#needleworkmonday : Adding colour to a simple stitch...

I really enjoyed reading A beginner’s Guide to Seed stitch by @colleenthurber. What a successful post !

It actually reminded me of this cowl I knitted last year. I used proper wool and size 6mm needles to make the fabric lighter.

You may not recognise the stitch straight away but it’s just a variation of the seed stitch achieved just by changing to a contrasting colour every two rows.

Here’s a mini tutorial so you can see what I mean. The sample is rather small but I did have a use for it in mind - it was just the right size in the end.

Step one: Cast on 16 stitches in any method you prefer.
I used the long tail cast on method and a really cheap acrylic yarn, Marriner Midget, I got given as a present because it comes in a set with bright colours. I also used size 3mm knitting needles.

Step two: I knitted a row in simple knitting stitch (like a set up row). So after that set up row, knit a couple of rows of seed stitch.

Step three: Change the colour of yarn and knit two rows in seed stitch.

Keep alternating two rows for each colour.

I notice there is a slight difference between a right and wrong side, but personally I prefer the wrong side.

Step four: Cast off when you have the size you need. In my case I was aiming for a square. Hide the bits of yarns that may be showing. The sides may be not to everyone’s standards, but you can add a crochet edge for more variation.

Presto, here’s my coaster…

Which is good because I really needed one for my mug.

Personally I love seed stitch. I particularly appreciate the fact that the fabric produced does not curl and I also like the fact that it looks like woven when you add colours.

Most of all I like experimenting with stitches. So if you change the colours you will get surprising results... So what would happen in my square if I knitted more rows of one colour before changing ?