Step-by-step guide on how to successfully catch floats in knitting

When knitting intricate patterns or colorwork projects, it is inevitable to come across floats. Floats are carried strands of yarn that are stretched across the back of the work when working with multiple colors. These floats can sometimes be visible on the right side of the fabric and can cause tension issues if not handled properly. Learning how to catch floats will not only improve the overall appearance of your knitting but also ensure the longevity of your project.

To successfully catch floats, it is important to understand the concept of float length. Floats should generally be kept short, with a maximum length of 3-5 stitches. This helps to prevent them from being visible on the right side and reduces the chances of them being snagged or caught on something. Longer floats can be caught by wrapping the floats around the working yarn at regular intervals to anchor them in place.

One effective technique for catching floats is called the “stranding method”. This method involves carrying both colors of yarn in your hand and alternating between the two when knitting across the row. As you switch colors, the floating yarn is naturally caught on the back of the work, ensuring a tidy fabric. However, it is important to not carry the floats too tightly, as this can cause the fabric to pucker and affect the drape of the finished project.

Another method to catch floats is called the “weaving method”. This involves inserting a needle or crochet hook through the floats on the wrong side of the fabric and weaving the floats over and under neighboring stitches. This method is particularly useful for longer floats or when the stranding method is not suitable for the pattern. By weaving the floats, you secure them in place and prevent them from snagging or causing tension issues on the right side.

Note: It is important to practice catching floats on swatches or small projects before attempting it on a larger project. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the different techniques and determine which method works best for you. Remember to also check the tension of your floats regularly and adjust as necessary to maintain an even fabric.

Understanding floats in knitting

Floats are a common technique used in stranded colorwork knitting, also known as Fair Isle knitting. When working with multiple colors, floats are the strands of yarn that run across the back of your work when you’re not using them. Understanding how to manage and catch floats is essential to create neat and tidy colorwork projects.

What are floats?

Floats are created when you carry the yarn not in use along the back of the work until it is needed again. These strands of yarn typically travel over several stitches, creating floats on the wrong side of the fabric. They are necessary for creating motifs and patterns with different colors.

Why are floats important?

Floats are important because they allow you to switch between colors while creating intricate patterns. They help create tension and ensure that the fabric lays flat. However, if the floats are too long, they can create tension issues or get caught on fingers or other objects.

How to catch floats?

Catching floats is the process of securing the floats to prevent them from getting caught or pulled too tight. Here are a few methods to catch floats:

Catching floats within the work: This method involves catching the floats as you go along by twisting the yarns together. This can be done by bringing the float to be caught over the working yarn, then knitting or purling the next stitch with both yarns held together.
Catching floats using a float trap: Float traps are small loops or stitches created by wrapping the float around the working yarn. This method helps keep the float in place and prevents it from pulling across too many stitches.
Woven floats: In this method, you weave the float behind the color you’re currently working with every few stitches. This helps secure the float in place and prevents it from being too loose or too tight.

Tips for managing floats:

Keep floats loose: It’s essential to maintain loose floats to avoid distorting the fabric or creating tension issues. Floats should be loose enough to allow the fabric to lay flat but not so loose that they create gaps.
Use long floats sparingly: Long floats are more likely to catch on fingers or other objects, so it’s better to keep them shorter. If you have a long stretch where the next color is not used, consider catching the float or using a float trap.
Practice and experiment: Every knitting project is different, and different techniques may work better for different patterns. Practice with small swatches and experiment with different methods to find what works best for you.

By understanding and practicing the art of catching floats, you’ll be able to create beautifully intricate colorwork projects while maintaining a neat and professional finish.

Tools and materials needed for catching floats

Knitting needles: You will need a pair of knitting needles suitable for the yarn you are using.
Yarn: Choose a yarn that is appropriate for your project. It is recommended to use a smooth yarn to make it easier to catch floats.
Tapestry needle: This needle will be used to catch and weave in the floats.
Stitch markers: These will be helpful for marking specific points in your knitting where you need to catch floats.
Scissors: You will need scissors to cut the yarn to the desired length when catching floats.

