How to Knit: Color Dominance 101 | Brooklyn Tweed

[@alphabo1]

One of the best demonstrations and explanation of colour dominance on the web. Thank you

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much! Happy knitting!

[@tilden2690]

A very clear explanation of dominant and background color. Plus the idea of drawing part of the pattern to determine which is which is so helpful. Thank you!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@vivianpowell1732]

Spending a quiet 2024 Memorial Day weekend devoted to conquering stranded colorwork. I watched dozens of KZbin videos that left me more confused and frustrated. Finally I found this perfect one from Brooklyn Tweed and am on my way knitting a hat in stranded colorwork. I am designing my own pattern as I go along - nothing requiring me to catch floats. I am a thrower, so I appreciate your segment here on working the pattern with both colors held in the right hand. Thank you for this highly professional tutorial.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much for watching! Happy knitting!

[@iris_nazarena_4882]

I wish more KZbin knitters valued delivery as much as content. Being an experienced knitter does not automatically make one a good teacher! I literally watched three videos that (poorly) explained what you all did so succinctly here. Thank you!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Glad you found this tutorial helpful! Happy knitting!

[@rantaroamami4841]

You are such an amazing teacher! I feel like a student hanging off of everything my professor says because the class is so interesting and clear. I've done full cable sweaters, intricate lace tops, but I'm still such a beginner when it comes to colour work, you just made this so much easier for me :) Thank you for the awesome lesson!!!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Wow, thank you! Happy knitting!

[@KarlSmith-p5r]

Color dominance is real, folks! I once inadvertently reversed which hands was holding which color on the second of a pair of mittens I was making and the results were quite jarring. They looked totally different. There are some knitters though who deny the existence of color dominance and suggest it is all the result of poor tension. They recommend assigning each color to a particular hand based on which color will be used to work the most stitches in each round and that this will negate the effect of any kind of color dominance. Personally, not only could I not be bothered to keep switching like this (it would get confusing), but I don't think color dominance is something we should strive eradicate from our work. It is just something we need to be aware of know how to manage. Great tutorial. Thanks!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@manicspinner1959]

This is a great demonstration. Thank you for making it. I've been knitting (including colorwork) for decades and have struggled with this notion of color dominance, but this makes it very clear. AND I appreciated both the two-handed and single-handed demos.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Glad it was helpful! Happy knitting!

[@robaaron2927]

Fantastic video. At around 15:15 Jared pivoted his hand to show the dominant-left background-right orientation even while throwing both from the right hand. That made everything click for me. Thank you!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much for watching! Happy knitting!

[@drea3556]

I carry both in my left as I am a continental knitter who hasn't used her right hand to throw which is fine by me as I dont use 2 hands when I knit.stranded /fairisle but I Definetly have dominat below and background above. So I gotcha. Love the tutorial tips 😁

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much! Knowing how to hold two colors in one hand is definitely useful once you get to those three-color rows... Happy knitting!

[@sandradavenport713]

Thanks for your comment. I too am a continental knitter, and just discovered holding both yarns in one hand (Drowning in Yarn podcast}.

[@lisalbers230]

I came looking for this comment! I also knit this way, but couldnt tell which color then became the dominant and which became the background

[@annabelle7123]

This is so informative and well-explained! As good as a paid class. Thank you, it is much helpful.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You're very welcome! So glad that you found it helpful!

[@lmadore8604]

This was an excellent tutorial on color dominance. Thank you for sharing your knowledge in such a clear and articulate manner.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much for watching! We're so glad you found this helpful. Happy knitting!

[@lisasweet2536]

Really excellent; I appreciate the multiple modes of explaining 'dominance,' how to control/manage it and what appropriate technique looks like!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much for watching! Happy knitting!

[@Em-fz6eb]

thank you so much! I'm also an English style knitter (I'm so strongly right-handed my left hand is basically useless lol) so seeing how you do colorwork w/ both colors in the right hand was much appreciated

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You're so welcome! Happy knitting!

