I am SOOOO happy you made this video! Since I learned to knit in Norway, I have always wondered why my host mother never talked about dominant color, when it seems to be such a big deal for many knitters, and clearly that is because the knitting should be perfectly even and uniform, no matter what the color. If you think about woven fabric, this would also be true. You wouldn’t have one color showing more than another in properly woven fabric. I don’t consider this video controversial at all. In fact, it’s just common sense. Thank you, guys!
I always thought when we (americans) talk about a pop of color it means doing a darker color and a lighter color so the lighter one pops out, as in your eye is drawn to it, not that it is a looser stitch. I haven't ever heard or seen anyone knitting one color that sticks out more then the other due to it being a looser stitch.
What I have noticed, Arne and Carlos are correctly understanding the reference to "dominant". Lately, I have been watching a lot of videos on knitting w/multiple colors - generally American - to try and start my first knitting project with more than one color, and those in the videos have pointed out that the "dominant" color needs to be in a particular hand and to make the stitch a particular way to create a different tension. I didn't bother to follow those videos, it feels much more natural to have both colors in my left hand. I had originally thought the "dominant" color was the background color.
Currently cruising through videos to improve my two color work. You both are exactly what I needed amongst the two handed throw knitting videos, which just feels awkward and clunky. Thank you for validating my feelings!
Please, please don't pay attention to the haters and know-it-all's. Continue to post what you want, how you want, when and where you want. That's why we watch you. Love your opinions, knowledge, and creativity. Your straight forward, funny approach INSPIRES me. XXOO
I know this was not a funny video, but yet I can't stop laughing every time I hear them say tension problem. These guys are true artists in knitting. I can't even fathom doing the color work they do. It's truly incredible. I really enjoy seeing the way people knit, crochet, etc. From all over the world. That's why UA-cam is so wonderful.
Thank you so much for this video! I’m in America and I have watched so many videos in color dominance and I have never understood it! Now I’m not going to waste anymore time trying to figure it out! So much more relaxing to knit colorwork now!
Scandinavian knitter from Finland here. I find this discussion fascinating. I had also not heard about colour dominance until I started interacting with English style knitters on UA-cam and the like. I recently watched Hazel Tindall’s DVD:s and she is the first person to explain colour dominance in a way that I can understand. It has to do with how the floats stack up on the back of the work. The colour whose floats are at the bottom will be the most dominant, because the other colours’ floats will pull the first stitch of any block of that colour longer. The difference is very subtle, and I really notice it only in patterns with single stitch diagonal lines.
Thanks for your feed back, however, it is not something necessary for new beginners to focus on. We think that the explanation opens up for more confusion and more things to take consideration of. Colour work is all about tension, not about dominance. In Norway we've never heard of this and we have been knitting colour work for 200 years. Same in Finland. A great mantra should be to "keep things simple". Over explaining things will only add confusion and frustration.
That’s a valid point. I totally agree that dominance is not something a beginner should have to care about. I remember being frustrated when I first heard about it, because there were so many conflicting explanations. Literally conflicting. Some said keep the dominant colour to the right and others said keep the dominant colour to the left. And by then my grandmother had passed, so I couldn’t ask her. For me it helped to finally learn that it has such a small impact. I think your video will help other frustrated knitters, so thank you for publishing it!
jsmultron Same here. I'm German. I knew a lot about doing colourwork cause I watched my mother. Maybe there is a dominant colour in a pattern or on a piece of cloth or in a picture. But we don't have yarn dominance. When I started to do colourwork I wanted to find my way to hold the yarn, so I watched some videos. First time I heard about it. Hazel Tindall explains it in a way that makes sense. But many other knitters on UA-cam only use this term to legitimate bad tension and their uneven stiches.
Finnish knitter here too and I fully agree with you. I had not heard about colour dominance before learning more about knitting online or interacting with international knitters. I only really see colour dominance in single stitch vertical lines when knitting with 2 colours and I do alot of stranded colourwork because those are my favourite types of patterns. Never really seen colour dominance in more complicated colourwork patterns.
So it's more like Norwegian/Scandinavian knitting doesn't really have a _concept_ of color dominance independent of bad tension, but other regional styles like Fair Isle do? For instance, I might say Fair Isle knitting developed a concept of color dominance that matters in its traditional patterns and technique, but other stranded colorwork traditions like the Norwegian style do not consider this to be fundamental/worth noting? In other words, when one school is influential, other people might consider all of its concepts equally important, but other schools of thought just don't find a concept worth noting because it doesn't make a noticeable impact on their traditional styles? E.g. American knitters influenced by Fair Isle &/or learning from the internet hear about "color dominance" and think it's an important thing to pay attention to, but Norwegian knitters might say "this is not really noticeable in our patterns unless you're doing something wrong (bad tension) so why focus on it at all?" Or a long-winded, silly analogy might be: North Texanglia cuisine depends on subtle flavors interacting with the food's natural flavor because spices were a rarity, so it developed very strict rules about spices designed to give one flavor the strongest impact. N. Texanglians consider it dish-altering to add the spice tarlickoid to a dish at the end because it will not infuse the dish with its flavor, so you should only do that if you're pairing it with a really mild food. A N. Texanglian will tell you that you must plan when to add the spicy tarlickoid or it will fundamentally alter your dish. South Konovia cuisine involves intense flavors and has access to many spices, so it does not have any rules about when to add tarlickoid because the timing of tarlickoid doesn't influence their dish very much; their cuisine is instead focused more on the relationships between multiple spices and their rules reflect that. If you ask a S. Konovian when to add spicy tarlickoid, they will tell you "if your dish fundamentally changes based on when you add spicy tarlickoid, you've got bigger problems. Go figure out your spice-devoid situation first and then it won't really matter when you add it." My fictional N. Texanglians have a concept of "tarlickoid timing," whereas S. Konovians don't really think about tarlickoid timing except as an indicator of under-seasoning. Whether or not "tarlickoid timing" really matters depends on what kind of dish you're making, what cooking techniques you're using, and how important subtlety is to the eater (e.g. home cook making cookies for the party vs a master baker trying to please a critic who eats cookies for a living). N. Texanglians might advise beginner cooks to pay attention to tarlickoid timing (even though it doesn't have a huge effect on basic dishes) because it's good practice for more advanced N. Texanglian cuisine, whereas S. Konovians don't think it matters enough for a beginner to think about because it's so inconsequential in the scheme of things. Only an advanced S. Konovian chef might care about it, but even they are probably thinking about different things.
