Ranking COLORWORK Techniques From Easiest to Utterly Ridiculous!

[@ojaimark]

I'm a bit of a masochist and love three color stranded. I have a few ways I do it. One way involves two colors worked portuguese (which is my primary knitting style fwiw) and the third either continental or english. But what I do more often is just do multiple passes for a single row. For example I'll first take two of the colors and work them like normal while slipping any stitches that need to be worked with the third. Then I do a pass with the third color where I slip the stitches that have already been worked and knit the ones that need to be knit in the third color. If working flat that involves sliding the needles back to other side to pick up the the third color, but working in the round it's just waiting right there for you. Besides the obvious of actually taking literally twice as long, the only downside is that you're practically forced to catch floats a round after they're created rather than right away as you go. Which I'm terrible about remembering to do. But the result at the end is indistinguishable from working all three at once.

[@cyndylee544]

A very interesting way of handling that third color. I love how we can learn so much from other knitters.

[@Knicoleknits]

I've never tried doing multiple passes like that, but it sounds like an easier way to manage three colors. I may have to demo that in a masterclass sometime! 😀

[@karendiesner5008]

Brilliant!❤

[@dorisenderle5857]

I think Nimble Needles is another great learning channel.

[@Knicoleknits]

Yes! It's an excellent channel for tutorials. Norman does a great job 😊

[@jayeclements6452]

I also like Roxanne Richardson's tutorials. I recently completed my C&G Knitting and drew heavily on her tutorial techniques for some of the modules.

[@bernerandgoldenmom7143]

@@jayeclements6452 Roxanne is a terrific teacher and a great knitting historian! She's also great for showing alternative methods to achieving a result. I will forever be grateful to her for demonstrating the Finchley Graft. It gives the exact same result as the Kitchner stitch, but takes a fraction of the time and is nowhere NEAR as confusing or awkward.

[@bernerandgoldenmom7143]

I never miss a NN video. Norman is the KING of tips and tricks to make knitting as enjoyable as possible. And his work is gorgeous. Plus, just like Nicole, he's not judgey or snooty. Anyone who knits, regardless of level, will enjoy his videos.

[@lillianbarker4292]

Years ago, before KZbin, as a baby knitter, I wanted to make a Kaffe Fassett sweater. I boldly bought many colors of pricey yarn plus bobbins and went to work. The pattern was Swirling Star. I think I lasted 3 or 4 days before a nervous breakdown. 😂 Kaffe says it’s easy, and seeing your video, I’ve just got to try again. Thanks for your great videos. ❤.

[@MB-hc9tk]

Re the yarn timble or knitting in general I don’t think there’s a right or wrong way once we get our desired outcome , what works for us works for us and that is the right way… so if anyone wants to comment that this is the wrong way - your wrong and I’m right 🤪😂😂 ❤ omg so much colourwork goodness but so much effort oooff .. hats off to you my friend !

[@MB-hc9tk]

Ps love that sweater you designed it has an art deco look to it that reminds me of gatsby ❤love it

[@MB-hc9tk]

Imagine it in black and gold 👀

[@Knicoleknits]

I won't lie - a LOT of effort went into this video 😋

[@Knicoleknits]

The motif is based on an art deco graphic. I call it my deco pullover 😊

[@Knicoleknits]

My next one will be navy and gold 😀

[@badhousekeeper]

Another way for colorwork is double knitting. It's floatless and reversible. It would probably land between mosaic and two color stranded. It's currently my favorite.

[@Knicoleknits]

You're not the first to wonder why it didn't make the cut! 😋 I love double-knitting too. I plan to make a masterclass video on that technique alone 😄

[@InstantSanity]

It's my favorite too, it's a bit complicated but the finished fabric is so nice

[@KnittingApples]

My first colorwork sweater was done with instarsia. I used embroidery floss bobbins to keep the ends from getting tangled. I’ve discovered I love all color work and the vast majority of my sweaters are some sort of colorwork.

[@AmandaMcCarterWrites]

So happy to see the Nimble Needles shout out. Norman has great content.

[@zeenies222]

Norman and Nicole are my two favorites!

[@AmandaMcCarterWrites]

@@zeenies222 same!

[@djmelton4578]

One other trick I like for stripes is to use an odd number of colors and to carry each color of unused yarn up the side, either using a crocheted border later to hide the side-floats or sewing the side edges together in ax way that concepts the side-floats - or getting very bold if I use narrow stripes in three colors, and leaving the side floats exposed. Fun and funky.

[@Knicoleknits]

Very cool and creative! 💖

[@etoeneudorf]

Thank you for sharing the challenges of all of these! Sometimes I see people do colorwork and it looks so effortless while I find it hard. But it is hard stuff and we’re all rocking it!

