Learn With Me: Irish Cottage Style Knitting 

It's so nice to hear someone say they knitting for their mental health, been struggling with anxiety and depression for many years , knitting has helped me more than seeing a psychiatrist.

I just watched a video about shetland lace makers from the bbc in the 60s, and these two women were just hammering away on these beautiful shawls but I couldn't see what their hands were doing. This is it! and it's amazing that with this technique, they were able to make gorgeous, delicate, giant shawls in only 6 weeks! thanks for such an informative video

I'm a mental health rehab worker. We have knitting classes and a knitting group as a support to good mental health, it's been a life saver for me!

IMy mother taught me to knit over 60 years ago always with the right needle under my arm . I find you can go really fast with this method. I am now 74and knit every day. I have just been teaching my 8 year old grand daughter and she is,picking it up so fast.! Also I am Scottish where they are fabulous knitters in that country. I now live in Canada.😊

My goodness! I learned to knit this way when I was 4 years old and I had no idea that it was called Irish Cottage style. I’m Scottish and everyone in my family would have knit this way. Kind of makes me want to try it out again. I still have all my mothers needles, and I am now 71! I was still knitting this way until I discovered cable needles about 10 years ago, and it took me ages to master purling on them because I had been so used to purling fast and not having to hold the needle. I flick the same way you do. I think of the “pen grip” as being more English style and seems to work better on shorter straight needles, but I never could manage this. If you see Miss Marple knitting, that is how she knits. You do have to sit up straight, and anyone sitting near you gets poked with needles. Not suitable for public transport knitting, but you have reminded me that there is still a place for it, for knitting pieced garments or scarves/wraps. Your wrap is absolutely gorgeous, I noticed the lovely Old Shale stitch in the middle. Well done for having the patience to knit it all in a new style.

Oh my goodness I'm 74 and just now found out I've been Irish knitting most of my life. My dear grandmother taught me before I started school. I always wondered why no one else did the same. The only time I had problems was when I used circular needles for all the afghans I made. Anyway you are a joy to watch thank you for the memories. God Bless

My mother had an English friend who knitted this way. She knitted super-fast, making all the winter sweaters and socks for her husband and three boys. I've always knitted continental style and was glad I did when I lost the top joint of my right index finger. I think I could manage this style without the finger.

I know this is a fairly old video now but I just wanted to say thanks for making it so clear and sharing your experiences. I am a novice knitter - I learnt english style when I was younger and now trying to develop my skills so I can use my own hand spun wool. From the little I know this style of knitting is indeed a cottager industry style. Traditionally fisherman's wives would knit while they walked along , with the wool tucked into a belt or pouch knitting mainly by feel, so having the long needle banging into your leg wouldnt have been an issue and would have been very economical. I've mainly heard of this type of knitting coming from Scotland (but I'm sure there would have been other versions in other areas) - the jumpers were a specific type called a Gansey. It's so tightly-woven that along with the lanolin from the wool it would be fairly water and wind resistant. I believe there is a museum entirely concentrated on Gansey's up in Scotland

I was born on the English coast of the Irish Sea. And until i started watching Utube just before the Covid lockdown I didn't know any other style than Irish cottage except than 4 needles for socks. I now knit blankets on long circular needles and love that you can have hundreds of stitches in each row. Tried circulars for socks but eventually went back to four DPNs. I love having choices for different projects. Now have just started Tunisian crochet. Something else new. So many methods so little time and so many WIPS. The straight posture is good for your spine. So win win. Carry on crafting, whatever project or style. Lynne in the UK😊

My grandma (who was Italian) would knit with a scrap of fabric tied around her waist (like an apron long cord) and would wrap the needle twice around the cord instead of holding it under her arm. Having it a bit lower like that is way more comfortable.

I'm a Portuguese knitter. It's VERY fast, great tension, easy on the hands.

I live in Ireland , just called this knitting. Heard Americans call it English style. Its very interesting that people came up with different ways to use the tools isn't it xx

My aunt, a knitting fiend, taught me to knit with the needle under my arm. I could go to town knitting. I can’t do it any other way! I tried. All my knitting group does it the other way. They teased me.

I am intrigued by this being called Irish Cottage knitting. I am from Yorkshire, 74 years old and have been knitting this way (with the right needle anchored under the right arm). I have the yarn around my first finger from my thumb and this is the only movement that is required, I do not even move the hand, only this finger. Very quick and my tension is perfect.

My Granny taught me to knit this way over 50 years ago. I have always been called out by my English thrower friends knitting this way, I used to say they were the knitting Police. There are so many styles of knitting, I have only just started Norwegian knitting, which I must say is also fast.