Thank you for that clarification. I learnt to knit in England many many years ago and never had a dominant colour . It’s just recently in North America that I hear a lot about it and I thought perhaps I was doing things wrong because none of my colours are dominant. So now back to my non dominant knitting with a peaceful mind . Thank you so much.
Thank God! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am American. I learned to knit about 40 years ago. My very first sweater involved colorwork. I did learn and experiment with multiple ways of holding multiple colors-- including working continental with two colors over my (left-hand) finger; throwing also with two colors over my (right hand) finger; and holding one color in each of my left and right hands. I worked in two different California yarn stores and NO ONE talked about "color dominance." This was back in the early 1980s. Many years later, I took a break from knitting but came back to it about 4 years ago. All the sudden, I'm hearing about color dominance. What a relief to hear from you that there's no such thing and that any "dominance" is a result of uneven tension. I don't know who introduced this theory of color dominance, but know that at least far enough back in the U.S., it did not exist.
I agree with you completely!!!!!I never heard 'dominant color' issue till I watch some UA-cam videos..... We have been thought that all the stitches must be equal and the same.....
I just came across this and am hugely relieved to hear what you said. I knit the English way and have never had trouble with colour dominance. However, I got sidetracked by all the American videos and chat sites and thoroughly confused myself. I have tried knitting a sample with one colour dominant and then the other - no difference. Thank you.
Yeah!!! Thank you, just started knitting a couple of years ago and this has been so confusing when I watch American knitters talk about 'Dominant Color'. Thank you!
I am so happy to have learned how to knit stranded colorwork the Norwegian way from you. It is soooo much faster with much better results. Thank you for getting the word out to bust this myth and hold knitters accountable for proper even tension. No more excuses for bad knitting!
J I’m can’t believe that I missed this episode. This is so freeing!!!!! I’m am American danish knitter. My grandmother died when I was twelve. I have been self taught since her death. I have Colorwork mittens that I knit for myself as a young woman for skating snd skiing. Now when I knit COLORWORK I have been informed I don’t have colodominance. Back to my old ways. Thank you 🙏 for soooo helping me
Just in time! I am about to teach myself Norwegian style knitting for my arthritis and to do some first colourwork. You have saved me from picking up bad habits. Thank you.
Same for me. I am ready to learn color work and all this crazy videos were popping up taking about dominant colors and making this or that pop out. I thought oh gosh no why is everyone making easy stuff complicated? And then I glanced to my side bar and read the title to this video. Thank you guys.
I’m a Canadian knitter, English style, and work in a large yarn store. Admittedly I don’t pick up techniques from youtube videos often, but I gotta say this was really confusing. My understanding is dominant colour is a reference to the colour you are using most of or the colour that stands out as being the main colour of the piece. Tension is something we do our best to get even whatever our chosen method. With the advent of youtube and Ravelry and the total lack of global knitting police :) people are coming up with some pretty wild methods. Sometimes this leads to new tools, new ways of using old tools, new combinations of techniques and occasionally some really bad ideas. I have learned to smile and nod and thank heavens this craft is growing and expanding into the future. Thanks you guys for your fun,entertaining channel.
FoulBayRd we just want new beginners and anyone struggling with colour work to stop overthinking the whole thing and stop thinking about a “dominant”colour. If people just focus on their tension, they will be less confused and get better results. Thanks for watching!
You two are so fantastic! I learned to knit continental in Denmark in 1974. My first projects were Icelandic sweaters in Lopi and there was no mention of dominant color. I did not hear about dominant color until about 10 years ago and have been somewhat baffled. Thank you for the explanation. I am going backwards watching your videos. You are both so charming. Utterly delightful! Thank you for many hours of entertainment while I knit, quilt, and embroider.
I agree ALL stitches should have an even tension. I think most Americans are perhaps using the term 'dominant' to mean a main color as opposed to an accent color. i.e. the cardigan is mainly blue with white accents.
This just happened to me at a stranded color work class at StevenBe's!! I couldn't figure it out! I'm a "thrower", but I can knit Norwegian, aka continental style a little. So I was using both sides, however since I'm not a normal continental knitter I had a hard time getting the right tension. I think it turned out okay for my first projects, but I probably won't do it that way again.
I have seen examples of the same pattern knitting with the same two yarns that showed a dominant yarn. One had the design very prominent while the other had the design almost swallowed up by the background. It boils down to keeping the yarns separated by holding one in each hand. The hand normally used for working with a single color is much better at controlling tension than the other. It shows in the finished work. While this method may prevent tangling of the yarns, the end result is not as desirable as when you have good tension control on both yarns.
Color and tension are two separate things. Since knitting originated in the Middle-East, I would be interested in what those folks think. Though knitting has become more standardized because technology has shrunken the world, different cultures developed different ways. Neither definition is wrong, they are just different.
Your advice is just wonderful, I've been put off trying colour work again after a thirty year break and finding advice on UA-cam confusing, l had never heard of this dominant colour thing before and never had any problems in the past, l thought l must have been doing it wrong back in the mists of time and must learn how to hold a yarn in each hand, which has put me off brushing up on my skills. You are both marvellous advocates for this age old tradition of knitting. Many thanks to you both in all that you do. Happy creating, Gez
I knit the English way but I learned the principles of stranded knitting by watching Arne and simply picking up or letting go of the second colour as required. If I say so myself I have a perfectly even tension. Carlos is right - don't overthink it.
I was scratching my head over the dominent thing, glad to know it was as I thought, that it's a tension issue, and I've also seen some with purposely using uneven yarn size to make a single band of color work stand out on a plain background. I have knit 2 handed, English and continental, but my stitches are always even, no matter which method I use. I began using 2 hands to help with the arthritis pain. Thanks for the great close ups of the beautiful knitted samples! What a treasure trove. Oh, Canadian knitter here
Thank you so much for your videos! I learned to knit by videos and was afraid to try knitting colorful patterns because I couldn't knit with the colors in both hands and keep track of a dominant color. After watching your video I'm not afraid to try. Thank you so much! I look forward to your videos every week, they always make me smile. You two are wonderful and I've learned so much from you!
