Having tension Issues? Check out our Tension Tips for Colorwork for techniques to help you learn how to manage tension and floats.

What does it mean to "catch floats"?

Let's start with the basics. A "float" is the length of un-knit yarn that goes along the back of your work when you are alternating between different skeins of yarn. So if you have 1 stitch in black yarn, then 5 stitches in white yarn, then another stitch in black - the black yarn will have "floated" behind those 5 white stitches. 

"Catching" the float is any method of securing part of that float to the back of your knitting, so that it is not just hanging there. There are simple methods, and complex methods (like ladder-back jacquard), but this post is going to focus on the simple methods.

When (and why) to catch floats

There are two main reasons why it is helpful to catch floats. Firstly, it keeps the back of the work tidy and organized. If there are lots of long, loose floats, you run the risk of those lengths of yarn snagging on things and getting pulled. Second, it helps maintain an even tension if you are securing long floats rather than just letting them hang loose.

Every knitter is different, but most people prefer to catch any float that is longer than 5-7 stitches. 

Doodle Patterns that use this technique

Not every Doodle Chart will require you to catch your floats. Many of the charts, especially in the Core Doodle Decks, are made to have floats that are short enough that you don't have to do anything special! But larger and more complex charts, sometimes you'll have to pay a little extra attention to your floats while knitting. 

Learn better with videos? Check out our YouTube channel for more info on catching floats, with separate videos for catching MC floats and CC floats, and so much more!

INSTRUCTIONS

If you knit colorwork with one color in each hand...

For knitters who knit colorwork with one color in each hand, the main color (MC) is usually in the right hand, and the contrast color (CC) is usually in the left hand, so that is how this is laid out.

CATCHING THE CC (LEFT-HAND) YARN

Step 1: Insert your right needle into the next stitch on your left needle, as if you are about to work it, but then pause.

Step 2: Bring the CC to the front of the work, between the ends of your two needles.

Step 3: With the CC still in front, wrap your MC around the needle and finish working that stitch with your MC.

That's it! The CC yarn is trapped there by the MC, and the float has been "caught"!

 

CATCHING THE MC (RIGHT-HAND) YARN

Step 1: Insert your right needle into the next stitch on your left needle, as if you are about to work it. 

Step 2: Wrap your MC around the needle (as if you're about to knit it), but then stop before pulling the yarn through. (the pink arrow shows the white yarn float going along the back of the work). 

Step 3: Wrap your CC around the left needle (as if you're about to knit it) but then stop again before pulling the yarn through. Leaving your CC where it is, unwrap the MC from your left needle. 

Step 4: Pull the CC through the stitch to finish working that stitch with your CC.

That's it! The CC yarn is trapped there by the MC, and the float has been "caught"!

HAPPY DOODLING!

Want even easier access to all of our Doodle resources? All of this (and more) is available in our DoodleHQ app! 

 

Blog written by Jamie Lomax.