My TOP 5 Stranded Colorwork Styles for Sweaters

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

It's 'colorwork-sweaters-every-freaking-where-you-look' season so let's CELEBRATE with five colorwork motif styles that aren't your usual suspects and that always seem to catch my eye. Enjoy! PS: Please leave links to your own favorites as well!

[@christenagervais7303]

My Danish grandmother only did Danish colour work sweaters. The yokes were stunning, with a minimum of 4 or 5 colours! I was 15 when I did my first Danish colour work sweater.

[@Stumpybear7640]

4 or 5 colours on each row? X

[@debgesing3623]

Thanks for giving us a peek at non traditional color work sweaters. They are scrumptious eye candy.

[@christenagervais7303]

@@Stumpybear7640 Yes!

[@karenfeek1706]

You have the best knitting podcast. No rambling just get to the point and always always interesting topics. I have been knitting at least 70 years but still learn from your podcasts.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Thank you so much Karen. That is very uplifting and means a lot to me. ❤️

[@ccpperrett7522]

I second that comment. True!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

@@ccpperrett7522 thank you so much. 🙏❤️

[@Winterknits]

I made the Double Date sweater & I absolutely love it. I used Brooklyn Tweed Arbor which was ideal. The colors are not stranded colorwork, it is even easier than that! There are so many ends to manage though.

[@LisaCOE]

My next cast on! Just finishing off another project and there I go 😊 I tried to swatch and absolutely adored how it is actually not stranded colorwork even of it looks like it 😎

[@cathycarbone1598]

If color work is new or scary, try a Doodle Cowl from Pacific Knit Co. Each deck is a set of color work motif selections and you decide on the order that you use for your cowl. Very fun and genius! I made one for Christmas and added beads.

[@jane8760]

I follow Pacific Knit and love the Doodle Decks! They make me think I could do color work. I want to give a cowl a try.

[@christman688]

I'm doing the Holiday Doodle Stockings for my family. They have been so much fun! I'm on #5 of 7.

[@ccpperrett7522]

Thank you for the recommendation ❤

[@ccpperrett7522]

​@@christman688❤You go! I have two new granddaughters. This would be a good project for two little girls ❤

[@cathycarbone1598]

@@ccpperrett7522 you're welcome!

[@sixthstop]

I would love if you could make a video on combining/holding two differrent plied yarn. For example when you spoke about the porcelain sweater and the pattern calls for it to be knit with one strand fingering and one strand mohair, this meant that the weight for the pattern can be knit with dk weight yarn? Should I buy fingering or dk? I hope this explanation makes sense!! I personally dont like to knit with mohair, and a lot of patterns I want to knit always pairs a base yarn with mohair. This makes it hard for me to interpret what alternative yarns I could substitute with 😭

[@star_athena]

Tayler! I have to say I could watch videos like this for hours. Your taste is always perfection and the patterns you highlight are lovely. Honestly, it’s so relaxing and inspiring to watch you scroll and discuss the images we both see. ❤

[@sarahfaulkner2282]

The Porcelain sweater is the colorwork sweater of my dreams! I was just looking yesterday it finding that beautiful yarn here in the US to knit an exact replica

[@KYLETISZAI]

can you post your sweater I want to make one too

[@dorisenderle5857]

Jessica McDonald has wonderful patterns. They are step by step and she has videos to show how to knit them. Great for beginners. Fletching is a great beginner pattern and she has a lovely flower pattern yoke sweater.

[@mundanemornings]

The Porcelain Sweater has been my OBSESSION for like a year now! But I am very intimidated by trying color work

[@mundanemornings]

@@jeanandrews4326 thank you!

[@annafdd]

Don’t be! It’s a hobby, if anything goes wrong you can always frog and try again (or use the wool for something else). Stranded colorwork looks a lot more difficult than it is, I promise.

