Two-Row Stripe
About this stitch
The simplest stranded colourwork: alternate two rows of MC and two rows of CC. Carry the yarn up the side; no jogless trick needed for narrow stripes.
Most stranded colourwork lives in the round — turning the work for purl rows breaks the rhythm and tangles the floats. For the few flat colourwork patterns, use intarsia or steeking.
Further reading A primer on swatching Colourwork for accurate gauge.
Stitch chart
Read RS rows right-to-left, WS rows left-to-right. The bottom-right cell is row 1, stitch 1.
Row-by-row written instructions
- Cast on a multiple of 2 sts in the main colour (MC).
- Follow the chart, working each row in the round (every row a RS row).
- Carry the unused colour loosely behind the work; trap any float longer than 5 stitches.
- On the last row of each motif, snug up the floats by gently spreading the work on the right needle before knitting.
- Block by wet-blocking on a flat surface; stranded colourwork blooms dramatically with blocking.
Abbreviations used
- k knit
- MC main colour
- CC contrast colour
- sl slip purlwise
Knitter's tips
- Knit a generous swatch in the round (steeked tube or "speed swatch") — flat stranded swatches do not predict round-knit gauge.
- Hold MC in the dominant hand and CC in the non-dominant hand to keep colour dominance consistent.
- Long floats catch on jewellery and fingers in wear; trap any float > 5 sts to keep the inside neat.
Editor's pick Why every knitter should keep a swatch journal.
Recommended materials
This stitch is most flattering in Fingering-weight yarn on 4 (3.5 mm) needles, at a working gauge near 28 stitches and 30 rows over four inches in stockinette. Open the yarn weight reference or the needle conversion chart for substitutions.