Left Handed Western Mount Knitting

The way we learn how to do a skill tends to be our preferred method.  I learned how to knit using the eastern uncrossed method and hence, this website is dedicated to knitting this way.  Most lefties, however, learn how to knit using the left handed western mount knitting.  Another lefty on Ravelry chastised me when I presented this website to the community as a resource.  She felt I would only confuse people since I only presented my way of knitting.  Because of this she did not think I should advertise and promote my website as a resource.

I have more faith in my fellow lefties and their smartness than she does.  If someone comes to this website and sees it isn’t the way they knit then they will move on and find another website that suits their needs.  I have had enough inquiries about different aspects of left handed knitting to know that my website is a useful website.  In addition, I have successfully assisted lefties who knit using the western mount.

Today’s post then is first, my acknowledgement that two ways to produce the knit stitch exist.  Second, that I knit the more unorthodox way and third , this website is geared towards the way I knit.

Western Mount Knitting

So, What is the difference?

Two differences exist:  which leg is the leading leg and the way the yarn wraps around the needle.   The next question, then, “Which one should I use?”  This is purely a matter of preference.  Both styles will produce the same result in the end.

In eastern uncrossed (the way I knit) the leading leg is in the back of the needle and you wrap the yarn clockwise as if the needle is pointing right at your face.

In western knitting the leading leg is in the front and you wrap your yarn counter clockwise.

You can see in this photo that I am about to start the next stitch.  I am going to insert my left needle from the right side of the stitch.

 

Here my needle is in the stitch and I am ready to wrap.

Wrapping the yarn counter clockwise.  Then finish the stitch.

That’s all. You have now knitted using western mount.  This mimics how right handed knitter make the knit stitch.

Here is the purl stitch.  Purl into the leg closest to you and wrap your yarn clockwise.

To recap:

Style                    Leading leg                         Direction of wrap

eastern                               In the back             Clockwise

western.                           In the front              Counter cw

Here’s a short video showing left handed western knitting.   Left handed Western Knitting

I hope this helps you have a better understanding of knitting and knowing that there is no right or wrong method to knitting.