O.k., this pattern involves 3 colors, but doesn’t say what method to use to change colors. It calls for working 2 rows with 1 color, 4 with another, then 2 rows with the 1st color, 2 with the 2nd, 2 with the 3rd, & so on. Suggestions, please?
Thanks.
You would just add colors at the beginning of the row, knit 2 or 4 rows and drop the color and knit with the other. You can carry the unused color up the side, twisting loosely with the other color, but if it’s more than 4 rows you’d need to cut and weave in the ends.
I’m not sure, I don’t know about using the duplicate stitch.
Duplicate stitch is more like embrodering onto finished knitted fabric to add a design. It wouldn’t be used for changing colors for a whole row like you are doing.
Just do like Suzee siad - knit your first 2 rows w/Color A. then drop and start row 3 w/Color B, continue the next 3 rows w/B. Twist A & B to carry the unused color up until you need it again.
I assume you’re knitting in the round? You said ‘rows’ so maybe you’re knitting flat?
That’s what I thought Marilyn, you wouldn’t use it for changing colors.
We’re knitting flat. So do we start with all the colors on the needle?
Thanks again.
We would need to know more about the pattern. Do you have a link to it, or a picture? And please don’t post the entire pattern if you can’t link it; just the first few rows.
The pattern is from a book; here are the first bits:
With Color A, cast on 69 (73) stitches.
Work in knit 1, purl 1 rib for 3 rows, ending with a right side row.
Purl next row.
Change to slip stitch pattern & work in color sequence as follows: with B, work rows 1 & 2; with A, work rows 3 & 4; with A, work in stockinette stitch for 2 rows. With B, work rows 1 & 2; with A, work rows 3 & 4; with C, work rows 1 & 2 . . .
We tried to upload a pic, but it was too big.
Thanks.
Okay, right there it says to start with just one color for the cast on, then continue to use it for 3 rows of ribbing and one purl row.That’s 4 rows with the 1st color. Then you change to color 2, and work 2 rows of the pattern, and then switch back to the 1st color for 2 rows. Then another 2 rows with the 2nd color, 2 rows of the 1st, 2 rows with the 3rd, etc.
Yes, but HOW do we change to color B? What method do we use? Do we cast on the second color in row 5, or what? Do we cut off a color when it’s finished & cast it back on later when it’s used again?
Oh, to change to the first new color, drop the first one and just start knitting with the new one. Leave a bit of a tail for weaving in. When you drop it to knit with the other, loosely twist the two around each other and begin knitting with the other one. You only cast on at the beginning.
So do we cast on all the colors at the start? When we drop a color, do we cut it?
No to both. Please re-read what I wrote in replies 10 and 12…
Cast on in the first color and use that to knit the first few rows. Drop that yarn and start knitting with color 2 for two rows. Drop color 2 and pick up color 1 again and knit for 4 rows. Drop that and pick up color 2 for 2 rows, then back to color 1 for 2 rows. Then start knitting with color 3 for two rows…
You don’t cut the yarn unless there’s more than 4 rows between using the same color.
Lee&JJ - I’m curious what your hat looks like. Can you tell us the name of the book it’s in, page # and name of the design? Perhaps we can find a picture of it online.
If the stripes are similar to this hat, even if you actually have more colors then this hat, Suzee’s directions will work.
http://www.shiridesigns.com/?p=1182
Hi, Lee and JJ! :waving:
This is one of those things that looks like rocket science when you’re first doing it and then like kindergarden playtime once you figure it out. But for right now, it IS rocket science so let’s see if we can get you to the kindergarden stage.
Think of your different colors as actors on a stage. They each appear on cue and then leave the stage when they’ve said their lines.
So, with that in mind, you’ll cast on with Actor A (Color A) and he’ll recite his lines for however many rows the pattern calls for.
Off stage Actor A goes and since his part is kind of long, we’re not going to have him hover in the wings, we’re going to cut him off completely. So snip that color yarn leaving a tail about 4 inches or so.
Then it’s time for Actor B to strut onto the stage and say his lines. To keep him anchored, what I do when I’m changing colors is take the next color, in this case Actor B, and tie him in a single knot around the Color A tail. Then I can slide the knot all the way up the tail of color A and put it in position to begin knitting the Actor B rows. When I’m finished the piece I can pick apart the knots and weave in the ends (or even leave the little knots in place if you want to and weave in the ends.)
I hope this helps you get to the point where you’re enjoying playing with the pattern and yarn and needles!
Happy Knitting,
Ruthie :waving:
Off stage Actor A goes and since his part is kind of long, we’re not going to have him hover in the wings, we’re going to cut him off completely. So snip that color yarn leaving a tail about 4 inches or so.
Actually, color A is going to be back after 2 rows, so I don’t think he needs to be cut off here.