How to add colours in knitting

Using multiple colours in your knitting projects can give stunning results. There are a number of techniques that you can use to achieve this, with even beginners able to use colours to create patterns in their designs.

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Stripes

Knitting stripes is the easiest way to make a colourful design. You simply have to choose your colours, knit some rows with colour, and then switch to the next. If you are just getting started with knitting, you may decide to use knitting kits such as those at woolcouturecompany.com/collections/knitting-kits, which include projects with knitted stripes.

Duplicate stitches

Knitting duplicate stitches is a good way to add small details such as motifs or letters. This is done after the project is finished, and instead of knitting needles, you embroider over your existing stitches.

Stranded colour work

Stranded colour work is one of the most commonly used techniques to add colour. In this, yarns in multiple colours are carried along the row with unused colours concealed or ‘stranded’ behind the working yarn. This can achieve very intricate and detailed patterns, such as Fair Isle.

Intarsia colour work

Intarsia colour work is a good method for creating large colour blocks. In this technique, you knit different colour sections and twist the yarn where the colour changes to prevent holes in your work.

Mosaic knitting

For a geometric or mosaic effect, use a mosaic knitting technique with slip stitch knitting, so that you slip a stitch to the alternate needle without knitting it. Usually, you will use two colours, alternating the slipped colour for each row.