Fiber Friday! Rhythmic Slipped Stitch Colorwork (ZOOM)

Rhythm, in music, is the placement of sounds in time. In its most general sense, it is an ordered alternation of contrasting elements. Rhythmic slipped stitch colorwork is a knitting technique that uses repetition, pattern, and rhythm to create movement across a knitted fabric. It differs from traditional stranded colorwork because only one color is used at a time. Two common ways to think about slipped stitch colorwork in knitting are mosaic and rhythmic.

Mosaic knitting typically uses a graph to demonstrate a pattern with two colors. Colors are alternated on each right-side row when knitting flat. A key along the right side of the chart tells you which color to use for a particular row.


Rhythmic slipped stitch colorwork is a cross between colorwork and sequence knitting. Simple, constant sequences of slips and knits, (or purls), are repeated regularly across each row to create texture and pattern using two or more colors. Each sequence is typically repeated in progressive rhythms from 2 to 8 rows before changing colors.


Homework/ Supplies:

Students will need to bring two contrasting colors of yarn in their choice of matching weights and the appropriately sized needles to practice.  Remnants are fine.  No homework is necessary.   We will cast on and explore how shape and the number of row repeats affects the same sequence of slipped stitches.  We'll also preview several patterns that use this technique.