The Ergonomic Efficiency of English Style Knitting – Carson Demers
If you have been unhappy with the efficiency and productivity of your English style knitting, this will help you improve both through discovery of how very efficient this method is intended to be. 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: 20
Location: Level 1 – Summerside Room
Many knitters avoid the English style of knitting (often called “British” or “throwing”) because they believe it’s slow or inefficient. Some even abandon it entirely in favour of other methods. But the truth is that English knitting can be highly efficient and comfortable—when it’s done the way it was originally intended.
In this class, we’ll take a deep dive into the traditional mechanics and key hand positions of English knitting. Over time, small changes in how the method is commonly taught and demonstrated have made it appear slower and more effortful than it actually needs to be. By exploring the original movement patterns and structural landmarks of the technique, you’ll see how English knitting was designed to work smoothly and efficiently. This class will teach you a technique reminiscent of traditional Shetland knitting minus the belt.
Through demonstration and guided practice, knitters will learn how to:
- Identify common habits that make English knitting slower or more tiring
- Understand the original hand positions and yarn movements used in traditional English knitting
- Modify or correct inefficient variations that have developed over time
- Improve speed, rhythm, and comfort while maintaining the English 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 …
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