I’m so glad your video popped up. Just yesterday I saw a video on dominant v nondominant color by a well known designer. Never heard of it before in all my years of knitting. It didn’t make any sense to me. What you say makes perfect sense. Thank you!👍😀
I try to knit all on one finger. My tension needs help, but I naturally found this to be the best! I need to look up a video of yours on managing floats
You saved me. I was knitting a straight jacket Swoncho, after watching many UA-cam videos, that featured color dominance. Thanks again, I continue to find excellent advice on your channel!
Haha you guys are the funniest! As an Austrian I learned to knit "continental" and did so for many years. So much that now I have a crease in my left index finger to which the yarn moves automatically when I knit. Meaning that when trying to knit with two colors, both yarns tend to move to that little crease on my finger and I have always had a hard time keeping them apart and at an even tension. It must be because I gained a lot of "automatic" knitting experience before doing serious colorwork. For me it was a relief to learn how to knit with my right hand as well, because now I really enjoy stranded knitting. No two knitters are the same and different techniques suit different people. :) and it's possible to have good tension also when using two hands (I know, Arne and Carlos know that, but I'm saying it for other new knitters who might be confused after your video).
Thank you so much Arne and Carlos, for this video. As suggested, I tried the Norwegian way and the way most UA-cam videos instruct to hold the yarn (one in each hand). The Norwegian way made knitting enjoyable for me again! Thank you! I have wanted to make beautiful sweaters but it was too stressful and they turned out very bad.
Thank you that is a relief to hear. It was making learning colourwork extra complicated and intimidating. Worrying about the order of holding the colours a certain way was taking the fun right out of it. Now I know know it doesn't matter, I can just enjoy my knitting.
Thank Heavens for the two of you! I've been knitting for so many years and have recently heard about this dominant colour thing. I was completely confused. Thank you so much for debunking this. I love you!
Thank you I appreciate this advice I am struggling with knitting a Norwegian cardigan and have ripped it out many many times due to bad advice on two stranded knitting. I will look at your videos as I will not give up on my cardigan.
Thanks for this. A continental knitter, I couldn't do the yarn in both hands. My two color knitting always came out fine but I felt a little embarrassed that I had my "own method." Now I'll just say it's Norwegian style. You made my day.
That' s amazing what you say and I think it also reflects what is one of the most important thing in scandinavian society: equality. The society is flat, everyone is equal, there is no need to be dominant...everyone can blend with others in the final pursue of great quality of life and happiness. Greetings from italian in Denmark. I love your videos and I am a beginner in the knitting world. You are terrific!
I hold both colors in my right hand, English style; whichever one is on the bottom will show up more in the design. I can see that in my cowl. As you've said, it's probably a tension issue but as long as I don't change the position of the color strands, it turns out fine.
Personally I knit English style and I see no difference in the tension between one strand and another, I twist my strands so the one I'm knitting with is always on top.
Thanks so much for this video. I'm new to colourwork (although I've been knitting for quite a while), and the concept of colour dominance came as news to me. I knit English style, one colour at a time (yes yes I know) and I focus on keeping the tension even. I'll stop frantically researching colour dominance now... Takk skal du ha!
I just found your channel and I've learned more about color knitting in one day than I have in fifty years of knitting. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with such good humor and honesty.
you just cleared up the question i always find myself asking whenever i see someone knitting in the Scandinavian fashion (with both yarns in the same hand). your way makes far more sense than trying to manage yarns in two different hands.
I only tried colourwork knitting one time for a pair of mitts. I didn't know how to hold both colours at the same time, either on one hand or two, so I just went with switching the colours when I need to knit them. It's fun learning about all the ways, tips and tricks of knitting. The most important thing is to love the end product and figuring out the best way for you to get there :)
Thank you for this, I have given up with colourwork, because of this dominant business, so your words are very freeing! Also your video about swapping colours to get even tension makes sense to me now!
This was helpful, I too had heard the American theory and believed it, but I agree it makes more sense to avoid "popping" and stick to doing our best to keep tension even. I'm re-learning since I learned a different way, and everyone knows re-learning is harder than learning it the first time, so my tension may never achieve Norwegian standards!
Yes I understand what you are saying, and I live in America, am self taught, have done a few projects with multiple strands, but to me nothing is more important than tension and continuity of stitches whether one color or more... I bought some graph paper and want to experiment on creating my own motifs, designs. I love traditional knitting in historical sense like finding patterns from 1930s, but definitely am a rebel in that I love creating my own designs... mostly out of laziness, lol. I created my own pattern of fingerless gloves that I can knit then fold right sides together to whip seams. They are fun, colorful and I don’t have to worry with DPNs, just delightful mindless knitting. I have created quite an inventory and hope to sell on Etsy one of these days ;) Thank you for sharing, love the sweet navy cardigan Arne’s Grandmother knitted and love Arne’s beautiful pillow! I will bet you, Arne created pattern in head as he knitted, so incredibly gifted and talented you both are! Peace and Blessings! Enjoy your week! Mary ^-^. P. S. I will watch Your Norwegian way of knitting as well as the tension videos! I want to learn Arne’s continental style especially the cool way he purls! Wahoo! 🌷🌷🌷
I learned to knit English style as a child. (I have been told I am a "flicker" because I never let go of the needles to throw the yarn for a stitch.) Recently I have attempted to learn continental knitting and had so many problems I gave up. I experienced more than just tension issues: I found it awkward to do and much slower than my normal knitting style. When working with multiple strands of yarn, I let go of the ones I am not using and only hold the working yarn. I have never had any tension issues or color dominance with this method. As you said, dominant colors are a result of poor tension control and the only time I have ever seen this is when I tried holding a strand in each hand. I have great tension control with my right hand and very bad control with my left. It leaves the finished work looking terrible, not just with a dominant color but poorly made as well! I love your tutorials because they are full of tips to make knitting so much easier to do and the finished items will look better as a result.
Yes, I am the exact same way. I'm British, and learned from my grandparents who learned from theirs etc. So my method of knitting is more traditional and not based on the internet
Yay. As a Dutch girl I am glad to hear that. I did some Norwegian knitting when I was young and my teachers always were saying I need to be careful with the tention. I must have had good teachers.
You have made this American knitter one happy camper! I found it awkward at best when attempting to knit when holding yarn in both hands. I just couldn’t get good tension. I feel liberated! I’m new to color knitting so viewing this was timely.
I took a class recently on color working Christmas stockings, and the teacher talked about dominant colors, and so, I worked it holding the yarn in two hands. I will try it your way. Thank you!
