March Mayhem 2024 – Dyers’ Competition
We are so excited to be in the fourth year of our annual Dyers'...
Which Knitting Stitches are Best for Prism?
It’s always amazing to me when I meet a knitter who doesn’t like to swatch–swatching is sometimes my favorite part of the entire knitting process! Setting aside time to swatch gives you a moment to get to know your new yarn intimately. For dyers, swatching is one of the many ways to determine how a yarn will behave and whether it’s right for your customers.
I know swatching takes a little time, so I’ve done some of the work for you! I’m spending some time with a different Knomad yarn each month to swatch stitches (simple and complex), get a feel for the spin on each base, and help you decipher what to choose for your next project.
First Impressions
Oooh, do I love a good 2-ply! Prism is a newer yarn from Knomad, spun from 85% Superwash Merino Wool and 15% Mulberry Silk. The important distinction with Mulberry Silk here is how pure white that silk is–compared to say, Muga silk, which has golden undertones. Although the yarn is a bright, pure base, it does have a slightly warm undertone (important to keep in mind for dyeing).
With silk blends, especially silk blends with a lower ply count, it’s important to capture as much surface area as possible, and really give the overall texture of your fabric an opportunity to shine. While it’s tempting to work this yarn up into simple fabrics that take advantage of the drape, this yarn also does very well in simple knit and purl stitch arrangements, where the fabric can get an almost ‘embossed’ look and give a very high-end finish.
This yarn is a true DK weight, and I would say might be on the lighter end, so I worked all three of my swatches on US 5 (3.75 mm) needles, to make the fabric nice and tight and smooth. While I worked my swatches on wooden needles, I feel like this yarn would truly fly on some nice, nickel plated or stainless steel needles, so if you want to breeze through a project, that would be my choice! I found it a little grippy on wood (which could be great if you’re working complex lace or if you are concerned about dropping stitches).
How to Knit Slanted Diamond Stitch
Slanted Diamond stitch is the perfect stitch to get that embossed-fabric or textured fabric look that takes advantage of this high-sheen final fabric. The combination of knits and purls doesn’t require fancy cables to show off, especially when knit at a slightly tighter gauge (as shown here on US 5 needles).
This stitch swatch is worked flat.
CO a multiple of 10 sts.
- Row 1 (RS): *K5, p5* repeat from * to end.
- Row 2 (WS): K4, *p5, k5* repeat from * to last 6 sts, p5, k1.
- Row 3: P2, *k5, p5* repeat from * to last 8 sts, p5, k3.
- Row 4: K2, *p5, k5* repeat from * to last 8 sts, p5, k3.
- Row 5: P4, *k5, p5* repeat from * to last 6 sts, k5, p1.
- Row 6: *P5, k5* repeat from * to end.
- Repeat Rows 1-6.
How to Knit A Left Twisted Cable Stitch
Sometimes, simple cables are perfect for a yarn that doesn’t have quite enough definition (or plies) to show off more complex ones. Save your fancy Celtic knots for a nice rounded yarn, and let flatter 2-ply yarns like Prism shine with a cable that gives a lot of face. This simple 4-stitch cable is set on a background of plain Reverse Stockinette stitch that makes it a breeze to knit. This is also the perfect cable to try if you’ve never worked a cable without a cable needle before.
This stitch swatch is worked flat.
- CO a multiple of 8 + 4
- Row 1 (RS): *k4, p4* across the row, end k4.
- Row 2 (WS): *p4, k4* across the row, end p4.
- Row 3: As row 1
- Row 4: As row 2
- Row 5: *slip 2 sts to a cable needle and hold in front, k2, k2 from cn, p4* repeat until last 4 sts, slip 2 sts to cn and hold in front, k2, k2 from cn.
- Row 6: As row 2.
- Repeat these 6 rows for pattern.
How to Knit Bamboo Slipped Stitch
Bamboo stitch doesn’t really get featured very often, and it’s so delightfully easy and pleasurable to knit, it should be! This stitch is a simple 2 row repeat over any even number of stitches, and it really shines once it’s been blocked. Any slipped stitch pattern is going to do well in Prism, simply because having a single line of texture going in an opposite direction from the fabric will help capture the light and create interest.
This stitch swatch is worked flat.
- CO a multiple of 2 sts.
- Row 1 (RS): K1, *yo, k2, pass yo over k2* repeat from * to last st, k1.
- Row 2: Purl
- Repeat these two rows.
Here’s a list of great patterns to try for this yarn:
- Wisp Mitts by Kerri Blumer – Knit
- Rift by Jacqueline Cieslak – Knit
- Beeswax Hat by Amy van de Laar – Knit
- Boulevardier by Thea Colman – Knit
- Chasing Summer by Knits N Knots – Crochet
- Starry Night Cardigan by Linda Permann – Crochet
- Cascade Cardigan by Salena Baca – Crochet
- Enigma Scarf by Sophie GELFI Designs – Crochet
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