We have found the gauge varies widely between knitters even with the same yarn and needle size. It all depends on how much tension you use with this new technique. One knitter proudly showed us her new hat on day two of Stitches West this year. It was absolutely perfect and we were thrilled, but her hat would have fit her toddler where mine with the same number of stitches would fit an adult woman. All this to say use some common sense and check the width of the cast on edge after an inch or so. If you are too small; try larger needles, knit the next size up or have a glass of wine! :)

While some of you will already know how to knit with both hands most will be either pickers or throwers. That's OK, our test knitters did not know how to purl continental when they started either.

Make yourself to set up the yarns, one in each hand, the tension created by wrapping around your pinky and your the yarn draped over forefinger. This will allow you to knit using movement in your fingers and wrists. Yes, it feels difficult and weird at first but your fingers will catch up with your brain after a bit and you will laugh (or cry) hysterically while you learn it. The effort pays off in the long run in speed and consistent tension.

Keep the yarn distance between your fingers and the needle pretty short.

You alway knit with your right hand and purl with your left hand. But it helps to note that the RIght Yarn is also always in the front of the needles for both the knit and purl stitches. Always - even though the normal knit stitch starts with the yarn in the back. This is what creates the yarn over.

The yarn around with the Left Yarn before you start the knit stitch is just performed so that the yarn gets trapped in the right spot. You do not knit with it at all.

The purl stitch is a normal purl stitch. Yes, the Right Yarn is in front, but so what. All you have to do is make sure you are knitting the yarn set (one of each color) created by the yarn overs in the previous round. They overlap, so you can't miss them. If, after the first round, you ever find a Left Yarn color hanging out without its mate, see the tip on fixing errors.

Since the purl stitch is performed with your left hand you will be purling continental or 'picking' the yarn. It is important to make sure the yarn is wrapping the right way around the needle. It is actually easier to wrap it the wrong way so take a peek at the video if you have any questions. You will see many continental knitters dip their index finger when purling since this helps anchor the yarn. It also helps to keep the distance between your fingers and the needles quite short.

If you have made an error in the yarn placement you'll find it on the next round. This is why we have recommended (OK, begged and pleaded) that you use a Lifeline while knitting. There is information on the Lifeline technique in our Knitting Tips section.

The most common error is a missing Right Yarn yarn over with the Left Yarn purl stitch. It's there but is either in front of or behind the purl stitch on your left needle.
- Check behind first. It it the easiest to spot and fix. If there's a Right Yarn color horizontal bar there (where it does not belong) just lift it up and onto your left needle making sure it is facing the same direction of the other yarn overs.
- If it's not in the back it must be in the front. Poke at the Right Yarn color in front of the purl stitch. There should be two strands instead of one. Slip the purl stitch to the right needle. Pick up the wayward Right Yarn color and place it on the right needle (making sure in correct direction) then slide the set back to the left needle to purl. This one might take a bit of finagling to get it right the first time you try it but it works.