Hi!
I’m trying to do something from scratch that I’m not sure can be done, or if it can, what strategy and stitch types would do it.
What I’d like to do is embed a small square intarsia design (stockinette with sock/fingering and size 1 needles?) into the headband portion of a winter hat. (ribbed stitch with DK and size 6 needles?) The result would look like a square logo on the brim, except knitted right in, like this:
Once I come up with 2 gauges that are roughly a 2:1 ratio with each other, how would I change from one to the other?
Changing from the larger to smaller yarn could be done just like you would if you were changing colors, with a little difficulty because of the size difference. Splitting columns in two could be done by just doing a row of increases at the start of the pattern, and then a row of decreases at the end, I suppose. But how would you split one horizontal row into two?
Could you continue to work in one direction, splitting the row into two and then recombining them at the end, like this?
Or would you have to reverse directions with the larger yarn and make a “square hole” in the brim, then come back and weave the square small yarn piece into the hole’s edges, like this?
I’m not a pro, but I can usually make a pretty good piece if I get advice on the strategy to take, or suggestions on specific types of stitches to use to accomplish it.
Thanks!
Welcome to KH!
Are you thinking of working this hat in the round or back and forth? It may be simpler to work this back and forth, then seam.
I don’t know that you’re going to get a 2:1 ratio from a DK and stockinette yarns but you can certaily give it a try.
Ordinarily, working short rows with the thinner yarn in stockinette might compensate for the difference in row gauge (similar to your last diagram). That would be something to try and would work more easily knit flat with a seam.
What is easiest to do is to knit the two pieces separately and embed the smaller as you suggest. No problem with gauge just seam the stockinette into the opening. Would it work to knit the hat in the round then stitch the stockinette section over the ribbing?
It’s a clever idea and worth some trial and error to make it work.
This hat does something similar also with two yarn weights.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/patches-beanie
There’s a method for a buttonband which is worked on a smaller needle and the extra rows needed are worked in whatever ratio required to make it work. So, 2:1 would work but it doesn’t necessarily have to be 2:1. The band is worked on a seperate needle ut the piece is worked as one (working band as the body of the cardigan is worked but avoiding a floppy band). The method might work for you. I think it is patty lyons, she explains how to calculate the 2 gauges and when to work the additional rows.
If you can’t find it but think it might be useful I’ll have a look for you.
I think I’d opt for making a square hole in the rib and a seperate square in the smaller gauge and seam it in.