I find it comforting to know there are so many other people out there who knit, crochet, tunisian crochet and nalbind for mental health. I find it really helps control my anxiety more than the other myriad things I've tried. This is the one thing I keep returning to daily because I enjoy it and it comforts me so much... side bonus is the project makes something beautiful & useful for our household or to give as gifts. I'm really intrigued to learn more about other styles of knitting! Thank you so much for covering information on styles and showing us Irish Cottage Style Knitting! :D Edited to add, I used to knit like this when my children were very small. I wonder if this is a reason the style developed? I didn't know it was a style so much as something I did out of necessity lol pretty cool though!

I just discovered your video, so my comment is a bit late. I was taught this knitting style by my grandma when I was about 5 or 6, in the 60s, in the North of Spain (Asturias) and I have been knitting like this since. She was taught by her grandma and way back like this for several generations. They did not have any contact with English language or culture. Everyone I met over there who knitted, knitted in the same way as me. In my ignorance I did not know that there were other ways to knit until very recently. When I first learnt about continental knitting, I immediately assumed that what I did was then English knitting because of the yarn held in the right hand. However, since then I’ve seen videos and learnt about the lever style and carefully looking at the movements, that is what I do. The right needle does not move and is firmly tucked under my right axila, the left needle does all the work of picking and letting go of the stitches and the right hand does the throwing. The left index finger does quite a lot of work too, controlling the flow of stitches on the left needle, “welcoming” a new one to the front to be worked and seeing it off when it moves to the right. Live and learn! I do not do English knitting after all, I do lever or Irish Cottage knitting. I find all this information fascinating.

Thank you for this video! I’m 63 years old and have arthritis in my thumb joints and wrists keeping me from crocheting any longer. Im a continental knitter, but still have to limit my time due to the (stupid) arthritis. I’ve been exploring videos on Irish cottage knitting hoping it will help in a number of different ways , ie, physically, mentally, etc. All that being said, you’ve given me courage to try this one. Thanks again 😃

I'd just call this old timey knitting, as my dutch grandmother was all about telling me about how she knit with her needle under her arm or in her belt. This to say, it's not just an Irish style. I've heard it from some other older European traditions as well. So I'm sure there is a whole bunch of cross pollination around Europe with knitting styles. Very interesting!

Knitting while listening to audio books is the ultimate therapy, especially on a rainy day.

How interesting! My boyfriend and I learnt how to knit about a month ago. We naturally anchored the right needle on our lap (like when wearing a knitting belt). Only a few days ago we learnt that it's actually an older technique that fell out of fashion.

This is how my mother taught me how to knit but I never encountered anyone else knitting in this fashion. I just recently found out what this knitting style is called and was pleased to come across this video. Over the years I have fine tuned the procedure to the point where essentially my left hand needle does most of the motions. Thanks for this posting.

I have knitted that way all my 67 years and never knew it was called this. I learnt from my mother. Thanks for an informative video.

I saw a lady on the train knitting in this style 20 years ago and, impressed by her speed, decided to modify my style to attempt to match her speed. Thanks for letting me know the name of the style!

I picked back up my needles and have been happily knitting in the evenings. I find the repeating my pattern in my mind to be a mantra like experience. I enjoy it. I’m an English knitter (from England).

Great video. This is the way I was taught to knit 50+ years ago. In fact I only recently learned there were any other ways thanks to the internet. Anyhoo, let me assure you, you can slouch and knit this way, long needles can be great, I knit whole blankets on them, but you can end up sort of whipping your left leg with the end of the needle. Easily solved though, you just slouch a little differently and get comfy. Great to have a range of styles to be comfortable with. Really enjoyed sharing your experiences.

Cries in circular needles T_T Lol I might have to cave and buy some straight long needles! I was so skeptical of continental style until I devoted a good few weeks to making it work and now I couldn't knit any other way. So I need to be open to these different styles.

Hi, My parents were Dutch and my mother taught me how to knit in what you call the Irish way? The big advantage of knitting in this way is that neither hand carries the weight of the knitting, which is especially important with larger pieces and does not overwhelm your wrists. I have had arthritis for years now and I have very little trouble with my knitting thank goodness. it is also super fast to knit in this manner. If you watch how the Scottish Islanders knit ( old videos exist) I think they knitted in 'Irish' style also. As their livlihood depended on their knitting at that time you can bet your bottom dollar that they used a method that used the least stress on their ligaments and muscles.

I’ve knitted this way my whole life, just didn’t know it was called Irish Cottage Style Knitting although I had Irish mother and grandmother. When you are knitting wide pieces and your needle is full don’t put it below your armpit and touching it, you can put it a little bit lower and you’ll still be able to hold it with your arm.