[@SBVancouver]

I started a stranded colour work sweater in dk weight yarn and my menopausal self is deeply regretting it. Those things are crazy warm. I think I may have to steek it in the end and turn it into a zippered cardigan in order to wear it.

[@jimmydoesknitting]

My mom insisted on having a colorwork sweater knit for her this winter and she chose the Obba by Aegoyo Knit with the Kordy by Kiyomi Burgin and Sachiko Burgin as a close second. I also highly recommend the Flaten Genser by Birger Berge. It's my favroite one to wear.

[@madelynyake8291]

Hi! That's me in the anemone sweater :)) Can confirm that the project is a blast and I finished it in less than 2 weeks because i couldn't put it down. I also made the porcelain sweater and loved it!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

So cool!! I LOVE it on you. A previous commenter wondered about the floats. Are they pretty manageable?

[@madelynyake8291]

@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS The largest floats are 9 stitches long and I just caught them in the middle! Hope that helps :)

[@silvamint]

The colorwork stripes discussion reminded me of a pattern that's been in my queue forever: Ashland by Julie Hoover, which she did years ago for Brooklyn Tweed. It's fingering weight so will take longer, but such a timeless and wearable sweater.

[@rebecca-72]

Well of course I had to stop the video multiple times and go check out the patterns on Ravelry. I was particularly struck by the modern elegance of Time and immediately added it to my queue. Of course I also had to continue to scroll down through all the other patterns with Time in the name and came across Dino Time by Rose Marinne. ADORABLE if you have a kid or adult in your life who loves dinos. It looks like a colorwork yoke but also had graphic details like color blocked sleeves. So cute! The Marvej Sweater by Andreas Ruthemann is another drool worthy pattern, with a similarly inspired theme as the Porcelain. It has less actual colorwork, which appeals to the newby in me and looks very modern. Great roundup as usual, thanks!

[@albamelis4394]

I love the floral sweater by Erika Tokai and I really want to knit it this year, take a look because it is verry pretty

[@knittingiscool]

I just did my first colorwork sweater this summer and I love it more than I thought I would! Already started two more colorwork projects.

[@aragood7301]

Taylor you could 100% do a Marie Wallen! I made a Lovage last year, and it's all only 2 colours at a time, totally addictive and looks waaaaay more complicated than it actually is. If you ever do a push-yourself-colourwork-KAL I'm in!

[@Knittingilove]

Amazing sweaters thank you for making the video. It is a food for my knitter's soul :) I wish I had more knitting time :)

[@QueenBaha]

🌴☀️ driving from state to state to state. I’m so glad to have this podcast to listen to because I want to knit so badly and can’t until I stop☀️🌴

[@betseyfowler2625]

I love your shirt! And it echoes a lot of the colors in the sweaters.

[@ElaineLangFTW]

Two color colorwork designs are a great place to use those wildly varigated skeins of hand-painted yarn that are so alluring in the skien but baffling for projects!

[@MsLilywren]

My favourite kind of knitting! I love colorwork and Fair Isle and find it so meditative to knit. Roll on the Autumn and Winter months! Thanks Taylor x

[@saraht855]

I had a really good time doing a super low contrast jumper (my own design) with black floral motifs on a dark green background. Very clear stitches in the light, looks solid colour in the evening unless you're up close. Also had a good time making a traditional yoke jumper in green. As someone who doesn't want anything too festive, it was a nice way to get something which looked like I was getting involved and making an effort, while also being wearable throughout winter :) Some kind of versatility or contrast options might help you narrow it down 😊

[@dianachristie5700]

I love the flower sweater! Jody Long has a sweater with beautiful roses, looks modern! Love the Time Sweater!

