Garter Stitch in 2 colors can appear different depending on which side you look at. Just take a look at these two:

Compare

Left: Both the front and the back were worked with the same color. I started with a front row in C1 and worked the back row in C1 as well.

Right: The front and back rows were worked in different colors. The back row was worked in C2 and the front row was worked in C2.

Both sides look good – in fact, similar. It’s just a matter of what you want to show.

On the left, the stripes are clear and nothing is stopping them from being read as a row.

On the right, the stripes are blended. This can be an advantage or a hindrance (the choice is yours).

It’s easier to tell the difference when either the colors are very different from each other or if the work is slightly stretched during blocking. Here, I’m stretching the swatches a bit so you can see. The one on the right has the purl line made up of both colors.

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.