I have developed a case of late summer cleaning fever. This illness has all of the symptoms of spring-cleaning fever, but the addition of hot temperatures means that, as I am organizing my yarn stash, I am much more easily distracted. I find myself pulling yarn out and spreading it around me in piles of complementary colors. Perhaps my brain is trying to tell me I need to pause my cleaning and start a colorwork project. 

Downton Pullover, Interweave Knits Fall 2012

A quick glance at my queue produces several beautiful crochet colorwork projects, and I am in love with several of the knit colorwork patterns in Interweave Knits Fall 2012. If you look closely at these patterns, you will see a surprising similarity in some of the colorwork designs, though the techniques are quite different.

The Downton Pullover from Interweave Knits uses stranded colorwork knitting to create an eye-catching repeating circle design. The unused color is stranded behind the knit stitches. The V shape of the knitted stitches creates stronger outlines, and the designs do not slant as they frequently do in back-loop-only crochet.

	Mischa Mittens, Interweave Crochet Winter 2009

For the Mischa Mittens, single crochet, worked in the back loop only, creates a circles pattern similar to the Downton Pullover. To create this pattern, the unused color in addition to pencil roving, is floated along the inside of the mittens for added warmth.

This crochet technique has been used for generations to create traditional geometric shapes and designs. But the edges are not as crisp, and the designs take on a slight slant-though you might see this slant as a fun design element.

I have tried tapestry crochet, back-loop-only colorwork, and crochet stripes. Maybe it is time to learn a new way to play with colors with stranded knitting. Join me and learn a new colorwork technique and new yarn craft by subscribing to Interweave Knits today.

Best wishes,