I used to use Susan Bates 14 inch needles, to do all my projects. When I started knitting in the round with circular needles, I gave up the long needles. I found they put a strain on my wrist and upper arms. Circular needles are better for me. I also had to wedge the right needle in the easy chair, or it would move around to much. I’m with you about mental health. Knitting helps to deal with a lot of stress I’m dealing with

My Mom taught me knitting basics 50+ years ago. I picked it up again in my 20s, but for some reason I put the right needle between my legs. I have the yarn in my right hand. It works very well for me!

It looks so comfortable1 The elderly lady that has a tutorial on the way to knot shows just how efficient this way of knitting is! When you think that knitters in the Isles have to make as many yokes and sweaters and shawls in order to keep the money coming in. and with the knitting belt they can walk and visit while knitting. No knitting, Romney, no food for them.

This might be perfect for me. I've got fibromyalgia so fatigue really quickly plus the larger motion of English knitting and I can only manage an hour of knitting at most. I'll definitely be giving this a try 😍🤞🏻

I was so interested when I saw your title! Then as time went on I realised that's how my Mum used to knit!

First let me say what a beautiful piece of work!! I discovered this style of knitting about two years ago and I've never looked back. I'm not a fast knitter and although it's more about enjoying the process, sometimes you just want to get on with something, especially in stockinette stitch. I can't get on board with continental even though I try and try. This Cottage Style Knitting changed everything for me. I've never dropped the right needle to wrap the yarn, as so many videos demonstrate in English style, I've always rested the right needle between my thumb and index finger but of course as the work grows it sits over the thumb and does become a little awkward, however it was the only style I knew (until I discovered RU-vid) and I just dealt with it. I found the Yarn Harlot's video and fell in love with this Cottage Style. My speed has increased but not so much that it feels like a race. I still tension the yarn as I always have using my index finger to throw the yarn and it works great but I will keep trying the way you do it. I love this style for SS and ribbing and I have also managed some lacy patterns as well. I keep trying continental style but I always come back to this one. I hope you grow to love it as much as I do. Thank you for a lovely video :)

I do all kinds of fiber-crafting: knitting, crochet, Tunisian, nälbinding, pattern sewing, quilting, embroidery, and even cross stitch and I love finding out about new techniques 😊

I learned this style as at about age 8, but rather than keep the needle under my armpit I learned to hold it in with my elbow. That keeps the knitting away from the face ( one of the issues you identified with this style Mel) and makes knitting in summer no problem. Perhaps this was really my family's way of knitting but I'd be curious: Did others learn this way with a modification? I love to knit this way and can knit super fast as a result. GREAT video btw! Thank you!!

I literally just learned continental knitting, this was fascinating to watch. Can't believe there are other styles

This is how my grandma knits! Me and my grandma both knit but I knit in a different style, I've never seen someone knit the same way she does. I'm so glad to know what it's called!

Thanks for the video, Dutchie here, this is the way my mum taught me to knit when I was five years old. I love the stability of keeping one needle under my armpit and Irish Cottage Style Knitting is a lovely cosy name for it. I do hold my right hand differently though, my thumb goes on one side and the rest of my hand stays on the other side. Makes it really easy to move the stitches up the needle.

This looks a great knitting style for left handed people. I have a few in my life & am looking forward to sharing it with them to see if they want to try knitting.

This is so interesting! I've never seen anyone flicking the yarn with their other fingers before, wow! Thanks for sharing your journey with us!💕

I'm 26 now but when I was 11 and first teaching myself how to knit, I ended up going with flicking style just intuitively, as continental was too complex for my baby hands, but english style was too slow and I wanted to go faster - I had no idea until watching this video that it had a name - Flicking!!! I thought I was just a freak all these years.

I used to knit this way when I started knitting. Later, when a friend taught me continental style, I forgot how to do this. Fun to watch.

Love your top! Great video! Thank you!

What you call Irish Cottage Knitting, and flicking is the way I was taught to knit in 1961. My mum, who was Scottish of Irish descent, would choose long knitting needles and then tuck the right needle under her right armpit where it stayed - just as you show. However, the way your yarn is held in your right hand is 'backward' to me. I have the yarn coming up between the pinky and ring fingers, looped around the outside of my pinky, under the two middle fingers and then over the right index. It makes for a very quick flick around the needle and the pinky wrap provides the tension. To hold the left needle away from your legs, try using your left pinky finger to hold the L needle closer to your palm in order to support it up where you want it. I find knitting this way is fast, not tiring, and provides a very even tension. Have fun! 🙂

what a wonderful video! I don't want to do it, but watching it and understanding it from a historical perspective was great.

