Want to add a designer touch to your knitting? Try Swiss Darning or, as it's sometimes called, Duplicate Stitch.
Swiss darning is a form of embroidery that 'duplicates' the shape of a knitted stitch. It can become very addictive to do, just like cross-stitch!
The stitch is worked with a tapestry needle over the actual stitches of stocking stitch fabric. Using this technique, the fabric keeps the texture, elasticity and character of the original knitting.
Providing you use the same thickness of yarn as that which has been used for the knitted fabric, the finished pattern or motif has all the appearance of being knitted in. A delightful way of cheating when you don't want the complication of intarsia knitting!
If you use thinner yarn than the one used to knit the fabric, your stitches may end up being not totally covered and your knitting will look patchy. If you use thicker yarn, you can make your knitting look too bulky or clumsy.
Swiss darning is always worked with the right side of the fabric facing you.
Stitches can be covered by working across, up or down but for a really professional finish, it's best to follow the knitting by working one row from right to left, then one row from left to right. Sometimes it may be easier, when working the left to right row, to turn your work upside down so you're always working from right to left.
If you're tempted to use picture cross-stitch charts for swiss darning, you'll need to modify them first. The grids used for cross-stitch charts are based on squares but the grids you need for swiss darning should be more rectangular. Swiss darned motifs on knitted fabric worked directly from cross-stitch charts always look squashed!
Swiss darning can make an ordinary sweater into something very special and very unique and, best of all, it's very easy to do.
You'll find full instructions for Swiss Darning here
Copyright 2006 Linda Black
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Based in the UK, Linda Black has written several design books
for machine knitters and is a self-confessed knitting addict.
Her web site for both hand and machine knitters can be found at
http://www.getknitting.com
Sign up for her free monthly knitting hints and tips newsletter here
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Source: www.isnare.com