[@Knicoleknits]

Right?! It's a good reminder to be kind to ourselves as we learn 😊

[@bernerandgoldenmom7143]

Nicole, I MUST HAVE THAT SWEATER!!!! All the work you displayed in this video is lovely, but that sweater you designed is absolutely GORGEOUS!! Please, please, pleeeeeeease write the pattern soon!!! Like the geeky knitter I am, I'll be waiting with baited breath for it. 💖 I agree with you that the 3 Color Stranded is the hardest. Being an English knitter, I don't fancy colorwork all that much. I do, however, like intarsia very much. It's a lot of work, I'll grant you, and a mess in the back, no doubt, but for English knitters, it's a godsend, and allows for a lot of fun with different colors if you go by Fassett's method of the hanging strand. I love ease of switching colors so easily after struggling so much to learn 2 Strand. I'm definitely going to give the "slip" to both methods, however, and try your slip method. It looks beautiful and you'd never know from the front that it wasn't 2 Standed. Thanks!! ❤

[@Knicoleknits]

Okay, okay! 😂 It will likely be later this year, but I will do my best to get it written up and tech edited for publication 😘

[@kimberleyoliver8160]

You are a wonderful TEACHER. Looking forward to update on your decision on a knitting machine.

[@Knicoleknits]

Thank you!!! 💗

[@CRIMSONarteries]

I'm doing my first intarsia project, and I'm having an absolute blast! I also let the ends just *be* and then spit splice new strands. It's so much fun and actually not very difficult!

[@Smyapper]

I’m a self taught knitter. After knitting my first sweater I took a trip to the local yarn shop for their guidance on a pattern with color. Not knowing the differences in working with multiple colors, they set me up with a intarsia sweater pattern and gave me a lesson on how to do it. Guess what? I never finished it! It’s my least favorite and will not ever do another one. In all honesty I would rather do the stranded knitting with the 3 colors 😂 Love your videos, I always learn something, I started combination knitting and I love it! Thank you for all your time you devote to us, it doesn’t go unnoticed ♥️

[@Knicoleknits]

Thank you so much! I'm so glad the combination knitting is working for you 😃

[@crrizello5157]

Great video. I’m a long time knitter and still learning so much! I think I will get a yarn thimble

[@Knicoleknits]

I found the thimble very helpful. I think I'm going to get the Clover one that snaps shut and keeps the strands closer to your finger 😊

[@mathsinger]

Double knitting and mosaic are my favorites.

[@RosieKuhnPhD]

Midnight Garden by Max Cyr inspired me to try Intarsia. And the SnowFlake Vest inspired me to do another Pattern. With the Snowflake Vest, I decided to do two color stranded work and though the effect wasn’t as clean, I’m still going to use that method again with this vest for my daughter. I actually love the dramatic effects of Intarsia, and am always on the lookout for another inspiring piece to knit. Thank you for this really informative and inspiring episode. I’m a combination knitter too, I love mosaic knitting and am doing Andrea Mowry’s Tesselated Cardigan, and am looking for a stranded colorwork sweater that’s irresistible! That inspiration has to carry me for months, as we all know! Thank you again! Rosie

[@Knicoleknits]

I love Max's designs! I did his Mini-Unbearable Hoodie for my granddaughter 😊

[@RosieKuhnPhD]

@@Knicoleknits I love Max’s designs too! I do wish he would do another major Intarsia sweater that I can’t say no to. 🤗

[@juliam.wedemeyer1694]

Have you tried using the “ladder back jacquard” technique to manage long floats of yarn in stranded colorwork? I would love a video from you on this technique, because you explain everything so well!

[@Knicoleknits]

Yes! I love the ladderback technique. I have plans to do a masterclass video on ladderback 😀

[@mariaknitsRN]

@@Knicoleknits YAY!

[@mvand55]

Re 3 color stranded - have you tried working just the 2 main colors and slipping the stich where the 3rd color goes, then reworking that same row, again, working the 3rd color and slipping the other 2? Any long floats produced by the 3rd color could be caught on the following row.

[@Knicoleknits]

This is a great method! I will definitely try this next time I do 3-color stranding 😃💖

[@satsumamoon]

Thank you! If I remember this , I might not avoid 3 colour sweaters . Ive done little sections on the tops of socks by making duplicate stitches but I wouldnt fancy doing that on big pieces.

[@KYERRN]

I really love your videos describing many different methods together. It's a great introduction and helps a lot with my general understanding.

[@Knicoleknits]

Thanks, that's my goal! I'm hoping to make it less intimidating and a little more fun 😃

[@littleidiot153]

​@@KnicoleknitsThank you so much 😊

[@lillianbarker4292]

I enjoy stranded knitting. In Fair Isle they usually use 3 colors sparingly so it’s not a problem.

[@vadec5909]

A very interesting podcast. I like slip stitch the most.

