Continental Knitting with Comfort and Efficiency – Carson Demers
Looking to improve your existing knitting skills? If you already knit continental, this class will help you refine your technique to knit more comfortably, efficiently and sustainably. The goal of this class is to enhance your existing technique rather than learn a new style of knitting. For best outcome of all participants, this workshop is suited to existing knitters. It is not intended to teach you how to knit but how to knit more efficiently.
Skill Expectations for this Workshop:
– Basic knitting skills: knit/purl, cast on/bind off, increase/decrease
Duration: 3 hours | Capacity: 25
Location: Level 1 – Summerside Room
Continental knitting is often praised as the fastest and most efficient knitting style, leading many knitters to adopt it in hopes of improving their speed. However, many continental knitters aren’t getting the full benefits of the technique because modern variations have drifted away from the traditional movement patterns that make the method efficient and sustainable.
These small changes in hand position, yarn management, and movement can place unnecessary strain on the hands, wrists, and shoulders—sometimes leading to fatigue, discomfort, or repetitive strain over time.
In this class, we’ll take a closer look at the core mechanics of traditional continental knitting and explore how the technique was originally designed to function. Through demonstration and guided discussion, you’ll learn how subtle adjustments can improve efficiency while reducing stress on the body.
Participants will learn how to:
- Recognize common continental knitting habits that create extra tension or strain
- Understand the traditional hand positions and yarn movements that support efficient knitting
- Modify technique variations that may contribute to discomfort or reduced speed
- Improve rhythm, comfort, and control while knitting continental style
Carson Demers
Carson is life-long knitter and a physical therapist with 30-years of experience in musculoskeletal rehabilitation and ergonomics. He literally wrote the book on ergonomics for knitters and fiber enthusiasts, Knitting Comfortably: The Ergonomics of Handknitting. Carson continues to teach knitters, crocheters, spinners, weavers and other …
Tickets are non-refundable except in limited circumstances as described in the Purchase Policy.