Knitting stripes can be hard on the eyes and the counting memory. This article provides some easy ways to deal with some of the challenges brought up by knitting strips.
Steps
- Use a counter. This is a plastic tube you slide onto a needle that counts rows for you. You can purchase a little knitting counter from any good knitting or craft supplies store. Use this counter to help you keep track of the stripes rather than trying to keep the numbers in your head and forgetting them instantly when distracted! This saves a lot of time when you count down or mark the rows.
- Carry the unused yarns up the side of the fabric as you knit stripes and work them in. If you do this, it will cut down on the number of ends that need to be sewn (darned) in later.
- Always change colours at the end of the row. This way they will stay neat and the look remains seamless.
- Try self-striping yarns. They do the work for you and create the stripes as you knit! Make sure you know the effect before starting your project; ask your knitting supplier salesperson to help you with this.
Tips
- Change yarn is a very helpful article on how to shift between one yarn and the next; important for stripes.
Warnings
- Avoid knitting knots into any row. It will show no matter how hard you hope it won't.
Things You'll Need
- Stripe pattern project
- Yarn
- Knitting needles
- Knitting counter
- Scissors