I just finished my first fair isle pattern. It was very small but I think I did well. I tried using the two handed method and didn't like it. I'm glad to hear that it's not a great way to knit using two colors because I was left feeling incompetent. ps my pattern came out pretty well for a first timer. Thanks for your video.
I agree with you on the Point, that there should be no dominant colour, but I have to disagree, that by using both hands you will have a bad tension.I am using both hands when I knit in colourwork and It dös not matter whether I Switch hands or not. As you said it, it depands on your tension . And of your tension is good, it does not matter how many hands you are using.
So interesting. I knit with both colors in my left hand, so I never thought about any of it. I used to work for a Norwegian owned company in the US, and I missed the accents so much. Thanks for the video!
I was glad to see this video because I also thought this concept was flawed. However I do knit feeding from left and right and have perfect tension so I will continue to do it that way.
Thank you, I’m just learning colorwork and appreciate your knowledge and advice. I attempted a colorwork Christmas Stocking ( and realize I need a lot more practice..Lol). ❤️
Oh my, I had never heard of this before, but I have been afraid to even do color and am a continental knitter and will try the Norwegian color knitting style on a practice swatch. Why not? I am Norwegian!
I just thought I wasnt good at knitting! Wow, I would've just given up if I didn't find this out! After buying all these supplies i got in the past few months that helps me lots.
I think part of the issue is that stranded colourwork which includes a number of traditions routinely gets called Fair Isle knitting where you do have colour dominance. Traditions such as Scandinavian knitting clearly don't have colour dominance - I would include Icelandic knitting as part of that. I don't think Estonian and Latvian knitting has colour dominance either. I think it might just be Fair Isle/Shetland traditions that do have colour dominance. Knitters are often recommended to use the two handed method for speedier knitting but to my mind this probably does result in tension issues unless you have a lot of experience knitting both continental and English/American throwing methods. Whatever you do though the best thing is to be consistent.
Yes!! Thank you. They are actually misunderstanding this, at least as it relates to stranding in general. Parallel floats create yarn dominance, it does not matter if you use the same hand for both yarns or not.
Thank you for this video. I am an American who learned to knit as a young girl by throwing, then I read about the continental way and a German lady taught me how to do that. I loved that way. Then this last year I taught myself Fair Isle, which I love and I learned all about the "dominant" color. I put "dominant" color on left finger and the other on right, but I have been frustrated because my tension is awful! Now I will try it your way. I also have not used the Norwegian purl and I think that is another reason my tension when I knit is not great. I am a very tight knitter as well and just today while knitting with some really awesome knitters, I asked for help with my tension and they told me to learn to do it differently, ugh! I would rather just continue using larger needles. Anyhow, I think once I start knitting the way you do then I will see improvement. So thanks again.
If people have a problem with tension the only cure is practice. I do agree with others that it’s a word choice problem. Thank you both for sharing in such a confusing area for a new person
this was eye-opening. I thought this was about color theory but it was actually about stranded knitting technique. Ive been doing one strand in each hand, and that is why I get all kinds of puckering and stuff. Glad I found out its wrong!!!!
Glad I did not learn how to knit via UA-cam....I rolled the dice and got lucky when I made an Icelandic sweater 30 years ago--taught myself and it made a lovely sweater. Never heard of dominant color until today when I was thinking I might do a new sweater. All I kept seeing were videos about dominant color/dominant color/dominant color...."OMG!" I thought. I must have been doing it wrong all this time! So glad I found your video to confirm that Americans are crackpots! (I am one too). Saved myself a lot of angst-y drama trying to learn unnecessarily mind-numbing, anally retentive techniques! Wishing I had a Norwegian grandma....
Well, I'm a middle european continental knitter, who hold both yarns on left finger. I prefer knitting fair-isle style. And I'm used to use color dominance in (according you) the wrong way, so surely not just american invention. I have definitelly no trouble with uneven tension (well, it can sounds a little bit smugly, I know :) ), not before I know anything about dominance and not even after. So one can easily live without knowing this stuff and can knit amazing things (I did as well), so if norwegian tradition doesn't use it, I'm totally fine with it. But dominant color effect definitelly exist (look at all that examples different experienced knitter and teachbooks of knitting show), and I don't know why you are so strict about it and sound a little bit haughty to all other styles! So it is good that it exist, because A) it add another aspect to the colour play (you can choose efect of the pattern), B) the reverse side looks more even - the floats are always paralel and don't go up and down (and I sometimes made reversible hat, where both sides are soo pretty'), C) it saved me hours of time of untangleing yarns which happend to me when don't use dominance. What you show on your beautiful garments is proof of anything. It would look similar even if using dominance the right way (if you could recognise some 'popping color' there then it would be by wrong tension for sure:) ). You can see the difference only if you made two same pattern next to each other (and from the wrong side:)... You actually change the dominant color every few stitches and making so sort of average between two poles of dominance :D :D The final result would have minimal differences compared to mine, I believe... So if you or anybody else don't use it, don't. But saying that color dominance as a whole is a nonsence or fiction of incapable knitters is a little bit off! :D
Really enjoyed your how to knit episode. I have been wanting to learn how to "pick". Feels like finger gymnastics, but I am improving with with practice. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much for clarifying this. I remember when watching you do the Christmas balls, I took note of how you were holding the yarn and thought how odd, as I took classes that taught me just the opposite. And, yes, my stitches were disappearing.
Hi Arne. I watched you knitting and have learned to knit the Norwegian way. I am not as quick as when I throw which I have done my whole life but I am determined to practise till it is just as quick. I have developed many problems in my arms and hands from knitting the throw style so this new way will be a great relief ... esp as I am now able to switch one way to the other whenever I need to. 👍🏼
Hello from Canada! I've just gotten back to knitting after several years hiatus and had never heard of knitting with a "dominant" colour. I've become interested in finding out more....but now after watching your video, you've put my mind at ease! Thank you so much!! I will continue to knit like I always have, although I am going to search for your "knitting the Norwegian way" to see if I can tweak my knitting. Again, thank you.
