Practical Double-Knitting class

Two-color double-knitting is nice enough, but what if you want to move beyond positive-negative blankets? What if you want purls on the public side as well as knits? In this class you will learn how to knit letters that read properly from both sides of the fabric. You will also explore making purls show, and how to produce reversible corrugated ribbing to perfectly finish your Fair Isle sweaters. Students will learn textured patterned double-knitting and double-faced double-knitting (two-sided fabric with sides that are not mirror images).

obverse and reverse of legible swatch

Skill level is advanced.
Prerequisite: Students must already have completed a double knit project — a bookmark or potholder is fine.

What you will learn:
how to make purls show on both sides of the work
how to make knits show on one side and purl show on the other
how to make reversible corrugated ribbing
how to make words read correctly from both sides
how to design your own projects in this technique
how to read the discombobulating charts

Maximum 20 students.

½ day workshop

Students receive a handout in booklet form.

No materials fee.

Optional homework here. This is the first exercise in the handout. It is regular double-knitting. Many people have time to accomplish it in class but, if you'd feel more comfortable with a swatch already cast-on and ready to go, do this homework. Bring it live on the needles, and you'll be ready to jump right in! 

reversible corrugated ribbing — a perfect edging

Supplies:

• class yarn (smooth, non-splitting, light or bright or medium color) in two colors
• needles to work that yarn in double knitting (probably a size smaller than for stockinette)

6 different swatches, showing variations on knit and purl fabrics and reversibility

In addition to garment samples, I bring a set of swatches with knit and purl patterns.

No special needs for the room set up. A whiteboard or flip chart is nice to have but not need to have. I have a projector if the facilities can accommodate it. Room set-up should be tables and chairs either facing forward or in a U-shape.

This class has been taught at
Southeastern Animal Fiber Fair 2012, Fletcher NC;
Carolina Fiber Fest 2022, Raleigh NC;
The Knitting Guild Association Next Level Knitting Conference 2025 4-6 April, virtual:
Carolina Fiber Fest 2026, Raleigh NC.
Upcoming as part of my week of reversible knitting at John C. Campbell Folk School.

Elements of this class were taught in
“Doctorate in Double Knitting” at Southeast Fiber Forum 2015, Gatlinburg TN;
A Feast of Reversible Knitting," John C. Campbell Folk School, May 2024.