Crimped Row Stitch #2: Stripes

Horizontal stripes are the easiest method to use to add color(s) to a project. In plain stockinette, they are just stripes; start using other textures - - even the purl side of stockinette - - and the colors may begin to interact in surprising ways. Way back in August 2012, I presented a couple of swatches ( Swatch 1, Swatch 2) that showed how this might work.

Here I present another two using the pattern stitch from the previous post. The patterning is exactly the same in both; the only thing that is different is on which row the color changes are made.

In the swatch in the top photo, a full repeat is worked in each color; the change occurs between Row 6 and the next Row 1 and the unused color is carried up the right hand selvedge. The result is clean stripes that almost look like strings of chunky little beads.

In the lower swatch, the change is made between Rows 5 and 6. In this case, the unused color is carried up the left side. The piece has a definite crochet vibe; I am working on ideas to make fuller use of that quality.


The closeups:

 

The selvedges of both pieces were erratic, something I don't remember on the one-color swatch. In particular, the right selvedge of the second swatch was very rippled. I stretched the wet swatch out quite far and then patted it back into shape. That worked very well for this swatch, but then again, I am using superwash Merino. Other yarns may not be as cooperative.

Until next time . . .

Crimped Row Stitch #2

This is, as promised, the purl version of the previous pattern stitch. Since this particular variant looked puny as a four-row pattern, I turned it into a six-row repeat.

Basic Stitch #2
(Notice that patterning is worked on the WS.) 
Using a needle 1 or 2 sizes larger than the one you will be knitting with, cast on any number of stitches, plus 2 for selvedges.
Rows 1, 3, & 5 (RS): Purl.
Rows 2 & 4: Knit.
Row 6: K1, yf. Insert RN from back into st 5 rows below next st on needle and purl up a st. Place the new st on LN without twisting it and p2tog. Continue until 1 st rem; yb, k1. 

Bind off loosely in Row 6 pattern.


As before, the first repeat of patterning has the new stitches being drawn up through the stitches of the cast-on; they're just purled instead of knit. Also the Row 6 stitches are enlarged, so they're obvious on the next repeat.

The extra rows make the solid areas look, to my eye at least, like little bundles of yarn cinched up with knit stitches. I'm sure there is decorative potential in there somewhere and that is what I will be exploring next.

Until then . . .