Jogless Stripes in the Round
When knitting stripes in the round, the colour change creates a visible "jog" or step at the start of each new colour. Several techniques minimise or hide the jog.
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The jog problem
In flat knitting, every row starts at the right edge — colour changes are invisible because they happen at the edge. In round knitting, the start of each round shifts up by one stitch as the spiral continues. A colour change therefore creates a visible step where the new colour starts.
Slip-stitch method
After the first round of the new colour, slip the first stitch of the next round purlwise instead of knitting it. This pulls the colour change down by one row at the start of the round, reducing the visible jog to almost nothing.
In partnership Tools and supplies that make this technique easier.
Helix knitting
For 2-colour stripes, knit each colour in alternate rounds, leaving the unused colour to wait at the start of the round. The two strands twist around each other up the inside of the work, eliminating the jog entirely.
When to use which
Slip-stitch for occasional 2–4 row stripes (most common). Helix for continuous 1-row stripes. Neither method works perfectly — choose the one that makes the jog least visible at your stripe pattern.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| sl | slip purlwise |
Tips
- Use the slip-stitch method for occasional stripe projects — it is the easiest fix.
- Use helix knitting for continuous 1-row stripes — eliminates the jog entirely.
- Position the start of the round at the side seam (sweater) or the back of the leg (sock) to hide any remaining jog.
In depth
The jog in round-knit stripes happens because circular knitting is a spiral, not a stack of independent rounds. Each new round begins one stitch higher than the last, which is why a colour change visibly steps up at the start of the round. The fixes either shift the change down by a stitch (slip-stitch) or alternate the two colours so neither has a discrete starting point (helix).