[@Eastcoast555]

Excellent video - clear instructions!

[@Knicoleknits]

Thank you!

[@hannzapie]

I haven't done a lot of colorwork yet*, but my knitting plans for this year include a decent amount just so I can review some techniques & try ones that I haven't done before. right now planned projects include slip stitch, double knitting, and two color stranded, but trying intarsia (flat) is a possibility. I took a look at the NN intarsia in the round blog post a few months ago when I was considering it for a project, and decided nope, not that project! *mostly stripes and some double knitted swatches, although I did some fake intarsia a couple months ago to avoid intarsia in the round.

[@Knicoleknits]

Intarsia in the round is a whole different beast! 😮

[@hannzapie]

@Knicoleknits it really is! it's not something I wanted to do on a quick knit.

[@angelinacrafts5385]

Lol. My first go at intarsia was in the round. Let’s just say, I can vouch for the step-by-step photo tutorial in that pattern. Even made the second mitt.

[@hannzapie]

I applaud you for doing it! it looks like a *lot* of work. I wanted to make some mittens with the gusset & thumb a different color from the hand...and then I looked at the tutorial, considered it, and decided there was no way I was trying it on that project- not on a deadline, and not with two black-based yarns (so I found another way).

[@bg7491]

That was fun! (Hi Oscar. 🤗) Hooray for mosaic. Intarsia? No...just...no. 🤪 My absolute favorite colorwork knitting is double knitting. It's my zen place. 🙂

[@Knicoleknits]

Okay, clearly I missed the boat by leaving double-knitting out the mix here 😂 I promise a double-knitting masterclass is coming, so it will get some love then 😘

[@LeahHorton-m1b]

Another great video! I always learn something new that I look forward to trying. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into these videos!

[@Knicoleknits]

Thank you very much, Leah! Oscar says Hi!

[@LeahHorton-m1b]

@ hi back to Oscar! Sweet doggo!

[@DianneRoss-g3g]

Thanks for the review of jogless stripes. I think it might stick this time. :) Great video. Thanks.

[@Knicoleknits]

You're welcome!

[@E_LithaBeth]

I wanted to mention double knitting where you have two layers of fabric back to back--one side the negative of the other. Also, if anyone is wanting to try stranded knitting please look for more information about how to hold your colors so that the "contrast color" (those areas where single stitches need to stand out) really pops. I am new to your channel and enjoying your videos. Thanks!

[@Knicoleknits]

Yes, double knitting is awesome! I will have to film a masterclass on that technique! 😀

[@JConklin5280]

I do all kinds of colorwork and love it. I've been doing intarsia for more than 40 years and have taught classes in the technique. It's a favorite.

[@Knicoleknits]

I'm sure it's super helpful to learn it in a class with an excellent teacher. I have no doubt that you're inspiring your students to love it too! 💗

[@nobleelf]

If you are doing a striped blanket, shawl, etc. you can hide those ends safely in a 2 stitch I-cord- no weaving in, and a lovely border.

[@Knicoleknits]

Yes! That's why I love i-cord edges so much 😃

[@pacrossett]

A million thanks for that mini duplicate stitch tutorial! Such a help to me. Before today my duplicates were so nasty. I will try again with some confidence. Thanks again.

[@Knicoleknits]

You're very welcome! I'm glad it helped 😊

[@nsartain8129]

Thanks from a “very early stage learner”. I did learn a lot! ❤❤❤

[@Lilushaaakash]

Yay! you are knitting the gnome kit!

[@Knicoleknits]

Yes!!! 😄

[@violetofthevalley]

It’s fascinating that you chose such a complex example for intarsia. My first intarsia project was just a different color edging on a wingspan short row shawl and it was enormously less fussy than what you showed. Intarsia doesn’t have to be a nightmare of 30 bobbins if you only want a simple effect.

[@Knicoleknits]

Totally agree - I just wanted to show how nuts it can get! 😂

[@gia3742]

Thank you for this. I was considering learning colorwork this year. Now I know what to focus on! Stopping at slip stitch! I know my skill set.

[@Knicoleknits]

You're welcome! I hope you enjoy learning slip stitch - it's such a cool technique!

[@carieruiz2285]

The key to 3 color stranded colorwork is ladderback jacquard. It’s slow but helps keep your floats loose enough.

[@janegreen9340]

Another fascinating film , thank you. I have recently started fairisle stranded work and tried out different ways of coping with the strands and tension, the yarn thimble was no way successful as my fingers are so skinny the darn thing just swivelled around. One in each hand for me and weaving the strands in on the reverse as I go, so no long floats and no accidental pulls. Intarsia - never! Life is too short!

