While knitting different colored stripes can be a lot of fun and an opportunity to let your creative juices flow, there are a few things you need to be able to do before you jump in:
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Picking colors: You can knit stripes in as many colors as you like. Use color at random or plan for a particular mood in your color combination.
Patterns with multiple colors use a standard set of abbreviations — MC (main color); CC (contrasting color); A, B, C, and so on for patterns that use more than two colors
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Counting rows: When you knit stripes, you count rows (or if you’re knitting in the round, you count rounds) to keep track of the stripe’s width. For example, knowing that a stripe spans 7 rows and counting as you go is easier and more accurate than getting out the tape measure.
Odd and even rows affect where the yarn ends up — whether it’s right there where you want it or at the opposite end of your knitting.
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Joining colors: When you’re ready to change colors in a stripe pattern, you need to join the new color. Unless you’re creating random stripes that start and stop anywhere, you usually join colors at the edge.
You can look for a striped project pattern and follow the sequence, colors, and spacing given in the design; or you can use the stripe pattern as a template and plug in your own colors and yarns. If you’re in a spontaneous mood, gather your yarns together and start knitting, changing yarns as you feel like it.