Knitting Help - Two Color Knitting Tricks

Want to improve the speed and tension of your fair isle knitting? Here are a couple of tricks that I find useful.
The sweater I'm wearing is this pattern:
www.ravelry.com/patterns/libra...
And the shawl on the mannequin is my Learn to Knit an Aran Shawl, pattern + video tutorial:
verypink.com/2010/06/02/learn-...

[@sarahgreidanus9093]

I spent the whole of the pandemic learning how to knit with one yarn held in each hand. I forced myself to knit a whole hat in continental (with the yarn held in my left hand), and for awhile, it felt as awkward as trying to write with my non-dominant hand. Eventually, it began to feel more natural, and now I knit fairly quickly with one yarn held in each hand. Being left-handed, it was already easier for me to learn than it would be for right-handed people, but learn I did. Thank you, VeryPink Knits, for your continuing to educate those of us eager to learn more. :)

[@verypinkknits]

In my opinion, crocheting is easier (it's what I learned first). But knitting allows you to create finer and more complicated fabrics. I think it's good to learn both. :)

[@mariananavarro4175]

yes I learned crochet first and I think it helped with the hand muscles and so when I picked up knitting it felt easy

[@JamiePerry0711]

I absolutely positively love every single video that I have watched from you. I learned to knit entirely from youtube videos and every single time I google certain stitches or new techniques, your videos are the most helpful and easiest to understand. I'm terrified of fair isle knitting but I'm so excited to learn from your videos/tutorials! Thank you for doing all of this!

[@crystalkennedy9622]

this lady is pretty fantastic. when i was first learning new stitches i watched a video of her knitting a sock. it was very straight forward and comprehensive, so much so in fact that i was able to adapt it to double knit. love her tutorials

[@georgyevans]

Really clear and helpful. Having you show and describe different techniques for achieving the same or similar result is especially good. I really enjoy your videos, Staci. Thank you!

[@danielbstone87]

I'm trying to learn knitting so I can make my wife some stuff. This is absolutely wild! She's SO good! I've never seen anything like this. I'd estimate i'm about one to two hundred years away from being this good

[@juliefournier3041]

Thank you so much. I’ve been struggling with the purl side and I just tried your technique with crossing them and flicking with both and it works beautifully for me!!

[@kilimanjarno]

wow, your two-color flick-purling is a stroke of genius.

[@faeryfay3]

Thank you. I found this very helpful. I love all your knitting tutorials. I learned to knit socks from your videos a few years ago and have knitted so many socks since then. Thank you. Faery.

[@Papirblomster]

This Lady is Amazing. I love to watch her lessons. So, Lady - Thank you so much for your patience with us who try to learn, and thank you for your amazing videos. They are Superior.

[@valtyrberzerk8990]

Everytime I have a doubt about knitting I always end up in your videos, that by the way are amazing!!

[@plasticyarn2747]

Thank you! Showing the purl side really helped! I made a hat, but I’d cut and tie the color when I finished using it in a row. The back helped know how I’m supposed to knit with multi color.

[@shawnkimadopting]

I was doing my first stranded color work and had been wondering if this technique would work. Thank you for this vid! It will make project go so much faster!

[@SSaaNNddYY77]

Thank you so much for all of the super tutorials!!!! When I want to learn a new technique, I always look for your lessons first!

[@simones.6951]

Me too.

[@VixeyTeh]

Thank you for your vids, I find all of them interesting and very helpful. I only picked up knitting a few months ago, and I find it quite easy to follow your tutorials. Thanks again.

[@paulsireci]

I totally do that thing you demonstrated on the purl side row. I've never seen anybody else do it. That's awesome!

[@midnightpassion43]

This is the way I learn. Love this style of knitting.