[@maribethclark2798]

I bumped into Intarsia in a doll project for my great granddaughter. Some instruction in the book. But, it's assumed you have done it before. For this small project it was kind of fun. Not like a mural on a sweater. I've done 3 color in a sock by Charlotte Stone, quickly decided to do duplicate stitch for the third. For me, 3 color stranded in a sock is difficult. Too small of a diameter. Maybe a hat or mug rug. I have yarn & Jame Lomax's book. Have wips to work thru first. Self imposed as there are soo many, lol. Thanks for the overview!

[@Knicoleknits]

I get that - sometimes the small stuff is the hardest! 😉

[@debracoulter]

hi i alwaysenjoy watching you

[@Knicoleknits]

Thank you! Glad you do!

[@joanmachado9063]

Great podcast thanks, I also coll doodle decks 😉🤣

[@Knicoleknits]

They are so fun, right? Even if you never use them...😄

[@SmithQuilts]

Would love your take on multicolor with laddeback jacquard. Another thing I’ve seen for managing 3 colors is setting up a box or bowls where the ball is inside its spot it the box (so they don’t roll into each other and tangle), then strand either 2 I. Left, one I. In right, or w in left. Definitely not a technique for consecutive projects!!!!! Thanks again for your posts!

[@Knicoleknits]

I will have a video about ladderback jacquard. It's on my list! 😋

[@DebbyAbrahams-jv3xt]

I use the Clover Yarn Guide for multicolor stranded knitting instead of the thimble you use.. It can hold 3 different yarns at a time. It’s available at many sources: Knit Picks, Amazon, Hobbii, and more.

[@Knicoleknits]

Cool! I'll check that out 😀 I love Clover products

[@nanfredman1991]

This was a WOW video-lots of moving parts pulled off elegantly! As for the color work, stripes are a no-brainer, mosaic is delightful (especially with color-changing yarn!) and two-color stranded is very cool. I have never had the urge to do intarsia-EEEEK. But duplicate stitching is cool! I am kind of a closed-handed flicker, so my two stranded is done with a yarn in each hand, which is really not so bad as it sounds. I could not manage the yarn thimbles, and no, they don’t work on your right hand. 🤣 But watching me try that would have been pretty funny!

[@Knicoleknits]

Ha ha! Double-dog dare you 😘

[@rebmedina2835]

I find stranded easy. But ive only worked 2 colours. I have 1 of those ring but i haven't used it yet. Just dont make long floats. I'm still learning slip stitch patterns. For intarsia I would cut out cardboard bows and wind a bit of yarn over them. I didn't know that toggles could be purchased

[@beverlyfusfield8709]

I’m working on my first stranded colorwork yoke sweater and am doing it two-handed. I thing I’ll order one of those thimbles to try. Like you, I love mosaic knitting. I made a gorgeous pair of mosaic socks and am looking for more mosaic sock patterns. I tried stranded socks but gave up because I couldn’t make them loose enough to fit over my ankles. I’ve also made a couple of intarsia sweaters for my grandson when he was a little guy. On one of them I had to figure out how to do intarsia in the round in order to put a triceratops on the sleeve. There was a stegosaurus wrapped around one of the fronts to the back and a T. rex wrapped around the other. He just loved that cardigan!

[@Knicoleknits]

Wow, those sound like some awesome sweaters! My grandson is a dinosaur fanatic too 😄

[@dianet3451]

I use a yarn thimble/ring for crochet most of the time because I find it a little more comfortable. There's not a right or wrong way, just whatever works for you. For me, what made a difference was getting one custom made for my tiny fingers from a seller here in Ontario, so that the loops are at the right position without me having to adjust the size. I'm new at knitting and haven't found it comfortable for knitting but I haven't graduated to colourwork yet, but I'll keep it in mind when someday I try it!

[@Knicoleknits]

Good luck with the colorwork! You'll be a pro in no time! 👍

[@cyndylee544]

Good informative video. I haven't really tried intarsia knitting, but I knew of the basic technique of making sure the strands from each color were twisted around each other to prevent the hole. So I made a baby blanket using one color for the border section and then a different one for the main body of the blanket. So the border all around was one color and the main body (inside) was a different color. It turned out great. However, I don't really have a desire to do a true intarsia project, as I really don't want to have to deal with all the ends. Although, the way you said Kaffe Fasset does it seems much more manageable, so I might try that sometime and give it a go that way.

[@Knicoleknits]

It LOOKS like a hairy mess, but pulling those loose ends through actually works! I was a HUGE fan of Kaffe's back in the 90s 😋

[@cyndylee544]

@ yes, he’s a genius! I saw a segment on him on the Fruity Knitting podcast.

