Roositud is such a pretty technique! I’m sorry to say that it hasn’t gotten a ton of coverage lately, but I want to change that.

Great Alternative to Stranded Knitting

It’s much easier than traditional knitted stranded colorwork, but it’s a beautiful way to add a second color to your work!

How to Knit Roositud

Step 1: Join the CC (the color you want to see in the Roositud) in the back (just like the regular way on a knit row). I usually just wrap it around the index finger of my right hand a few times. And after a while, I’ll drop it and that’ll become the tail. I also only use a couple yards at a time (sorta like what you’d do in intarsia too – I create little bobbins or even just let the ends be all by themselves).

You have a couple options here for the CC. The Roositud needs to be around twice as thick as your MC. So, you can either work two strands of the yarn or you can use a thicker yarn for the Roositud. Your call!

Step 2: Bring the CC to the front.

Step 3: Work in MC as normal. The CC will still be stranded along the front.

Step 4 (once you’re done with the Roositud): Bring CC to the back. Be sure to drape the yarn so it has average tension – not loose and not tight.

How to Purl Roositud

We’ll assume your CC is already joined.

Step 1: Bring the CC to the back.

Step 2: Work in MC as normal.

Step 3 (once you’re done with the Roositud): Bring CC to the front.  Be sure to drape the yarn so it has average tension – not loose and not tight.

Here’s a swatch with one of each rows of Roositud.