Stranded knitting is one of the skills most awed and most feared by new knitters. But letting that fear take hold can close you off to a world of amazing colorwork knitting patterns. So if you’ve been nervous to try, it’s time to bite the bullet and pick up your needles. So this sweater is a stranded knitting how to guide all on its own.
Here are 3 reasons why you should start your colorwork journey with Falling Up.
1. Stranded Knitting How To: Designed with Breaks So You Don’t Burn Out
I’m not going to lie, stranded knitting is not a low-concentration knitting pattern. In fact, if you’re new to it, it will take more concentration than your average knitting pattern. You’re learning to manage two strands of yarn and figuring out how and where to lock floats. And I don’t know about you, but that kind of concentrated knitting is only fun for a short time before I burn out.
So that’s why in Falling Up, the stranded knitting how to pattern, the colorwork only lasts for 49 rows.
In this bottom-up pullover, a gorgeous provisional cast on hem allows you to begin with the colorwork, giving you a short space of concentrated knitting that’s just long enough to get comfortable with colorwork but not so long you get burned out.
Then you’ve earned yourself a nice long break of simple stockinette through the body and upper arms before it’s time to practice stranded knitting one last time on the cuffs to really solidify your new skill before binding off.
You’ll end with a gorgeous sweater and lots of well-earned confidence to tackle all the fabulous colorwork knitting patterns.
Note: The yarn for this pattern was provided for me at no charge by the yarn company. Yarn support allows designers, like me, to continue to provide you with gorgeous patterns while we grow!
2. Geometric Colorwork Knitting Patterns Are Easier to Anticipate, Therefore Easier!
Another big reason why colorwork knitting patterns are avoided is that knitters don’t want to have to be attached to their chart at all times. Even a stranded knitting how to pattern might take too much concentration to watch your new favorite crime drama, but you should at least be able to listen to that podcast you’ve had in your “Up Next” list for the last 3 months.
That’s why Falling Up features a geometric motif. You can easily see, based on what you’ve knit before, where you’re supposed to go. On each round, the diamond moves in or out by one stitch, meaning you don’t have to check your chart on each new round, giving you more time and headspace for the latest audio heartthrob.
Find starting with a whole sweater a little intimidating? No problem! Falling Up is one of a pair of colorwork knitting patterns. So begin instead with the Falling Up Hat! Hone your skills with this quick and easy stranded colorwork how to hat pattern, which can double as your colorwork gauge swatch so that you can begin with extra confidence.
Ready to dive into the sweater first? Then use up your scraps on the matching hat.
Either way, you’ve got a fabulous pair you can show off anywhere!
Get a HUGE Discount When You Get the Stranded Knitting Combo!
If you’ve hit the zone with DK weight Falling Up and the Falling Up Hat, you don’t have to stop there! Get the whole Falling Up series, with the sport weight Falling Up Cardigan and Falling Up Cowl!
Experiment with different yarns and learn how different colors play with each other in this set of gorgeous colorwork knitting patterns.
Get 30% off when you buy all 4 on Ravelry or Etsy!
MC – 690 (805, 910, 1035, 1160) [1300, 1430, 1575, 1695] yds/630 (740, 835, 950, 1060) [1190, 1310, 1440, 1550] m of DK weight yarn
CC – 250 (290, 330, 375, 420) [470, 515, 570, 615] yds/230 (265, 305, 345, 385) [430, 475, 525, 565] m of sport, DK, or worsted weight yarn
Suggested Yarn
MC – Magpie Fibers Swanky DK (80% superwash merino, 10% cashmere, 10% nylon) 250 yds/229 m, 115 g/4 oz – 3 (4, 4, 5, 5) [6, 6, 7, 7] skeins of Masquerade
CC – Spincycle Yarns Dyed in the Wool (100% superwashed American wool) 200 yds/ 185 m, 50 g/1.75 oz – 2 (2, 2, 2, 3) [3, 3, 3, 4] skeins of Stay Out of the Forest
Needles & Notions
All needles sizes will need 32”+/80+ cm circulars and DPNs or Magic Loop – preferred method of small circumference knitting
It’s high for the first 49 rounds of the body and the last 49 rounds of the sleeve, but in between the concentration level is as low as low can go with all stockinette!
There’s no need to fear stranded colorwork. You can do it! All you need to do is grab the pattern, pick up your needles and try. What’s holding you back?
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