Tip Tuesday: Clean, Crisp Color Changes

Hi Makers!

It’s Al here, and I’m so happy to be checking in with you guys again this week for another Tip Tuesday. As many of you may know, the story of how I opened my Etsy shop is a very simple one: because I love knitting. I wish I had a coming of age experience where my whole life came into focus and so on. But I didn’t. I just love to knit. So this week’s tip is all about just that - my love for knitting. More specifically let’s talk about getting clean, crisp color changes in your knitting work .
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The rib knit stitch is one of those stitches that is kind of magic. With just a few knits and purls you get a squishy, stretchy ribbed texture great for mitten cuffs, hat borders and the edge of any sweater sleeve. I use the rib stitch in so many of my projects and in my years of knitting I have yet to find a substitute that I like better than the basic K1,P1 rib stitch.



One of the tough parts about the rib stitch is switching colors. Have you ever noticed that switching your yarn color during a row of ribbing means your color change shows, leaving your work look just a little more “handmade” than you would like? Don’t worry, the solution to clean edges and crisp color changes is at your fingertips.

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Ready to get more details? Let’s go!

​Here’s a visual of what your work will look like if you change your yarn color during a row of rib stitch. This photo below is a K1, P1 pattern shown in bulky wool, but the same thing will happen if you are doing a variation on the basic K1, P1 pattern (ex, K1, P2, or K2, P3, etc…).

Do you see how the color change shows on the purl stitches in your rib? While this isn’t bad technique, I find it makes really beautiful patterns look a little less polished.

In order to get a clean border when switching your colors, simply knit the entire first row of stitches with your new yarn color before continuing with your rib pattern. This way your color changes will pop, giving your eye a clean edge to focus on.

I know this is a simple tip, but it’s one of my favorite tricks because it helps take well knit, handmade garments look clean and polished.

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Did this inspire you to pick up your needles and integrate some color changes into your new project? Tag #OMLTipTuesday on @ourmakerlife instagram  so I can peek at your garments and see all the amazing ways you are using these tips - you just might have the next great project that we'll feature!

Happy Making!

Alison, OML dream team

Alison is the knitter behind @la.reserve.design She has always loved making things with her own two hands and the idea of turning strands of yarn into warm, wearable garments gets her itching to pick up her needles. With a background in textile design she currently works as a design assistant for a menswear company in Montreal, Canada. Her favorite thing to knit is warm chunky blankets made of cozy, thick wool.