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Mosaic Knitting - Different Pattern Options

Mosaic Knitting - Different Pattern Options

If you've never done any mosaic knitting this simple tutorial will get you started.

I am currently knitting Andrea Mowry's Nightshift Shawl which features, i-cord edging, mosaic knitting and subtle color shifts. The pattern is written very clearly so, even if you've never done i-cord edges or mosaic knitting you can knit this shawl.

andrea mowry nightshift shawl free shawl knitting pattern with yarn mosaic knitting

But what if you don't want to work this shawl but you like the look and feel of mosaic knitting. In this blog post I will show your how to mosaic knit in a few different ways so you can incorporate this stitch pattern into any project.

The Basic  Overview

Mosaic knitting is done in two colors, The main color will always be worked in stockinette stitch, and you will need about twice as much yardage of the main color as the accent color.

The accent color will always be the one slipped, and knitted to create the mosaic effect. On the right side you will follow a pattern of knitting and slipping, and on the wrong side you will work back knitting in the same stitches and slipping the same stitches

1x1 Mosaic In-Line

Main Color
Row 1 (RS): Knit Across
Row 2 (WS): Purl Across

Accent Color
Row 3 (RS): *K1, Sl1wyib Repeat from * to End
Row 4 (WS): *Sl1wyif, K1 Repeat from * to End

Repeat rows 1-4 and your mosaic bumps will line up on top of eachother.

mosaic knitting example of 1x1 in line mosaic bumps burgundy and blue yarn

 

1x1 Mosaic Offset

Main Color
Row 1 (RS): Knit Across
Row 2 (WS): Purl Across

Accent Color
Row 3 (RS): *K1, Sl1wyib Repeat from * to End
Row 4 (WS): *Sl1wyif, K1 Repeat from * to End

Main Color
Row 5 (RS): Knit Across
Row 6 (WS): Purl Across

Accent Color
Row 7 (RS): *Sl1wyib, K1 Repeat from * to End
Row 8 (WS): *K1, Sl1wyif Repeat from * to End

Repeat rows 1-8 and your mosaic bumps will be offset from the row below.

 mosaic knitting example of 1x1 offset mosaic bumps burgundy and blue yarn

2x2 Mosaic In-Line

Main Color
Row 1 (RS): Knit Across
Row 2 (WS): Purl Across

Accent Color
Row 3 (RS): *K2, Sl2wyib Repeat from * to End
Row 4 (WS): *Sl2wyif, K2 Repeat from * to End

Repeat rows 1-4 and your mosaic bumps will line up on top of each other.

 mosaic knitting example of 2x2 in line mosaic bumps burgundy and blue yarn

2x2 Mosaic Offset

Main Color
Row 1 (RS): Knit Across
Row 2 (WS): Purl Across

Accent Color
Row 3 (RS): *K2, Sl2wyib Repeat from * to End
Row 4 (WS): *Sl2wyif, K2 Repeat from * to End

Main Color
Row 5 (RS): Knit Across
Row 6 (WS): Purl Across

Accent Color
Row 7 (RS): *Sl2wyib, K2 Repeat from * to End
Row 8 (WS): *K2, Sl2wyif Repeat from * to End

Repeat rows 1-8 and your mosaic bumps will be offset from the row below.

 mosaic knitting example of 2x2 offset mosaic bumps burgundy and blue yarn

I wouldn't recommend spacing your mosaic bumps out any farther than two stitches apart, you can end up with quite long bits of loose yarn at the back that will be easy for you to snag on.

But I certainly recommend experimenting with different size bumps and offsets, knitting 3 and slipping 1 for example could get some interesting spiral effects if you offset each row by 1 stitch.

Check out the video below to see mosaic knitting in action. (If you like the needles I'm using in the video you can find them here.)

Happy Knitting!

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