left-handed knitting?

[candy corn]

Hi all - I was wondering if there are any left-handed knitters out there. My MIL and grandmother-in-law are helping to teach me how to knit, but they insist that I hold the needles the same way they do (as right-handers), but I'm so uncomfortable that way. I managed to teach myself to knit left-handed (the needle with the previously knit row is on the right, I'm moving them over to the left needle) They insist that I can't do this if I want to work patterns, but I'm pretty sure that as long as I knit things that are symmetrical, it will be fine (my "wrong side" is just the same as their "right side")

does anyone knit left-handed? or is there really only one way to knit?? Do you adjust the pattern because of this? any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

thanks!!!

[petdoc08]

I think you have to alter the patterns as they are all written for right handed knitting. http://www.knittinghelp.com is a great resource for all things knitting.

I am right handed but DD#1 is left handed. When we realized she was definitely left handed, my first thought was "How am I going to teach her to knit?"

[candy corn]

I'm sure you'll be able to teach her just fine!! (my mom taught my sister other stuff - like tying shoes - by sitting in front of her, like a mirror - just an fyi for you!) Most people are somewhat talented using both hands. I do EVERYTHING left handed, so I'm pretty hopeless!! I guess I could try knitting right-handed, but I just feel like it will take me SO much longer to do that it wouldn't be fun anymore, you know?

thanks for the website - I'll have to check it out!!

[looch]

Gosh, there are many ways to knit, I hate it when people insist that there is only one correct way to do things! I knit a combination of English and Continental, depending if I am knitting or purling! It's what works for me, and I am right handed. I have had a hard time modifying patterns, so if it were me, and I were left handed, I would learn it right handed. Otherwise, the more complicated stuff would confuse me.

I found this site petdoc posted very helpful, it's got great videos.

[jenahdawn]

My mother has successfully taught lefties to knit. You have already done what she suggested when it comes to other things: Sit facing them instead of next to.

[Sweet_Thang]

you might google portugese knitting. I believe most of the motion mimmicks the continetal way of knitting which is on the left.

good luck.