[@Tranquility32]

Wow! This is a wonderful inspiring video! ... I am not a very good knitter (although I try hard!), and cannot knit continental. But I just LOVE the technique! Thank you for sharing. 💜

[@clairep4845]

Thank you for this video. Greatly helpful. I have to say, all of your videos are very good quality and you have some fantastic tips. I knit continental, so I just need to learn flicking now :)

[@Rinachiyya]

Thank you for your reply. I have done intarsia before many times but it has been a long time ago. Will try your fair Isle You are just amazing knitting with such short needles. I only use European needles so I can stick one under my arm. It is hard when you are nearly 70 years old learning a new way to knit but good for the brain. Am going to try what you are doing it sure is cool. Thanks again and Happy knitting, Yoka

[@wilmanixon9595]

I love you and your videos, you have taught me so much!!! Thankyou

[@evelinguevara3489]

Wow love the KZbin even more because you got to show me some tricks. This is amazing. Im such a beginner i only tried stripe pattern but your is awesome. Thanks.

[@jerrybryson4649]

I love this...I don’t normally “flick” but I do this when I do Fair Isle and I really enjoy doing it.

[@typhoidmary5061]

This really helped me move into holding the yarn in both hands. Thanks so much!

[@sandclove]

Thank you for demonstrating how to purl with two colors. I'm thinking of starting Islender Genser for hubby and needed to know how to work the sweater flat per the directions.

[@rjr1202]

You are a clever gal. Thanks so much for the great tips!

[@alexandrasilva3441]

I can't believe! So nice instructions.... thanks a lot

[@stillstymied]

Thanks for this! I'm going to knit some little christmas stocking ornaments and I've never done stranded before. I'm practicing and hating it, and came across this video and it helps so much! Strangely, I knit continental and I'm right handed, go figure.

[@UmmRuqaiya]

Thank you so much for the video. I like your fair isle pattern, it's pretty yet simpler than those out there on internet. Can you kindly tell me which one is it?

[@nataliagutnik6115]

A wonderful lesson and the most convenient way for an inveterate continental knitter

[@verypinkknits]

Yes - I'm using Kollage square needles in this video. I've never heard that they're good for tight knitters, but I can say that they have a nice feel to them. I find the cord to be too "sticky", but I really like the shape of the needles and the points.

[@stephanievargas4665]

Thank you for this! This and the fair isle tutorial were really helpful. I referenced your videos on my blog :)

[@soserious1108]

thanks for another great video. I love knitting as a result of all of the great on-line support i have!

[@hadeerabouzeid269]

thank you so much for showing us this beautiful stitch but i have someone i want to ask about . that heart shape appears from inside not out side . i dont knot what am doing wrong

[@maki2500]

Helpful video for knitting my hat in two alternating colours. I appreciate the advice on purling. I can't purl continental for the life of me, but it works to hold both yarns in right hand, even in throwing knitting.

[@aquilaclark814]

I really like your videos..I learn a lot..thx so much..I knit continental. .

[@louiseodendaal136]

Awesome videos, thank you! Question, how would you carry your floats if the purl sts are on the right side of your knitting? Ie, the wrong side is on the back of the purl sts - so you want to carry the yarn on the knit side, and not the purl side (as per the normal case). Would appreciate any suggestions! Thank you!

[@RiasnnerRye]

I thought I was making mistake when I did 2 colors at once because it looks dirty at the wrong side, and now that I'm gonna give it a try again, I realized it was actually right and easy :D Your instructions made it clear as well, so thank you for that ^_^ I might have to learn continental knitting someday because when I knit, I do throwing but when I purl, I do flicking. And everytime I flick to knit, the yarn keeps falling from my finger, so I'm gonna have some practice with that

[@yousramoustafa2144]

thank you so much i would like too to ask you about a way that i can contact you for question about things mesterious in the pattrens or so other than comments on vedioes .

