Thursday, October 1, 2009

Exquisite Striping in the Round


I have found that the best way to make nice stripes in the round is to twist the strands (and change colors when called for) on the third stitch of each round. This allows you to start the round and pull the stitches tight normally, without adding with a twist or color change at the same time. Then on the third stitch, the round is well-established, and you can change colors more gracefully. This is a good technique for making exquisite stripes or a gift for the Queen.

Here it is, step by step. Do this for every round, whether or not you change colors:

1. Work the first 2 stitches in the round using the same color as the previous round.

2. Twist the working yarn of both colors together—2 twists.

3. Place the color not in use between the 2nd and 3rd fingers of your left hand. Hold it like a cigarette in the old movies, pull the slack with your right hand, and slide up to the back of your knitting to tighten the twists.

4. With your right hand, pull on the working color yarn that you will use for this round to finish tightening the twists.

5. Insert the right needle into the next (third) stitch. Give one more tug on each color yarn with your right hand before working the stitch.

6. Work the stitch.

7. Drop the non-used color from your left fingers and tug gently on each color yarn.

8. Proceed with finishing the round.

Note: some knitters like to slip the first stitch before changing colors, to reduce the stair-step effect.

For more knitting tips that will help with Witch Warmers see
Preventing Uneven Ribs
Big Magic Loop
Closing the Bind-Off Gap
Preventing Ladders
Quick and Dirty Striping
Adding a Color in the Round
Straightening and Joining in the Round
Magic Loop Rocks!
Short Witch Warmers
Black Attack: Working with Dark Yarn
Cast-Ons: Keeping Count
I Love Cable Cast-On
Swatch Wars

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