[@a.r.3476]

I watched this video and the one on color choices. You are really good at explaining these ideas clearly. Also your pacing is really good, and there is no distracting background music competing with the boys voiceover witch, which, for me anyway, makes it hard to learn. Thank you. Please do more.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thank you! Glad it was helpful!

[@renatekonrad5164]

Thank you! Best explanation and demonstration . Now I understand the difference in the result. Glad having found your video. Greetings from Tyrol/Austria!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Glad it was helpful! Viel Spaß beim Stricken!

[@beezee7370]

You are my saviour. Thanks a bunch for this detailed video. ♥️♥️♥️

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You are so welcome! Happy knitting!

[@ampersandra]

This was so helpful! I have struggled with colorwork for ages and lots of tutorials call for two handed knitting. Seeing single handed colorwork done so well was really encouraging!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

We're so glad we could help!

[@shelleyhughesgoings3654]

Easy to follow with your charts and speaking what a great teacher. Thank you for helping me with this. ❤😊

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You are so welcome! Happy knitting!

[@Mspurrier88]

Bravo. Thank you for this helpful tutorial. Showing the anatomical relationship of the floats was very helpful. Unfortunately there are a few KZbin videos out there that get this backwards. I saw one just today by a well know teacher - probably just a slip off the tongue, but for those of us hanging on every word, producing an accurate and well edited video is essential.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You're very welcome! Thanks for watching! (There's something about filming a video that will suddenly have you saying everything backwards - it's nerve-wracking!)

[@xianeley7440]

Watched this before starting my first ever color work project-so helpful! Especially as I am also a thrower.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Glad it was helpful! Happy knitting!

[@chiarafattore8977]

This was so clear! As a visual learner I really appreciate that y'all add notes on the screen alongside the spoken explanation.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Hi Chiara! We're so glad you found it helpful! (We love a good visual aid!)

[@csbtrod]

Wow! What an excellent tutorial! You answered so many of the questions I had. I look forward to watching some of your other tutorials.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching!

[@barbroberts3153]

So glad I found this video. Excellent instruction. Thank you!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@debrusinko720]

Thank you for a very clear demonstration that a beginner can follow. I have a much better understanding now. I will be sure to watch and learn from your videos. Thank you.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks so much for watching!

[@megananderson1431]

This is the first time I heard a decent explanation of background vs. pattern. Also, I was doing it backwards.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

I always have to double check! :D It definitely makes a difference in small colorwork motifs!

[@madcats1231]

I'm so glad I saw this video! That little bit at the end showing how you hold and knit both yarns with your right was SO helpful! I think I've got it...for the moment at least! lol Thank you!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Glad it was helpful! Happy knitting!

[@madcats1231]

@@BrooklynTweed_Official I have been doing my colorwork like this ever since I saw the video in September and it feels completely natural for me. My question is how does Jared catch floats using this style? I am not sure if what I have been doing is the most efficient way. Thanks for you help!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Great question! Check out our video tutorial on trapping floats: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGqtiKFrh9CSrKc

[@bonnadowns524]

Beautiful illustrations and easy to follow👌🙏👍 Love your pattern

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much 😊

[@freesobaek]

Thank you so much! That was such a great tip to remember!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

We're glad you found it helpful!

[@jessicacollins8049]

I love your yarn! I’m addicted to it. I’m just starting to learn color work.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much, Jessica! Colorwork is lots of fun - give our First Colorwork Cowl pattern a look!

[@alywilliams2581]

Thank you, really helpful. Coming to the end of a 2x colour beanie with working threads getting tangled and me stopping to untangle at the end of every row. You've also explained really well about colour dominance. Looking forward to a more professional finish to my next project!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Hi Aly! Thanks so much for watching! Glad you found our video helpful. Happy knitting!

[@Janstone77]

Excellent demonstration!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much for watching! Happy knitting!

[@MikiCrespo]

Excellent explanation. Thanks so much for sharing. So useful 🌸🐑

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thank you for watching! We hope it helps you create beautiful colorwork!

