I’ve always known my knitting style was a little different. When I first learned to knit in Germany in the mid-’80s, I didn’t think much about it—I just knit the way I was taught. But as time went on, I started to notice that the techniques I saw in books and videos didn’t quite match up with what my hands naturally did. For years, I just made little adjustments so my stitches didn’t twist, thinking I had some oddball style. But now? Now I know that what I’ve been doing has a name: Continental Combination Knitting—and it’s not wrong. It’s just different. And that realization makes my knitting heart so happy!
Recently, I came across this incredible video that explains Continental Combination Knitting in detail, including how to adjust pattern instructions like SSK and K2tog to keep your fabric looking just right. It was a total lightbulb moment! So today, I want to share what I’ve learned and celebrate this beautiful, efficient, and oh-so-logical way of knitting. If you’re a fellow combination knitter (or just a curious stitch explorer), read on!
What is Combination Knitting?
Combination knitting is like a secret handshake between two worlds—it blends elements from both Western and Eastern knitting traditions. Instead of following the standard Western stitch orientation (where the leading leg of the stitch sits in front of the needle), combination knitters often find their stitches mounted differently: with the leading leg at the back. This difference comes from how we wrap our yarn when purling, which naturally changes the stitch orientation for the next row. The result? A knitting style that’s not only efficient but can also produce beautifully even fabric.
The idea isn’t new. Mary Thomas wrote about combination knitting in Mary Thomas’s Knitting Book (1938), describing it as “the better way to work in Flat Knitting” (Thomas 56), noting its even tension and smooth results. But for those of us who’ve been knitting this way instinctively, it’s nice to know we’re part of a long tradition!
Works Cited Thomas, Mary. Mary Thomas’s Knitting Book. Hodder & Stoughton, 1938, p. 56.
Understanding the Leading Leg of a Stitch
If you’re new to this concept, let’s talk about stitch orientation. Every stitch on your needle has a front and a back leg. In Western knitting, the leading leg (the one closest to the tip of the needle) sits in front. In Eastern knitting, the leading leg sits in back. Combination knitting mixes the two—often, purl stitches will result in a leading leg that’s in the back, so on the next row, you may need to knit through the back loop to avoid twisting your stitches.
This little tweak makes a world of difference when following standard knitting instructions, particularly for decreases and increases. Which brings us to…
Adjusting Decreases for Combination Knitting
One of the most common stumbling blocks for combination knitters is how to work decreases like K2tog (knit two together) and SSK (slip, slip, knit) without accidentally changing the slant.
- K2tog (Right-Leaning Decrease): If your stitches are mounted in the combination style (leading leg in the back), working a standard K2tog might actually create a left-leaning decrease instead. To fix this, simply reorient your stitches by flipping them so the leading leg sits in front before knitting them together.
- SSK (Left-Leaning Decrease): Similarly, an SSK might not behave the way you expect in combination knitting. Instead, try slipping one stitch knitwise, slipping the next stitch purlwise, and then knitting them together through the back loop. This little adjustment keeps everything slanting in the correct direction!
Adjusting Increases: M1R and M1L
When it comes to increases, Make One Right (M1R) and Make One Left (M1L) can feel tricky at first, but once you understand how they work with your stitch orientation, it’s smooth sailing.
- M1R (Make One Right): Lift the running thread from back to front and knit into the front of the loop. This twists the stitch and creates a right-leaning increase.
- M1L (Make One Left): Lift the running thread from front to back and knit into the back of the loop. This twists the stitch in the opposite direction, creating a left-leaning increase.
A helpful way to remember this:
- M1R → “Right is Rear” (lift from the back)
- M1L → “Left is Front” (lift from the front)
Want to see it in action? Here’s a great video demonstrating combination continental knitting, with adjustments for pattern decreases and increases.
Source: The Chilly Dog. “7 Things Every Combination Knitter Should Know.” YouTube, 20 Feb. 2020, www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Vs0ToOPD_c.
There’s No “Wrong” Way to Knit
Discovering that my knitting wasn’t wrong, just different, was such a freeing moment. For years, I worried that my technique wasn’t “right” because it didn’t match what I saw in English-language books and videos. But knitting is a deeply personal, creative craft—there are countless ways to move the yarn and needles, and they all lead to something beautiful.
So if you’re a combination knitter, embrace it! Adjust patterns when necessary, trust your instincts, and keep on knitting in a way that feels natural to you. Whether you’re knitting socks, shawls, or a cozy galaxy-themed sweater, your stitches are uniquely yours. And that’s what makes this fiber journey so magical. ✨
Are you a combination knitter too? Have you had an “aha!” moment about your knitting style? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear your story!
Happy stitching,
Marni