What is mosaic knitting?
Mosaic knitting is done with two colors, just like the Fair Isle technique. The main difference between Fair Isle and mosaic knitting is that with the latter, you work with one color at a time. This makes mosaic knitting simpler and more accessible. The knitting technique and the alternating colors create a graphic pattern and depth in your knitting.
Mosaic Knitting vs. Double-Face Knitting
There are several ways to knit a mosaic pattern. The most common methods are single-sided knitting and double-faced knitting. With double-faced knitting, you’re essentially knitting two projects in one. The back or inside of your project has a color scheme that’s exactly the opposite of the front or outside. Double-faced knitting is therefore highly recommended if you want to knit a scarf or hat that can be worn on both sides.
Another mosaic knitting technique is single-color knitting or knitting with slipped stitches. That’s the method we’ll be using in this blog post. On each row, you knit back and forth using the same color. Then you switch to the other color. Going row: knit only the stitches of color A. Do not knit the stitches of color B; instead, slip them onto the other needle and purl them off the needle. Return row: knit the stitches as they appear. Knit the stitches of color A again. As soon as a stitch of color B appears, pull the yarn toward you, place the stitch on the other needle, and purl it off the needle.
Mosaic Knitting: See & Do
It sounds complicated, but mosaic knitting is easier than you think. It’s just a matter of watching and trying it out. That’s why we’ve recorded a very clear video for you. In it, we explain step by step how mosaic knitting works—from reading a mosaic chart to knitting the stitches.
Free Mosaic Knitting Pattern
We’ll explain the technique of mosaic knitting using a gauge swatch that we’ll knit with Yarn and Colors Serene (100% Merino Wool). The pattern we’re using can serve as the basis for lots of fun projects. Use a slightly softer yarn, such as Yarn and Colors Baby Fabulous, Charming, or Joy, to knit a mosaic baby blanket. Or cast on with Yarn and Colors Epic, Favorite, or Must-have cotton yarn and brighten up your kitchen and dining table with mosaic placemats and/or Coasters.
Tools & Supplies for the gauge swatch:
- 2 colors of Yarn and Colors Serene, for example 002 Cream and 101 Rose
- 3.5 mm Knitting Needles
- Mosaic counting pattern
Abbreviations Used
r. – right
av. – reverse
st. – stitch
Start: Cast on 49 stitches using color 101 Rose. The total gauge swatch is 49 stitches wide and 51 rows high.
Needle 1: Knit all stitches
Needle 2: Knit all stitches
Needle 3: Knit all stitches
Needle 4: Color Cream 002; slip 1 st., *knit 3 sts., slip 1 st., knit 7 sts., slip 1 st., knit 3 sts., slip 1 st.*, repeat from * to * 2 times.
Needle 5: Color Cream 002; *slip 1 purl stitch, knit 3, slip 1 purl stitch, knit 7, slip 1 purl stitch, knit 3*, repeat *to* 2 times and end with slipping 1 purl stitch.
Needle 6: Color Rose 101; 1 st. K, *slip 1 purl stitch, K 3, slip 1 purl stitch, K 1, slip 1 purl stitch, K 1, slip 1 purl stitch, K 1, slip 1 purl stitch, K 1, slip 1 purl stitch, K 3, slip 1 purl stitch, K 1*, repeat *to* 2 times.
Needle 7: Color Rose 101; *1 st. K, slip 1 st. P, 3 st. K, slip 1 st. P, 1 st. K, slip 1 st. P, 1 st. K, slip 1 st. P, 1 st. K, slip 1 st. P, 3 st. knit, slip 1 purl stitch*, repeat *to* 2 times and end with 1 knit stitch.
This is how you continue working the stitch pattern. You can repeat the bolded section of the stitch pattern (rows 4 through 35) as many times as you like.
Mosaic Knitting Tutorial
Learn Even More Knitting Stitches
Would you like to learn even more stitches to knit? We’d love to teach you with our online knitting course for beginners and advanced knitters. Or check out our “Stitch of the Month” blogs, which are full of inspiration and helpful tutorials.
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