[@Aedra101]

I was attempting to make a sock with a beautiful purple as the main color with this really nice mint green as the accent color for a fair isle pattern I wanted to try out, but it wasn't working out the way I wanted it to, so I scrapped it. I think this is why. I was holding the background color in my left hand instead of my right. I should have either swapped what colors I wanted to go where, or just switched hands. Next time I try to do stranded work, I'll try to hold the background in my right hand and see if it looks better! I've heard about color dominance before, but didn't understand why you do it that way!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Glad it helped! Happy knitting!

[@laurastrom9857]

What a wonderful clear explanation. Thank you

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You're very welcome!

[@rebeccaknudsen6190]

So clear and concise! THANKS! ❣❣❣

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Glad it was helpful! Happy knitting!

[@libbyfifis6806]

So helpful for an English knitter! Thankyou 🙏

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Glad it was helpful!

[@knitpurlcreations]

Thank you so much for sharing! Great tutorial! It helped me a lot! Congratulations! 🙏😍

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You are so welcome! Happy knitting!

[@KaylaOliver-t9e]

This was SUCH a helpful video! Thank you so much!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You're so welcome! Happy knitting!

[@Whistlewalk]

That was an excellent demo. Thank you.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much! Happy knitting!

[@pamelahillenbrand6901]

Very helpful. I always forget which hand holds the dominant color - but I think I will remember now!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Glad it helped! Happy knitting!

[@jackiewalsh3869]

Finally, I understand. Great video

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Hi Jackie! So glad this was useful to you! It's such a subtle thing but really makes a nice difference in the finished project. Happy knitting!

[@6619alice]

Thank you, this so clear and helpful

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@debpennington638]

This is an amazing tutorial. It has answered so many questions that I've had over the last few years since attempting stranded colorwork. Thank you so much! I love that little chart to constantly remind me of what I'm supposed to be doing. Not being a continental knitter I love the demo of both styles. Just an off-the-subject question..can you share what combo of stitches are you using on the edges of your swatch? It looks so great to not have wonky stitches up the sides.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Hi Deb! Thanks so much! (Right? The mini-chart is so helpful, especially if you've put your knitting down mid-row and you're trying to remember which color was in which hand!) For swatching colorwork in the round, Jared likes to knit the first and last two stitches of each round with both colors held together - this helps keep the edge stitches snugged down neatly!

[@feliciameier1929]

Super well-done and helpful!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much for watching!

[@aliciadanowski245]

Thank you so much, I always had a hard time understanding, you explained it very well.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

We're glad this helped! Happy knitting!

[@kofozy]

Wow! Thanks a lot this tutorial, well explained and easy to follow, I need lots of practice on it to able to be faster like you 😄, quite interesting

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@janedaniel7288]

I've been knitting well over forty years and I feel it is time for me to tackle colour work. It took me over thirty five to knit socks and now it's a rare occasion for me not to have a pair on the go. So your video was important knowledge for me to know and understand. I've heard of 'catching your strand'. I think this is when you have a long stretch of one colour so you catch the second colour to see the strand being too long?? Hopefully you have done a video on this. Thank you. xxJane 🐑🌼

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much for watching! We've got just the video you need, our Trapping Floats tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGqtiKFrh9CSrKc (Check out our entire How to Knit: Colorwork playlist for more tips & techniques! kzbin.info/aero/PL0_ZPDPi8ygiPcNlv11URStZTk7k44c5z )

[@ZackRekeSkjell]

Great video! I really want to learn how to do stranded colourwork to be able to do Fairisle knitting, but I am a bit intimidated by it. This definitely makes me feel a bit more comfortable.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thank you Marie! Colorwork is lots of fun - start out with a simple pattern (maybe our Seeds Hat or First Colorwork Cowl) and you'll be a pro in no time! Happy knitting!

[@ZackRekeSkjell]

@@BrooklynTweed_Official Thank you for the suggestions! I will definitely check them out as I’ve been looking for what to knit for my first colourwork pattern.

[@ginagee5627]

Thank you! I was initially just taught just float your old color over your new color (for every switch of color?) but I felt something was off. I will try this way!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You're so welcome! Happy knitting!