[@hedvigolofsson9362]

I would listen to you talk for hours! You’re so good at expressing yourself and you have so many interesting thoughts and ideas, amazing to follow along!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Gosh, thank you so much. That means a whole lot to me. ❤️

[@paulhermann8239]

The Anemone sweater is so cute.I agree it’s just the right amount of floral design. Also I like the sweater Time. I did add that one to my Raverly library. Yikes another pattern in my library. Thanks for another great ramble. Until Sunday.💕. Iris

[@carolinedubose5136]

Love the Jeol and Porcelain sweaters!! I just wish I didn't run do hot and live in Northeast Tennessee!! Maybe someday if my thermostat gets sets at a much lower setting!! Thanks for showing us some great colorwork sweater ideas Taylor!!

[@catherinecunningham7126]

Beautiful sweaters! I LOVE the Porcelain! 🌵

[@PelafinaLievre]

If you like the anemone sweater, you might like the pressed flowers collection. There’s a cardigan and pullover, along with socks, shawl, and cowl. I think it’s mosaic knitting.

[@EmilysTeaCup]

Im so obsessed with Caitlin Hunter and her color work designs, im signed up for her class to design my own and In intimidated but cant wait!

[@annafdd]

It’s been a year so you’ve probably done it - how was it?

[@Candiceknits]

Great pattern roundup. Going to have to knit that Anemone sweater for my granddaughter. I have a couple of suggestions as well. The Kerr sweater by Creabea, and the Gemini jumper by This.Bird.Knits. As always love your podcasts.

[@jenniferoden9343]

LOVE the selection of colorwork options you put together! I saved them all to my favorites. I might need to knit the Spot Sweater this fall. Thanks for all the great content. I truly appreciate you!

[@lieslnew8247]

Just added the Spot Sweater and Joel Sweater to my favourites. Thank you so much for finding them. ❤

[@slastenushkaslast3402]

Taylor you have such an amazing taste. Thank you for this line up, I loved them all and adding them all to my favorites.

[@lindarobbins6750]

I love that you included Rachel Illsley’s design; I’ve knit three of her designs so far. The Lost City was the first one I made. It’s not too daunting, done in DK/ worsted weight, and the colorwork is in bands with plain knitting in between. I used a long repeat multicolor yarn for the designs, looks awesome.

[@jmgriggs]

made a ramble and then went immediately to make another one :) biggest mod: instead of knitting the colorwork on the sleeves on same or larger needle - made it on smaller one and cinched the sleeve at that part. it is sooooooo excelllent

[@carrotlover7763]

I have recently been drawn to color work sweaters, so this post hit the spot for me. I just finished a Mosaic cowl, the pattern is from Lyrical Knits on Ravelry, Killer Queen. It was such a fun pattern to knit, I am going to make another on for a Christmas present. Just like most people, I have a very long list of things I want to knit….

[@heathersgoinnuts]

I absolutely love the TIME sweater. I think that looks very elegant. If I were to make a sweater, that one would be it. Once I take a break from my Tunisian crochet, that I am completely addicted to at the moment. I am thinking about that sweater.

[@valeriehowden471]

I thought i would just stick to colour work for mittens and hats ... you may have changed my mind! Great picks.

[@showandtellmeg]

I've had the Ixchel sweater by Catherine Clark on my queue for years now! I even purchased yarn to make it up, but I want to make sure I can knit the colorwork and not have it be too tight before I dive into a big one like that. So gorgeous though!

[@dawnupperman524]

I’ve done color work and find it fascinating because you get to work both in continental and English styles while you knit. The floats can be a bit challenging but it’s still fun. Looking forward to the color work pattern you decide to do. Also I love the patterns you highlighted ❤

[@jessicabraaten7448]

My Saturday mornings are now dedicated to watching your podcasts and knitting. I just love your creativity. You inspire me to step out of my comfort zone in a classy and trendy way ❤❤❤

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Ah, this is so cool Jessica. Thank you! ❤️

[@goswamigeeta]

Appreciate your choice of colorwork. Very inspiring indeed. Thank you for sharing.🎉

[@luliknits]

As always, loved your suggestions Taylor and I've already added the bundle to my favourites!!

[@mindykannon4650]

I love your choices except the flower sweater..hahahahaha. I do a ton of color work...fun to do!

