I first learned to knit when I was nine years old, sitting with yarn in my lap and a sense of wonder in my hands. Like so many of us, I was taught the “right-handed” way — knitting with the working yarn held in my right hand, one stitch at a time. It became second nature over the years, and I never thought twice about it.
Right or left — both hands now find their rhythm in every stitch.
Fast forward more than 45 years, and a quiet question started to whisper in the back of my mind: Would knitting feel smoother if I used my dominant hand — my left?
At first, it was just curiosity. I’ve always loved the rhythm of knitting, that steady movement that feels almost like breathing. But as I got more into colorwork, I began to see how helpful it could be to use both hands — one for each color. Watching experienced knitters glide through Fair Isle and stranded patterns with such ease made me want to give it a try.
So, I started teaching my left hand what my right hand had known for decades. It was instant — something clicked.
Now, I knit comfortably with both hands. My right and left needles dance together, each with their own rhythm, and I find colorwork not only easier but more enjoyable. The yarn flows naturally, and the tension stays balanced.
Becoming an ambidextrous knitter has given me a new appreciation for this craft — it’s a reminder that there’s always something new to learn, no matter how many years you’ve been knitting. Sometimes the best discoveries come from simply asking “what if?”
If you’ve ever wondered whether your dominant hand might knit differently — give it a try! You might just find, like I did, that knitting with both hands opens up a whole new world of creative ease.
Have you ever tried knitting with your non-dominant hand? I’d love to hear your experience! Share your story in the comments below, or join me over on YouTube or Ko-fi where I share tutorials and behind-the-scenes clips from my fiber journey. Let’s keep inspiring each other to try new things — one stitch at a time.
Petal and Purl 