Portuguese Knitting (Yarn Around Neck)
Portuguese knitting holds the working yarn around the back of the neck or through a knitting pin pinned to the chest. The yarn is flicked with the left thumb to form each stitch, producing a fast, ergonomic style with minimal hand movement.
Recommended A printable technique cheat-sheet for your knitting bag.
Setup
Loop the working yarn around the back of the neck (so it hangs from both shoulders) or thread it through a Portuguese knitting pin pinned to the chest. The yarn now feeds from the pin/neck to the work with consistent tension.
Mechanics
The right needle picks each stitch as in Continental, but the yarn is flicked with the left thumb (rather than tensioned by the left index finger). The flicking motion is small and ergonomic.
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Speed
After learning, Portuguese knitting is competitive with Continental for speed. Some Portuguese knitters are among the fastest in the world.
Best for
Knitters with arthritis or tendonitis (the small thumb flick is gentler than other styles). Knitters who find Continental purling difficult (Portuguese purling is the easiest of any style).
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| k | knit |
| p | purl |
Tips
- Use a Portuguese knitting pin for consistent yarn tension.
- Portuguese purling is the easiest of any knitting style to learn.
- Recommended for knitters with hand or wrist injuries.
In depth
Portuguese knitting (also called Andean or Turkish knitting in some traditions) is one of several alternative styles that distribute the work of knitting differently. The neck-or-pin tensioning system is exceptionally easy on the hands and is recommended for knitters managing chronic pain.