Easy, Cool Stitch for Variegated Yarn

[Quad Mom]

Variagated yarn can be "zzzzzz..." sometimes.  The linen stitch makes variagated yarn look woven and interesting.





CO any mutiple of 2 to desired width.
Starting rows:
Row 1 and your 2nd to last row: Knit across the row
Row 2 and your last row: Purl across the row
Linen stitch:
Row 3: Slip first stitch knitwise.  *Knit 1 stitch, bring yarn forward between the needles, slip 1 stitch purlwise, take yarn to back of work* repeat between * until the last stitch, knit last stitch through the back loop.
Row 4:  Slip first stitch purlwise.  **Purl 1 stitch, take yarn to back of work, slip 1 stitch purlwise, bring yarn to front of work** repeat between ** until last stitch, purl last stitch.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until you have just enough yarn to repeat
Rows 1 and 2 if you are fringing.  (For scarves).   

This pattern is supposed to be for scarves, but I made a dishcloth with Sugar and Cream cotton yarn (I have lots of variegated colors I have been heretofore uninspired to use).

[leenie]

This is beautiful! I'm not a fan of variegated yarn (on the skein, yes; knitted up, not so much...), so thank you for this!

[MoonLightbliss33]

omg i love that stich i cant wait to try it!

[janaana]

That stitch is really lovely and it has certainly made me think about making something using variegated yarn, which I have never really liked before. It sounds like it might take some practice to get a nice even finish like you have here.

[aliastriona_angerboda]

Linen stitch is one of my favorites!  I've a facecloth that's practically identical to your dishcloth

[yarnhag]

This is beautiful! I'm not a fan of variegated yarn (on the skein, yes; knitted up, not so much...), so thank you for this!

Me too -- I have a fair bit of variegated, but never like how it looks and end up taking it out.

I thank you, too!  This is a great stitch.  I'll definitely try it.  For anyone else who is interested, a great pattern for trying out stitches is the Orphans for Orphans sweater -- you basically use a large, long swatch for the front and back panels and then knit the sides off that.  I've made a couple with variegated panels and sleeves and solid sides.

Anyone else know any good stitches for varigated yarns?  You know, to prevent pooling and striping as much as possible, and instead show off the blend of colours?

[tanyakitty]

that does make it look very nice

[Quad Mom]

It sounds like it might take some practice to get a nice even finish like you have here.

janaana, it doesn't take any practice at all!  The pattern is what makes the ends look so finished: that's what's so cool!   
 

[Jillie]

I have a pattern book that uses this stitch with just a plain yarn and I never thought it was anything special... but it looks great with the variegated!
Thanks for sharing the pattern, I'll try it out sometime!

[WIPs]

Thanks for sharing the pattern. I've been looking for a way to show off the variegated yarn and this is perfect.