Edited: 12/23/2008 to include pdf reference tool:
According to Wikipedia:
Double knitting is a form of knitting in which two fabrics are knit simultaneously with two yarns on one pair of needles. The fabrics may be inseparable, as in interlock knitted fabrics, or they can simply be two unconnected fabrics
There are many different types of double-knitting projects, but for our purposes this introduction is specifically addressing the techniques to create a 2-layer, interlocking material with a stockinette surface on both sides.
It is not meant to be an authoritative source or even tutorial. Other designer's patterns may be different, in cast on/off, yarn carrying or even the rib pattern. This post is intended as a helpful resource to those who are trying their hand at this technique and specifically for those knitting my Steelers Hand Towel and Mark's Gingham Potholder patterns. Where I can, I will provide pictures to clarify specific techniques.
Basic tips and techniques for my patterns:
1. The basic pattern is a 1x1 ribbing (k1, p1) throughout. Stitch counts are in equal numbers. The first stitch in a row is always a knit, the last a purl. The knit stitches come forward to create the facing side of fabric, the purl slip back and create the back side of the fabric.
2. Because double-knitting creates two "fronts", if you will, it is helpful to designate one as the Right Side (or RS) and the other as the Wrong Side (WS). Typically, the color that is "knit" in Row 1 is designated the MC throughout the pattern.
3. Cast on can be with either both colors at a time, holding the yarns together and being careful to alternate the colored loops on the needle Main Color - Contrast Color (MC-CC-MC-CC). I used this technique in both the potholder and towel patterns. The cast on can also be in the MC and the CC is added in row 1 to all purl stitches as is done in Alice Bell's Exchequered (link below)
4. With a 2-layer material, each stitch is actually made up of 2 stitches - 1 knit, 1 purl - which line up one behind the other. Stitch counts are given as the number of stitches on the RS, total stitches in the row are in parenthesis. For example: 5½ (11) = 1" means that measuring the RS of the material will yield 5½ stitches to the inch, because there are actually 2 stitches for each, there are 11 stitches worked in that inch. Both counts are given. The same is for casting on both yarns together. Cast on 40 (80) means to cast on both together for 40 stitches. Because they are held together this will give you 80 loops on your needle.
5. Knit with a firm tension. It is easy to get gaps and uneven stitches in double knitting because of the yarn changes.
6. The stitch pattern is k1,p1. The color pattern is created by which yarn you work. Both yarns are held together and carried back and forth as if you were going to work both. When you knit, take both yarns to the back, but knit with the yarn called for in that stitch. Likewise, when you purl, bring both barns back to the front as if to purl with both, and purl only with the yarn called for in that stitch. Even though you hold them together, you only knit/purl with one at a time. The yarns are not twisted around each other through the stitches.
7. If the last stitch in a row is not the same color as the first stitch in the next row, be sure the yarns are carried together to prevent a hole between the layers. If, however, the last stitch and the first stitch on the next row are the same color, the yarns will need to be twisted together at stitch 2. You do this by the following technique for a smooth edge: Row A: purl the last stitch in color 1, turn fabric, Row B: knit the first stitch in color 1, bring both yarns forward and twist yarn color 2 under yarn color 1 before purling the 2nd stitch. If you do not twist the yarns together
Images/Illustrations:
Cast on: (2 yarns at a time)
2.
4.
Knit/Purl - with 2 yarns to create 2-layer material:
1. Knit 1st stitch with same color yarn with both strands at the back
2. Carry both yarns to front as if to purl both. Purl with yarn of the same color as the next stitch on needle.
Let's look at that step by step after we have a few stitches:
You can now download my free reference tool: A Basic Introduction to Double Knitting
A good video resource for double knitting can be found here: knittinghelp.
Other free double knit patterns include:
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