Continental knitting

Unlike English knitting, the yarn is held in the left hand.

Continental knitting is often preferred by hand-knitters, as it is among the more efficient methods, requiring the shortest number of specific hand motions per stitch.

Continental-style knitting, being associated with Germany, fell out of favour in English-speaking countries during World War II; its reintroduction in the United States has often been credited to Elizabeth Zimmermann.

One major difference in the motion of the right wrist is that in crochet the crochet hook may be held more like a pencil; this method of holding the knitting needle like a pencil was briefly made popular around 1900 because it was considered more ladylike.

This style originated in continental Europe, specifically recognized in Germany, but is also found to a significant degree in the English-speaking world.