Knitting with the yarn in one's left hand is commonly referred to as Continental knitting, German knitting, European knitting, or left-hand knitting. Unlike English knitting, the yarn is held in the left hand. This allows advanced knitters to scoop the working yarn through without wrapping it around the needle first. This is often referred to as picking. Continental knitting is often preferred by hand-knitters, as it is among the more efficient methods, requiring the shortest number of specific hand motions per stitch.
Continental-style knitting, being associated with Germany, fell out of favour in English-speaking countries during World War II; its reintroduction in the United States has often been credited to Elizabeth Zimmermann.[citation needed]