[@matthewperry848]

Hi Staci I have a pattern for a pinstripe sock pattern I want to knit like you I knit English style It's k1 in 1 colour and k1 in the other can I use this technique in the round on 2 circs? I've never knitted using colours or fair isle before 😧

[@carinam.9447]

I've seen some videos of British people knitting recently and was always confused that they hold the yarn in the right hand. Never knew that there is a difference between British and Continental 😄 greeting from Germany 😄

[@Sarahpurple12]

What's the pattern called that you're using in the sample?

[@verypinkknits]

Yes - depending on your gauge, you don't want to carry a float more than four or five stitches. I explain all of this in more detail in my Learn to Knit Fair Isle tutorial. Hope that helps!

[@indianartcraftschool758]

Amazing work💝♥💛🌹😃

[@FarReacher41]

Looks pretty - I am looking for a reversible two colour stitch for a Sundry Shawlproject.

[@verypinkknits]

The scarf on the mannequin behind me is one of my patterns, which includes a video tutorial. It is called "Learn to Knit an Aran Shawl". You can find it by searching my channel page. (Sorry, KZbin wont' let me give you a direct link here in the comments.)

[@msprettyk6102]

I knit with my left hand. I try to do right hand but I don't feel comfortable with it. So do you have any tips?

[@alip.9740]

So knitting with multiple colors will it always have it look that way on the back? Is that why they usually have it knitted in the round? I just saw a scarf being knitted in another blog that was in a tube so I assumed that's why. What about making sweaters, are there tricks to that or is it just like that on the inside as well? I don't want more stands to weave in, of course, but just curious if this is the way.

[@mannpre]

That’s a awesome trick

[@fairymairah]

Pretty cool 😄 !

[@jaijaisundar]

Good tutorial, thankyou so much

[@FaresD94]

This is more so for continental knitters, but what I really like to do when knitting with two colours, is have my main colour on the tip of my left index finger, and the second colour at the bottom of my left index finger. That way I can stick comfortable to my preferred, continental knitting method while still being able to two-colour knit! - Fares.

[@riveranalyse]

That sounds excellent. About to try 2 colours for the first time.

[@emmakate4896]

This is amazing but I do not understand how she starts it and adds two colours?

[@mchllwoods]

I just found a way of making shorter floats n carry 2 colors in 1 hand. I do need more practice but i perfect it. I'll show everyone!

[@TheaMidnight]

Is this video completed?

[@angharadceridwen]

Aren't you a genius! Thank you for the tutorial :)

[@heatherklotzbach4905]

Love this!

[@NanetteLC]

I am knitting my first sweater with a pattern using two colors, would you please do a video in slow motion showing how to knit continental with two colors?

[@amandahall7399]

What kind of circular knitting are you using in this video?

[@lindamcneely1589]

If you wanted knit a hat with this pattern could you use any hat pattern ?

[@3shabeleda]

What needles were you using? They looked like they were square.

[@AmyKnits]

I have a questions for you Staci. Are you using Kollage square needles? I've heard that they help prevent tight stitches for those who knit pretty tightly (like I do). I'm wondering if these type of needles will assist me in keeping the tension the same while doing color work.

[@daniellabenaharon8239]

Does it matter which hand i flick with or knit ?

[@verypinkknits]

Yes - the needles I use in this video are square, made by Kollage. They are nice needles, but I find that the cord is "sticky", and doesn't allow the knitting to slide very easily.

[@verypinkknits]

Sorry - there is no pattern for the swatch I use in this video. It is just stockinette stitch (knit a row, purl a row), and on the knit rows, I added one white stitch every 5th stitch.

[@shahedabegum4030]

hi very pink knits, the pattern you are making in the fair isle video with the green and white, what is it called?

[@verypinkknits]

+Kuriyez Islam - the pattern is usually called a "lice pattern".

[@Hitsugix]

I'm on the way to learn the traditional knitting and purling and I keep on entangeling the yarn and losing the tension, because I learned knitting and purling in the continental way and for me it is hard to use my right hand for that even though I am right handed. :D It's like a little challenge and I keep on practicing.