@@ARNECARLOS I'm still happy with my stranded knitting, not worried about dominance. On a Facebook group today someone was thinking they were knitting all "wrong" because they didn't strive for this effect. I commented for her to not worry about it, she wasn't doing anything wrong as long as she was happy with her tension, and I guided her to watch your channel. Another woman posted that I can't compare, as Norwegian knitting and Shetland Fair Isle knitting is done differently. I chose not to engage further. Yes, maybe people knit differently, but shouldn't we be striving for the same thing? Do you think that there is no comparison? BTW, I'd love to knit the Norwegian way, but because of physical limitations with my left hand, I cannot. I gave my 35yr old son yarn and needles for Christmas and advised him to watch your channel and learn to knit your way....I'm very proud of his attempts, even though he can't seem to wrap his head around doing the purl, lol. xo
Thank you for this. I’ve come to hate stranded knitting because of the contortions people call “technique”-hand cramps do not make me a more virtuous knitter.
I agree. And Im glad you did a video on this. And your examples were terrific. Thank you because it is 2020 and I just found a video on this and was not happy. I believe we should work on even tension. Like Arne said... it should look so even it looks machine knitted. That is what im going for.
Oh thank GOODNESS! I have never understood that dominant color thing! When I taught myself to knit I learned throwing instead of picking so when they have said you always hold the dominant color in one hand or the other I never knew if that correlated to how I knit! So thank you for clearing that up!
I thought I was knitting colourwork wrong for years, but it turns out I was doing it the Scandinavian way! I could never get used to knitting with one colour in one hand and one in the other. Happy to forget it altogether now!
I'm a Canadian knitter and I couldn't figure out what they were talking about "dominant" colours either. I'm sure you'll get some backlash of controversy on this, but thank you for clearing it up for us. I suspect you are correct.
Thank you. I heard about color dominance late in knitting life. The two time I have tried to follow it as a method and I had puckering, which I never had before. I’m switching back to the way I learned from reading my Elizabeth Zimmerman book.
I am SOOOO happy you made this video! Since I learned to knit in Norway, I have always wondered why my host mother never talked about dominant color, when it seems to be such a big deal for many knitters, and clearly that is because the knitting should be perfectly even and uniform, no matter what the color. If you think about woven fabric, this would also be true. You wouldn’t have one color showing more than another in properly woven fabric. I don’t consider this video controversial at all. In fact, it’s just common sense. Thank you, guys!
Thanks for clarifying this - my aunt and grandmother never heard of 'color dominance', they simply knit beautiful color work with even tension.
I always thought when we (americans) talk about a pop of color it means doing a darker color and a lighter color so the lighter one pops out, as in your eye is drawn to it, not that it is a looser stitch. I haven't ever heard or seen anyone knitting one color that sticks out more then the other due to it being a looser stitch.
Exact... Courtney.... I'm agree with you!!!
i thought that was what they (americans) meant too but what do i know
What I have noticed, Arne and Carlos are correctly understanding the reference to "dominant". Lately, I have been watching a lot of videos on knitting w/multiple colors - generally American - to try and start my first knitting project with more than one color, and those in the videos have pointed out that the "dominant" color needs to be in a particular hand and to make the stitch a particular way to create a different tension. I didn't bother to follow those videos, it feels much more natural to have both colors in my left hand.
I had originally thought the "dominant" color was the background color.
Currently cruising through videos to improve my two color work. You both are exactly what I needed amongst the two handed throw knitting videos, which just feels awkward and clunky. Thank you for validating my feelings!
Please, please don't pay attention to the haters and know-it-all's. Continue to post what you want, how you want, when and where you want. That's why we watch you. Love your opinions, knowledge, and creativity. Your straight forward, funny approach INSPIRES me. XXOO
I know this was not a funny video, but yet I can't stop laughing every time I hear them say tension problem. These guys are true artists in knitting. I can't even fathom doing the color work they do. It's truly incredible. I really enjoy seeing the way people knit, crochet, etc. From all over the world. That's why UA-cam is so wonderful.
Thank you for watching Lydia!
Thank you so much for this video! I’m in America and I have watched so many videos in color dominance and I have never understood it! Now I’m not going to waste anymore time trying to figure it out! So much more relaxing to knit colorwork now!
Scandinavian knitter from Finland here. I find this discussion fascinating. I had also not heard about colour dominance until I started interacting with English style knitters on UA-cam and the like. I recently watched Hazel Tindall’s DVD:s and she is the first person to explain colour dominance in a way that I can understand. It has to do with how the floats stack up on the back of the work. The colour whose floats are at the bottom will be the most dominant, because the other colours’ floats will pull the first stitch of any block of that colour longer. The difference is very subtle, and I really notice it only in patterns with single stitch diagonal lines.
Thanks for your feed back, however, it is not something necessary for new beginners to focus on. We think that the explanation opens up for more confusion and more things to take consideration of. Colour work is all about tension, not about dominance. In Norway we've never heard of this and we have been knitting colour work for 200 years. Same in Finland. A great mantra should be to "keep things simple". Over explaining things will only add confusion and frustration.
That’s a valid point. I totally agree that dominance is not something a beginner should have to care about. I remember being frustrated when I first heard about it, because there were so many conflicting explanations. Literally conflicting. Some said keep the dominant colour to the right and others said keep the dominant colour to the left. And by then my grandmother had passed, so I couldn’t ask her. For me it helped to finally learn that it has such a small impact. I think your video will help other frustrated knitters, so thank you for publishing it!
jsmultron Same here. I'm German. I knew a lot about doing colourwork cause I watched my mother. Maybe there is a dominant colour in a pattern or on a piece of cloth or in a picture. But we don't have yarn dominance. When I started to do colourwork I wanted to find my way to hold the yarn, so I watched some videos. First time I heard about it. Hazel Tindall explains it in a way that makes sense. But many other knitters on UA-cam only use this term to legitimate bad tension and their uneven stiches.
Finnish knitter here too and I fully agree with you. I had not heard about colour dominance before learning more about knitting online or interacting with international knitters. I only really see colour dominance in single stitch vertical lines when knitting with 2 colours and I do alot of stranded colourwork because those are my favourite types of patterns. Never really seen colour dominance in more complicated colourwork patterns.
So it's more like Norwegian/Scandinavian knitting doesn't really have a _concept_ of color dominance independent of bad tension, but other regional styles like Fair Isle do? For instance, I might say Fair Isle knitting developed a concept of color dominance that matters in its traditional patterns and technique, but other stranded colorwork traditions like the Norwegian style do not consider this to be fundamental/worth noting?
In other words, when one school is influential, other people might consider all of its concepts equally important, but other schools of thought just don't find a concept worth noting because it doesn't make a noticeable impact on their traditional styles? E.g. American knitters influenced by Fair Isle &/or learning from the internet hear about "color dominance" and think it's an important thing to pay attention to, but Norwegian knitters might say "this is not really noticeable in our patterns unless you're doing something wrong (bad tension) so why focus on it at all?"