[@aimeewalters4861]

Oooh, I just love a stripe; I might have to check out the Double Date.

[@MelonPan2010]

I have the double date sweater saved in my faves as inspo. However, I believe I have yarn in stash for the Stalacite sweater by Camille Rosselle. I hope to cast it on during my maternity leave. 😊

[@nyxian_grid]

Ooh! I love Danish Musing's spot sweater version, with a gradient of colour... You should check it out - I would personally love to do a version like that.

[@cathynewkirk6807]

I love hearing about “new to me” designers, thanks! Two sweaters that came to mind, and have been in my Ravelry favorites for a while, are the Laurel by Along avec Anna and the Stalactite by Camille Roselle. Now that I’m feeling more comfortable with colorwork, the Stalactite will be on my needles soon!

[@pattihuke2992]

Thanks for another great video! My favourite is the double date. It looks very doable 😀

[@plummyplummy]

"Aegyo" (eh-gyuh) is a Korean term for a personality of cuteness/coquettishness/propriety and is considered a desirable trait. :) The sweater would be pronounced "juhl" (That's about as close as you can get with English sounds)

[@adventuresoftigtourettesin5885]

Can you make the “Ellen griswold black heart sweater from the movie ? National lampoons Christmas vacation ?

[@beakolbeebersbach6598]

The Spot sweater is on my list ❤

[@dirgniflesuoh7950]

The first "big thing" I knitted, not mittens or doll clothes, was a stranded vest/slipover. It was inspired by embroidery patterns, with the front made up of "stripes" as you call it, sections of motifs, borders, letters, numbers, one of birds, one of tulips and so on. It took me a while (early teens), but what took me the longest was the back (I wisely began with the front), because that was just plain stockinette, like forever on 3.5 mm needles. Today I think about redoing it, but knitting it in the round, with stranded knitting all around, or maybe begin at the shoulders ... and now I sort of find plain knitting relaxing, but then I could not stand it.

[@bjrudin]

I think Knitting for Olive has some great colorwork patterns you might like. The.Creabea has a great color block sweater (intarsia) too.

[@celineocallaghan6915]

Awesome video Tayler, I get excited too ! Really loved them all, thankyou for your wonderful insight ❤️

[@sandrarekker585]

lovecraft has two amazing dk toque patterns 'frost' and 'snowflakes' (both are free patterns). the strand work is well worth checking out.

[@karingranlien5656]

Hi Taylor, I just love your podcast - As a Dane, Its just so cool your showing all of these gorgeous designs from Danish designers - they are indeed amazing! Looking forward to seeing your spot sweater - it’s on my dream knit list✨ All the best from Denmark, Karin❤

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

It’s my pleasure Karin! Thank you so much for watching. Some of my favorite designs are coming from Danish designers. The simplicity and elegance gets me every time. So good. ❤️

[@julianesrensen3129]

Just such a pity that most of them are not size inclusive. Danish designers are generally quite poor with that - which annoys me a lot, as I’d love to support Danish designers. Gotta buy locally.

[@karingranlien5656]

@@julianesrensen3129 I have heard about that problem in general with designs - I do notice quite a lot of the the Danish knitwear designers updating their patterns with more sizes. So hopefully they will keep up with that demand.

[@julianesrensen3129]

@@karingranlien5656 yes, it’s great that some are making an effort to update the sizes they provide in old patterns as well. I hope they continue to do so! :)

[@lisanakao1043]

A few of your examples have me inspired, thank you.

[@SylviaTricote]

Hey Tayler, the Double Date actually isn't stranded colorwork 😉 but yeah I def wanna knit at least one colorwork sweater this fall/winter! Need to finish my Rumble Raglan and want to knit the Okkult Sweater.

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

You’re right! Look at that! “Strategic stitch placement.” I missed that bit when I read through the pattern page before. Interesting!