[@cindychilds7324]

Thank you for such excellent instructions!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching & happy knitting!

[@barbarawood3209]

Great demo! Thank you.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much for watching! Happy colorworking!

[@MrNele99]

Super clear. I will subscribe!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much!

[@LoveByHH14]

This is amazing! Thank you. Do you have a video on catching floats while maintaining color dominance?

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks for watching! We sure do: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGqtiKFrh9CSrKc

[@juliefalsetti1354]

Excellent video and explanation.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thank you Julie! Happy knitting!

[@Leuinda]

This is very helpful. Thank you! What if your pattern has more than 5-as many as 8-stitches in a row of the background color? How do you catch floats without upsetting the color dominance?

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Check out our Trapping Floats tutorial! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGqtiKFrh9CSrKc

[@wanderingheartknits]

Such a helpful video, thank you!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much! We're glad you found it helpful!

[@giorgiacanali5457]

Amazing video! Thank you ❤️

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks so much for watching! Happy knitting!

[@heatherjuneentwistle8894]

Excellent video… thank you!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks for watching!

[@quiltgirl471]

So helpful. Thank you!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You're so welcome! Happy knitting!

[@kathryng9171]

Thank you for the video! It was a great explanation of color dominance. I'm fascinated by the way you hold the two colors in your right hand. I can't quite figure it out from the video and Google hasn't turned up anything like it. Is there a name for the technique?

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You are so welcome! Great question - Google turns up a lot of "two-handed colorwork" results but no "one-handed colorwork"... Kate Atherley at Modern Daily Knitting did a post about it a few months ago though! www.moderndailyknitting.com/community/handy-tips-for-stranded-colorwork/

[@kathryng9171]

@@BrooklynTweed_Official Thanks! This is really helpful!

[@corrykemp3835]

Very good explanation!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Glad it was helpful! Happy knitting!

[@sandradavenport713]

So, since I'm a continental knitter, I would hold the dominant yarn in my right hand? A very good, thought provoking tutorial. One hand or two?!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Hi Sandra! You'd still hold your dominant yarn in your left hand (if holding one color in each hand) so that the floats travel below the background color. Happy knitting!

[@NaturalAegyo]

I'm currently using 3 colors and struggling with tension and noticed in this video you didn't really discuss catching floats. This becomes a major issue in motifs with long gaps between colors. How do you deal with dominance there?

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Hello! Check out our Trapping Floats tutorial: studio.kzbin.infob9JWn5Rk_vE/edit

[@missmaria165]

Great... but the reverse side? Is it the same for pearling back?

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Yes, you'll hold your dominant and background colors the same way on both sides!

[@TheNordicharps]

Excellent! Thank you 😊

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks for watching! Happy knitting!

[@dannybarna4444]

Thank you for posting this video, it was so helpful! I do have a question though, would trapping floats affect color dominance since it twists the strands of yarn?

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thanks for watching, Steph! Great question! Since you're moving your float yarn back to its original position right after you trap it, your color dominance won't be affected (I'm working on a sweater with long floats right now!) Happy knitting!

[@kikizag]

Hi there!! I want to make a swatch like yours (green one) in the tutorial. Could you please make a video tutorial for beginners in colorwork /stranded knitting like me ???

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Check out our Swatching 101 & 201 tutorials on our website! brooklyntweed.com/pages/swatching-101 brooklyntweed.com/pages/swatches-201

[@mariachacon9992]

Wonderful.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Thank you! Happy knitting!

[@jerribresnahan8158]

Thank you for this !

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You're most welcome! Happy knitting!

[@clairetissier9542]

Thanks a lot. How do you finish your little square as on the green one? I love to turn my trial swatches into coasters...

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

The fringed edges are from "speed swatching" for circular knitting - check out our Swatching 101 resource page for how it works! brooklyntweed.com/pages/swatching-101 (We love a good swatch coaster!)

[@robertomaldonado7397]

Where did you get your watch? Looks nice

[@ramonademmon5951]

You didn't demonstrate how to do this with both strands in the left hand ( continental). I hold the dominant yarn above the non dominant yarn, both on my first finger on my left hand.