Having the right tools and materials is essential for successfully catching floats in knitting. Make sure you have everything you need before starting your project to avoid any interruptions or delays.

Preparing your knitting project for catching floats

Before you start catching floats in your knitting project, it’s important to make sure your project is properly prepared. Here are some steps to follow:

Select the right yarn: Choose a yarn that is suitable for colorwork knitting. Thinner yarns, such as fingering weight or sport weight, are usually easier to work with when catching floats.
Create a swatch: Knit a swatch using the same yarn and needles you will be using for your project. This will help you determine your gauge and practice catching floats before starting your actual project.
Check your tension: Make sure your tension is even and consistent throughout your swatch. Uneven tension can make it more difficult to catch floats, so take the time to adjust your knitting if necessary.
Plan your colorwork design: If your project involves complex colorwork patterns, it’s a good idea to plan out your design beforehand. This will help ensure that you have a clear understanding of where and how to catch floats as you knit.
Use stitch markers: Place stitch markers or removable markers at key points in your pattern where floats need to be caught. This will serve as a visual guide and help you keep track of where to catch floats.
Have the right tools handy: Before you start knitting, make sure you have the necessary tools readily available. This may include a tapestry needle for catching floats, scissors for cutting yarn, and stitch markers for marking key points in your pattern.
Take breaks when needed: Colorwork knitting can be intense and require a lot of focus. If you find yourself getting tired or frustrated, it’s important to take breaks to rest and recharge. This will help you maintain better concentration and accuracy when catching floats.

By following these steps and adequately preparing your knitting project, you will be well-equipped to successfully catch floats and create beautiful colorwork designs.

Step 1: Identifying and marking floats in your knitting

When working with colorwork knitting patterns, it is important to pay attention to the floats that can occur on the wrong side of your knitting. Floats are long strands of unused yarn that travel behind the stitches in a colorwork pattern. These floats can create tension issues and can also be visible from the right side of your work if not properly managed.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to identify and mark floats in your knitting:

Examine your colorwork pattern: Look closely at your knitting pattern and determine where the color changes occur. This will help you identify the areas where floats may be present.
Work a few rows: Start knitting your colorwork pattern and work a few rows. This will give you a clear view of the floats on the wrong side of your work.
Inspect the wrong side of your knitting: Flip your work over and examine the wrong side of your knitting. Look for long strands of yarn traveling across the back of your stitches.
Mark the floats: Using a stitch marker or a safety pin, mark the locations of the floats on the wrong side of your knitting. This will help you keep track of where the floats are as you continue to work on your project.

Note: If you are working on a complex colorwork pattern with multiple color changes, it may be helpful to create a chart or diagram to visually map out the floats and color changes.

By identifying and marking the floats in your knitting, you can easily keep track of their location and ensure that they are properly managed. This will result in a more even tension and a neater appearance on the right side of your colorwork project.

Step 2: Choosing the Appropriate Catching Method

Once you have identified the floats in your knitting, it is crucial to choose the appropriate catching method to ensure the floats are secure and do not unravel. The catching method you choose will depend on the specific pattern and design, as well as personal preference. Here are a few common catching methods to consider:

Slip Stitch Method: In this method, you slip the float that needs to be caught from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle without knitting it. Then, when you reach the next stitch that is part of the float, you insert the right-hand needle into the slipped stitch and knit it together with the next stitch. This method creates a small horizontal bar, which may be visible in the finished work.
Catch-As-You-Go Method: This method involves catching the floats as you encounter them in the knitting process. When you reach a float, use your right-hand needle to catch the float and knit it together with the next stitch. This method requires more attention while knitting, but it ensures that all floats are secured immediately after they are created.
Use a Separate Crochet Hook: Some knitters prefer to use a separate crochet hook to catch and secure floats. With this method, you will hold the crochet hook in your right hand, and when you encounter a float, you will use the hook to catch it and pull it through the stitch, securing it in place. This method gives you more control and eliminates the risk of accidentally knitting the float together with the next stitch.
Create Bobbles: Another catching method is to create bobbles or small knots along the float. This method is suitable for shorter floats and adds a decorative touch to the knitting. To create a bobble, stop knitting, twist the float before knitting the next stitch, then continue knitting as usual.
Stranded Knitting or Fair Isle Technique: If you are working on a stranded knitting or Fair Isle project, it is important to carry the floats loosely on the back of the work. By maintaining an even tension, you can avoid pulling the floats too tight or too loose, resulting in an even and professional finish.