[@SylviaTricote]

@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS Kind of reminds me of the broken seed stitch pattern done in 1 row stripes all over the Elfmail sweater, maybe that's it

[@24567423ify]

I’ve knit a few color work sweaters. I’m working on my first Rachel Illsley design right now. I’d suggest making sure that there are only 2 colors per row. Way easier. I think that Anemone sweater has sections of 3 colors. I can’t tell you how much harder that is. Love the Porcelain sweater.

[@judybostick3934]

One favorite all over color work sweater I knit last year was the Laurel sweater by Along Avec Anna. It has that geometric striped looked you were talking about and it was a really fun knit. And I love a fingering weight sweater, especially here in SC where our winters are quite mild. Love all your sweater choices, hope you get to knit some of them. 😻

[@vadec5909]

What lovely patterns! I havent tried colorwork. Maybe I will this winter. Thank you!!!

[@jenniferjohnson9335]

You do find some of the most unique, and, yes, chic and classy sweaters! Re: the floral motif--Have you seen the Pressed Flowers cardigan by Amy Christoffers? That one catches my eye. Thanks for sharing these with us!

[@allysondykhuizenknits]

Ohh thank you for that shout out! Porcelain was a very fun knit!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

My pleasure Allyson! Thank you for watching. ❤️❤️ Now that I have you here, how do you pronounce your last name? 😉

[@allysondykhuizenknits]

@@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS Haha you did great! It's Die Kie Zen - die and kie rhyme. It's impossible and I'm so impressed you even tried!

[@annabelle7123]

About flowers 🌸 Pressed flower sweater comes to my mind, all over flower, modern and not too feminine! The shawl version was very popular, check it out!

[@joannemoseley8994]

Great choices Taylor! I’ve had that Porcelain sweater in my queue for ages…one day I will get to it…? I look forward to seeing what you decide for your first colorwork adventure!

[@Treasacello]

When I finally finish the cable sweater I'm making, my next one will be the Moraine sweater by tincanknits. I wanted to learn traditional patterns like the snowflake and lice stitch, and the added color blending sort of sucked me in.

[@ShehnazKhan1]

Omg I love ALL of these designs. I love to do color work knitting and a sweater is next on my horizon. I agree with you on not wanting to wear a “too” traditional style of sweater, since as a south Asian I would feel a bit like a poser appropriating another culture’s attire.

[@sc00badive]

I haven't done any colorwork except simple stripes & a mosaic wash cloth. So the colorwork sweater that I'd love to knit for myself is the Poppy Cardigan by Sara Lucas Design, the pattern is for a child's cardigan. It's gorgeous and would be fantastic as an adult design. I really don't know the nuts and bolts of colorwork, seems like the wrong side is a disaster, and nobody ever shows you the wrong side of their colorwork sweaters.

[@topstitchgirl]

Adding a few of these to my queue!

[@kayfionaorton5513]

My current knit (as a new colourwork knitter) is the Alpine Bloom tee by Boyland Knitworks

[@rachelcarey486]

You might like Kachemak by Caitlin hunter as well if you like the porcelain sweater. Both are GORGEOUS!

[@annacelny9996]

Hi, if you want more of that flowery types of sweaters Drops Design have a few, e.g. Spring Parade, Tulip Season, Spring Messenger

[@amandarenshaw2940]

Beautiful jumpers - all added to my faves! I’m currently working on Antique Flora by Wool and Pine

[@onajourneylife2242]

Gorgeous selections as always! I appreciate your show so, so much!!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

I’m so glad. Thank you so much for watching!

[@nataliestanchevski4628]

I love knitting colourwork but I've only done two sweaters to date. For me, as a plus size person with adhd, socks or bags are much more approachable because of the smaller scale of the project lol.

[@naomischober]

you need to check out Marie Greene/Olive Knits strandless colour work workshop. it makes those all over colour work sweaters more manageable.

[@annafdd]

The vintage design you showed - that might be intarsia but for my money it would be quicker to do the motifs in double stitch - in other words, embroider them.

