Colormatic – Part 2

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colormatic1

I hope you enjoyed the simple beauty of color play in Section One!  After our somewhat fiddly start, I’m sure you found the knitting fast and easy.

Part Two of the cowl pattern brings a new color and a new stitch pattern.  Many of you know that I am a fashion aficionado and adore knitting stylish garments with a classic nod.  Pattern mixing has been a huge trend in fashion that easily translates to knitting.  I have paid careful attention to scale and color order in this cowl’s design to bring you the best in color and pattern mixing.  I know you will love the results!

Section Two is knit with Colors A and C in a mosaic zigzag pattern.  Mosaic patterns are a subcategory of slip stitch patterns that were pioneered by Barbara Walker.  These dense, two-color geometric designs may be worked in garter stitch, stockinette or a combination of the two.

While mosaic patterns range from simple to very complex, they become infinitely easier since they ALL follow these rules:

  • One color is used at a time for two consecutive rows.
  • All stitches are slipped as if to purl with yarn in back on right side rows and with yarn in front on wrong side rows.
  • Every wrong side row is worked the same as the preceding right side row – the same stitches are slipped and the same stitches are worked.

The Zigzag pattern used here is worked in stockinette.  Since we are knitting in the round with the right side always facing, every worked stitch will be in knit and all stitches are slipped with yarn in back.  Odd numbered rounds will alternate colors while the even numbered rounds are a repeat of the previous round.  I like to think of the even numbered rounds as “recovery” rounds since no thinking is required.

A traditional mosaic knitting  pattern is worked solely from a chart with only the right side rows indicated.  I have chosen to update this clue’s chart to a modern format that displays all rounds.  In circular knitting, as used here, the chart is read from bottom to top with each row read from right to left.  While I considered omitting written row instructions (forcing you to use the chart), I have included them for you to self-check your chart reading skills.  If you are new to charts, this double information can help you decode charts and give you the confidence to eliminate the sometimes cumbersome written instructions.  Chart reading is becoming more and more prevalent in publications and I consider it essential to knitting education.

Mosaic knitting creates a very dense fabric.  For this reason, Section 2 is worked in a needle one size larger.  The larger needle will help maintain a consistent size and drape throughout the cowl.  To switch needles, simply begin Round 1 of Section 2 by knitting the stitches onto the larger needle – no need to transfer the work.  If you are lucky enough to have a set of addi click interchangeable needles, I recommend changing the right hand needle to the larger size.  At the completion of the Round 1, change the left hand needle to the larger size as well.

Enjoy the knit and the new color pairing!

Happy knitting,

Michelle

Part Two

Click here to download printable version

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Section Two

Using Color A for MC and Color C for CC, change to larger needles and work Zigzag Pattern (see chart below) until section measures 6 (16)” ending after Round 12.

OctKAL

 

Zigzag Pattern

Round 1.  Using Color C – *k1, sl3, k3, sl3, k2; repeat from * to end of round.

Round 2.  Same as Round 1.

Round 3.  Using Color A – *k6, sl1, k3, sl1, k1; repeat from * to end of round.

Round 4.  Same as Round 3.

Round 5.  Using Color C – *sl1, k3, sl2, k2, sl1, k2, sl1; repeat from * to end of round.

Round 6.  Same as Round 5.

Round 7.  Using Color A – *k1, sl1, k1, sl1, k3, sl1, k1, sl1, k2; repeat from * to end of round.

Round 8.  Same as Round 7.

Round 9.  Using Color C – *k2, sl1, k2, sl2, k3, sl2; repeat from * to end of round.

Round 10.  Same as Round 9.

Round 11.  Using Color A – *sl,1, k3, sl1, k7; repeat from * to end of round.

Round 12.  Same as Round 11.

 

Work above rounds until piece measures desired length ending after Round 12.

 

See you October 17th for Section 3!