For knitters old and new: What are the pros and cons of 'throw' method vs 'pick' method?

Well, I learned the English, or throwing, style of knitting as a small child and knit with it for over 30 years before I taught myself to knit Continental style. I have found that with Continental my gauge is more accurate, my stitches are more even before blocking, and my speed has increased tremendously. I also don't suffer from tendonitis quite as often either (we won't discuss how MUCH I knit, which is the biggest problem with that <G>). However, the biggest advantage of knowing both methods, and learning English will be slow and awkward, learning Continental was for me, at first is that being able to both pick and throw you can do multiple color knitting like traditional Fair Isle or Bohaus with as many as 4 - 6 different yarns being held at the same time (I can do this, but don't like to, I like my Fair Isle simple <G>, two colors, ok, no more than 3 colors, in a row) and pick some and throw some and you don't get anywhere near the tangling problem you would otherwise.

To be honest, though, if I never knit English again it would be ok, Continental uses both hands and both sides of the brain, it is easier on the arms, from the shoulders to the hands, and lets you knit and walk around far more easily. And it's a plus to knit Continental if you want to learn to knit and purl backwards so that you don't have to turn flat pieces (btw, that technique confuses the heck out of people watching you <G>).

The best method is the one you know best. Honest!

What you call the 'pick' method sounds like what I learned as the 'continental' method when I was traveling in Sweden years ago. The needle does all the work. It's not old-fashioned, as you seem to have been led to believe. It's what's still taught today in most of Europe. I prefer it, myself, and teach it whenever I teach a new knitter.

There are tons of different knitting methods to be found worldwide, but the results all look the same, oddly enough. Everyone seems to prefer the one they started with, from what I've seen in my travels. I have always been curious about the American method (your 'throw' style) but have never learned it. I'd say don't bother. If your method works, use it. I still do and plan to continue doing so, too. Simply put it into your brain, in some handy corner, that the method you know isn't the one with which most folks here are familiar so they'll be curious when they see you knitting a bit differently than they do. They may ask questions. Accept the fact that you knit with a different method and don't think you need to change just to be like 'everyone else.'

I tried many times to learn how to knit using the "throw" method but just couldn't get it right. About 8 years ago while our family was stationed in Iceland I was taught the "pick" method you are referring to. I find it so much easier and faster as well. I have knitted hats, bags, socks and baby clothes in addition to many, many sweaters. One of the sweaters I made was a Fisherman's Cable Knit that my husband adores. I haven't found anything that I can't knit using this method. I really think it is a matter of personal preference and if it's working for you, you should stick with it. BTW, if you haven't tried knitting an Icelandic sweater, you should. They are fast, easy and always come out the right size. Happy Knitting!

You could learn the throw method, but I am thinking you will find it very slow compared to the pick method of knitting. You are comfortable with how you knit, so keep going.

Each of us should learn and use the method from the best teachers available and you sound like a very proficient knitter to me. So why change??

I think it's a good idea to learn both methods if you can. The change in technique can reduce the chance of repetitive stress injuries. I use the 'pick' method if I have a lot of knit stitches in a row such as in the stocking stitch. This makes the row go very quickly. I taught myself the 'throw' method when I first started knitting as it seemed natural to me. Learning to crochet actually helped me learn the 'pick' method.

I learned about the same time you did and would not go to the throw method. Reason: A friend of mine tried to get me to change and so we had a "race". When she finished the same amount of stitches on that needle as I had, I finished 1 1/2 rows. The old way is faster and does not use the hands movement as much so remain much more relaxed.