[@katerogers5365]

Pulling through as many as 8-10 colors in a row works! No tangles, and I often use up to 4 yards of yarn over several rows. I love Kaffe’s patterns and have made several. I think is best to work flat, in pieces, and to choose a pattern whether you won’t see the inside. ( inevitably it will look messy). A number of Kaffe patterns carry a single background color throughout. This can be beneficial, because it mimics stranded colorwork and can cover some of the holes if you forget to twist yarns. Try it! A small pillow is a great way to get started and to test whether you like the pattern.

[@nobleelf]

the Knitting Man has some great tips for three color stranding, catching those floats, etc.

[@Knicoleknits]

Thanks for the recommendation! 😊

[@carolmelancon]

I'm working on my first three color project. However, it's fairly simple - a hat with spiral stipes that swirl up the hat (Spiral Stripes Hat by SushimiLove Patterns). I'm catching the floats of the other two colors at this point because the stripes are nine stitches wide, but I can drop each of those until I get to the catch point and just knit with the current stripe's color continental style. When the stripes narrow in the crown, I won't bother catching the floats. I doubt I'll be doing it in a charted pattern unless I totally fall head-over-heels in love with said pattern.

[@Knicoleknits]

I love that you're adjusting your technique based on the pattern and your own style! 💖

[@sandracroley9784]

I love colour-work! This year will be jam-packed full of stranded knitting for me. One I'm really looking forward to is a Sidsel Hoivik pattern called Amore (I don't think it's on Ravelry). Love mosaic knitting! Life is too short for Intarsia, for me. Funny thing, though, I did alot of it when my children were young in the late 80s, early 90s. Little cardigans with pictures on the back were quite popular then. 3-colour stranded...not a fan, but I would do a pattern if there were only a row here and there with three colours.

[@Knicoleknits]

Yup. I did quite a bit of intarsia in the 80s and 90s. At the time it seemed like a good idea! 😂

[@fishgarden7784]

I definitely would swap two-color stranded and intarsia! Only one color at a time, no floats, looks super impressive, it's all there! I've knit only a couple stranded items and hated it the entire time, haha. The beautiful sweater yokes are enticing, but not worth the torture that is stranded knitting.

[@Knicoleknits]

Ha ha! I feel you 😊

[@mariaknitsRN]

Looking forward to the pattern for your sweater, it is GoRgEoUs! For me, intarsia is more challenging than 3 strand color. My slight OCD with all those strands and bobbins, Arghhhhhh!

[@Knicoleknits]

Ha ha! Thanks, Maria 😍 Those bobbins truly are maddening 😁

[@originalstitches6125]

I have a great time doing multicolour knitting. I started doing three colour Fair Isle before somebody told me it was supposed to be difficult. I've made many sweaters for my grandchildren.

[@Knicoleknits]

That's awesome! Sometimes the best way to learn is just to dive in and go for it. 😊

[@judygrayson7896]

I love how you colored your chart in your 3 color work. Did you do it on knit companion? I know there are many things you can do with paid one. I just use the free to use the lines vertical and horizontal on my chart and counter on the right side.

[@Knicoleknits]

I use a paid program called Stitchmastery for my charts. There are good free ones, though. I don't know if they include the color options or not. KnitBird is one 😊

[@gabrieleb4221]

In Germany you can buy a little piece we call Strickfingerhut. It allows you to have more than 2 colours on your left hand. I think it is from Prym.

[@Knicoleknits]

I might have to buy one just because I love the name - Strickfingerhut! 😃💗

[@sungkim9243]

Knitting by Phrancko has a master class in intarsia in the round. He has knitted amazing intarsia in the round sweaters using his Phrancko sweater method

[@Knicoleknits]

Interesting! I'll have to look him up 😊

[@MimiRouth-t4d]

Hello from WEST Sacramento, another country/county from Sacramento! I joined and then got awfully distracted. Got a new locker for the stash, got better from totaling my car driving after sundown in Sacramento. I did knit while getting better. A fluffy striped cardi by Drops. Then I just bought a car, and paid two new-comer Afghani guys to get me into the dealer and back home without having to drive in Sac. These men drive for a taxi service that transports medical patients. They translated and helped American military in Afghanistan. Sam has a Master's degree, 4 sons and a beautiful wife. If she is into sewing or knitting, well, it will be sweet. So once the white Kia Forte has taken all the stash to storage and I have looked at my collection of vintage mohair, oh boy! I have knitted all kinds of things. One entrelac sock has the black popping out on one toe! It's like when your tennis racquet has a hole in it. How did that happen? I love to knit a color in each hand. Still lots to learn. This is such good value! Thank you, Nicole!

[@amethystanne4586]

Thank you for showing how to do all these techniques! I have done stripes. Any of the others? Thanks, but no thanks. As each technique was shown, the more nervous I got. In the 1960’s, I received a pair of slipper socks for Christmas. I remember them because I had to be careful how I put them on. They were done in intarsia. The strands would get caught between my toes. The slippers were very warm because they were made with wool yarn(acrylic yarn had not been invented yet).

