Part of Year of Color 2026, a free make-along
This first knit square introduces you to creating texture through simple stitch manipulation – alternating between stockinette and reverse stockinette. But there’s a trick hidden in the color changes that solves a common problem knitters face. Pay attention to when the colors change relative to when the texture changes.
Materials
- Yarn: Cascade Heritage Fingering in Macadamia (A), Snow (B), and Grey Frost (C)
- Needles: US 6 (4mm) or size needed to obtain gauge
- Gauge: 22 sts and 27½ rows = 4″
- Notions: Tapestry needle, scissors
- Finished size: 8″ × 8″ blocked
Stitch Guide
Stockinette: Knit on RS, purl on WS
Reverse Stockinette: Purl on RS, knit on WS
Pattern
With A (Macadamia), CO 44 sts.
Rows 1-7 — Macadamia, Stockinette:
Row 1 (RS): Knit.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Rows 3-7: Continue in stockinette.
Rows 8-12 — Snow:
Row 8 (WS): Change to B (Snow). Purl. (Still stockinette – this is the trick!)
Row 9 (RS): Purl. (Reverse stockinette begins)
Rows 10-12: Continue in reverse stockinette (knit WS, purl RS).
Rows 13-19 — Grey Frost, Stockinette:
Row 13 (RS): Change to C (Grey Frost). Knit.
Rows 14-19: Continue in stockinette.
Rows 20-24 — Macadamia:
Row 20 (WS): Change to A (Macadamia). Purl. (Still stockinette)
Rows 21-24: Reverse stockinette.
Rows 25-31 — Snow, Stockinette:
Row 25 (RS): Change to B (Snow). Knit.
Rows 26-31: Continue in stockinette.
Rows 32-36 — Grey Frost:
Row 32 (WS): Change to C (Grey Frost). Purl. (Still stockinette)
Rows 33-36: Reverse stockinette.
Continue: Repeat Rows 1-36 until piece is long-enough to measure approximately 8″ once blocked. For me, that was on the second repeat of Row 19. BO loosely. I used the Lace Bindoff.
In The Loop
Did you notice that the color changes happen one row before the reverse stockinette sections begin? This is intentional!
When you purl on the right side (starting reverse stockinette), those purl bumps sit on top of your fabric. If you changed colors on that same row, the bumps would show the previous color peeking through – creating an unintentional dotted line effect.
By changing colors one row earlier (while still in stockinette), the first row of purl bumps is already in the new color. Clean color transitions, no dotted lines. This is the kind of small decision that separates a polished project from a “why does that look weird?” moment.
About Year of Color
This square is part of Year of Color 2026, a free program that teaches colorwork techniques through square patterns in both knit and crochet. Each set of squares comes with a curated color palette, technique tutorials, and color inspiration articles. Start anywhere, work at your own pace, and build new skills one square at a time.
MORE ABOUT YEAR OF COLOR
What you get with each relelase:
- Free crochet square pattern (8″ × 8″)
- Free knitted square pattern (8″ × 8″)
- Color inspiration articles exploring the current palette
- Technical tips and tutorials
- Cultural and historical color spotlights
- Community engagement opportunities
Color palettes so far:
Winter Whites & Creams • Soft Pastels • Jewel Tones • Spring Brights • Shades of Blue • Orange & Blue • Sunset Colors • Warm Neutrals • Dark & Moody • Triadic Colors
Cascade Yarns is partnering on the project to help make quality color education accessible to fiber artists at every skill level. You can join at any time and work at your own pace — the patterns aren’t going anywhere!
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