The “Right” Way to Knit

Sometimes I hear about the “right way to knit”.

Aargh. Is there really such a thing?

Imagine a scenario:

There you are, innocently knitting away, sitting on the (plane, train, subway, bus), or in the (waiting room, terminal, park, knitting store). And it happens. Someone says, “You’re (knitting, purling, holding the needles, holding the yarn), wrong.” This statement is usually followed up with additional helpful comments such as, “That’s not (how I do it, how I was taught, how my mom, grandma, aunt, did it).” We love those people. We have to love them, because they are our fellow humans. But, we don’t have to LIKE them!

Thoughts flash through our minds, some of them not so polite: “Who are you?” “Why are you speaking to me?” But, after all, this is knitting, and we share. And take turns. And be polite.

Things we learned in kindergarten can serve us well here.

Most people would probably be defensive in this situation. No one likes perceived criticism. I am not insisting that you engage the person in conversation, but let us consider behaving as a kindergartener.

We share. “Oh, do you knit? I am making a (hat, sock, sweater, blanket). I learned how to knit (yesterday, a year ago, when I was 9), from (my mom, sister, knitting teacher, grandma).” We hold out our beautiful project towards them so that they too can share in our joy.

We take turns. We listen as they tell us about their knitting experience or lack of and nod our heads. Then we say, “How does my knitting style appear different from what you have seen?” If we are especially generous, we may even let them hold our project to show us if they seem particularly interested. Remember when you were little and someone had a new toy? You asked if you could see it and they held it out to you but did not let go of the toy. That’s not what you meant at all! What you really wanted to do is hold it yourself!

We are polite. If the person has a way of knitting that you have never seen before, this might even be an opportunity to learn something new. Maybe their way of purling is wacky. Maybe the way they tension the yarn around their fingers is wonderful! We don’t have to agree with them and we don’t have to start knitting their way. We nod sagely at the advice and pretend to be extremely interested, even if we are not.

The answer to the above question, “Is there really such a thing as the “right” way to knit?” Is a firm, “No.” As long as you are creating stitches in the correct way, (i.e. not twisted stitches), you are knitting the “right” way for you. Of course, you can learn different ways because it is FUN and you can expand your knowledge. But really, are you enjoying the craft? Are you creating something with yarn and needles? Yes, you are. And that, my friends, is what knitting is all about.

Please check out my You Tube channel to see some different ways to knit and purl holding the yarn in either hand.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDDaYxAMZh3Xkp0LniNSHOA