Double knitting primer for newbs, by a newb

How-to Questions
1

Here are some tips I have developed for those who are trying Double Knitting out for the first time: READ THE PATTERN CAREFULLY! If you are working DK to end up with ST st. on both sides, ALWAYS! knit the color that should show on the side of the fabric you are working on FIRST, and purl the reverse side color second. Treat it as K1,P1 ribbing and it will be much easier to wrap your head around it.

Also, I found that written directions are much easier to follow than the grid pattern (at least for me). So after completing each row, I now write out the sequence for the next row as follows:

Lets say you are working in two color argyle:
colors: Brown and Green
Knit Green/Purl Brown 7
Knit Brown/Purl Green 1
Knit Green/Purl Brown 1
Knit Brown/Purl Green 1
Knit Green/Purl Brown 7
etc. etc.

If you are just starting out this is much simpler to follow and check off each iteration of KG/PB as it is done, than to keep counting stitches and referring back to your grid pattern. Even if you are experienced with this technique, on the more complicated patterns this will be of great assistance.

Another tip: if you have a written (graph paper) or printed grid pattern, highlight every other row so that you can see when to invert your colors. This helped me out a LOT! That way you can tell which rows to knit the main color, and purl the secondary color. You can write a legend of this on the first two rows saying:
1:{X}=Knit Main color,{ } =Purl Secondary color
2:{X}=Knit Secondary Color,{ } =Purl Main color

Just thought that I would share this now that I have figured out a way to make it easier. Though most people wouldn’t over complicate it as I did when starting to try Double Knitting.

Happy knitting!
~igklico:woohoo:

2

What I did not mention is that if you don’t do something to prevent it; the sides of the fabric will sorta separate. I’m researching the various ways to prevent this now.

3

I am so glad you posted this. It has been the most helpful written description I have found so far although I still haven’t prefected this yet and keep making weird mistakes. I am new to knitting so trying to dk my own graphed logo has been quite a challenge. I have had the problem of my sides seperating creating pockets and I haven’t quite figured out how to solve it have you found a good solution yet? I see the heart potholder instructions on this site but I just don’t see it working for my own project.