One of the first things we tell new knitters is this: there is no right or wrong way to knit. As long as you're comfortable and creating the fabric you love, you're doing it perfectly. But if you've ever watched a fellow knitter across a yarn shop table and thought, "Wait — that looks nothing like what I do," you're not imagining things.
It turns out there are quite a few different ways to knit. And while the techniques can look wildly different, the results are often beautifully the same: a piece of fabric you made with your own hands. This guide walks through the major knitting styles and methods out there — from the well-known Continental vs. English debate to some lesser-known styles that might just inspire you to try something new.
Continental vs. English: The Big Two
Chances are, you identify as either a Continental (also called German) style knitter or an English (also called American) style knitter. These are the two most widely practiced styles, and the key difference comes down to one thing: which hand holds the working yarn.
- Continental/German knitters tension the yarn in their left hand
- English/American knitters tension the yarn in their right hand
English/American style knitting
Continental/German style knitting
But here's the thing — even within these two styles, there's a lot of variation in exactly how you manage the yarn and wrap it around the needle. You might knit English style and look completely different from another English knitter sitting right next to you. That's perfectly normal, and it leads us to the three main ways knitters actually wrap the yarn: throwing, flicking, and picking.
Throwing
Many English/American style knitters call themselves throwers — and the name says it all. A thrower releases the needle, grabs the yarn with their hand, and throws it around the needle to form the next stitch. Even within throwing, there's variation: some knitters pinch the yarn between index finger and thumb, while others grip it in a loose fist. Continental knitters can throw too — it's really more about the motion than the hand you tension from.
Flicking
Flicking is a favorite among more experienced knitters, and for good reason — it's ergonomic and efficient. With this method, the yarn is tensioned through the fingers and rests on top of a slightly extended index finger. The knitter never fully releases the needle; instead, a small, quick flick of the index finger wraps the yarn around. Like throwing, flicking can be used by both English/American and Continental/German knitters.
Picking
Picking is exclusive to knitters who tension their yarn in the left hand. The yarn rests on the extended left index finger, but instead of moving that finger to wrap, the right needle is inserted to pick the yarn off. If you're a crocheter who's learning to knit, this method may feel immediately familiar — the hand positions are quite similar to holding a crochet hook in the right hand while tensioning yarn with the left.
Pro Tip: These descriptions aren't rigid boxes — they're starting points. Many knitters develop a hybrid style over time that blends elements of throwing, flicking, and picking. If your technique doesn't fit neatly into one category, that's not a flaw. It's just your style.
Portuguese Style
Portuguese knitting has a look that's immediately recognizable: the yarn is either draped over the back of the neck or looped through a knitting pin worn on the shirt. This keeps the yarn tensioned in front of the work rather than behind, which has one delightful consequence — purling becomes incredibly easy.
With just a quick flick of the thumb, the yarn wraps around the needle for a purl stitch. Because of this, many Portuguese knitters actually arrange their projects to avoid knitting stitches altogether. That might mean working garments inside out in the round for stockinette, or working garter stitch flat using all purls. A clever workaround that turns conventional wisdom on its head!
Irish Cottage Style (Lever Knitting)
If you've ever watched someone knit at what feels like an impossible speed, there's a good chance they were using Irish Cottage style, also known as Lever Knitting. This method has been popularized in recent years by the wonderful Stephanie Pearl-McPhee (the Yarn Harlot), but its roots go back to a time when hand-knitting garments at high speed was an economic necessity — long before knitting machines existed.
Historically, knitters would support a long needle under their right arm or in a sheath at the waist, which is why you'll also see this style called Pit Knitting, Sheath Knitting, Supported Needle Knitting, or Shetland Knitting. Today's lever knitters typically use a shorter needle held with a pencil-style grip, with the yarn tensioned in a specific way so the hand moves like a lever to wrap the yarn quickly and efficiently.