[@verypinkknits]

I believe the technique you're describing is called "intarsia", where you knit a solid colored shape into your knitting...and yes, you do have to pull one color of working yarn over the other when you change colors. To see that video, go to my channel page and search for "intarsia". (Sorry, KZbin won't let me give you a direct link here in the comments.)

[@mskuppykake]

Very nice video! Do you worry about carrying colors over too many stitches, so floats aren't long?

[@batya7]

Flicking! I couldn't remember the name for that technique. I use 2 hands and flick. It goes so much faster once you get going. I also became a convert to Continental knitting after doing my 1st stranded pattern.

[@yvonnyvitch]

Love your channel. It’s my first go-to for help and tutorials. I am just mastering the flick and continental method above. I find that when I come to knit the “continental” stitches on the next round I have to knit into the back of the stitch? Am I doing it right? Will it make any visible difference to the finished look ?

[@verypinkknits]

It is likely that you're wrapping the continental stitches "backwards" - just pay attention to see that you're wrapping all of the stitches the same direction. If continental knitting is your natural way of knitting, you may be a "combination knitter". I encourage you to google "combination knitting" and "Annie Modesitt" for more information.

[@elizabethfraser8242]

Why does my Fair Isle hat top turn out much tighter than the brim

[@happywoolknit]

So,beautiful ❤

[@one3only226]

Thanks! I'll definitely look at it :D

[@danalear8562]

I like your trick of holding the yarn on opposite sides of your finger. In which position should the dominant colour be? How do you twist long floats with two handed carry? Thanks!

[@verypinkknits]

The dominant color should be over/ on top of the other color. For twists on long floats, you have to flop one color over the other to "catch" it...this knitting trick isn't part of catching long floats.

[@basicallyjustollie4834]

This seems so hard, but I definitely want to learn this

[@anonimochenta4439]

Need to try this. Im a continental knitter, but would be nice to learn flcking method so I can work 2 colors better.

[@Northeastlady]

how did you cast on the two colors?

[@superlucy31]

Courtney P Tyt

[@jessiebraxton718]

Courtney

[@rastreer]

hi thanks for your videos ..suppose i am knitting 3 rows black then another 3 rows red ...how to do ? we drop the yarn ? it always impressed me the two colors..i can knit half one color another half another color..but i always asked how to change for 3 black 3 red then again 3 black again 3 red ..do we cut the yarn or keep it..???

[@verypinkknits]

This video should help you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nJilapyXgrypjpI

[@rastreer]

VeryPink Knits thank you so much

[@fundagonulsen4020]

Thank you for the tutorial. I love your sweater, I'm assuming you made that and if so do you have a pattern for it? thank you

[@verypinkknits]

Yes, all of the info about everything you see in my videos is in the video description field, just below the video.

[@meluvsquki]

Thank you for all the lovely videos! I was wondering if you could possibly do a video on trapping long floats in fair isle knitting. If you have any tips and tricks carrying long floats it would be greatly appreciated!

[@verypinkknits]

meluvsquki - thank you for the note! My Learn to Knit Fair Isle tutorial covers that technique: verypink.com/2011/01/13/learn-to-knit-fair-isle-baby-or-adult-cap/

[@rsroopamsharma]

VeryPink Knits

[@lisakramerhunt3]

Do you have this technique in slow motion

[@Smmurph10]

Please help me as I don't understand what does "noting 4 st rep will be worked over 18 times" knitting mean. Im trying to knit a norvwegian pattern

[@verypinkknits]

I recommend contacting the pattern designer for support - good designers support their patterns and answer questions quickly.

[@yolo22]

great demo! thank yo!

[@peacelovemusicbliss]

what kind of needles are those?

[@verypinkknits]

Those are Kollage needles.

