Knitting “The Continental Way”: The Easy Way, Denise’S Way

By Denise Mazal Resnerova

Continental knitting is a technique that is admired by everybody but feared by most.

This instructional book will show how easy and logical it is to transform from crocheting to knitting the continental way.

Imagine not needing to sew garment pieces together! Brrr! Sewing!

The crochet hook and a slipstitch (referred to as a chain stitch) would be the quickest technique to accomplish this. The Continental Way is faster, more accurate, and easier on your hands and wrists.

Knitting the Continental Way, as Denise would say, is the only way!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Jun 13, 2016
• ISBN: 9781524600242

Denise Mazal Resnerova

Denise Mazal Resnerova is the only Czech in the United States who has created a magical knitting shop with a twist. She has, over the past twenty-five years, touched hundreds with her unique personal ideas and supportive teaching. Coming from Prague to Texas was a lifelong journey. During that time, she had to make several major decisions. She was only nineteen with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. With one foot out, she was ready to go and participate in rowing in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, the first year for women to compete in that sport. Fortunately, or not, that would have taken her to Canada; she would not be here, and her story would be quite “different.” At that young age, she felt that the entire city of Prague belonged to her! Prague was her home, her inspiration, her everything. Every day, walking to work, she was hopping from blue cobblestone to blue cobblestone, skipping on the white ones, crossing Wenceslas Plaza and the Old Square Plaza, humming melodies of Johann Strauss’s waltzes. Happy, happy she was. Then one day, her employer at work had to pick one out of the four-person office to join the Communist Party. Unfortunately, she was the best pick for him. Young, full of energy, and enthusiastic was she. When he announced the news, it was a black day for her. She did not want to be involved in the party. Communism had taken everything that her parents had worked for all their lives. She did not know what to do. Everything in her life seemed to have come to an end. A year later and after a long struggle to obtain a visa, she got an airline ticket marked “Prague–Frankfurt” and a train ticket marked “Frankfurt–Baden-Baden–Paris.” Her lifelong journey had begun.

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© 2016 Denise Mazal Resnerova. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 06/13/2016

ISBN: 978-1-5246-0023-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5246-0024-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2016904870

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

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Knitting

The Continental Way

The Easy Way, Denise’s Way

DENISE MAZAL RESNEROVA

Contents

Learning How to Crochet

Praho, Nashledanou! - Prague, we shall meet again!

Knit Stitch

Hand Knitted Beanie Cap from recycled T – Shirts

Thanks of gratitude

First and foremost, I would like to thank all of my students who, over the years, gave me the opportunity to touch their lives with my work. Without them, I would not have been able to see and learn each and every move they made with their crochet hooks and knitting needles and the questions that followed.

To all of them who have inspired me and expressed the need to write this book, I thank them from the bottom of my heart.

To Rebecca Karp, may she rest in peace, I thank her for struggling through my first written crochet lesson and for helping to edit my first instructions. Rebecca you were a good sport and a great help.

To Diana Hoffman, my little angel, I thank her for spending time with me and encouraging me in so many ways. She is truly my little angel.

To my handsome professional photographer Al, who is known for photographing Governors, movie actors, and other VIP’s, I thank him for his understanding and for accepting this photo shoot.

To my beloved husband, Jimmy, I thank him for his willingness to go sentence by sentence, paragraph by paragraph over each and every page. Thank you, Jimmy. Without you, this book will have never seen the light of day.

To my children and specially my youngest son, Lucas. I thank him for the endless hours I spent away from him while writing this book. Thank you, Lucas.

I would like to thank all of my students from the Hill Country; Boerne, Fair Oaks Ranch, New Braunfels, Kerrville, Tapatio Springs, Bulverde, Bandera, Medina Lake, Harper, Fredericksburg, Blanco, Comfort, Pipe Creek, Sisterdale, Leon Springs, Big Springs and Wimberly.

Thanks also to all of my students from the big cities; San Antonio, Austin, Corpus Christy, El Paso, San Angelo, Midland, Lubbock, College Station, Houston and Dallas.

