If you do Stranded Knitting, you’ll want to be able to catch long floats. Doing so helps to avoid the wearer’s fingers from getting caught in them.

I love a technique that’s both practical and pretty.

Don’t Avoid It!

This is often a technique that people who do Stranded Knitting try to avoid by only choosing a design that exclusively has short floats. But, as you’ll see – it’s not needed!

When You Need to Catch a Float

A good rule of thumb is to catch a float if it’s more than an inch long.

I’ve also read suggestions to avoid the float being more than 5 stitches. But, I don’t like that method because it doesn’t take the gauge into account.

How to Catch Floats on the Back

Work up to the float by stranding the knitted color (C1) and the stranded color (C2).

When You’re Ready to Catch the Float

Step 1: Insert the needle into the stitch like normal.

Step 2: Wrap C2 around the needle IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION.

Step 3: Wrap C1 around the needle. The 2 yarns will be going in opposite directions.

Step 4: Unwrap C2 (this catches the yarn).

Step 5: Knit the stitch like normal. C2 (Blue) will be caught. I’ve knit a few stitches here. See how the blue is caught but no stitches were actually knit with it?

About the Instructor: Jody Richards

Jody is the founder and lead editor of Knotions. She loves poring over stitch dictionaries and trying out new stitches. And while she likes all things crafting (well ok, except that one thing), yarn crafts are her true love (and she has the stash to prove it).

She’s a serial starter-of-projects and has a serious problem with finishing things without a deadline.

And don’t get her talking about hand-dyed yarns.  You’ve been warned.