if this method of knitting works for you. Wishing you the best of luck in getting back in the yarn saddle.
Russian knitting also twists knit stitches by entering through the trailing loop. It's problematic (needs adjustment for other stitch patterns - garter stitch, decreases, lace, etc.). It's how I was taught but I had to unlearn it as it was causing me problems.
Thanks for the demo. I've seen a Russian knitter on youtube describing it as the "grandmother" (I guess babushka) method. Since I've started using the babushka method my knitting (scarves) has increased dramatically, as the movements for both purl and knit stitch are far more efficient. I recently started on a sweater (the second one I've ever made) and am having to make up methods for increases and decreases, but am not sure I'm doing them right. You mentioned that they slant a different way. I'd love it if you had the time to go into this a bit. Thanks for all the help you offer!
Great explanations - I understand my atypical style of knitting much better now!
Thanks for the demo! I was taught by my German mother, who was taught by her Eastern European mother. I’ve never knit any other way. But decided for one project to do it “properly” but swore, I will never knit like that again. If you are consistent with your purl and knit stitches everything is fine, no matter what you are doing.
Thanks again!
Ahhh thank you so much! Now I finally know why my knitting movements look different to others. I guess I just taught myself russian purl and was subsequently confused why noone else’s purls looked like that
I've been knitting for 55 years and am pretty well-known for my good work, particularly with lace knitting. I have come to call my style Continental because that's what everyone calls knitting with the working yarn in the left hand. I have recently seen many videos where the knitter does this wacky wrapping thing with the yarn on purls and wondered where that came from! I learned from my mother who learned from her mother (born in modern day Ukraine) who learned from her Polish stepmother. You've just informed me that I do the Russian purl! That makes sense, doesn't it? It is sooo much easier than that wrapping thing.
The thing is it is not actually russian but Eastern European. I understand I may seem picky about the name but this overgeneralization of calling everyone beyond "the Old Europe" russian has played very dangerous games so far.
I believe what you might be talking about a Norwegian purl. You grab the yarn from behind and do a twist with your wrists to do the purl when holding your yarn in the left hand.
@@jessicahansen5445 If there is a knit on the back of the stitch (stockinette), I just put the right needle through purlwise with the yarn in front and pick it through. It works with stockinette knitting if you always knit into the back of the stitch on the knit side. In garter stitch, you will be knitting both sides, so you knit the stitch from the left, not through the back.
@@risumatsunoki7671 I'm not sure what the danger is, but I'm going by what Russian knitters say themselves.
@@ImCarolBThe danger is that as Ukrainians (and many other nations that were forced into the soviet union) we still have to prove the world that we are not russians and we are a whole separate nation. If you listen to what russian knitters have to say, it may be a good idea to expand your outlook and hear some other voices as well. Hope it brings some clarity.
I agree, I learned to purl this way, didn't know there was another way, till I starry watching videos. Thought I was doing the purl stitch wrong
This is part of my combination knitting technique for a stitch pattern that requires a lot of knit and purl in the same row (ex; ribbing, seed stitch, basket weaver). By keeping the yarn to the back of the needles for both knit and purl stitches, a more even stitch appearance and gauge is achieved.
I learned to knit English and find Continental purl a lot of work that slows the process.
It’s the technically impossible to slow down knitting princess in Continental knitting more than English style. Purling in continental is actually very easy. English style knitting is way slower…
I cannot thank you enough for this video. I've recently revisited knitting after primarily crocheting and the continental was natural to me, but I scoop both knit and purl. I'd searched and searched with no answer about what, let alone how, this affected my overall knitting. I didn't even know what my pearl was called, let alone how it affected my stitch mount. Recently working on a pattern and my gauge was way off. I had the width right but the height was more than a third shorter. Guess what was in the pattern? Central Double Decrease, plus lots of slipped stitches, which I knew had some affect also. So to fix this, if I understand the video, I would just knit through the back loop for my knits? I don't like the German pearl, but if it my only alternative looks like I have to force myself. Thank you again for getting that brain knot resolved. :)
I am just learning needle knitting and it feels more natural to me to Russian purl or wrap the yarn in my purls like I do with my knits ….I know for certain patterns there are certain prescribed ways to create a stitch but for my own use and if I ever create a “pattern” of my own Is it ok to knit and purl in the ways that feels most natural to me.? I am a loom knitter and a crocheter from childhood and only now at 58 have I gotten to the point where I have the time and the focus to learn needle knitting .
