Friday, May 9, 2008

What is Sinister Knitting?

In the world of knitting, most terms are very clear.
Except Left handed knitting.

Continental Method, aka German Method, is also known as left handed knitting. Simply put, it is holding your working yarn in the left hand.

For most of us who are left handed, this term is not an accurate description of how we knit. Rather, when we knit left handed, we move our stitches from the right hand needle to the left hand.

There is a group on Ravelry for left handed knitters, named On The Other Hand, and we ended up discussing the confusion of terminology. Annekaelber suggested we use the term Sinister instead.

I like the idea and have decided to use the term for my knitting blog, being as I am left handed and Sinister is how I knit.
I am not limited to Sinister knitting. Mostly I do Sinister Combo style, but I have mastered Continental Method and am working on learning even more styles.

It is a wonder that there are so many different ways to turn strings into clothing and other stuff. But end the end it a basic process that we all share.
To quote Antimony from Exotic Knitting Styles group on Ravelry:
"When you create knitted fabric, all you are doing is interlocking each row of yarn into the one below by pulling through each of the loops on the needle.
If the yarn is pulled through the loop from back to front, it's a knit, and from front to back, it's a purl."

No comments:

On the Needles

  • Lacy Shrug with Fluffy Cuffs
  • cat toys
  • Scarf to go with gloves
  • Entrelac Blanket