How to Hold the Yarn – English Style (P1)

If you’re new to English-style knitting, one of the first things to figure out is simply how to hold the yarn.

There isn’t one “right” way to hold your yarn—everyone’s hands and movements are a little different. But finding a comfortable way to hold and control the yarn can make your knitting feel much more relaxed and natural.

In this first video, I’m sharing how I personally hold the yarn when knitting English style, including how I keep the tension comfortable while working.

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A couple of things that really help:

1️⃣ First - don't wrap too tightly. If your fingers are clamped down on the yarn, it won't flow smoothly, and you'll feel it fighting you with every stitch. You want just enough grip that the yarn doesn't slip, but loose enough that it glides.

2️⃣ Second - pay attention to the distance between your index finger and the needle tip. Too much distance and you'll waste movement reaching for the needle every time. Too close and you won't have room to wrap. Find that sweet spot where your finger can flick the yarn over with just a small, easy motion.

And if the yarn keeps slipping off your fingers while you're getting used to this - that's really common. You can try wrapping it one extra time around your index finger for a bit more grip while you build the muscle memory.

Honestly, this might feel a little clumsy the first few times - that's completely normal. Your hand just needs time to learn the motion. Once it clicks, you won't even think about it anymore, it'll just happen automatically while you knit.

In the next video, I'll show you how this yarn hold works together with your needles to actually form the stitch - so stay tuned for that one!

Happy Knitting!

Moc An