So many videos (not yours) tell the viewer “this is the only correct way” and leave me feeling stressed out and I rely on my hobbies for the zen factor they bring me . But I just subscribed to your channel , you made me feel confortable. Thank you so much!
Fascinating how many different kinds of Continental knitting there are.
I’m a Continental knitter, but I don’t purl like that at all. I never bring the yarn to the front.
sounds to me like norwegain purling - check it out if thats what ur doing
Thank you for this. I've been trying to learn Continental but had been doing (and loving) purl like this. Was worried about the knitting through the back loop though in case it altered the look of the fabric.
Thanks a lot.😀
Well, it does. She showed us how it twists the stitches - unless you then untwist them.
Thanks
I get it that you have to then change the way you insert the needle on the next row, increasing, and decreasing. What I prefer about the Norwegian style is it's more relaxed, keeping that finger out of the air. So much less wrapping of the yarn, and no finger in the air. Check out Carlos And Arne.
I agree it's about how the stitch is mounted on the needle. with leading leg in front, continental style knits through the front leg. in russian, the mount has the back leg being the leading leg, and you knit through the back leg.
My teacher had me do an interesting exercise where she randomly changed the mounts. with eyes closed, you run your fingers over the stitch legs. if the leading leg was in the front, you knit continental style. If the leading leg was in the back, then you russian knit through the back leg.
Very cool!
Thanks!
New subbie and thank you for this video xx
I learned to knit in Germany when I lived there by my neighbor, and we didn’t speak each other’s language, but we managed
Been learning continental in past month. I struggle with The purl and tension. I accidentally did the Russian way. I noticed the legs. Now doing the standard way but struggle with tension & wrapping to push through. Practice. Practice.
I never knew, but I am doing the Russian purl. I really like it that way.
Thank you for this video.I have a question. How do I do a M1l en and M1R in this way? I can't find any videos on that on youtube. You would help me a lot.
This is how I do purl in continental knitting, didn't know it had a name. I hold my yarn the same way that Norwegian knitters do though. I don't have my index finger so far away from the needle.
Love your friend that walk on. By
I was taught the Russian purl. I found it was not good when I did complicated stitches. So I learned the German purl, which is harder to do.
Das ist gut!
In Russia there are both methods. One (the one you call german) is called classical, the other one is called granny's knitting. If you compare both, the granny's one is less clean, the right side of the stitch seems almost vertical. It is said that it's preferable to use the classical knitting for better results. Also the index finger is never raised. The yarn is just held over the index finger and under the other fingers and the right hand do all the moving.
The problem comes in with Ktbl knit through the back loop stitches....you have to remember to knit through the front loop, right?
Tks si much it is many years that I used to do russian purl and knit stitch and I thought I am making a mistake doing it like that which is different from the continental way explained in books, now for the first time I realize I wasn't knitting in the wrong way, because it is so much easier to do the Russian way. The only way that is not possible to do this style is when you want to create a twisted rib stitch, right?!
Your needles are gorgeous, and logo wonderful to work with. What brand are they?
Very helpful. Thank you! (It’s that index finger muscle memory that still throws me. #Brandnewknitter = )
I lovw this and have done it.... however I find whan I work this in a few patterns and in decreases like u said so I need to change the mount for them. I dont know if russian oatterns account for this. Thanx fir the video!!
I guess Russian patterns make allowances for the difference. There are a few fantastic videos on you tube that show you how to convert most common decreases. I generally just swap k2tog for SSK and vice versa.
i'm a mirror knitter so i might be working eastern style already? it works fine for me /shrug
Where did u get that color yarn. I love the colos
It is from an independent dyer - her store is Speckled Finch Studios, and the yarn is her "Morning Glory" colorway. I have no affiliation... unless you count owning a lot of her yarn, lol. speckledfinchstudios.com
We do russian purl. What us the matching knit stitch to make stockinette stitch?
We purl through front leg in russian. So should we knit through front leg as well?