I love this. It’s so fun to follow along with your thought process. And you inspire me to try something new!

I was today years old when I learned that the way I knit is called Irish cottage style 🤭 that's how a learned knitting many, many years ago as a child. Only, I hold or tension the yarn differently, similar to how you flick; that way I can control the right needle with my thumb and middle finger (like you were doing with the side of your hand) so is easier to transfer the stitches specially in cases like ssp or k2tog. Also, the right needle doesn't need to go all the way up to your armpit, it can go lower between your arm and body. I recently started using circular needles (they are a novelty to me, I discovered them through the magic of internet) so english style or flicking was really natural for me, I learned continental too but I'm slow and I don't particularly like it but I sometimes switch between them to give my hands a rest. (I thought I should add that I'm from Argentina)

I learned to knit English style, because. As projects became bigger or more of them, I now discover that what I did back then, totally unprompted or taught in order to just safely hold the work to keep it from landing on the floor, is called Irish Cottage Style knitting. I have tried Continental style knitting, more so because it seemed quicker than English style, but my fingers/brain refused to adapt, and what work I did was awkward, to say the least. As I grow older, hands now with bothersome arthritis, I think I will just stick with what they seem to be comfortable with. Thanks for the demonstration.

I'm a fast continental knitter, but I learned how to do the English method when I had carpel tunnel issues (not related to knitting). So I use both methods as well. I find I enjoy the English style even though it's not quite as fast for me because it feels more comfortable or relaxing, it seems. I would love to try the lever knitting too, as that would be great if you're able to build up speed with it. It also looks like it could be both fast and a relaxing way to knit once you have it mastered. Thanks for this video and your comments on it.

I'm so glad I stumble into your video my sister have always knit with the needle under her armpit But no knowing it is called Irish cottage knitting. . hanks for sharing. Perhaps you can make a video of Flicking style I always wanted o learn bu can' find help since you have learn it on your own .I believe you will know all he United ricks and tips.

I loved this! Thank you for recording your journey. I’ve been teaching myself continental for awhile now and would love to learn this down the track. ❤️🇦🇺

It’s so great that you shared this, I’ve seen videos on this style. Still a thrower over here but you inspire me to want to give it a try! Thank you!

What a fascinating story, and I love your style of narrating!

This is great! I actually have some hand dyed yarn from Ireland and I think it will be perfect to knit up with the Irish cottage style! You’re awesome! Thank you for taking the time to make this and share.

This is so interesting and inspiring. Anything to improve knitting techniques is great!

This is so cool! The scarf turned out beautiful too!

I always hold my needle under my arm it’s easier and I’ve never heard it called Irish cottage knitting before when I knit on straight needles I don’t even look at my needles,I watch tv or read a book plus I get my rhythm going .

Just wanted to say that I love the muted earthy palette of the yarns behind you!

I loved seeing this. My Grandfather Cox from N. Charolina and his family knitted in tjhis style. My mother said they used a leather holder attached to a belt. I never met him and never saw it. Thank you

That was so fascinating! Thanks

Who knew, I’ve been doing Irish Cottage style knitting all along. It makes sense as my mother who taught me is Irish.

Very interesting! Thanks for the video!

Thanks for sharing I'm researching how to knit and I'm trying to check out all the different ways as well as all of the ways to fix things that may go wrong and tips and tricks and hacks to make things better when I actually begin

You are giving me hope while in much pain in my hands. Thank you!

This was now so interesting!! The Wrap is gorgeous!! 🥰🧶🌻

That was beautiful to watch

I just learned how to knit. I was a crocheter so naturally continental was nicer. I also discovered I was doing combination (eastern and western stitch mount) knitting and managing not to twist my stitches. Probably because I knew what a twisted stitch wasn't right so I did it to make the stitch sit right. Come to find out I was doing it right on instinct! My hand was hurting pushing the yarn with my finger. So I fudged it and am so proud to say I was doing it right. Anyways, when you do combination knitting there is almost no hand movement. Purling is just as easy. Try it out. Theres good videos on here. Watch several.

I remember reading in an Erica Wilson book that said men would walk along the docks with a needle tucked under their arm. They would knit for the sailors when they were in port.

This was a really good video. You kinda voiced every question I was thinking as you went along. Thank you for explaining everything.

That’s how I learned to knit! So nice to know the name of that style. You are an amazing & inspirational knitter!

Wow, I'm so impressed with your channel. I ran across you accidentally and was hooked. Your style is entertaining, you subject matter is quite interesting and you speak very softly and calmly. I've subscribed because I want to see more!!!!

ahh!! I take this as my sign to finally learn this. I've been wanting to for years, it looks *So smooth*. I love how the wrap turned out, too!