Or a long-winded, silly analogy might be:
North Texanglia cuisine depends on subtle flavors interacting with the food's natural flavor because spices were a rarity, so it developed very strict rules about spices designed to give one flavor the strongest impact. N. Texanglians consider it dish-altering to add the spice tarlickoid to a dish at the end because it will not infuse the dish with its flavor, so you should only do that if you're pairing it with a really mild food. A N. Texanglian will tell you that you must plan when to add the spicy tarlickoid or it will fundamentally alter your dish.
South Konovia cuisine involves intense flavors and has access to many spices, so it does not have any rules about when to add tarlickoid because the timing of tarlickoid doesn't influence their dish very much; their cuisine is instead focused more on the relationships between multiple spices and their rules reflect that. If you ask a S. Konovian when to add spicy tarlickoid, they will tell you "if your dish fundamentally changes based on when you add spicy tarlickoid, you've got bigger problems. Go figure out your spice-devoid situation first and then it won't really matter when you add it."
My fictional N. Texanglians have a concept of "tarlickoid timing," whereas S. Konovians don't really think about tarlickoid timing except as an indicator of under-seasoning. Whether or not "tarlickoid timing" really matters depends on what kind of dish you're making, what cooking techniques you're using, and how important subtlety is to the eater (e.g. home cook making cookies for the party vs a master baker trying to please a critic who eats cookies for a living).
N. Texanglians might advise beginner cooks to pay attention to tarlickoid timing (even though it doesn't have a huge effect on basic dishes) because it's good practice for more advanced N. Texanglian cuisine, whereas S. Konovians don't think it matters enough for a beginner to think about because it's so inconsequential in the scheme of things. Only an advanced S. Konovian chef might care about it, but even they are probably thinking about different things.
Thank you for that clarification. I learnt to knit in England many many years ago and never had a dominant colour . It’s just recently in North America that I hear a lot about it and I thought perhaps I was doing things wrong because none of my colours are dominant. So now back to my non dominant knitting with a peaceful mind . Thank you so much.
Thank God! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I am American. I learned to knit about 40 years ago. My very first sweater involved colorwork. I did learn and experiment with multiple ways of holding multiple colors-- including working continental with two colors over my (left-hand) finger; throwing also with two colors over my (right hand) finger; and holding one color in each of my left and right hands. I worked in two different California yarn stores and NO ONE talked about "color dominance." This was back in the early 1980s. Many years later, I took a break from knitting but came back to it about 4 years ago. All the sudden, I'm hearing about color dominance. What a relief to hear from you that there's no such thing and that any "dominance" is a result of uneven tension. I don't know who introduced this theory of color dominance, but know that at least far enough back in the U.S., it did not exist.
Thank you for watching Jillaine and sharing your story!
I agree with you completely!!!!!I never heard 'dominant color' issue till I watch some UA-cam videos..... We have been thought that all the stitches must be equal and the same.....
I am so glad I learned your way of knitting, love it and it's way easier than the English way! I am practicing my tension. So much better!
I just came across this and am hugely relieved to hear what you said. I knit the English way and have never had trouble with colour dominance. However, I got sidetracked by all the American videos and chat sites and thoroughly confused myself. I have tried knitting a sample with one colour dominant and then the other - no difference. Thank you.
You are welcome Lynn
Yeah!!! Thank you, just started knitting a couple of years ago and this has been so confusing when I watch American knitters talk about 'Dominant Color'. Thank you!
I am so happy to have learned how to knit stranded colorwork the Norwegian way from you. It is soooo much faster with much better results. Thank you for getting the word out to bust this myth and hold knitters accountable for proper even tension. No more excuses for bad knitting!
J I’m can’t believe that I missed this episode. This is so freeing!!!!! I’m am American danish knitter. My grandmother died when I was twelve. I have been self taught since her death. I have Colorwork mittens that I knit for myself as a young woman for skating snd skiing. Now when I knit COLORWORK I have been informed I don’t have colodominance. Back to my old ways. Thank you 🙏 for soooo helping me
You are very welcome!
Just in time! I am about to teach myself Norwegian style knitting for my arthritis and to do some first colourwork. You have saved me from picking up bad habits. Thank you.
Same for me. I am ready to learn color work and all this crazy videos were popping up taking about dominant colors and making this or that pop out. I thought oh gosh no why is everyone making easy stuff complicated? And then I glanced to my side bar and read the title to this video. Thank you guys.
Ka I’ll I’ll
YB
I'm about to start my first colorwork project and am so glad to have found this!
Great timing!
I had never heard of dominant color till recently and I thought I had been doing something wrong. Glad to know I can relax about this!
💓
I’m a Canadian knitter, English style, and work in a large yarn store. Admittedly I don’t pick up techniques from youtube videos often, but I gotta say this was really confusing. My understanding is dominant colour is a reference to the colour you are using most of or the colour that stands out as being the main colour of the piece. Tension is something we do our best to get even whatever our chosen method. With the advent of youtube and Ravelry and the total lack of global knitting police :) people are coming up with some pretty wild methods. Sometimes this leads to new tools, new ways of using old tools, new combinations of techniques and occasionally some really bad ideas. I have learned to smile and nod and thank heavens this craft is growing and expanding into the future. Thanks you guys for your fun,entertaining channel.
FoulBayRd we just want new beginners and anyone struggling with colour work to stop overthinking the whole thing and stop thinking about a “dominant”colour. If people just focus on their tension, they will be less confused and get better results. Thanks for watching!
Thats normally refered to as main colour (M.C)
I thought the dominant color was the one most used and the others were accent colors...
You two are so fantastic! I learned to knit continental in Denmark in 1974. My first projects were Icelandic sweaters in Lopi and there was no mention of dominant color. I did not hear about dominant color until about 10 years ago and have been somewhat baffled. Thank you for the explanation. I am going backwards watching your videos. You are both so charming. Utterly delightful! Thank you for many hours of entertainment while I knit, quilt, and embroider.
I agree ALL stitches should have an even tension. I think most Americans are perhaps using the term 'dominant' to mean a main color as opposed to an accent color. i.e. the cardigan is mainly blue with white accents.
That's what I was thinking! I think they mean a main color. Sometimes you may have just a small amount of color work with a more main color.
