MASTERING MOSAIC
QI’ve seen a sock pattern that uses the mosaic technique, I think it looks incredible but I am a bit daunted to try it out as I’m only an intermediate knitter. Do you have any tips for how to get started?
Jasmine Pickford, Watford
Mosaic knitting uses slip stitches to create patterns that look like colourwork but are far easier to knit – you only use one colour at a time so if working with more than one colour at once is something that’s put you off, you’re going to love mosaic knitting! Mosaic knitting is different to colourwork in that although you have two working yarns, you only knit with one of them at a time. The colour change pattern is all down to slip stitches which pull the yarn from the round below up into the new colour and creates a pattern without you having to worry about floats or dominant colours or which hand to hold your two (or more!) yarns in.
The main thing to remember is that the fabric is formed by carrying slip stitches up the fabric and that can make it shorter and tighter if you are not careful. It’s a lesson in keeping your hands relaxed and not pulling the yarn too tightly across the slip stitches – with a sock in particular, you will know if you’re working too tightly as the foot will start to turn into a banana shape! You almost need to knit more loosely than you would do normally but it really helps to keep your fabric flexible – you can see very quickly when you get started how your fabric is turning out so you can make any adjustments. You could try knitting a test swatch if you are unsure.
You can find an Easy Mosaic Socks pattern and tutorial on my blog, www.winwickmum. co.uk, which has been specifically designed for first-time mosaic knitters, with full stepby-step colour photos to walk you through. Once you’ve caught the bug (as I know you will!), check out more of my mosaic (and colourwork) patterns in the brand-new ‘Happy Feet’ book from West Yorkshire Spinners, for just £9.95.