Beyond the Needles: Exploring Continental, Norwegian, and English Lever Knitting

When people ask me what kind of knitter I am, my answer is always simple: English Lever. It’s the style my hands know best — rhythmic, familiar, efficient in its own way. But recently, a mix of curiosity, history, and a touch of arthritis in my thumb pushed me to explore other styles. What began as a small detour became a fascinating journey through how different cultures knit, how bodies move, and how the tiniest change in yarn tension can shift everything.

This post is for anyone wondering what the big deal is between English, Continental, Norwegian, and even Combination knitting — and what each style can offer, especially if you’re looking to experiment, adapt, or simply understand your craft more deeply.

East vs West: The Basics of Knitting Styles

Let’s get one thing clear: terms like “Eastern” and “Western” knitting don’t always mean geography — they often refer to how the yarn is held and how stitches are mounted on the needle.

Here are the major styles I explored:

• English (aka Throwing or Lever)
  • Yarn is held in the right hand
  • The motion is often described as “throwing” the yarn
  • English Lever, my style, anchors the right-hand needle against the body or under the arm — great for speed and control
  • Popular in the UK, Australia, and among production knitters
• Continental
  • Yarn is held in the left hand
  • Often faster due to smaller wrist movements
  • Popular across Europe and among modern knitters chasing speed and efficiency
  • Great for knitters switching from crochet, as it mimics yarn tensioning techniques
• Norwegian
  • A variation of Continental
  • Yarn tension is looser; the right needle “scoops” the yarn rather than wrapping it
  • Minimises finger movement, making it easier on the hands over long sessions
  • Often associated with colourwork and traditional Nordic sweaters
• Combination Knitting
  • Mixes “Eastern” purl stitches with “Western” knit stitches
  • Produces clean results with fewer movement transitions
  • Can confuse standard patterns unless you’re aware of stitch mount differences

The History in Your Hands

What I loved most about researching these styles is how they carry cultural stories.

• Continental knitting was widely used across mainland Europe, but in some places (especially post-WWII in the UK and US), it fell out of favour due to its association with Germany.
• Norwegian style, often used in conjunction with two-colour knitting, became part of traditional Scandinavian textile heritage — practical, fast, and community-taught.
• English Lever style was honed in the knitting mills of Britain, particularly the Shetland Isles. Women working long hours needed to knit efficiently with minimal movement. Lever knitting, with the needle anchored under the arm or in a knitting belt, allowed for this.
• Combination knitting often evolved in areas where stitch mount was passed down through oral tradition — adaptive and utilitarian.

The way you knit isn’t just about comfort — it’s about what got passed down, what survived, and what got written into instruction books.

What Switching Taught Me

Trying Continental and Norwegian knitting styles felt like learning to write with my non-dominant hand.

• My tension was too tight in Continental at first, especially when purling.
• Norwegian purling felt weirdly elegant — a little scoop rather than a wrap.
• Lever still felt most natural, but I had to admit Continental made ribbing faster.
• My arthritis responded better to smaller movements, especially in Norwegian style.

It wasn’t just about speed. It was about finding what worked for me, in this season of my life.

Want to Try It? Here’s Where to Start

If you’re curious about trying these styles, here are some of the resources that helped me:

• Videos:
  • Arne & Carlos (YouTube): Norwegian style, colourwork focus
  • VeryPink Knits: Great intro to Continental and Combination styles
  • The Blue Mouse: Beginner-friendly demos for all styles
• Books:
  • Knitting Without Tears by Elizabeth Zimmermann (especially for Continental style)
  • The Principles of Knitting by June Hemmons Hiatt (covers most techniques)
• Knitting Tutorials:
  • English Lever knitting: Sarah Maker offers a comprehensive guide with clear images detailing each step of the English knit stitch.
    Nimble Needles provides an in-depth tutorial on the English knitting method, complete with photos and explanations.
  • Continental Knitting: Learn Knitting Online offers presents a detailed photo guide on the Continental knit stitch, highlighting yarn tension and hand positioning.
    The Oma Way offers a beginner-friendly video demonstrating the Continental knitting technique step-by-step.
• Tips:
  • Use light-coloured, smooth yarn when learning — it helps you see stitch orientation
  • Practice a swatch in each style for at least 20 rows before deciding what “feels wrong”
  • Be patient — your hands have muscle memory to unlearn

Final Thoughts

Knitting, like life, isn’t one-size-fits-all. We hold tension in different places — in our yarn, in our bodies, in our histories.

Exploring Continental and Norwegian styles reminded me that there’s no “right” way to knit, just the way that works for you, today. And if tomorrow you need to change styles to keep doing what you love — that’s not a weakness. That’s growth.