This just happened to me at a stranded color work class at StevenBe's!! I couldn't figure it out! I'm a "thrower", but I can knit Norwegian, aka continental style a little. So I was using both sides, however since I'm not a normal continental knitter I had a hard time getting the right tension. I think it turned out okay for my first projects, but I probably won't do it that way again.
I have seen examples of the same pattern knitting with the same two yarns that showed a dominant yarn. One had the design very prominent while the other had the design almost swallowed up by the background. It boils down to keeping the yarns separated by holding one in each hand. The hand normally used for working with a single color is much better at controlling tension than the other. It shows in the finished work. While this method may prevent tangling of the yarns, the end result is not as desirable as when you have good tension control on both yarns.
No, that is not what is meant by yarn dominance.
Color and tension are two separate things. Since knitting originated in the Middle-East, I would be interested in what those folks think. Though knitting has become more standardized because technology has shrunken the world, different cultures developed different ways. Neither definition is wrong, they are just different.
Your advice is just wonderful, I've been put off trying colour work again after a thirty year break and finding advice on UA-cam confusing, l had never heard of this dominant colour thing before and never had any problems in the past, l thought l must have been doing it wrong back in the mists of time and must learn how to hold a yarn in each hand, which has put me off brushing up on my skills. You are both marvellous advocates for this age old tradition of knitting. Many thanks to you both in all that you do. Happy creating, Gez
You published this just in time so I didnt try and change my colourwork knitting. Thanks
I knit the English way but I learned the principles of stranded knitting by watching Arne and simply picking up or letting go of the second colour as required. If I say so myself I have a perfectly even tension. Carlos is right - don't overthink it.
I was scratching my head over the dominent thing, glad to know it was as I thought, that it's a tension issue, and I've also seen some with purposely using uneven yarn size to make a single band of color work stand out on a plain background. I have knit 2 handed, English and continental, but my stitches are always even, no matter which method I use. I began using 2 hands to help with the arthritis pain. Thanks for the great close ups of the beautiful knitted samples! What a treasure trove. Oh, Canadian knitter here
🤯 MIND BLOWN.
💖
Thank you so much for your videos! I learned to knit by videos and was afraid to try knitting colorful patterns because I couldn't knit with the colors in both hands and keep track of a dominant color. After watching your video I'm not afraid to try. Thank you so much! I look forward to your videos every week, they always make me smile. You two are wonderful and I've learned so much from you!
z z We are glad you are going to try it! Focus on tension and hopefully you’ll get great results!
Thank you, you've just made my life a whole lot easier!
I’m so glad your video popped up. Just yesterday I saw a video on dominant v nondominant color by a well known designer. Never heard of it before in all my years of knitting. It didn’t make any sense to me. What you say makes perfect sense. Thank you!👍😀
You are welcome!
Am new to knitting. Thank you for encouraging us to go up a size to improve our tension. That helps!
I try to knit all on one finger. My tension needs help, but I naturally found this to be the best! I need to look up a video of yours on managing floats
You saved me. I was knitting a straight jacket Swoncho, after watching many UA-cam videos, that featured color dominance. Thanks again, I continue to find excellent advice on your channel!
Haha you guys are the funniest! As an Austrian I learned to knit "continental" and did so for many years. So much that now I have a crease in my left index finger to which the yarn moves automatically when I knit. Meaning that when trying to knit with two colors, both yarns tend to move to that little crease on my finger and I have always had a hard time keeping them apart and at an even tension. It must be because I gained a lot of "automatic" knitting experience before doing serious colorwork. For me it was a relief to learn how to knit with my right hand as well, because now I really enjoy stranded knitting. No two knitters are the same and different techniques suit different people. :) and it's possible to have good tension also when using two hands (I know, Arne and Carlos know that, but I'm saying it for other new knitters who might be confused after your video).
dunkelgrün i
Thank you so much Arne and Carlos, for this video. As suggested, I tried the Norwegian way and the way most UA-cam videos instruct to hold the yarn (one in each hand). The Norwegian way made knitting enjoyable for me again! Thank you! I have wanted to make beautiful sweaters but it was too stressful and they turned out very bad.
Thank you that is a relief to hear. It was making learning colourwork extra complicated and intimidating. Worrying about the order of holding the colours a certain way was taking the fun right out of it. Now I know know it doesn't matter, I can just enjoy my knitting.
Have fun!
Thank you your knitting is fabulous
I love your partnership! You guys are so respectful, entertaining AND informative! 😄
Thank you!
Thank Heavens for the two of you! I've been knitting for so many years and have recently heard about this dominant colour thing. I was completely confused. Thank you so much for debunking this. I love you!
Judith Mitchell Pay no attention to it. Just focus on tension and you’ll be fine.
Thank you I appreciate this advice I am struggling with knitting a Norwegian cardigan and have ripped it out many many times due to bad advice on two stranded knitting. I will look at your videos as I will not give up on my cardigan.
This was wonderful to watch. Now I must watch your video on improving tension. I, too, learned of color dominance by watching you tube videos.
Thanks for this. A continental knitter, I couldn't do the yarn in both hands. My two color knitting always came out fine but I felt a little embarrassed that I had my "own method." Now I'll just say it's Norwegian style. You made my day.
In the UK we also knit with both strands in one hand :)
All i can say to you both is BRAVO.........
I am so glad I am learning from the true Pro's = Arne & Carlos. Love Arne huge smile and giggles
Thank you!
That' s amazing what you say and I think it also reflects what is one of the most important thing in scandinavian society: equality. The society is flat, everyone is equal, there is no need to be dominant...everyone can blend with others in the final pursue of great quality of life and happiness. Greetings from italian in Denmark. I love your videos and I am a beginner in the knitting world. You are terrific!
I hold both colors in my right hand, English style; whichever one is on the bottom will show up more in the design. I can see that in my cowl. As you've said, it's probably a tension issue but as long as I don't change the position of the color strands, it turns out fine.
Personally I knit English style and I see no difference in the tension between one strand and another, I twist my strands so the one I'm knitting with is always on top.
Thanks so much for this video. I'm new to colourwork (although I've been knitting for quite a while), and the concept of colour dominance came as news to me. I knit English style, one colour at a time (yes yes I know) and I focus on keeping the tension even. I'll stop frantically researching colour dominance now... Takk skal du ha!
This is so funny. I'd never heard of dominant color either. Your grandmother's knitting is so stunning and that cushion....WOW!!! 🥰
Thank you!
