Uploaded September 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Double knitting is a unique technique that allows you to create a reversible, double-layered piece of fabric. When you work colorwork using this technique, it creates a color-reversed version of the same image on both sides. Double knitting is a great way to work colorwork patterns that have large stretches of one color since it does not involve floats.
When working colorwork, two-color double knitting stitches can be treated in pairs - one stitch on the front layer knit in one color, and the corresponding stitch on the back layer purled in the other. When working from a chart for double knit colorwork, each square represents one of those pairs of stitches.
How to double knit in two colors:
The basics of working double stockinette consist of knitting the first stitch of each pair with both of your yarns in the back, bringing the yarns to the front of the work, purling the second stitch of the pair, then bringing the yarns to the back. Keeping the unused yarn to the opposite side of the work from the stitch being worked creates a double-sided stockinette fabric.
Hold both of your yarns in one hand so that the color you’re working knit stitches with is toward the front, and the color you’re purling with is toward the back, so the color you need is closest to the needles in position to use. Since there are no floats in double knitting, color dominance is not a factor in terms of how you hold your yarns, so tension them the way that is comfortable for you.
Using a chart:
Even though this fabric is reversible, there will still be an established “right side” to keep things straight. On the right side the charted stitches represent the color you'll use to knit (Color 1). You'll purl the second stitch in each pair with your second color (Color 2).
Knit the first stitch on the left needle in Color 1, bring your yarns to the front, purl the second stitch in Color 2, then bring both yarns back to the back. Repeat until you reach a stitch that’s charted in Color 2.
When you reach a color change, you'll need to switch the orientation of the yarns so that Color 2 is toward the front and Color 1 is toward the back. Knit the next stitch in Color 2, bring both yarns to the back, purl the following stitch in Color 1, and bring both yarns to the back. Work all the Color 2 stitches on the chart this way, then when you get to more Color 1 stitches, switch the orientation of the yarns back to knit in Color 1 and purl in Color 2.
Tracking your work:
Visualize the shape you're making and follow how the outline of that shape is changing on the chart as you go. You can also add grid lines to the chart in regular intervals, like every 5 stitches, if your chart doesn’t already have them to make it easier to track your work.
Tips for working flat or in the round:
Double knit colorwork can be worked flat or in the round. If working flat, twist your yarns together at the beginning or end of each row to keep the layers together, and switch which colors you’re knitting and purling with based on the chart on every other row to keep the design consistent as a reverse image. For example, on even-numbered chart rows, read the charted stitches in Color 1 as knitting in Color 2 and purling in Color 1, and vice versa, reading the chart from left to right. When working in the round, chart rows are read from the chart as-is, right to left.
Happy knitting!
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If you found this tutorial helpful, we’d love your support!
At Brooklyn Tweed we are passionate about wool, knitting and design. We craft our patterns with a commitment to timeless quality, publishing size-inclusive, stylish designs for all shapes, identities, and skill levels.
Contemporary design, superior craftsmanship, and clear instructions give knitters the opportunity to elevate their skills and explore the intersection of crafting traditions with current style and new techniques.
Our extensive library of educational resources and skill-building tutorials give crafters the tools to succeed and the confidence to make their projects their own.
Learn more at: @BrooklynTweed_Official
Visit us at: brooklyntweed.com
Double knitting is a unique technique that allows you to create a reversible, double-layered piece of fabric. When you work colorwork using this technique, it creates a color-reversed version of the same image on both sides. Double knitting is a great way to work colorwork patterns that have large stretches of one color since it does not involve floats.
When working colorwork, two-color double knitting stitches can be treated in pairs - one stitch on the front layer knit in one color, and the corresponding stitch on the back layer purled in the other. When working from a chart for double knit colorwork, each square represents one of those pairs of stitches.
How to double knit in two colors:
The basics of working double stockinette consist of knitting the first stitch of each pair with both of your yarns in the back, bringing the yarns to the front of the work, purling the second stitch of the pair, then bringing the yarns to the back. Keeping the unused yarn to the opposite side of the work from the stitch being worked creates a double-sided stockinette fabric.
Hold both of your yarns in one hand so that the color you’re working knit stitches with is toward the front, and the color you’re purling with is toward the back, so the color you need is closest to the needles in position to use. Since there are no floats in double knitting, color dominance is not a factor in terms of how you hold your yarns, so tension them the way that is comfortable for you.
Using a chart:
Even though this fabric is reversible, there will still be an established “right side” to keep things straight. On the right side the charted stitches represent the color you'll use to knit (Color 1). You'll purl the second stitch in each pair with your second color (Color 2).
Knit the first stitch on the left needle in Color 1, bring your yarns to the front, purl the second stitch in Color 2, then bring both yarns back to the back. Repeat until you reach a stitch that’s charted in Color 2.
When you reach a color change, you'll need to switch the orientation of the yarns so that Color 2 is toward the front and Color 1 is toward the back. Knit the next stitch in Color 2, bring both yarns to the back, purl the following stitch in Color 1, and bring both yarns to the back. Work all the Color 2 stitches on the chart this way, then when you get to more Color 1 stitches, switch the orientation of the yarns back to knit in Color 1 and purl in Color 2.
Tracking your work:
Visualize the shape you're making and follow how the outline of that shape is changing on the chart as you go. You can also add grid lines to the chart in regular intervals, like every 5 stitches, if your chart doesn’t already have them to make it easier to track your work.
Tips for working flat or in the round:
Double knit colorwork can be worked flat or in the round. If working flat, twist your yarns together at the beginning or end of each row to keep the layers together, and switch which colors you’re knitting and purling with based on the chart on every other row to keep the design consistent as a reverse image. For example, on even-numbered chart rows, read the charted stitches in Color 1 as knitting in Color 2 and purling in Color 1, and vice versa, reading the chart from left to right. When working in the round, chart rows are read from the chart as-is, right to left.
Happy knitting!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
If you found this tutorial helpful, we’d love your support!
At Brooklyn Tweed we are passionate about wool, knitting and design. We craft our patterns with a commitment to timeless quality, publishing size-inclusive, stylish designs for all shapes, identities, and skill levels.
Contemporary design, superior craftsmanship, and clear instructions give knitters the opportunity to elevate their skills and explore the intersection of crafting traditions with current style and new techniques.
Our extensive library of educational resources and skill-building tutorials give crafters the tools to succeed and the confidence to make their projects their own.
Learn more at: @BrooklynTweed_Official
Visit us at: brooklyntweed.com