Remember, the catching method you choose will depend on the specific project and personal preference. It may take some practice to find the method that works best for you. Experiment with different techniques and take your time to ensure the floats are securely caught to create beautiful and professional knitting projects.

Step 3: Working with the chosen catching method

Now that you have chosen your preferred catching method, it’s time to start working with it. Follow these steps to successfully catch floats in your knitting:

First, identify the point in your knitting where you need to catch the float. This is usually where the float crosses over the main color yarn.
Take a look at your chart or pattern instructions and determine the correct placement of the stitches to be caught. This will vary depending on the design and number of stitches to be caught.
If you are using the “knitting through the back loop” method, insert your right-hand needle from right to left into the float stitch and into the main color stitch at the same time. Hold the working yarn behind the knitting and wrap it around the right-hand needle.
For the “slip stitch” method, insert your right-hand needle into the float stitch from right to left. Slip the float stitch onto the right-hand needle without knitting it. Then, slip the next main color stitch onto the right-hand needle. Pass the slipped float stitch over the main color stitch and off the needle.
Continue working with your chosen catching method, following the pattern instructions and repeating these steps for each float that needs to be caught.

Remember to maintain an even tension throughout your knitting to ensure that the caught floats are not too tight or too loose. Take your time and practice this technique until you feel comfortable with it.

By using the appropriate catching method and following these steps, you will successfully catch floats in your knitting and create beautiful colorwork designs.

Troubleshooting common issues when catching floats

Catching floats while knitting can sometimes be tricky, and you may encounter a few common issues. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you overcome these challenges:

Tight floats: If your floats are too tight, it can cause your fabric to pucker and distort. To fix this issue, try to knit more loosely when carrying the yarn across the back of your work. You can also use a larger needle size for the colorwork sections to allow for more space.
Long floats: Long floats can snag and create gaps in your fabric. To prevent this, make sure to catch the floats every few stitches. You can do this by twisting the floats with the working yarn or using a technique called the “stranded knitting” method.
Float tension: Uneven tension in your floats can result in inconsistencies in your colorwork. To achieve even float tension, try to keep your floats snug but not too tight. Practice and experimentation will help you find the right tension for your project.
Untwisted floats: Untwisted floats can cause your colors to bleed into each other, resulting in a messy appearance. To avoid this, twist your floats at the back of your work every few stitches. This will help keep the floats in place and maintain clean color definition.
Float placement: Incorrect float placement can lead to visible strands or uneven color distribution on the front of your work. Make sure to catch floats when there is a gap of more than five stitches. Additionally, be mindful of the color placement to create a pleasing design.

By troubleshooting these common issues, you’ll be able to successfully catch floats and achieve beautiful colorwork in your knitting projects. Remember to practice and experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you.

FAQ:

What are floats in knitting?

Floats in knitting are the strands of yarn that are carried across the back of the work when knitting colorwork or stranded knitting. These strands of yarn are not worked into the fabric and create a float behind the stitches.

Why is it important to catch floats in knitting?

It is important to catch floats in knitting to prevent them from snagging, tangling, or getting caught on fingers or other objects. By catching and securing the floats, you ensure that the finished knitted piece will be neat and tidy, with the floats held in place.

What tools or materials are needed to catch floats in knitting?

To catch floats in knitting, you will need a tapestry needle or a crochet hook. These tools will help you weave the floats into the fabric and secure them in place.

Can floats be caught without a tapestry needle or crochet hook?

Yes, floats can be caught without a tapestry needle or crochet hook. Some knitters prefer using their knitting needle to catch floats. Instead of knitting the next stitch, they will use the knitting needle to lift the float and weave it into the fabric. This method requires a bit of practice and coordination, but it can be effective.

How to catch floats knitting