The most mesmerizing part? The left needle acts almost like a sewing machine shuttle, smoothly sliding stitches on and off the right needle in a continuous rhythm. It's well worth watching this video of Stephanie Pearl-McPhee demonstrating this technique — it's both impressive and oddly soothing to watch.
Left-Handed and Backwards Knitting
Most knitters work their fabric from right to left, bottom to top — stitches wait on the left needle, and the right (working) needle pulls new loops through one by one. But for some left-handed knitters, this setup doesn't feel natural, and that's where Left-Handed, Backwards, or Mirror Knitting comes in.
In this style, everything is flipped: stitches live on the right needle, and the left needle becomes the working needle. True left-hand knitters manage both knits and purls this way, though it does require learning to read knitting patterns in reverse — a bit of a puzzle, but entirely manageable once the logic clicks.
It's worth noting that some knitters also use backwards knitting as a targeted tool: instead of turning their work and purling back across a row, they knit the return row from left to right, avoiding the purl entirely. A tidy solution for those who find purling less enjoyable!
Western vs. Eastern Methods: How Stitches Are Actually Formed
Here's where things get beautifully technical. As knitting teacher Patty Lyons explains, style refers to what your hands do, while method refers to how the stitch itself is constructed. And understanding stitch construction means understanding Western and Eastern knitting methods.
The difference comes down to two things: where you insert the needle, and how you wrap the yarn. This affects how the stitch sits on the needle — specifically, whether the leading leg (the forward-facing strand) is in front of the needle or behind it.
Western Method
The Western method is the most common in North America and much of northern and western Europe. Stitches are mounted with the leading leg in front. The working needle is inserted into that front leg — from front to back for a knit stitch, back to front for a purl. The yarn is wrapped counterclockwise for both.
Western stitch mount with the leading leg in front of the needle
Needle being inserted into the leading leg of the stitch in the Western method
Eastern Method
Considered the oldest knitting method, Eastern knitting originated in Arab nations and spread through Spain, Portugal, and into South America. Here, stitches are mounted with the leading leg behind the needle. To a Western knitter, these stitches can look twisted — but they're not! They're simply worked through the back leg, with the yarn wrapped clockwise. And here's the most satisfying part: the finished fabric looks exactly the same either way.
Eastern stitch mount with the leading leg behind the needle
Needle being inserted into the leading leg of the stitch in the Eastern method
The Combination Method
What happens when you blend elements of both Eastern and Western knitting? You get the Combination Method — a clever hybrid that many knitters find makes purling significantly easier, particularly for Continental/German style knitters.
When knitting in the round (stockinette), the Combination method uses the Western approach, working into the front leg with a counterclockwise wrap. But when knitting flat, the purl stitch is worked with a clockwise wrap (Eastern style), shifting the stitch mount so the leading leg moves to the back. On the knit side, the stitch is then worked through that back leg — returning everything to Western orientation for the next round.
It sounds like a lot to track, but in practice, it flows naturally. If purling has ever felt like a chore, the Combination method is worth exploring.
Every Knitter Has Their Own Way
With all these styles and methods to explore, it's clear that knitting is far from a one-size-fits-all craft. Whether you're a lifelong thrower curious about picking, or a Western knitter intrigued by the Eastern method, there's always something new to discover in the way your hands work with yarn.
The goal has always been the same: create something beautiful, in a way that feels good to you. We hope this guide gave you a fresh appreciation for just how many paths lead to the same lovely place.
We'd love to know — what's your knitting style? Share your finished makes and your techniques with our community using #ThreadAndMaple. You might just inspire someone to try something new.
Recommended Resources
Lyons, Patty. Knitting Bag of Tricks. UK and US: David and Charles, 2022.
Gibson-Roberts, Priscilla A. and Robson, Deborah. Knitting in the Old Way: Designs & Techniques from Ethnic Sweaters. Battleboro, Vermont: Echo Point Books & Media, 2004.
Zimmerman, Elizabeth. Knitting Without Tears. New York, New York: Fireside, 1995.
Wikipedia. History of Knitting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_knitting 2026.