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Dealing with Color Dominance in Colorwork Knitting

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I will admit than when I am working with more than one color in a row or round, I don’t always pay a lot of attention to which yarn is dominant. I work colorwork holding one yarn in each hand, and while I know enough to keep holding the same color in each hand throughout a project, I can never remember which one is supposed to “pop” based on which hand you are working it with.

This great blog post on color dominance in knitting from Jessica McDonald Designs reassures me that I was probably doing it “right” (bearing in mind there’s not really a right or wrong in knitting, just what you like and what you don’t like) all along without paying much attention.

As she explains in much more details in the post, the yarn that’s to the left will be more dominant in the knit fabric, because the floats from the yarn on the right will push it forward as you knit.

Because I tend to be an English knitter (holding the yarn in my right hand) I naturally put the contrast yarn in my right hand when I knit.

If you don’t know how to knit holding one strand in each hand (or you’re working with more than two colors) Jessica explains how to work with yarns in different ways to ensure the contrasting color of your choice is more dominant.

It’s certainly not the end of the world if you knit a different way, but you might be surprised by how different a project can look just by working with the yarns configured a different way as in the swatch above. You can clearly see a difference between the top and bottom of the swatch, and all she did differently was a switch on which yarn she was holding in which hand.

Head to the blog post to learn more about color dominance, and have fun learning more about easy ways to change the look of your project.

[Photo: Jessica McDonald Designs.]

 

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Comments

  2. Whichever one is farthest to the left will be most dominant, which would be the one at the bottom of the ring if the loops are on the same side, or the one on the left side of the finger if they are on both sides.

Have you read?

Knitting Pattern – Adorable Teddy Bear Cardigan For Baby

As a knitter, I am always on the lookout for new and interesting patterns to add to my collection. Recently, I came across Sirdar’s TEDDY BEAR CARDIGANS IN SNUGGLY SNOWFLAKE CHUNKY, design number 5404. This pattern caught my attention because of its adorable teddy bear motif pockets, and the fact that it comes in two different styles – a V-neck and shawl collar version.

The fluffy Snuggly Snowflake Chunky yarn that is used in this pattern adds an extra touch of warmth and coziness.

I have to admit, I haven’t had the chance to knit this pattern yet, but it’s definitely on my list of patterns to complete this year. The fact that it is classified as an easy level makes it accessible for knitters of all skill levels and I’m excited to give it a try. The pattern includes detailed instructions and charts, making it easy for knitters to follow along and create a beautiful and functional piece.

I love the idea of the teddy bear pockets and I can imagine how adorable it would look on a baby. The fact that the pattern comes in two different styles gives me the flexibility to choose the one that best suits my needs or preferences.

I am excited to add this pattern to my list of projects to complete this year. I believe that this pattern is a great choice for knitters looking for a cute and cozy project that is easy to make. I can’t wait to start knitting and see the final product.

Get the pattern here: TEDDY BEAR CARDIGANS

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