[@Rinachiyya]

Never seen this done before like you are knitting. I use long needles and always thought that you had to make sure you are not getting a hole so you have to pull one color over the other knitting in different shapes. Is it only what you are doing that you can do that because the stitches are so close together? Hope I made clear what I was trying to ask. Happy knitting Yoka

[@one3only226]

OUU I love the look of the scarf in the video !! Do you have a pattern or video for the scarf? Great video btw :) DIdn't know I could do it like that ! thanks :)

[@Jaxjonboy]

Lovely nail polish.

[@naseerahvj]

I do something very similar to the purl sample when I knit

[@Garcia_7898]

how do you get the two colors of yarn in there? I cant find any help

[@verypinkknits]

To add a second color, just start knitting with it! Leave yourself a tail, about six inches, to weave in later.

[@VintageVera1]

please post knitting directions for this pattern

[@maggieortiz259]

Great tutorial! You mentioned that you’ll give a link for the 3 ways but I don’t see it. Forgive me if I misunderstood

[@verypinkknits]

Here you go: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpfNlnSiaquKrpo

[@Drizztmania]

hi, I just love your videos! I am in need of a little help with decreasing my hat with fair isle. what I need to know is how to decrease 160 stitches with 2 colors.

[@verypinkknits]

+Drizztmania - the question you've asked seems simple...but to get to that info, someone would really have to write an entire hat pattern from scratch to figure out how to maintain fair isle with those decreases. If you're following a pattern, I recommend decreasing as the pattern states. If you're creating your own pattern, that answer involves design, math, and trial and error. I can give you a little help - 160 is divisible by both 8 and 10...one of those numbers might work well for your spaced decreases with the specific fair isle pattern you are working. Good luck!

[@simcha96]

The green jacket you wear is very beautiful... It would be great if you post a tutorial to teach how to knit it...

[@MRhodes]

For Fairisling on a knit row, if I understand it, you hold the main color at the top and the secondary color at the bottom if using your right hand to hold both strands, i.e. mc on thumb, sec color on index or mc in right hand and sec color in left hand if continental, but... for the next purl row, would you hold the secondary color on top and the main color on the bottom or do you stay consistent throughout? This is one question I can’t find the answer to anywhere.

[@verypinkknits]

Most fair isle knitting is done in the round, so there are no purl rows. Regardless, you want to stay consistent throughout.

[@MRhodes]

I know you mentioned that in the video but because the purl row is the opposite, this is why I wondered, since everything else is reversed.

[@heidiniklasson4860]

Could use describetion on,HOW you start with the masks and the two colors of yarn🤗

[@yewandekoyenikan4732]

This is genius!

[@TheHenrikbjohansen]

I have just knitted one mitten in a Norwegian pattern, where I knit a couple of stitches in white, then 5-8 stitches in blue, and then again in white. The problem is, that instead of ending up as a flat piece of work, I get these chunky, almost rolls of blue (the blue stitches that is in between the white ones). How do I avoid it? In my opinion, I am giving it quite a lot of white yarn in between, shall I try and give more?

[@verypinkknits]

Sorry - I'm unable to picture what you're describing. You might want to take your mitten to your local yarn shop for in-person advice.

[@TheHenrikbjohansen]

Okay, so after going to my local yarn shop, I found out what the problem were: As a fairly new knitter, I did not know that I was actually knitting fair isle. My problem seemed to be that I did not know how to anchor the yarn (where you twist the two strands around each other), that was not currently in use. This made my work clump (or pucker, I think it is called) in between long color changes (more than 3-4 stitches). I see now that you have mentioned this in you fair isle-series :-)

[@karen-johannearnesen8416]

How do I add the second color in the first place?😅

[@verypinkknits]

It's really simple - don't over-think it. :) Just pick the new color up in the hand where you normally hold the working yarn, and start knitting with it.

[@ausriliukas]

Oh dear, I only knew continental as standard, it all depends where are you from I guess.

[@couchpotato6270]

I like your sweater. Did you knit it?

[@verypinkknits]

Yes, please check the video description field (below the video) for more information.