[@Casey-ql5xg]

I used to do that, then learned to hold one color in my right hand and one stand in my left. I’m normally a continental knitter but separating the strands per hand made things more clean

[@caitsil3366]

I tend to twist the yarns when throwing from one hand, even while maintaining color dominance. I think this is because of the way I’m catching floats. Does this mean I should be catching them differently?

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Great question! Colorwork does tend to result in twisty yarns - you may find it helpful to start each round/row by arranging your yarn balls with the dominant color on the left and the background color on the right (you'll still likely need to untwist a bit by the end of the round/row, but at least you'll have a nice untangled start!)

[@KiSaralise]

Question: I see a Lot of Swatches such as yours with the ends of the rows cut off, and I noticed that there are loose yarns behind the colorwork swatch. Can you please tell me what this is called or how I can find information on how to do this??? Ive been searching for this technique for months, but do not have any idea what it would be called! 😅 Thanks in Advance! 🙏🏻🫶🏻 Your Videos are Amaaazing!!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Hi Saralise! This is "speed swatching" for circular knitting - check out our Swatching 101 resource page for how it works! brooklyntweed.com/pages/swatching-101

[@KiSaralise]

@@BrooklynTweed_Official oooooo! Cool! Thanks! 🤩🫶🏻 Now if I could just get someone to reply to my Wholesale Inquiry……🤣🤣🤣

[@KiSaralise]

@@BrooklynTweed_Official that was Incredibly Helpful!!!! Thank You! 🤩🙏🏻🫶🏻

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

@@KiSaralise just as soon as we can grow our production!

[@waitingforspring317]

What if you have to catch a long float? Won’t the yarns twist? Sorry if I missed this in the video.

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Great question! Check out our Trapping Floats tutorial for tips on wrangling the twists: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGqtiKFrh9CSrKc

[@waitingforspring317]

@@BrooklynTweed_Official thanks! Also I can’t believe what a difference this technique made in both the overall tension of my stranded colorwork and the ease of managing the yarn. Prior to learning this, I must have been randomly putting one color dominant and then the other through the course of a project and constantly having to stop and untwist the yarn. I love the look of colorwork and now it’s also fun to knit it!

[@Gr8fldeadhead]

I honestly think the left side looks more crisp and clean

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You can certainly knit it whichever way you think looks best! As long as you're keeping each color held in the same position throughout, you'll get consistent results. Happy knitting!

[@Shirlzs2]

What about doing colourwork on the purl side? Is dominant colour still stranding on the bottom?

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Great question! Exactly so, you'll just keep your dominant color coming from underneath on both sides. Happy knitting!

[@gabbygabs5107]

What if I’m catching floats? Does that mess it up?

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Not at all! (Check out our Trapping Floats tutorial to see how we do it! kzbin.info/www/bejne/mGqtiKFrh9CSrKc )

[@NS-vw8pm]

What if your purling on flat work? Do do you hold dominant color in right hand or keep it in left?

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Great question! You'll still hold your dominant color in the left hand (if using two hands) as you want it to travel under the background color. Happy knitting!

[@NS-vw8pm]

@@BrooklynTweed_Official Thanks!

[@Cuisinenomade1]

Now what happens when there are 3 colors for example?

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Great question! Some colorwork patterns have a little color dominance chart next to the main colorwork chart to remind you which color is dominant on each row - very helpful on those 3-color rows! Whichever color is dominant for the row should always travel below the other color(s).

[@Cuisinenomade1]

@@BrooklynTweed_Official I see, thank you!

[@noriskern7385]

What about the wrong side?

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

Great question! Often for stranded colorwork you'll be working in the round - we found this tutorial helpful for working stranded colorwork flat: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jGTZZZmFhMl7Zs0

[@Falcarbone]

I actually like the "wrong" side better 🤷‍♂

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

I often wear my colorwork hats float side out! Our Florin pullover pattern is designed to be worn either way also :D

[@KimSincox]

Excellent! Thank you!

[@BrooklynTweed_Official]

You are welcome! Thanks for watching!