[@Knicoleknits]

That's a sweet memory 😊

[@DjastinFaiht]

I am astounded that my favourite technique is not part of this: double knitting. It’s simple once you figure out that you _always_ knit 1 purl 1 as a pair and the pair is either colour A, then B, or first B, then A, depending on the pattern you need. It’s thicker but you have no strands, tension is super duper simple because the last stitch of each colour is maximum two stitches away. So all you need to figure out is holding your yarns. Everything else is easier than all other types of colour work. I love it and always have at least one double-knitting project on the go.

[@Knicoleknits]

Oooo...yes, double-knitting is a great technique! I would have added it, but wanted to keep the video to a reasonable length 😋 I will be doing a whole masterclass on double-knitting eventually!

[@laurasharp7955]

Can one double knit fair isle?

[@syddlinden8966]

One wouldn't use intarsia for that kind of short-carry color tho... It's specifically for color blocking and shouldn't have yarn tails hanging out, but they should be neatly twisted / worked in at the back at the joins as you work. Intarsia is a perfect example of the needing right technique for the correct design type/motif.

[@Knicoleknits]

Yup. All true. I did it for the effect and to compare to the slip stitch 😊

[@cynthiahermann145]

I thought that two color brioche or double knitting would make the list. Still, I enjoyed the video! ❤

[@Knicoleknits]

I agree! I had to cut a few techniques due to time constraints, but I may revisit those in a future video. 😉

[@EsmereldaPea]

I'd throw a DiABOLICAL level in there with Stranded Intarsia in the Round. I recently designed a hat that has multiple motifs with as many as 5 colors in each motif in a round. It was hairy managing all those little butterflys (instead of bobbins). Oh and this was my first intarsia project! 😅😅😅 Probably will never publish it.

[@jayeclements6452]

Recently I tried mosaic knitting after pussy-footing around it for several years. OMG!!! If anyone is hesitating, I suggest you dive in right away. It's absolutely brilliant and the BEST fun! Yes, I will still do conventional colourwork but I think it's an amazing technique to add to your repertoire. I haven't quite had the courage to go for 3-colour work yet but I have watched your hand cam detail several times and I think I might give it a try, probably starting with a smaller piece. It seems to me that the yarn needs to be a very fine gauge for 3-colour. Do you have thoughts on an ideal weight and maximum weight for neat 3-colour work? I notice someone else asked about the ladderback technique and you said you would do a vid so I am looking forward to that. I think the clarity of your hand cam tutorials and your honesty about difficulties and pitfalls is exactly what we need. Thank you!

[@EsmereldaPea]

I just finished 2 Star Wars beanies that were 3 color stranded in worsted weight acrylic. I don't think the weight is necessarily a deal breaker (though anything heavier than worsted might be) I think what matters more is rhe fiber. Acrylic is definitely not the best - animal fibers are, especially if they "bloom" after blocking. But honestly, the hats turned out pretty well. First one the floats were too tight and the second one rhe floats were a teeny bit too loose. If I had the patience to make a third one, it'd probably be just right!

[@Knicoleknits]

Ah, yes...the Goldilocks hat 😄

[@Knicoleknits]

SO fun, right?!? 😀 It's hard to say what the maximum weight would be for 3-color stranded. I think the main issue would be the bulk of having all that yarn carried across the back. At a heavier gauge it would tend to make the fabric pretty thick and stiff, I think. I'm so glad you find my hand cam work clear. It's taken me a year to find the right combination of camera and lighting. 😋

[@valeriepenrosee-lock3493]

Addictive. New word Addicting? 🤔 Interesting content. Thankyou.😊

[@Knicoleknits]

My pleasure 😊

[@heleng9008]

I learned to knit as achild and when I took it up again in my twenties I, like you, took on a cotton sweater with intarsia. The map of the world sweater from Vogue Knitting, if memory serves. Whaaaat was I thinking? Did I finish it? Hell, no.

[@Knicoleknits]

Ha ha! I meant to show that Map pattern in the video, but forgot to add it in. I had dreams and aspirations...😉😂

[@categ50]

👏- I tried Intarsia once; a small sweater for a stuffed animal with 2 numbers. My Granddaughters volleyball number. Never again!!! I'm not super good with a lot of different techniques. I'm going to make my son a couple of pillows using Mosaic.

[@Knicoleknits]

You'll love mosaic! 😍

[@joanshaull7153]

I am knitting Persian Dreams. I am catching every other float so that the back looks extremely neat.

