Flicking method...please tell me it gets easier

devra

In effort to improve my speed, Ive been trying to learn "flicking" which (much to my dismay) has had the opposite effect :curse:  Im hoping its just a matter of getting used to a new way of knitting...Id love to hear opinions from other flickers

KatharinaV-NL

Flicking was the standard way in The Netherlands 50 years ago.
Our needles are longer than the US ones: 40 cm exactly. (And so our knitting workbags are different sizes too; longer!)
Being right-handed you clamp the right needle under your arm against your body.
The left needle and your right hand, are the only things moving then. My right-hand thumb is always stuck on the needle, never a loose swinging hand like they show on videos. You get different tensions every time then if youre losing hold of the needle with your thumb.
Its better for back posture too.
The work is not in your lap but about 20-30 cm more upwards.
You sit straight up and not bended down. (Able to watch TV at the same time)
See the photo of this lady: www.facebook.com/843547772445081 ... -/1500828500050335/

CraftyLouAnna

With practice it should come easier.   My Mum was a very fast knitter I could never knit with just the points of the needle, flicking the wool over the point of the needle.  She also to propped the needles on her forearms.  Now I taught
myself and knit by dropping the wool in between stitches, but thats the way I learned and I get the right tension. Ive tried knitting the English way and found my tension was too tight.  So Ive stuck
with my old way and it may take me awhile to knit anything, but it comes out the way it should.   If it still seems to be a bit of a bother to keep trying the new approach, go back to your old way and enjoy the craft.  You know the race between
the tortoise and the hare, well I win being the tortoise every time!   :)  To me getting the right tension and  the right effect to what I am knitting means more to me than doing it quickly.

Elopy

you’re absolutely right—it is just a matter of getting used to it. When I first tried flicking, I thought my needles would fly out of my hands and my poor yarn would stage a rebellion. But with a bit of patience (and maybe a strong cup of tea nearby), it slowly became smoother, and before I knew it, I was clicking along like a pro. It’s like learning to ride a bike—wobbly at first, then suddenly you’re off, wind in your hair and all.

My advice? Don’t rush it. Practice flicking for just a few minutes a day, maybe with a simple swatch, and don’t be too hard on yourself if it feels like a mess. And hey, if your cats start batting at your needles, just take it as a sign they’re your biggest fans in this speedy new adventure!

Keep at it, sweetie—you’ll be knitting like lightning in no time, and I’ll be cheering you on from my cozy corner with a ball of yarn and a smile.

mjiseman

I am a flicker and very fast. It is a matter of how you hold your needles and how you tension the yarn around your fingers. You need to make sure that your index finger which will do the flicking has the yarn over it but not too tightly. Adjust your tension and your yarn wrapping until you get it right. Dont hold your needles too tightly either. Let the needles rest in your hands. I hold my needles like I am holding a knife and fork, NOT like I am writing with a pencil. That grip will make a difference. Practice and get someone to show you in person how it is done. You will find the personal approach much easier to learn than from videos on YouTube. If you need more help, dont hesitate to ask. I would love to help you in any way that I can.

mjiseman

mjiseman 2015-11-21 02:24
I am a flicker and very fast. It is a matter of how you hold your needles and how you tension the ya ...

We could try knitting together via Skype so that I can show you how I do it? Send me a private message and we can exchange email addresses. I am located in Ottawa, Canada.

lostlily

i switch to the flicking method when i need to count stitches. it's faster than throwing, but slow enough from continental that i'm not double counting. i guess it depends on what you want to achieve with getting better at flicking.

cucumber1

I tried so hard to learn this technique, but it just never worked out TvT. It's so hard to get the motion smoothly that continental is faster for me. Does it really end up paying off?

joannezi

have you given portuguese style knitting (with a pin around the shoulder) a try?  this saved me

Wischi

In combination with a knitting belt, flicking is very fast. Or Irish lever knitting.

allegra

Thank you for sharing!

gamzesk

thanks for the post

wuedna13

Thanks for sharing!

Kyanitemoon

ultimateduck13

Thank you very much!

fatima santos

very nice

cbninna

nice thx