I would like to thank all of my students from other states; Louisiana, New Mexico, Florida, Massachusetts and Virginia.

And finally, I would like to thank all of my students from other countries; Mexico, France, Germany, Russia and the Czech Republic.

To all of you, Thank you!

Introduction

This book is not only instructional but also a little story about my life. I hope to share how my passion for knitting and creating helped me to get through some difficult times and, at the same time, helped me to focus on building from scratch a new life in a new country.

The United States of America, land of opportunities and big dreams, is still offering challenges to every one of us.

To me, the hardest test was to put my teaching method into writing because I did not learn to speak English in school. I really never had reasons to be writing in English. I literally learned how to speak English little by little by teaching others how to knit. Not having a complete command of the English language has made me explain each and every step, word by word not taking anything for granted. There is no other instructional book that I have read that simulates what I have endured to make certain the reader understands everything. The very uniqueness of this book is the fact that I have written this in English!

The United States is filled with powerful energy which gives immigrants, like myself, the strength, belief and trust that they can, with focus, devotion and the persistence of hard work, accomplish tasks they never even dreamed about.

I still have lots to learn and I hope that this book will be very successful to make me challenge myself once again.

What prompted me to write this book.

In the hundreds of lessons and over 20 years of teaching, I have often tried to find a supplemental guide for my students; some form of instructional guide that could re-emphasize what I have taught.

I have searched many dozens of books that explain the foundation of the Continental Technique. I have not yet found such a source. Most instructional books treat Continental Knitting lightly and, unfortunately, do not educate the student.

Crochet is either not mentioned or described briefly. The need for a truly European-technique text book is unavailable and so I have undertaken that requirement in my writings.

Knitting is delicious – Knitting is exciting and rewarding

Denise Mazal Resnerova

Who do I want to reach?

This book is intended for the beginner, average and expert knitter too.

Any man, woman or child of any nation, any color, size or age who is either crocheting or knitting, or never has, and would like to know about Knitting The Continental Way.

Everyone who has seen someone else crocheting and knitting The Continental Way and got inspired and curious about it.

Everyone who is already crocheting and thinks that knitting is a totally different ball game.

Everyone who is already knitting the English way and has a secret desire in their heart to relearn to knit The Continental Way because they know that knitting The Continental Way is faster, more accurate and easier on the wrists, and they don’t have anybody to turn to for help.

This book is not only a guide for first time knitter. To the expert, it will become a referral encyclopedia for knitting The Continental Way.

Fun dreams and ideas…

I would like to support the idea of a standardization of the instructions and abbreviations in knitting and crocheting.

As I was writing this book, I found that Julia Roberts had secretly answered my wishes by doing just what I wanted her to do…act in a movie about knitting and the life within a knitting store. I hope that there will be more, fresh, romantic films with twisted hurdles, a good sense of humor, but most definitely, with happy endings!

I would like to see a video game created that would include crochet and knitting; a light, funny and competitive way to amuse and teach children.

I would like to create a team for the USA to compete in a stitching Olympics against other countries in the world and be televised just like the Food Network and, equally, I would like for everyone to have fun, filled with pleasure and satisfaction, which will be paid back with beautiful rewards.

I would like to give my full heart to become the biggest inspiration to those who are reading these words and who have been in my store where I was able to touch them with my work.

Crochet is … where the Grip is.

Denise Mazal Resnerova

Learning How to Crochet

The first step of knowing how to Knit The Continental Way,

The Easy Way, Denise’ Way

Compare these two photographs.

You can see from these two pictures that when you crochet, you hold the yarn exactly the same way as when you knit.

That is my motto and I claim, based on this fact, that If you know how to crochet then you know how to knit.

The truth is, on the other hand, that if you skip the learning of How To Crochet, you are not going to be able to do the finishing touches for your garments and that’s what makes the difference between a piece and fabulous piece.

You will never be a complete knitter without knowing how to crochet!

Denise Mazal Resnerova

This is insert of pictures and short stories

Praha (18)

Wenceslas Square - the heart of the city

If you were told to meet under the horse’s tail, most Czechs would know that there was only one place in the world to meet. It was at Wenceslas Square in Prague.

