How to Master Stranded Knitting with Free Tutorials & Patterns
Do you love the look of stranded knitting but feel completely intimidated at the thought of trying it? Try one of these free tutorials and patterns
A few years ago, I invited readers to share with me their “knitting bucket list” items.
That is, what were the items they’ve always wanted to knit and hope to someday? I took many of these “knitted bucket list” items and created challenges around them.
In this post, I’m inviting you to dig into the excitement of stranded knitting.
A reader named Victoria suggested this challenge when she wrote:
“I want to learn how to knit those beautiful Scandinavian mittens. The color work and needles intimidate me.”
I felt this request deeply. For years I wanted to learn how to knit some of that gorgeous colorwork myself. Like Victoria, I was utterly intimidated by it!
I have done stranded knitting a small handful of times in my knitting life. The first time, it was…okay. It didn’t turn out as well as I would have liked, although my intended recipient was happy with it. The second time, it turned out much better (probably because the project was a lot smaller).
The most recent stranded knitting project I did was a huge success, and you can see it right here! I think my earlier attempts helped me. With this challenge, it’s a good idea to start small and work your way up.
Perhaps the best way to tackle this particular challenge is to check out some tutorials first, and then find some reasonably simple patterns to test our skills.
If you’re ready, let’s dive in!
Stranded Colorwork Tutorials
Two-Handed Stranded Colorwork Tutorial: I love the way Carolyn Kern breaks down the techniques and tips of stranded colorwork. Her suggestions for using two hands and “trapping” yarn are ingenious.
Fair Isle or Stranded Knitting Tutorial: This is a Knit Picks tutorial that offers both a video tutorial and a series of photos with descriptive text. If you don’t quite understand one, you can look at the other for help. I also like that Knit Picks offers a few different options for holding the yarn.
Colorwork: Stranded Basics: This is a simple Berroco Knit Bits video tutorial. It demonstrates knitting flat and how you can add yarns, pick up yarns, and float them. She uses a large, chunky yarn, so it’s very easy to see what she’s doing. This is a great first-steps sort of video. It can be used as a springboard for more complicated colorwork.
KNITFreedom Fair Isle Tutorial – How to Knit with 2 Colors: I love Liat Gat’s video tutorials! Her video work is always excellent, and she has a nice, calm way of explaining her methods. This video demonstrates multiple ways of holding yarn when changing colors.
Getting Started with Stranded Knitting: I like this tutorial because its focus extends beyond how to hold your yarn. Here you’ll also learn how to keep your yarn tidy and maintain consistency while switching colors. It also contains links to further tutorials as well as other resources. It’s a great one-stop shop.
Find more articles offering help with knitting techniques here!
Photo: *B*A*M! Crafts
Beginning Stranded Knitting Patterns
- What you’ll need to make them: Small amounts of DK-weight yarn in various colors; US Size 2.5 and/or 5 needles (depending on which variation(s) you wish to knit); one or more Christmas bulbs/baubles with a circumference of about 7 inches; darning needle
- Why you’ll want to: This super-cute “bauble cozy” pattern includes variations for plain, striped, and hearts, the last of which requires stranded knitting. It’s a great way to get your fingers flying in colorwork!
Photo: Stepheny White
- What you’ll need to make it: A small amount of worsted weight yarn in two colors; US Size 7 circular needles or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round
- Why you’ll want to: An adorable, tiny hat adorned with snowflakes. This makes great stranded knitting practice, and you can donate the results to charity!
Photo: Lindsey Scott
- What you’ll need to make it: About 55 yards worsted weight yarn, divided into 3 different colors; US Size 6 and 7 circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round
- Why you’ll want to: This is such a sweet, simple baby hat pattern. I particularly like that this pattern can create a completely unisex hat.
Photo: DROPS Design
- What you’ll need to make them: 246 yards worsted weight yarn (divided into two colors, 164 of a main color and 82 yards a contrasting color) for each pattern; US Size 8 and 6 (for the hat) and/or 7 and 4 (for the mittens) circular needles and/or DPNs, depending on how you prefer to knit in the round
- Why you’ll want to: This trio of patterns is the perfect way to dive into stranded knitting, particularly once you’ve tried the other patterns on this page. The cowl is just one color, but the mittens and hat designs are a wonderful way to fulfill your dreams of Scandinavian knitting!
I can’t help feeling emboldened after checking into these tutorials and looking at these patterns! I hope you feel the same way. And if you’ve also felt a bit timid about stranded knitting? I think these solutions are just what you need!
Thanks for this Nicole! Colorwork knitting is so rewarding and so pleasurable. Once I jumped the hurdle it was hard to not knit yet another colorwork sweater! My family is currently sweltering under all the knitted items I have piled upon them ;-). One word about Steeks – yes, they are terrifying but they are manageable . For my first attempt at steeks I used a sewing machine to fixate the stitches which was problematic because it is too easy to overstretch the knitting. I now hand sew my steeks with a double row of small stitches on each side of the steek – which gives me a better finish and is well worth the time and effort.
Thanks for your kind comment, Louise! I may just have to pluck up the nerve and try steeking someday. 😁