Lively Loop

Colorwork in the round

Yokes, hats, sleeves, bottom-up sweaters: the most convenient method.

54321all rows ←
1. In the round, every row is worked from the RS, so each chart row is read from right to left, bottom to top. Floats always stay in back: the easiest way to do colorwork
start of rnd (marker): the jog
2. At the start of the round the color jumps up a row: the jog. To hide it, at the first stitch of the next round pick up the stitch from the row below and knit them together, or place the start of round at the side or underarm

How to do it

  1. Cast on a number of stitches that is a multiple of the repeat width (for example, a multiple of 8).
  2. Place a beginning-of-round marker: the side or underarm is a convenient spot.
  3. Read each chart row from right to left, from the right side; read chart rows from bottom to top.
  4. Work the repeat as many times as it fits in the round.
  5. At the beginning of the round, hide the jog: pick up the stitch in the row below and knit it together with the first stitch.

Tip

Knit with the tube turned inside out (floats on the outside): they travel a longer path and are less likely to pucker.

For small-circumference sleeves, use magic loop or short circular needles.

Common mistake

If the stitch count is not a multiple of the repeat, the motif "breaks" at the join of the round.

More in this section «Colorwork (stranded knitting)»

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