Knitted Stranded Colorwork:
As a knitter, I have always been a fan of stranded colorwork. I enjoy creating my own colorwork designs using colored pencils and graph paper. This process allows me to personalize my knitting projects and add a unique touch to my projects. It's like painting with yarn, carefully selecting colors and arranging them in intricate patterns. I combined different yarn colors for Pumpkin Spice, including the Latvian Braid, to add depth and dimension to the cardigan.
Yarn Choice:
Choosing yarns with strong color contrast is important to make the pattern stand out. For Pumpkin Spice, I opted for Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Sport in Oyster Heather, Pumpkin, and Ash colorways. Interestingly, while working on the design, I named the cardigan "Pumpkin Spice Latte." The name felt appropriate, given the autumn hues I had chosen.
Preferences:
When knitting stranded colorwork patterns, I prefer to work in the round and use only 2 colors at a time per round. Additionally, I like to steek the front of the sweater to create a cardigan. To add some variety, I also enjoy incorporating new knitting techniques, such as the Latvian Braid.
Start Small:
If you're new to stranded colorwork, starting with a small project like a hat or cowl is best. That's what I did! I knitted the hat you see on the right as a way to practice the colorwork and Latvian Braid techniques on a smaller scale before taking on a larger project. The hat also served as a perfect swatch to determine the colorwork gauge.