[@Knicoleknits]

I've been wanting to knit Persian Dreams FOR-EV-ER! I even have a plan with the specific yarn and all the colors I want to use. I'm not normally a fan of catching the floats so frequently like that, but I think in the case of a blanket it's a really good idea! 😊

[@joanshaull7153]

@@Knicoleknits I wish I would have picked my colors. I bought the kit. I am compensating for that for choosing a random color from my bag of Palette colors whenever a color change is called for.

[@nobleelf]

Will modular knitting be a video you might consider?

[@Knicoleknits]

Absolutely! It's been on my list for a while 😊

[@Tailoring.Knit.Studio]

Nicole!!!! I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!! SOOOO MUCH!!!!! A LOT!!!!!! 💥💥💥💥💥💥💥🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🤍🖤🖤💜💜💙💚💛💛🧡🧡💥💥💥💥💥

[@Knicoleknits]

Ha ha ha! I have no idea how to respond to that except…THANK YOU! ❤️❤️❤️❤️🥰😁

[@Tailoring.Knit.Studio]

@@Knicoleknits JAJAJAJAJJA!! I am your faithful super fan! I found you last night and I was delirious with joy to find your channel. So I started watching from your first podcast. They are all gems! And I was even more happy to know that we are colleagues by trade as dressmakers for bridal and other clothing. Well that. One more follower for your wonderful channel Nicole! Very grateful.🤩🤩🤩🤩🥰🥰😘😘😘😘🤗🤗🤗🤗

[@valoriec]

Can you please do a video on slip stitch colorwork in the round? Like does each row of the chart get knit twice?

[@Knicoleknits]

For sure, I can! Yes, you do knit every chart row twice. If you're doing garter in the round, you need to purl the second row for each "set" 😊

[@lisedames7667]

Omg, my ADHD & OCD is off the charts with most of these.

[@mariaknitsRN]

for me it's intarsia. OMG! My slight OCD is now off the charts. LOL

[@Knicoleknits]

Ha ha! They truly can make one's head spin 😋

[@mandylavida]

I have that mosaic book and I can't think where I put it.....rummaging in my immediate future... P.s. Do you want test knitters for your wonderful sweater?

[@Knicoleknits]

Ha ha! I might be looking for test knitters. Stay tuned...😉

[@etoeneudorf]

I’m not sure if I understand the slip stitch colorwork correctly… but if I wanted to do three colors but use the slip technique could I do a hybrid version with two of the colours stranded together on one round and the third on its own?

[@Knicoleknits]

Yes! You can absolutely do that. I've been schooled by several folks in the comments on this very technique 😋

[@etoeneudorf]

@@Knicoleknits oh that’s so cool! I might have to try it that way if I dare to do a project with three strands!

[@dymphnaspinedi3697]

no 2 .... never

[@musikkfamilien]

I did not get the instarsia. I have been knitting since I was 12-13 years old. Making sweaters with stranded stitches. At the age of 14-15 I made jackets with pattern all over. Several colours. I did manage. And I think it is all about what you like. Practising, of coarse. And the excitement for the project. And : the finished project ❤🎉 The intarsia however, does nothing for me. I am norwegian

[@Knicoleknits]

Your stranded work is remarkable - It's clear how much you love doing it 😀💖

[@kolmkilpkonna]

Coming from the region where 4, 5 and even 6 colored stranded mittens are common, no 3 color is for sure not the hardest. I would put intarsia even easyer than 2 colored stranded, as even though you might have many loose ends hanging around you never work more than 1 colours at the time.

[@Knicoleknits]

Fair points! It's so interesting how we each find different methods easier or harder 😋

[@shelleyn.8503]

I like Intarsia, but not the jagged edges. There is a way to get rid of it, but I haven’t tried it. I really don’t like the duplicate stitch, my eyes get confused and don’t seem to see straight lines. 🤷

[@isabellelaflamme5179]

When Knitting stripes like these with only two colors and only a few rows, do you cut the yarn at every change of color? Is there a way to not cut the yarn when Knitting in the round? Thank you very much and forgive my english😁

[@Katepwe]

No, just drop one colour and pick up the other one.

[@Knicoleknits]

Yes, what Kate said. No need to cut every time. It's totally fine to carry the color you're not using up behind the work. How many rows you're comfortable with is entirely up to you 😊

[@isabellelaflamme5179]

@@Knicoleknits oh wow thank you so much!

[@jayeclements6452]

Hi Nicole. I'm enchanted by the Throughstone sweater you are wearing at the beginning but the link to the pattern on Ravelry shows it's no longer available to buy and download. Do you know any other source of the pattern? Thanks.

