Colorwork and knitting go together like coffee and donuts, Sonny and Cher, or Coke and Pink Lemonade.
I’m kidding about that last one.
I just learned to like that because my siblings hated it and then I didn’t have to share. 😎
But it’s almost impossible to think about knitting without images of beautiful fair isle sweaters coming to mind.
And while stranded knitting isn’t that hard once you get the hang of it, there is an even easier way to knit colorwork.
In fact, even really *complex* patterns using this technique are incredibly simple to make.
It’s called mosaic knitting, and it’s the PERFECT way to start exploring the world of colorwork.
What exactly is Mosaic Knitting?
No one knows when mosaic knitting was invented or even where it originated.
What we do know is it did not become popular until the 1960s when good ol’ Barbara Walker published a book on the magic of mosaic.
It highlighted the simply beauty of mosaic knitting which is created in just as simple a fashion.
Basically, the entire technique is done with slipped stitches. These slipped stitches create vertical bars of color, which are used to interrupt the color in the next row.
Strategically placing these bars allows the knitter to create the illusion of complex, geometric color patterns.
However, the truth is it is WAY easier to knit than it looks.
Benefits of Mosaic Knitting
This technique might be the EASIEST way to do colorwork, which makes it great for beginners.
Here’s a few reasons why:
-
Patterns are knit using two colors, often with high contrast.
There’s no juggling 3, 4, or more colors here or messing with little bobbins. Mosaic knitting is basically knitting with stripes. -
Only one color is knit at a time
That’s right! No switching back and forth between colors and NO FLOATS! 🎉 -
Designs are created using only slipped stitches
You don’t even have to knit all the stitches! 🤯 -
The fabric is (almost) always stockinette
This means you can substitute mosaic patterns into virtually any project type with minimal modifications. -
Patterns are (usually) reversible
Who doesn’t love a pattern that looks good in every direction?
But just because this is an easy technique it can still be used for more complex types of knitting.
Other types of Mosaic Knitting
In 2017 designer Barbara Benson published a book about her innovative use of mosaic.
She spent years exploring how to fuse her passion for mosaic colorwork and lace knitting.
Lace doesn’t work well with traditional colorwork techniques like fair isle or intarsia, so she had the idea to combine it with mosaic.
However, as she researched designs utilizing these methods, it became clear that hers was the first.
The result was the Golden Lion Throne shawl, and she has gone on to create many more mosaic lace designs.
Additional Mosaic Knitting Resources
There are plenty of places to learn mosaic knitting. We even have a class in our (currently closed) Yarnist Academy.
But you don’t need to buy a class from us to learn.
Here are a few great resources to help get you started, plus links to a few we’ve already mentioned.
MosaicKnitting.com
This site isn’t as much a tutorial site as it is a database of mosaic stitch patterns. Most are just written instructions, and the pictures are not that big. However it’s probably the biggest collection of mosaic stitches available online.
Mosaic Knitting by Barbara Walker
This was the first published collection of mosaic patterns. An updated version was put out in the late 90’s bringing the total number of stitches to almost 400.
Mosaic & Lace Knits by Barbara Benson
This collection of 20 patterns is one of a kind. Using Barbara’s unique method of combing these two techniques, you can make projects that will blow your friends minds. A must have for lace lovers.
Mosaic Knitting Workshop by Ashleigh Wempe
There are surprisingly few books about mosaic knitting, but this one was just released last summer. It’s filled with innovative, modern projects that push mosaic knitting to its limits. If you need pattern inspiration this is for you.
Mosaic Chart Directory for Knitting & Crochet**
by Anna Nikipirowicz**
It’s surprising it’s taken so long for a modern take on a mosaic stitch dictionary. This collection includes 75 exciting mosaic designs suitable for both crocheters and knitters. Every pattern includes photographs of both the knitted and crocheted samples, charts, and written instructions.
Conclusion
Mosaic is just about the easiest way to get into knitting colorwork.
But what do you think?
Have you knit mosaic before? What did you make?
If not, are you more interested in trying?