[@colettemoolman4410]

Oh my! Guess what? That vintage Bestway floral top is a pattern that I have in my vintage pattern stash and uploaded on the Ravelry database - my ravelry name is "NakoaKnits". I recognised the image immediately 😊

[@maryfoster5189]

That yak will will be VERY warm, especially if it's stranded knitting.

[@jenniferslaydon98]

Love Anne Ventzel's designs

[@claretrevor8111]

Ohhhh, some beautiful examples! Right now I’m working on Throwover by DreaReneeKnits. I’m doing it in only two colors, to wrap my brain and fingers around colorwork. It’s worsted. I could totally see a Fisherman’s Wool version!

[@aileenmiles1693]

If you like that non-traditional colorwork placement on the body of the sweater, you may want to check out the Kerr Sweater by Rebecca Clow on Ravelry. I just did my first stranded colorwork projects a couple months ago (a hat and cowl set) and loved it. Looking forward to getting into colorwork sweaters soon! Thanks for the pattern inspiration! Love that Porcelain Sweater, but I can see from the construction that the top colorwork section is knitted flat so It may be a while before I try that.

[@pamelafitzgerald6680]

Hella from Danish Musings did t he Spot and it is magnificent!

[@ccpperrett7522]

Thank you Taylor for another truly inspiring podcast. I always come away with my brain gears turning.😅

[@Whistlewalk]

I agree: that is a very nice sellection of colourwork sweaters. Humm.

[@Lionqt7]

I've already purchased the pattern (and yarn) for the Jeol sweater. It's next on my list to knit! Now you've got me looking at even more patterns. Great list, thanks!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

Ooooo yay! I hope you enjoy it. It looks so cozy. ☺️

[@allnaturalnutknitting4272]

:) My next colorwork is going to be Alpine Bloom by Caitlin Hunter

[@veradoling8580]

Like yourself, I have yet to do a colour stranded sweater. I love the examples you showed. They speak to me as well. A bit more modern and wearable. I will definitely take a deep look in Ravelry. Thank you for the jump start!

[@WOOLNEEDLESHANDS]

My pleasure Vera! Happy hunting! ❤️

[@sophiegoemans6555]

where is that shirt from :0? so cute

[@samanthamund5194]

I’ve done some Ruke jackets and cardigans that are easy. The styles are really nice. My dilemma right now is our used about strings for a June top by Petiteknit which I gave to my daughter and looks fabulous but I ended up with four balls left….and now I’m contemplating buying more to make another project or trying to find something small to use up what’s left I’m leaning towards buying more and making a sweater but I have so much to work with and lots of sweaters in the queue. I bought the yarn on your recommendation and I love it is a great feel…knits up really well and the stitches look lovely.. I used colour way Cocoa. One thing I like, is to keep making the Petiteknit Sophie Shawl and scarf for a travel project or a palate cleanser especially when I’m working on something that’s very difficult and I need to stop and take a breath. It’s an easy project that I like to have on the go and there’s always someone who can use one.

[@deboraharnold8587]

The Porcelain sweater is mmm mmm mmm!!! 🤩🤩🤩

[@katibere1966]

Thank you!! Love all the pattern ideas you share!!

[@chrissy24-7]

Some new ones I added to my list! Very cool 😎

[@annabelle7123]

You said that correctly 👍 jeol sweater by aegyo knit! Jeol means to bow 🙇🏻‍♀️ (traditional way to greet) in Korean and aegyo is cute affectionate attitude of young girl/women! The designer makes most of her sweater names in Korean for some reason and the designs are special and gorgeous ❤

[@lynnephippen5342]

Look at new Stephen West Sweater. It is color block in a major way but each column is done separately.

[@Coquille2000]

Maybe it’s Delft blue.

[@debraraymer3386]

I love your mid-week rambles! I am going to do a similar thing with cardigans, because living in a very cold climate, I need layers! Do you have any favorite cardigans? Do you like steeking?