A chevron ripple throw shows off crisp color transitions and a satisfying center double decrease. This post covers knitting that chevron pattern, then digs into stitch definition as a technique on its own. It also covers trying simple colorwork on a snowflake hat. Switching to the magic loop method finishes it off in the round.
Meet the yarn
The yarn behind all four projects has a soft sheen and a substantial weight. It’s typically worked on a US 10 [6mm] needle. It also relaxes quite a bit once blocked, so a firm gauge while knitting isn’t a problem. A lighter worsted-weight yarn works too. Just drop down to a US 8 [5mm] needle to make up for the difference in thickness.
Knit a chevron ripple throw
Download the free pattern for the Relaxing Ripple Throw. A ripple throw pattern lines chevrons up with either a center double decrease or an M1, K1, M1 increase. This adds crisp vertical lines through the horizontal zigzag. The stitch pattern only increases and decreases on one side, purling straight back on the other. That makes it easy to memorize once a few rows are underway. Stitch markers help at first, but watching the row below often works better than counting every stitch. A few rows may need to be un-knit along the way, and that’s fine. It’s still much faster than restarting from scratch.
The Relaxing Ripple Throw pattern photo.
Add stitch definition
A center double decrease sits up higher than a plain knit stitch. It gives a garment a more three-dimensional look. Knitting through the back loop instead of the front creates a similar raised effect. Neither is the same as a twisted stitch, which lies flatter and makes more of an X shape than a V. A ridge like this pairs especially well with a busy stitch pattern, like a rib or a seed stitch. It makes the pattern stand out, even on a highly textured yarn. Knitting a quick swatch is the easiest way to see how a stitch will read before committing to a whole project.
Here is a side view of the raised stitch from the previous photo. You can see just how much it is raised.
Try colorwork on a hat
Download the free pattern for the Snow Speckled Knit Hat. A snowflake-patterned hat is a friendly way to try colorwork for the first time. Despite being labeled intermediate, it knits up easily for anyone comfortable working in the round. Prior stranded knitting experience isn’t really necessary. Knitting a little firmer than usual works fine here too, since blocking relaxes the fabric considerably afterward. A hat that looks slightly small right off the needles often turns out just right once it’s blocked.
The product photo from the Red Heart pattern
Switch to magic loop
The magic loop method makes finishing a hat’s crown much easier. A short circular needle gets harder to knit with as the stitch count shrinks. Magic loop uses one long circular needle instead, ideally 32″ [81.3cm] or 48″ [121.9cm]. The stitches sit on both ends of the cable, while a long loop hangs out to the side. Interchangeable needles make switching over simple. Connect one needle tip to the longer cable, cap the other end, and knit the stitches across from the shorter needle. A regular one-piece circular needle in the same size works just as well if you don’t have interchangeables on hand.