The statue of the Good King Wenceslas, the patron of Bohemia, proudly sits on his bronze horse. Directly beneath the horse’s tail would be such a meeting place. King Wenceslas’ statue overlooks this symbolic square that played such an important role in the history of Prague - the place where I grew up.

Praha (20)

Wenceslas Square - downtown Prague

It was my back yard. Down on the square, I would hop scotch on the cobble stones, each one I had memorized over the years.

It was here, in my mother’s restaurant located on the 6th floor of the BATA shoe store building where I would watch the Communist Party’s parades.

Praha (19)

It was in the fountain in front of the National Museum where I would dip my white, Sunday best gloves. It always upset my dear mother.

I loved this fountain.

I was here in August of 1968, when all of the citizens of Prague tried to stop the Soviet invasion and their tanks and a year later when Jan Palach committed self-immolation in the name of liberty.

I was here in 1972, when the Czechs won the World Cup in ice hockey against the Russians. It was a memorable occasion. Immediately after the conclusion of the game, my mother literally dragged me into the square where jubilation was prominent.

It was here in 1989, when my mother, then 75 years old, was one of a million present when the Velvet Revolution arose.

During my teen years, I walked from my home, down Wenceslas Plaza, to the Civil Engineering School realizing then how beautiful the architecture of Prague was.

Every morning I recognized that I was walking through the entire encyclopedia of architecture.

Among these:

The beautiful National Museum built in neo-Renaissance style;

The Koruna Palace which reflects the influence of eastern civilization with its Babylonian style;

Grand Hotel Europa that describes the most remarkable architectural sights of Wenceslas Square. I would not say grandiose, in what you would think of being grand in today days, but you can feel it’s importance of years by gone the atmosphere in art nouveau style;

The Lucerna Palace- the place where I took dancing lessons and had my prom. All the other buildings with decorations and frescoes on the facades explain the history of the Czech people.

This was Wenceslas Square – this was Prague – my Prague!

In my first lesson you will learn:

- How to properly hold the yarn and the hook;

- How to make a slip knot and a chain stitch;

- How to count the chains and make a single crochet;

- How to turn;

- How to fasten the tails.

I would like to encourage you to purchase the best crochet hooks and knitting needles from your local knit shop. It will be your most important investment. By spending a few extra dollars, you will make your work easier and less frustrating. The joy of smooth, long term work will surpass the guilt of a small investment. The next time you go to a restaurant, skip on the soda! That will help make up for buying the best knitting equipment and it will also be healthier for you.

I strongly suggest you use German made Addi hooks and knitting needles. Despite the industry’s push towards a standardization of the needle sizes, it has not yet become a reality. Unfortunately, each manufacturing company differs from the other’s sizing. The Addi needles and crochet hooks are sized by the metric system. You can’t approximate a metric size. It is simply what it is. You can find Addi products in most specialty stores or you can contact us at [e-mail] and we will be happy to provide them for you.

I recommend the Addi hooks with colored coded plastic handles and stainless steel tips. The colors on the handles represent the size of the hook, which make it easier to select the right size once you get familiar with them. The plastic handle is also much easier to grasp and that will be better for your hand.

At the end of the handles, you will find a number that corresponds to the size of the circumference of the shaft of the hook in millimeters. For example: a number 5 means that size of the shaft of the hook is 5mm in circumference.

You will select the size of the hook you want to work with according to the suggested size printed on the label by the manufacturer of the yarn.

Crochet hooks, in general, are also marked with an alphabetical letter. Again, the letter represents the size of the shaft of the hook. Most of the patterns will suggest both the letter and the size. Example H/5.

It is good to have the following little chart as your guideline: (This is a guideline for Addi Hooks.)

You can see here how very important it is to have an accurate hook because even a fraction of a millimeter will make a difference in the long run.

Anatomy of the Hook:

Let’s look at the hook. The hook has three parts: The head of the hook, I refer to as the tip of the hook, the shaft and the handle.

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3.) The hook

The head of the hook has two parts: the nose and the neck.

The nose is the actual hook and