This is one thing I have never tried in the past as I have never needed to use that style, however, I saw a Star Wars Double Knit Scarf by Jessica Goddard on Ravelry that M really liked and I said that I would make one for him. For those who do not know, double knitting is where you knit with two strands at a time, one knit and one purl, so the knit is the front and the purl is the back
The one think I am not too sure of is what colours should I use. It has to contrast, but M will not go for garish colours, so do I just to black and white? The pictures by Yadis shows black and white yarn and I think it looks stunning and you can see the pattern with no problem. However, with Star Wars the colours are red and black (so I believe as I have never seen the films), but if black and red I feel it may not be as striking.
One of the other things that has been in my head is if using DK yarn do I still use 4mm, or drop down to 3.25 to keep it tight, or increase to say 5mm or 6mm as it needs room for the pattern to work. With all this in my mind I have decided that I will do a test run with one of the many yarns I have in my stash boxes (which are that big you could keep bodies in them and I have 6). I will post what I do on here and see what it looks like before doing the scarf for M. On saying that I want to use WI yarn as it is really nice to work with, so will have to wait until the planet resumes normal service in order to go and purchase it. I was looking at LoveCraft as there is so much yarn to pick from, but I like to feel the yarn if I have never used it, as we all know, as DK in one yarn can be different to a yarn made by another manufacturer. I love marino yarn, but working it out it would cost a small fortune to make. But the hunt will go on, well, as soon as possible that is.
Let me know if you have done any double knitting and any tips and advice would, as always, be gratefully received.
I’ve experimented with double knitting in the past (can’t remember if I’ve actually finished a project, though). Looking at the Ravelry projects associated with this pattern, it’s been made in every weight from fingering to worsted and looks great in all of them. I think yarn weight is gonna be a matter of personal preference here, but in a perfect world I’d actually go for a lighter weight yarn (fingering up to DK), and you’re going to want to use a gauge slightly on the tighter side for the yarn that you’re working with. It’s a wide chart anyway, but the tighter gauge will make the stitches pop a bit more.
As for color, black and white is a great combo, and I’ve also seen this done in royal blue and white, which are the colors for R2-D2.
You may want to add an extra stitch at each end as a selvedge, since (depending on your technique) you may not have the two fabrics closed together at the edges. If I remember correctly, I used to fix this by knitting the final stitch of each row with both strands (as one stitch) and then slipping it at the beginning of the next row. There may be other tutorials on YouTube and elsewhere on the Internet for how to keep the edges closed. I strongly suggest taking a look around for those, just in case.
Have fun with this one!
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Oh that sounds like a great idea with the edges. Probably going to stick with black and white. I did a test run before and it was a bit slack so I’ll drop down a needle size or two. I used double knit yarn and 4 mm needles.
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I think Crystal hit just about everything I was going to say. It looks like a fun project to knit and I’m sure M will love it. Will you be surprising him or can you consult him about the colors?
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As the scarf is for M he has full consultation throughout. It’s hard to surprise him especially when he’s in the same room while I’m knitting LOL
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Very ambitious. I have two favorite double knitters. Lucy Neatby and Nathan-the sockmatician. I live vicariously through their work. That is an ambitious project and I look forward to seeing yours progress.
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I have had a look at a few videos of Nathans, he is a very talented guy.
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