How about ribbing where we do both knit and purl on the same row?
I was doing Russian purl but it does not work when you do typical Italian bind-off so I had to correct it because it is twisted the bind off did not work. Now I do normal continental purling.
3:40 I think of it as "Front Leg = closer to the tip" - becomes intuitive!
The Russian twisted rib looks different from the continental one?
I have always known this as combination knittting
Isnt that where you purl clockwise on ws and the ktbl on the rs?
Thank you for this! I learned something valuable and the video is so relaxing!
Do you remember the name of the yarn you were using? I cant keep my eyes off it.
It is from Speckled Finch Studios, the Morning Glory colorway. No affiliation, but I do love their yarn and have a lot of it.
Thanks so much for this video. came here because i hate continental purlin. I have a question, though: Does this mean, if I do Russian Purling that I have to knit through the back loop then all the time? and pay attention when theres a decrease because it works differently? and do the increases work differently too? thanks again so much for the video.
Yes, that’s exactly right. For simple patterns, it’s just a matter of swapping one decrease for another… knowing what was intended by the pattern designer. (e.g. “Oh they want a left-leaning decrease here, let’s make that happen.”) It can get really annoying with centered decreases which may require re-seating the stitch mount in order to get things right. I find that I now switch between Russian and more conventional purls depending on what is the least aggravating thing to deal with in the moment. 😆 Once avoiding twisted stitches is habitual, it’s really not a big deal to switch back and forth within the same project.
I don't know if someone asked already, but what brand and colour is that yarn 👀👀👀? it is mesmerising.
It is by Speckled Finch Studios in her Morning Glory colorway... and I don't remember the particular yarn base offhand. I think I did say somewhere else in the comments. No affiliation other than the fact that I have a shameful amount of yarn from her, and all of it is luscious.
I wish you had said what yarn you are using, or put it in the notes to the video :(
i didn't know there was a name for what i was doing (russian purl.) :o thanks!
Can you do linen stich like this ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
Yes. You just need to pay attention to stitch mount even when slipping so that you don't twist the stitches. I knit an entire scarf in linen stitch this way, using the Russian purl.
Why would one need the legs to be 1 way or the other?
It affects the slant of decreases. This can change the look of a particular decrease. It matters mostly in lace, but also changes how do you do 3-to-1 decreases around a center stitch.
Is this the same as combination knitting?
Yes it is.
Combination knitter here 😃
Very helpful. Thank you! (I’m still struggling with muscle memory of my left hand index finger, and with consistent tension. #brandnewknitter = )
You'll get there! Don't be afraid to experiment with completely different ways of holding. When l switched knitting styles l also had to switch yarn holding hands. Took me ages to work out a new way of holding the yarn. Finally realised l didn't have to try and mirror my old way with my other hand and that holding the yarn looser worked for me. I now loop it once around my little finger, pass it once between my other fingers and over my index finger where it's ready to be picked by my right needle. Don't know if my description is clear enough to be of any help but, l hope so.
If you knit using the Russian purl and knit stitches, you never have to worry about tension, the way the continental knitters do. Each stitch takes what it needs, so if your movements are consistent, good tension is automatic.
I orefer russian knitting to German but some times i have done both with German i use my thumb for some reason my brain wont let me move my indexa finger down, dont ask me why because i don't understand it myself.
I have been unknowingly using Russian knitting since I began. My Mom said I was doing it wrong but since the stitches looked fine to continue. 🤷♀️
I remember watching another tutorial that didn't clarify this twisted the stitches then getting really confused as to why all the stitches were twisted on the next row and dismissed this technique as being dumb🤦♂️
We call it Granny's method
Isn’t what is also called combination knitting?
Yes, and I think (someone correct me if I’m wrong) that it is also called Eastern uncrossed. Both of those terms are newer, I think. And maybe it’s better to call it that - keeping regionalisms out of art forms. Although my understanding is that this actually really is the predominant way of purling in Russia. Thanks for bringing this up. I should probably amend the video description to include that Russian purl is also known as combination knitting and Eastern uncrossed.
@@yakityak Thanks for making this video. I do the same Russian purl, but my left index finger is resting on the left needle. My Russian teacher said no fingers waving in the air!