This was fascinating! Im interested to try this style.

Wow, you are one talented person! Love your gorgeous scarf. I never thought about knitting the way you do. . Bravo!! Loved just sitting here being mesmerized by your stitching.

I lo e learning new ways to knit so I enjoyed this video very much ! I look forward to trying this technique very soon !

I am ambidextrous with most everything - except knitting and crocheting. I wish I had learned both/all styles. Especially when knitting entrelac - it would be cool to not have to turn the needle around. I am never in a hurry to knit or to crochet or any craft - so it's not important to me to be speedy. I enjoy the process. I bowl left and golf right.

Beautiful!

Thanks for filming your process! I’m trying to learn Irish cottage knitting, but left-handed, so I can reverse knit big projects like afghans. This was exceedingly helpful.

Thanks, I always wondered if I should try the throwing, always did European style. But the title of this intrigued me. Just started tunesian crochet and am faszinated.

i believe the 2togs. can be pinched off the left needle to make it easier to knit them. those people back in the day did some amazing things!!! i love the history of knitting. lovely video!

I am left handed and instinctively tucked my right needle under my arm when learning to knit as a child. My left needle was the action needle, stabbing the stitch onto the stationary right needle. Many yeats later I discovered that my intuitive technique actually had a name: cottage knitting.

Thank you so much. I've wanted to learn this for so long. I learned to knit when I was 8. I also use a knitting machine.

Beautiful scarf!

If you go to Italy you see them knitting in almost the same way as the Irish Cottage Style. I lerned as a child and when I moved in another country everybody was surprise to see my "strange" way of knitting!!! I always said: Its the Italian way of knitting.

Wow. Beautiful! I can't wait to learn more. I just know the basics. Liked and subscribed 🧡🙏

I am from Sicily and this is the way my grandmother taugth me to knit when I was 8 years .... many years ago 😅 and the way everyone used to knit. My grandmother was very very fast

❤️So happy I found you. I use a smaller knitting needle with the cast on and change to a larger size for the rest of the knitting project❤️

Neat video, I learned to knit with Irish cottage style by my grandmother, which evolved into English style and I'm trying to learn Continental now and I find holding the needle in my right hand awkward properly now.

How fascinating! I’d never heard of this style before.

My Danish grandmother taught t me to knit Continental Combination. planting the left needle in place and only moving my right needle. After nearly 2 decades of doing it that way, it was so hard to switch to regular Continental and to learn to use both hands. I was adamant about being able to use circulars, so persisted, though. Now I'm trying to learn to do double-knitting holding one color in each hand. Kudos to you for learning new ways to knit - it's very hard to overcome old habits

I've always knitted this way and it's a common method in Northern England.

I love your willingness to learn new things. Very admirable. I think I will try this myself. I would have to go out and buy some straights. All I have are circulars and dpn’s. I remember buying straights decades ago when I started knitting, and I naturally propped the right needle into my hip crease. I taught myself to knit continental, to make it easier to do color work, but I still prefer English style. I don’t flick, b/c my hands and small and fingers are short, but I do a pseudo flick which minimizes the movement of my right hand. I learn different techniques b/c what if the government outlaws circular needles, or outlaws knitting English style, or I’m stranded on a desert island with just one long circular and no dpn’s.

Awesome vid!!!!

Spent today learning how to flick after watching another video. It was really hard to get the tension even at first. It was way too tight. My first swatch is narrow at the bottom, lol. I did figure out the tension once I got used to the motion. I grew up as a thrower and taught myself continental in college. I think I like the flicking a lot more but I’m going to need a lot of practice to get the tension even.

Great review!

Youre amazing!!!

This was such a fun video. Ive been looking at getting a knitting belt to try this style but I'll probably try holding it under the armpit first before investing in a belt. I wonder if this technique would help "force" me to keep a better posture which is an issue for me which now causes back pain. Same with the way you described it putting less stress on your right hand, maybe that would help with people experiencing hand pain while knitting. I think trying this technique but keeping other styles for different projects could help so your hands arent doing the same motions and reducing hand stress. Also omg the finished wrap is GORGEOUS. The color combination you chose wouldnt have been my first choice but I love the contrast between the the colors you choice and with all the different stitches it looks so cozy and beautiful. Almost like a sample blanket or something where you do a different stitch in each section.

You are beautiful plus well spoken and clever too. I love how like myself you choose to look into a variety of ways to go about things in this our fascinating world. We are very alike. 🥰 I am your new very happy subscriber!💞💓