Make your knitting more efficient with Eastern European Knitting Style

What is the Eastern European knitting style?

Eastern European knitting style is a popular knitting technique that originated in Eastern Europe. In this style, the yarn is held in the left hand (for right-handed knitters) and the knitting needle is used to pick the yarn through the stitches. Sometimes Eastern European knitting style is also called the Continental knitting style, however, it is not exactly the same. While both Eastern European knitting style and Continental style keep the yarn in the left hand there is a slight difference in how knit and purl stitches are worked that changes everything when you go deeper into navigating knitting patterns written for one style or the other. So let’s explore!

The key difference between the Easter European knitting style and the Continental knitting style lies in the way knit and purl stitches are worked. In Continental style, the knit stitch is worked through the front loop of the stitch, while in Easter European knitting style the knit stitch is worked through the back loop of the knit stitch - and it is not twisted. This is the dynamic that the Easter European knitting style introduces with the purl stitches. The way purl stitches are worked changes the direction of how knit stitches are leaning on the needle, making it more comfortable to nit them through the back loop.

It is hard to explain in words how the purl stitch is worked so better see it than read about it here >>

It may seem confusing. Why would anyone want to knit in a different way that changes the stitches and mess the pattern reading ease? So let’s start with a couple of benefits that the Easter European knitting style offers.

Pros of Eastern European knitting style

1. Speed: One of the main advantages of the Eastern European knitting style is its speed. The yarn is controlled by the left hand, allowing for quick and efficient movement of the yarn. This style is known for its smooth and fluid motions, which can help to work more rapidly.

2. Efficiency in purl stitches: Eastern European knitting style is particularly efficient when working the purl stitches. Since the yarn is held in the left hand, purling becomes easier and faster. This can be especially advantageous when working patterns that involve a combination of knit and purl stitches. If you would make a lean transformation to your knitting style - cut all the waste steps and movements and you will arrive at Eastern European knitting style.

3. Tension control: it can be easier to maintain consistent tension with the Eastern European knitting style. The yarn is held closer to the needle, allowing for better control over the tightness or looseness of stitches. This can result in a more uniform appearance in the knitted fabric.

4. Transition between knit and purl stitches: The continuity between knit and purl stitches is smoother in the Eastern European knitting style. Since the yarn is already in the correct position for purling, the transition between knit and purl stitches requires less hand movement, making it more efficient and comfortable.

However, there are always things that may not work for everyone, so next let's look into a couple of things to watch out for when using the Eastern European knitting style.

Cons of Eastern European knitting style

1. Learning curve: For knitters who are accustomed to other knitting styles, such as English or American, transitioning to Eastern European knitting style may require some adjustment. Learning to hold the yarn in the left hand and coordinating the movements can take time and practice. However, I would have a lot of work to do to master the English knitting style, which requires just a completely different way of thinking - that corresponds well probably with the yarn-controlling hand in each style.

2. Tendency for tighter stitches: Some knitters may find that their stitches tend to be tighter when using the Eastern European knitting style, particularly if they are used to looser tension. It may require conscious effort to achieve the desired tension and prevent the fabric from becoming too dense. When I was younger my knit fabrics used to be super tight. They still sometimes turn out this way when I am tensed or working on a particularly difficult part, or working with very small needles.

3. Some stitches are worked differently in Eastern European knitting style vs. the definitions in the knitting patterns writer for Continental or English styles. That may bring some confusion because if you follow the pattern instructions perfectly you may end up with different results than expected, and it is because as mentioned above the stitch direction is changed in the Eastern European knitting style. For example, the k2tog and ssk techniques will give you the opposite result when worked in Continental and Eastern European styles, meaning that if you make the k2tog in Eastern European knitting style it will look as if you made a SSK in Continental style, and vice versa. Confusing! But once you get why this is happening - you can modify all similar stitches with ease. See the Tips and Tricks section below.

4. Strain on the left hand: Since the yarn is held in the left hand throughout the knitting process, there may be increased strain on the left hand and wrist. Knitters who are prone to hand or wrist fatigue may need to take regular breaks or modify their technique to avoid discomfort. Sometimes I feel it when working with heavier yarn.

It's important to note that knitting style is a matter of personal preference, and what works well for one knitter may not be the same for another. Also, I myself eventually landed somewhere in between using multiple styles to fit my knitting needs, however, never went to the right-hand yarn control and mostly interchange the Continental and Eastern European knitting styles.

Tips & Tricks for Eastern European Knitters

Here are a couple of observations, tips, and tricks that I have gathered (and most likely the list will grow over time) on adjusting the knitting techniques for Eastern European knitting style:

1. Knitting in the round will make your knit stitches appear continental and you will knit them through the front loop. This is sometimes confusing how stitches change or does not change direction when worked in the round vs. back and forth. It is good to keep the stitch direction in mind when working on the top-down projects worked in the round, and then for a couple of rows, you need to do Short rows and switch to the back-and-forth way. Mindfulness in this way helps to avoid accidentally twisted stitches. The rule of thumb is always to go with the way that seems to require the least effort to perform.

2. German short rows turning stitches may look less neat if purled in Eastern European knitting style. I noticed this problem mostly when working with thin and non-wool yarn (like cotton). In such cases, I found that purling the turning stitch in the Continental style makes the purled stitches appear neater.

3. Left and right leaning stitch techniques are worked in opposite ways in Eastern European knitting style. What does it mean? As I’ve given an example before all decrease and increase stitches that should be either leaning left or right usually require to use the opposite knitting technique than called in the pattern. For example, when you are working back and forth and you need to decrease two stitches so that they would lean to the right side, usually mainstream pattern will call for you to knit 2 stitches together (k2tog), however, if you do as it says while in Eastern European knitting style you will end up with stitches leaning left - because you knit the stitches through the back loop and they naturally lean left on your needle. In such a case what you need to do is actually perform Slip Slip knit technique - when you turn the stitches and this way changes their leaning direction. Once you get the hang of it, it is pretty straightforward, and you know right away what method you need to use based on how your stitches are positioned on the needle. Doesn't it make Eastern European style knitter a more vigilant and versatile crafter?
This rule also applies to M1R/M1L, knit through the back loop, yarn overs, and other stitches that as a result should lean to a specific direction. Always check your stitch direction before choosing the correct move.

4. Italian bind of. Just recently a fellow knitter has shared with me the answer to why my Italian bind of in the round ends up twisted, while working on the back-and-forth garment it turns out correctly. Apparently, the purl stitch here also comes into play messing the purl stitch direction so that when we follow the common Italian bind of steps we end up with a twisted stitch on one side of the edge.

Here is the video that provides alternative steps for Italian bind of when knitting in the Eastern European knitting style:

5. Joining two ends of the garment cast on using a provisional cast-on or Judy’s magic cast-on methods. This may not be the most common situation however, I love working folder brims, collars, and other details by using Judy’s magic cast-on and then working the fabric on one side and joining the two ends together in various ways.

So here when we are joining two stitch edges together with the Kitchener method following the original steps we will end up with a twisted stitch (similar as in the Italian bind-off situation). See the video on how to the joining to make the seamless join and avoid twisted stitches.

Also when knitting 2 stitches together - go with the least effort-requiring way! See my example when working in the round HERE.

Do you know any more tips for navigating knitting stitches with Eastern European knitting style? Let me know on IG @indreju or shoot me an email!