The simple reason is because I am left handed. Many lefties are told they have to knit right handed because that is how knitting is done and that is how patterns are written. I also think there’s also the possibility that righties have no idea how to teach lefties how to knit. I, of course, disagree.
I’ve tried to think of other awe inspiring reasons why to knit left handed,
but nope, it just comes down to how we are wired. Righties are used to being in the majority and have no idea what it is like to try and perform activities with their left hand. I challenge you, whether you are right or left handed, but mostly for the stray right handed person who has come here to check out this website, to brush your teeth today using your non-dominate hand. Try eating, writing a short memo or, ahem, using the facilities. Not so easy or fun is it? Now, try learning a new skill like knitting. Hmmm….using your non-dominate hand may just make you want to throw your knitting needles across the room. So, why then do right handed knitters tell us lefties to suck it up and just learn to use or right hand?
Yes, it takes a little more thinking and understanding of knitting to be able to knit left handed, but I think that has made me a better knitter. I have to understand the why of knitting to be able to execute the pattern correctly. Luckily for you, you have this website and I will show you and walk you through what you need to know!
Grab your needles and yarn and let’s go!
Bravo!! I have tried to explain this to others before, but just couldn’t do it well. While I am not left handed, I am ambidextrous and dyslexic. I do most things right handed (that’s the way we are taught), but somethings I do naturally with both hands. When it came to knitting though, it was left handed or nothing! The basics are the same regardless of how you “knit” them. And as for slanting stitches, I have found just swapping them out does the trick. If a cable twists the opposite way? As long as you are consistent; no worries. With a graphic that is asymmetrical, that is where things get dicey for me. It sounds simple to just follow the directions backwards (or rewrite the pattern), but for my poor, confused brain; there is nothing simple about it. So, yes, I stay away from more complicated graphic patterns. I have made a knit sweater with cables and a side slit, and I love it! It looks just like a mirror image of the designers picture. So my slit is on the opposite side. Who cares? My cables may “lean” the opposite way. Again, Who cares?
Basically, all I really wanted to say is: Thank you for saying this so much better than I could. And please, keep it up.
You are most welcome. Glad you found me.