[@Knicoleknits]

Sorry about that! It's a Craftsy sweater knit-a-long class. I guess you can only get the pattern if you purchase the class. Bristol walks you through the whole project and has great tips. I recommend it, if you're interested in the sweater 😊

[@laurasharp7955]

Coincidentally I'm knitting a scarf in the slipped stitch method by Martin Storey and it turned out so beautifully the first time around that I'm knitting it for the second time. Also it's a four row pattern therefore I don't have to concentrate at all. Intarsia and colour work makes me so nervous as I'm firstly left handed and a thrower. Umm 😳

[@Knicoleknits]

Right? Slip stitch colorwork is so painless 😋

[@bettinafoertig7011]

You forgot double knitting! 😉 And the only one I don't like to knit is stripes, because I don't like wearing them. Other than that I love all colourwork, I only start to get a bit flustered with 5 or more colours in stranded knitting, because only 4 fit my "ring", but few patterns have a full pattern with that many colours. Usually it's only a few rows in each pattern.

[@Knicoleknits]

I didn't necessarily "forget" double-knitting - I'm saving it for its own video 😉 I bow down to you folks who multi-strand with ease 😋

[@bettinafoertig7011]

@Knicoleknits looking forward to it💕

[@EllenRelyea]

Just found you toda1/25 and Ilearned a lot all ready been knitting for years 1:38

[@annachristopherson7161]

Which needle set are you using?

[@Knicoleknits]

I use Signature needles mostly. Unfortunately, they don't make them anymore, but you might be able to find some used. 😊 I haven't been able to find a suitable substitute...yet 😋

[@annachristopherson7161]

I thought so! I wish I’d have invested in them when they were still in business. I have really enjoyed your content. Your perspective is very relatable and I have learned a lot. I’m an advanced knitter and often find myself clicking off videos once I have what I was looking for. I consistently stay to the end of your videos and have found myself seeking your new content when it drops. You’re a positive light on the interwebs 😎

[@Knicoleknits]

Aw, shucks! Thanks so much 😍

[@marsy1480]

Nathan (Sockmatician) handles multiple colours per row! I’m sure I’d get tangled up!

[@Knicoleknits]

Ha ha! Me too 😋

[@Derya679]

👍

[@annysui]

I have done the russian flower mittens(3 colours)from Ravely as my first mittens I have made. I finished them and I survived, but I will never do it again 😂😂😂

[@Knicoleknits]

😂

[@syddlinden8966]

Weaving in? No no no, in this house we knit in our ends. 👍

[@Knicoleknits]

Smart 😊💗

[@karenbochinski]

Intarsia very difficult. I have mastered 3 color knitting

[@Knicoleknits]

Applause applause! 👏👏👏

[@unplannedcauli]

what about double knitting? Or brioche? And why 3-colour as a separate category, there are patterns for 4 or even more colours in stranded, it could have been just "more than 2 colours"

[@Knicoleknits]

Great thoughts! There were lots of methods I could have included, but didn't want the video to go all day 😋😉

[@Louisecph]

I prefer 3 stranded instead of intarsia, for ever. I would never sew in the third colour. I am a continental knitter, and with 3 colours a have the least used colour in my right and and throw it. Where can I get my massage - I'm in Denmark ;)

[@Knicoleknits]

Ha ha! When I get a minute, I'll look up massage therapists in Denmark and get back to you...😘😂

[@katywuste9054]

Intarsia is a no no for me. Trued it once and never again. I like stranded knitting but 2 colours are the ones for me

[@sannaqvick3837]

Double knitted colourwork ( both rs and ws form the pattern ) seems really difficult…. 🤔

[@Knicoleknits]

It's not as hard as it seems. It's mostly slipping stitches and chart reading. I'll post a video about it some time this year 😊

[@karenalbery2773]

I am making Rebecca clows Leith cardigan and it has intarsia stripes. I am finding it to be no big deal with only 2 colors and one swap per row so intarsia in big blocks is oky doky but I don't think I will be doing any landscapes or portraits or cardigans from the 80s. I made a 3 color stranded hat as my second ever stranded project and even holding all 3 colors in my left hand I didn't find it difficult. Just a tad slow but watching the pattern appear under your needles round after round more than made up for it. If this were my list I would put stranded colorwork worked flat in the most extreme category. I have watched people do it and I would rather knit a king size intarsia blanket with 57 colors. Tonia from Nerdy knitting recently finished a shawl that incorporated stranded knitting worked flat and in patchwork intarsia blocks..... that was the most insane thing I have ever seen made out of yarn

[@Knicoleknits]

You're so right about stranded worked flat - I didn't even think about it because if I see a pattern that includes it, I run for the hills! 😁 I think I know the project Tonia made - totally agree it would have made a great finale for this video - Yikes!

[@nobleelf]

You didn't show what happens when you go to change stranded knitting using the thimble in the flat, starting the next row...frustration! Easier with Portuguese and no tangling of your yarn balls.

[@LushMontana]

THANX HON 🤍🤍🤍🤍👍👍👍 LEARNT ALOT TODAY❤❤❤

[@Knicoleknits]

Hooray! 💗