March 31, 2025: All the Pretty Colors

Tech Talk: Stranded Colorwork

Join us on an adventure in color! Colorwork, that is. There are multiple ways to knit or crochet in multiple colors on a single row; the term colorwork is generally used for this stitching style. Colorwork can include stranded, Fair Isle, Intarsia, mosaic, & double knitting. Today, we’re going to cover stranded colorwork.

Stranded colorwork uses 2 or more colors in a single row. Named for the way the strand of nonworking color is carried on the back of the work, the colors are switched frequently to create short pattern repeats along the row. Fair Isle, one type of stranded colorwork, originated from the Shetland Islands of Scotland.

Things to know about stranded colorwork:

•          It’s typically worked in the round, with the wrong side showing the strands (aka floats).
•          Choose high contrast colors for maximum impact. Gradients can add flair, but make sure the contrast color(s) provide enough contrast. 
•          Also, it can dramatically change your gauge, typically tightening your work. Controlling the tension, particularly that of the floats, is critical to a pucker-free fabric.
•          Although we typically hear stranded colorwork in knitting conversations, crocheted stranded colorwork is a thing! (Check out the American Crochet Association’s post on crochet colorwork.)
•          Charts are ideal for showing when to change colors. The beauty of charted colorwork is that it can be used for knit or crochet! Plus, charts are a universal language, meaning you can use a pattern not written in your language.
•          When knitted, it’s usually worked in stockinette, meaning all knit stitches when worked in the round. (Yay!)
•          When crocheted, it’s usually worked in single crochet, because the denser fabric shows off the design better.

Want to try stranded colorwork? Choose a pattern that has short floats like Kaia Mei by Jamie Hoffman (knit, free in-store/Rav) or Quinlan Bag by Sarah Korth (crochet, $4 in-store/Rav). Or pick up any of the Doodle knit decks, base patterns or book.  

Stitch On!

-Caryn & the Yarnivore Crew 

Coming Attractions!

Friday, 4/11: Friday Night Cravings

Saturday, 4/12: Twenty 8 North Trunk Show

Saturday, 4/19: Spinner Saturday 

Saturday, 4/26: LYS Day

Tip Jar: 

Short floats are more forgiving of tension issues than long floats. Also, per Wendy, if you’re knitting, make sure to spread your worked stitches out on the RH needle! This will help lengthen your floats. You can do something similar in crochet by frequently stretching your work a bit.

Moses recommends that you turn your work inside out, meaning you have the wrong side showing as you work. This will add a little distance between stitches, which also stretches your floats.