Up until fifteen years ago, I had no idea there were different ways to knit and purl. I used the knitting style that my aunt showed me when I was a little girl, and I was sure that all knitters in the world used the same method.
Then I discovered that there are other ways to form stitches, and the knitting I knew (Eastern Knitting) is not even one of the two classic knitting styles (English and Continental).
A bit later I was introduced to a very interesting method that is known as Portuguese knitting, and quite recently a fellow knitter kindly shared with me a variation of Eastern knitting that she uses to make her projects.
This knitting style is called Eastern Uncrossed, and it really lives up to its name. The stitches are sitting on the needles as they sit when we use Eastern knitting, but the way we knit and purl those stitches doesn’t twist them when we work in the round or make garter stitch. The stitches stay uncrossed in all stitch patterns.
Here’s how Eastern Uncrossed knitting and purling works step by step.
Even though the Eastern Uncrossed knitting style is not as ergonomically efficient as Eastern (Russian) knitting, it is gentler to our wrists than the classic knitting styles.
Given that Eastern Uncrossed knitting solves the biggest drawback of Eastern knitting – twisted stitches in garter stitch and in seamless projects – it is a great option to try if you are looking to make your knitting less stressful to your hands.
Many thanks to Renee for introducing me to the Eastern Uncrossed knitting style. Thank you!
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