I designed a snowflake pattern that I want to add to a mitten pattern and I want to do a test knit but I am not sure how to go about it. When knitting in the round, and the color pattern is only on one side (top) of the mitten, do I need to carry the odd color string throughout the other side of the round? Seems like such a waste of yarn to do that. This is my first time trying color knitting so my ignorance on this technique is an issue. :??
Also, is there a way to test a color pattern without hacving to knit in the round? I though there was but I cannot find the link that showed it now (when I need it… :wall: ).
Upon futher searching what I want to do is more accuratly called picture knitting. I want to learn knitting another color, otherwise I would do the duplicate.
The type of knitting you’re looking to do is called intarsia. Unfortunately, knitting it in the round creates the problem you’ve discovered–the contrasting color is on the wrong side of the design on the next row.
Intarsia is usually knit flat, and you work the design back and forth.
There is a way, if both colors are carried throughout the design to work it in the round. You have to knit across with the main color, slipping the contrasting color stitches, then purl back with the c color, slipping the main color. Then you slip all the stitches back on the right needle and continue with the main color.
Actually the yarn ended up being on the right side because in the round only the stockinet shows on the outside. My only problem now is to to either carry the contracting yarn around all the way, or drop and pick it up. That creates a mess in the back, but who is gonna see that. Hummm, then I could add a liner or make a felted liner.
That’s what I was trying to explain. When you knit across with the two colors, the contrasting color doesn’t go all the way around, so is on the wrong edge of the design if you try to knit it in the round. You could carry it around the rest of the way, catching it under your contrasting yarn, but it wouldn’t be very stretchy and you’d have to worry about it pulling in.
If you knit flat, you can turn the knitting over and purl the stitches across the back, working the wrong side rows in reverse of the chart. The right side (knit) rows are read from right to left and the wrong side (purl) rows are read from left to right.
That’s what I was trying to explain. When you knit across with the two colors, the contrasting color doesn’t go all the way around, so is on the wrong edge of the design if you try to knit it in the round. You could carry it around the rest of the way, catching it under your contrasting yarn, but it wouldn’t be very stretchy and you’d have to worry about it pulling in.
If both your colors are in the snowflake, you can use the method I explained above.
If you knit flat, you can turn the knitting over and purl the stitches across the back, working the wrong side rows in reverse of the chart. The right side (knit) rows are read from right to left and the wrong side (purl) rows are read from left to right.
Oh goodness that would be a lot of ends to weave in… :thud:
I think I will opt to carry the yarn around and add bits of color here and there in the back to help carry it. Then I will knit a linning in either alpaca or icelandic. Thanks for all your help!
