Stitch and Unwind

  • About
    • Find Us Online
  • Knitting
  • Crochet
    • Afghans
  • Full Patterns
  • Videos
  • Newsletters
  • Giveaways

How to: A Twist on The Duplicate Stitch

December 11, 2012 by AllFreeKnitting 9 Comments

Today’s post is a guest post written by knitting and crochet designer Susan Kerin.  To learn more about Susan and her work, visit her designer profile page.

The duplicate stitch is a wonderful design element. As nice as the duplicate stitch is, it can sometimes be challenging to produce good looking, best possible results. Creating each ‘perfect’ duplicate stitch takes extreme consistency and exact tension to correctly duplicate the stitch being worked. These photos show the duplicate stitch chain ganging worked on red stockinette st knitting. I find that this ‘ganging’ produces very good and consistent results, especially for large areas of stockinette st I need to work.

The stitches produced using this method result in independent ‘columns’ of stitches which sit ON TOP of stockinette stitches (see above two photos). The column of ganged sts lay atop the stockinette sts underneath it (as shown at right). The st is not flat against it as it would be in a regular duplicate st.  Stitches are worked from the TOP of the fabric to the bottom. They can be worked as rows left to right or right to left, or vertically, BUT ROWS OR SINGLE COLUMNS ARE ALWAYS WORKED TOP TO BOTTOM STITCH BY STITCH.  In a completed piece, when the fabric is stretched, the columns are easily seen, creating another design element, but bounce back when not being stretched, as shown.

 How to Work the Duplicate Stitch Chain Gang

Beginning at the top of a column of stitches upon which stitches are to be worked:

  1. Insert yarn needle into the first st (same step as for the first stitch of a regular duplicate st).
  2. To work a vertical column of stitches: Next, under this st, insert needle up through the bottom of the next stitch (again, same as for the regular duplicate st). NOW here is where things will be different:
  3. Insert needle under the 2 lps of the stitch just made – NOT AT ALL in any part of the stockinette stitch underneath,pull thru, then
  4. complete by inserting needle into same sp where yarn was brought up and pull thru. Rep steps 1-4.

Tip: If working rows left to right be sure not to let the st become crossed when doing step #4 (said another way, be sure to insert the needle left of the first half of the st when going back into the same sp). If working rows right to left, insert needle right of the first half of the st, etc.).

Santa Photos Above: regular duplicate stitch, showing inconsistencies and gaps after working stitches. As well, in the left photo, the fingers are stretching the fabric left to right. Note the difference between the stitches in this photo and the Christmas Tree photo of the ‘duplicate stitch chain ganging’.

 

Tell us: Have you ever tried the duplicate stitch?

 

 

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Follow Us
AllFreeKnitting
Editor at AllFreeKnitting
AllFreeKnitting is dedicated to the best free knitting patterns, tutorials, tips and articles on knitting. From easy knitted afghan patterns to complex lace knitting patterns, we find and deliver the best free knitting patterns from all over the web. Plus, we feature free product reviews and giveaways of all the latest and greatest products including yarn, knitting books, totes, and more. AllFreeKnitting is a wonderful online resource for knitters of all skill levels.
Follow Us
Latest posts by AllFreeKnitting (see all)
  • How to Knit a Baby Blanket for Any Nursery - January 14, 2021
  • For the Lazy Knitters: 25 Simple Knitting Patterns - January 13, 2021
  • Free Pattern: Knit Throw Pattern from Yarnspirations - January 12, 2021

Share and Enjoy !

0Shares
0 0

Filed Under: Knitting Tutorials Tagged With: allfreeknitting, stitch, tutorial

Comments

  1. Alice Murray says

    December 11, 2012 at 6:01 pm

    I made a big bulky sweater for my 6″3″ grandson who wanted crossed hockey sticks on the front and large number 22 on the back. I did all the pattern in duplicate stitch. It turned out great and my grandson was thrilled.

    Reply
  2. joanne says

    December 12, 2012 at 6:37 am

    I’m wondering why my duplicate stitches make the sweater feel extra “bulky” in that area? What am I doing wrong?

    Reply
  3. ritainalaska says

    December 12, 2012 at 2:48 pm

    i’ve always worked my duplicate stitches left to right … carefully, but never had a really good look to the piece. will try the to to bottom next time i get the itch to duplicat. thanx!

    Reply
  4. CeltChick says

    December 18, 2012 at 5:31 pm

    Ok, this might help my duplicate stitching! Which is (let’s face it) just awful, as a rule. Thanks!

    Reply
  5. sbarrette says

    December 18, 2012 at 7:37 pm

    Joanne use thinner wool or pull one strand out will be nt as bulky

    Reply
  6. Amy says

    December 19, 2012 at 1:41 pm

    The Christmas Stocking shown – can I get the pattern? My mother-in-law knit this for all her kids, but she now has alzheimers and says her mother knit the stockings. I knit and and can bring it to the next generation, if I can get the pattern.

    Reply
    • Molly Dean says

      March 10, 2016 at 7:43 pm

      1945 Personalized Christmas Stocking. I found it on Ravelry.com. Love that site!

      Reply
  7. Karyl Miller says

    December 10, 2015 at 2:07 pm

    This is GREAT! I wonder if it will work with Tunisian Knit Stitch?

    Reply
  8. kitten_wizard says

    October 26, 2020 at 11:19 am

    I think these might be easier to do with a crochet hook and perhaps with a more regular tension than embroidering chain stitches by hand.

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Email Email Facebook Twitter Pinterest YouTube RSS

Subscribe to the Stitch and Unwind Newsletter.

Categories

Knit & Crochet Magazines

I Like Crochet: Five Glam Projects that Dazzle

How to Crochet a Bavarian Rectangle from I Like Crochet

Free eBook Download

Homemade Mother's Day Gifts eBook

Homemade Mother’s Day Gifts: Free eBook!

The weather is starting to get consistently warmer, the birds are chirping more and more, and the flowers are starting to bloom - spring has sprung, … [Read More...]

Tutorials

19 Jaw Dropping Crochet Afghans

Sometimes different crochet afghans start to seem not all that different anymore. Colors and patterns begin to blend together after looking at them … [Read More...]

Archives

Afghan Tutorials

19 Jaw Dropping Crochet Afghans

Crochet Tutorials

Rest and Relaxation After Holiday Madness: Calming Crochet Patterns

Knitting Tutorials

How to Knit a Baby Blanket for Any Nursery

Holiday Projects

Twelve Crochet Christmas Carol Patterns

Yarn Stash Organization

Get Organized: Tips to Sort Your Stash

Free Full Patterns

Free Pattern: Crochet Wrap Pattern from Red Heart!

Prime Publishing Craft Group
Copyright © 2021 · Stitch & Unwind - A Prime Publishing LLC property. All rights reserved.

About Us Advertise Contact Us FAQs Privacy Policy Do Not Sell My Personal Information Subscribe Terms of Service Unsubscribe

Copyright © 2021 · Tidy Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in