Stranded colourwork knitting

Stranded colourwork, which uses two or more colours of yarn per row to create patterns, is a vital element of many knitting traditions around the world. We love this technique for the endless design possibilities, ability to create intricate patterns from simple building blocks, and for the compelling rhythm of knitting alternating yarns. Master colourwork with our patterns and tutorials, designed to lead you through every step of your colourwork journey.

Stranded colourwork is most often knit in the round, in stockinette. Because the right side of the work always faces you, it’s easy to see the pattern developing and keep track of where you are in the chart.

Colourwork charts

Colourwork patterns are usually worked from charts, showing which colour each stitch is knit in. Some charts will have boxes shaded in the colours used. For many of our patterns we use a simplified style of colourwork chart showing whether a stitch is worked in the "pattern" or "background" colour. Two columns next to the chart show which colours are used for pattern and background on that row. This makes it easier to substitute colours.

Tensioning the yarn

The yarn can be tensioned by holding both colours in one hand or one colour in each hand. You may find a knitting thimble, which is worn on one finger and holds the two colours of yarn under tension, a helpful aid to tensioning two colours at once. 

Colour Dominance

When working with two colours one colour will always appear slightly more prominent while the other will recede more into the background, this is called Colour Dominance. The effect is caused by the way that the two colours are stranded over each other on the wrong side: the colour which is stranded underneath the other will be be more prominent.

The dominant colour should always be stranded under the floats of the background colour. When knitting with one colour in each hand hold the dominant colour in the left hand and always bring the yarn up from below the floats in the background colour. If there isn't a clear pattern and background colour in the design the crucial thing is to be consistent.

Swatching for colourwork

Colourwork is usually knit in the round, and gauge can vary between knitting in the round and knitting flat. We recommend swatching in the round using the swift swatching in the round method.  

Get started with stranded colourwork knitting with these beginner tutorials: