When I look at pictures of items for patterns that say knit with two strands, I don’t see any stripes or designs or anything that shows why or how the two strands are used. Do I just make all stitches with both strands of yarn at the same time, or is this part of that “carry it up the side” thing? The patterns never say change yarn or give any indication what I am to do with the two strands. The patterns I’ve read look just like patterns using one strands. The one thing I have noticed, though, it that the patterns usually say “Quick to knit with two strands.” I keep avoiding trying these because I don’t understand.
You can tell I am a rank beginner, and I don’t know anyone who knits.:mrgreen:
Knitting with two strands is a way of bulking up yarn. Both strands are held together and knit at the same time. It id often suggested that you wrap the yarn into a center pull ball, place the ball in a zip lock bag with the two lower corners cut off. Run the yarn from the center of the ball out one corner hole and the yarn from the outside of the ball out the other corner hole. This will minimize tangling of the yarn. Knit both strands at the same time.
Thanks! That makes sense. I will look for a pattern that is “down” to my level but uses two strands and give it a try.
You can just practice it by casting on 20 sts or so, and working with both yarns together. You need to use a much bigger needle than if you used a single strand of the yarn. Or you can find a pattern that uses bulky or super bulky yarn but do it with 2 strands of thinner yarn.
Sometimes it’s also a way of mixing two yarns to make something totally new, like knitting with a single color or multi-color yarn and a fine mohair in a complementary shade. Give it a try, it’s really not as complicated as it may sound.