Double knitting is an interesting colorwork technique. The method allows you to create two layers of fabric at the same time, with the same pair of knitting needles. With this one technique, you can make knitting projects in two colors. On the right side of the knitting project, each layer faces out while the wrong sides face each other. The finished fabric is entirely reversible and twice as warm. Using two contrasting colors as well as yarn fabrics, you can create a piece of knitting with one color on each side and no wrong side.
For knitting pattern designers, double knitting is a great opportunity. For those who want to plan two-color knitting free from the constraints of strands and floats, big motifs and large areas of single color, double-knit patterns are amazing. Double knitting is an interesting technique that opens up many prospects. You can knit an interesting warm sweater, gloves or scarf, pillow covers and pretty much everything.
How to get started with double knitting?
Double knitting follows the steps of normal knitting. You can use any knitting needle of your choice. Single-pointed knitting needles are perfect for beginners as are circular knitting needles. If you are knitting a round project, then choose double-pointed needles or circulars.
You start with cast on stitches, proceed with the basic knit and purl and end with bind off. The only difference is managing color yarns. The trick of creating two different sides of knitting is by slipping stitches without knitting or carrying a second yarn in a special way so it does not interfere with the visible front side. The fabric created will be of stockinette stitches on both sides.
For Cast On Stitches:
As double knitting has two layers, twice as many stitches are needed in the cast on stitches.
Almost all cast-on methods are fine for double knitting. But as you are working with two yarns, casts-on in alternating yarn colors are not only decorative but make it easier for remembering the steps.
How does double knitting work?
Whether you chose double knitting technique to knit back and forth or in the round, there are two things to remember:
- The technique is k1 (knit), p1 (purl), k1, p1, and so on till the end of the row or round. The rhythm of these stitches k1, p1 usually makes ribbing but with the use of two yarns on either k1, p1 makes double knitting.
- Before every knit stitch, do not ever forget to bring both yarns to the back of the work. And, for every purl stitch, never miss bringing both yarns to the front of the project. Keep the yarns of both colors together at all times. Take them as one even though only one yarn color is used in actually working the stitch. Move both yarns back or forth for every stitch. The knit stitches create the fabric facing you (the front of the knitting project) while the purls are creating the layer of fabric on the backside.
Now with double sides to the knitted fabric, you can have two different colors and designs, bringing much more versatility to your craft. Ready to knit?
Source by- https://lanternmoon.bcz.com/2022/08/24/beginners-guide-to-double-knitting-stitching/
