Never too old to learn

I decided to learn how to double knit around seven years ago. Double knitting produces a fabric that is knit on both sides. I like using Red Heart Comfort 100% acrylic yarn for easy wash and dry care, as most projects go home with kids and pets. I wanted to make beautiful, unusual knits that would be lovely keepsakes for my nieces and nephews.

To begin with, I watched a lot of YouTube videos; we are so blessed to have that resource. Type in double knitting in the YouTube search bar, and you will have a wealth of instructions available.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=double+knitting

Practice

Next came the practice: how to hold the yarn (I had a wonderful neighbor teach me continental style years ago), tension, and keeping the sides closed; much muttering later, it came together and made sense.

How I hold my yarns continental style.

The first project was a heart bookmark; it took me all night. I searched Pinterest for stranded knitting charts until I found what seemed like an easy heart chart. I made a chart five hearts long and one wide and began knitting. I found it was easier to print the pattern and do five stitches at a time, crossing them off as I went. Also, checking the row below helped keep me on track as the pattern progressed. At first, the ‘tension’ lines were highly annoying. If I checked the stitches on the needle for looser ones, it was easy to snug them up before continuing, and the tension evened out.

My second project was a doll blanket (same heart pattern). I made the doll blanket three hearts wide and five long. I only found one mistake I needed to learn how to fix. You can find the same fix on YouTube: https://youtu.be/l7ZuorfF4p8. My first projects promptly found a new home in my granddaughter’s doll house. 

My second project was a double knit doll blanket

Here is an excellent blog about double knitting

https://wipinsanity.blogspot.com/2009/10/about-double-knitting.html

I can do this!

My imagination took flight. I decided to make throws with images that meant something to the receivers. Everyone has an interest in something special to them. I set out to pick brains and find out what each one liked or found ideas that represented a strength I saw in them.

Ready to start double knitting? Check out my Double Knitting Yarn Techniques guide to get started!

Thank you for joining my journey.

Deb