Stranded knitting
Stranded knitting (also called Fair Isle knitting) is a colorwork technique where two or more yarn colors are used in the same row, with the unused yarn carried ("stranded") loosely across the back of the work. Unlike intarsia, stranded knitting is best for patterns with frequent color changes and small repeating motifs.
You can see examples of stranded knitting in our patterns like the Snowflake Stocking Kit and the angel's dress in our Classic Angel Stocking Kit and our popular Reindeer Stocking Kit.
Key Features:
Uses two colors per row (sometimes more).
Yarn is carried along the back, creating "floats."
Best for small, repeating patterns (e.g., snowflakes, geometric designs).
Stranded Knitting Tutorial
Step-by-Step Guide
Prepare the yarn
Create bobbins or work with small balls of yarn.
Holding the Yarn
Method 1 (One Hand Each): Hold one color in your right hand (English style) and the other in your left (Continental style).
Method 2 (Both in One Hand): Hold both yarns in one hand, tensioning them separately.
Starting Stranded Knitting
Cast on with your main color (MC).
On the first row, knit normally until the first color change.
Switching Colors
When changing colors, drop the old yarn and pick up the new one.
Always carry the unused yarn loosely behind your work (don’t pull tight, or the fabric will pucker).
Managing Floats
Floats are the strands of yarn on the wrong side.
Avoid long floats (more than 5 stitches)—catch them by twisting the yarns every few stitches.
How to catch a float:
Knit a stitch with the working yarn.
Lay the unused yarn over the working yarn.
Continue knitting—this traps the float.
Keeping Tension Even
Spread stitches out on the right needle before switching colors.
Practice consistent tension to prevent puckering.
Finishing
Weave in ends on the wrong side.
Block your knitting to even out stitches.
Tips for Success
Keep floats loose—tight floats cause puckering.
Read charts carefully—each square = one stitch. Read a chart from right to left, bottom to top