Why color changes in circular knitting create visible bumps
In short: When knitting in the round, your stitches might not line up perfectly. This creates a visible 'jog' where one color sits higher than the other. While some crafters find it distracting, understanding the geometry of the round can help you smooth out these imperfections.
The phenomenon known as a 'jog' occurs because of the inherent geometry of working in the round. When you knit in a circle, each completed revolution places the stitches exactly one round higher than the previous one. Consequently, when you reach the marker to begin a new round, the final stitch of the previous round and the first stitch of the new round are no longer on the same horizontal plane.
This misalignment is particularly noticeable when using contrasting colors. For example, in a pattern using black and red, the end of a round might result in a row where the red stitch sits slightly higher than the one below it. This happens because the stitches are stacking differently; for instance, after finishing ribbing, you might find three stitches stacked on one another instead of two, causing a visible step in the fabric.
To mitigate this, you can manipulate stitch tension around the marker. However, caution is required: if the loose stitch is too loose, it creates gaps that show daylight, and if the tight stitch is too cinched, it may disappear into the fabric.
Ultimately, the necessity of these adjustments is a matter of personal preference. Many knitters find that the process of blocking—soaking the finished piece, wringing it in a towel, and pressing it dry—naturally smooths these jogs, allowing the colors to blend seamlessly into the fabric.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: How to Avoid Jogs When Changing Colors | Circular Knitting
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/society-how-to-avoid-jogs-when-changing-colors-circular-knitting.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Society · Latest · A–Z · All topics