OMG! It's like made by a machine!! Just amazing!!! Norwegians are the best knitters in the world! From 🇨🇭
I just found your channel and I've learned more about color knitting in one day than I have in fifty years of knitting. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with such good humor and honesty.
You are welcome and glad to be of help!
you just cleared up the question i always find myself asking whenever i see someone knitting in the Scandinavian fashion (with both yarns in the same hand). your way makes far more sense than trying to manage yarns in two different hands.
I only tried colourwork knitting one time for a pair of mitts. I didn't know how to hold both colours at the same time, either on one hand or two, so I just went with switching the colours when I need to knit them. It's fun learning about all the ways, tips and tricks of knitting. The most important thing is to love the end product and figuring out the best way for you to get there :)
I love this, thank you for the video! xoxoxo
The buttons are so beautiful!
Thank you for this, I have given up with colourwork, because of this dominant business, so your words are very freeing! Also your video about swapping colours to get even tension makes sense to me now!
👍
This was helpful, I too had heard the American theory and believed it, but I agree it makes more sense to avoid "popping" and stick to doing our best to keep tension even. I'm re-learning since I learned a different way, and everyone knows re-learning is harder than learning it the first time, so my tension may never achieve Norwegian standards!
Keep up the good work though!
Yes I understand what you are saying, and I live in America, am self taught, have done a few projects with multiple strands, but to me nothing is more important than tension and continuity of stitches whether one color or more... I bought some graph paper and want to experiment on creating my own motifs, designs. I love traditional knitting in historical sense like finding patterns from 1930s, but definitely am a rebel in that I love creating my own designs... mostly out of laziness, lol. I created my own pattern of fingerless gloves that I can knit then fold right sides together to whip seams. They are fun, colorful and I don’t have to worry with DPNs, just delightful mindless knitting. I have created quite an inventory and hope to sell on Etsy one of these days ;) Thank you for sharing, love the sweet navy cardigan Arne’s Grandmother knitted and love Arne’s beautiful pillow! I will bet you, Arne created pattern in head as he knitted, so incredibly gifted and talented you both are! Peace and Blessings! Enjoy your week! Mary ^-^. P. S. I will watch Your Norwegian way of knitting as well as the tension videos! I want to learn Arne’s continental style especially the cool way he purls! Wahoo! 🌷🌷🌷
I learned to knit English style as a child. (I have been told I am a "flicker" because I never let go of the needles to throw the yarn for a stitch.) Recently I have attempted to learn continental knitting and had so many problems I gave up. I experienced more than just tension issues: I found it awkward to do and much slower than my normal knitting style. When working with multiple strands of yarn, I let go of the ones I am not using and only hold the working yarn. I have never had any tension issues or color dominance with this method. As you said, dominant colors are a result of poor tension control and the only time I have ever seen this is when I tried holding a strand in each hand. I have great tension control with my right hand and very bad control with my left. It leaves the finished work looking terrible, not just with a dominant color but poorly made as well!
I love your tutorials because they are full of tips to make knitting so much easier to do and the finished items will look better as a result.
Yes, I am the exact same way. I'm British, and learned from my grandparents who learned from theirs etc. So my method of knitting is more traditional and not based on the internet
Yay. As a Dutch girl I am glad to hear that. I did some Norwegian knitting when I was young and my teachers always were saying I need to be careful with the tention. I must have had good teachers.
you made my day! I was struggling with this dominance . And you made it so easy!! I thank you so much! from Germany ;-)
You have made this American knitter one happy camper! I found it awkward at best when attempting to knit when holding yarn in both hands. I just couldn’t get good tension. I feel liberated! I’m new to color knitting so viewing this was timely.
You are so welcome!
That cushion is Gorgeous!!!!!!!
Arne! You're funny! Your interaction together makes me smile ❤
I took a class recently on color working Christmas stockings, and the teacher talked about dominant colors, and so, I worked it holding the yarn in two hands. I will try it your way. Thank you!
I just finished my first fair isle pattern. It was very small but I think I did well. I tried using the two handed method and didn't like it. I'm glad to hear that it's not a great way to knit using two colors because I was left feeling incompetent. ps my pattern came out pretty well for a first timer. Thanks for your video.
I agree with you on the Point, that there should be no dominant colour, but I have to disagree, that by using both hands you will have a bad tension.I am using both hands when I knit in colourwork and It dös not matter whether I Switch hands or not. As you said it, it depands on your tension . And of your tension is good, it does not matter how many hands you are using.
Hi Arne and Carlos I’ve just started knitting I’ve just started knitting a jumper .knit stich love your podcast xxx
So interesting. I knit with both colors in my left hand, so I never thought about any of it. I used to work for a Norwegian owned company in the US, and I missed the accents so much. Thanks for the video!
I was glad to see this video because I also thought this concept was flawed. However I do knit feeding from left and right and have perfect tension so I will continue to do it that way.
Thank you, I’m just learning colorwork and appreciate your knowledge and advice. I attempted a colorwork Christmas Stocking ( and realize I need a lot more practice..Lol). ❤️
Oh my, I had never heard of this before, but I have been afraid to even do color and am a continental knitter and will try the Norwegian color knitting style on a practice swatch. Why not? I am Norwegian!
Go for it!
I just thought I wasnt good at knitting! Wow, I would've just given up if I didn't find this out! After buying all these supplies i got in the past few months that helps me lots.
Good!
I think part of the issue is that stranded colourwork which includes a number of traditions routinely gets called Fair Isle knitting where you do have colour dominance. Traditions such as Scandinavian knitting clearly don't have colour dominance - I would include Icelandic knitting as part of that. I don't think Estonian and Latvian knitting has colour dominance either. I think it might just be Fair Isle/Shetland traditions that do have colour dominance. Knitters are often recommended to use the two handed method for speedier knitting but to my mind this probably does result in tension issues unless you have a lot of experience knitting both continental and English/American throwing methods. Whatever you do though the best thing is to be consistent.
Yes!! Thank you. They are actually misunderstanding this, at least as it relates to stranding in general. Parallel floats create yarn dominance, it does not matter if you use the same hand for both yarns or not.
Thank you for this video. I am an American who learned to knit as a young girl by throwing, then I read about the continental way and a German lady taught me how to do that. I loved that way. Then this last year I taught myself Fair Isle, which I love and I learned all about the "dominant" color. I put "dominant" color on left finger and the other on right, but I have been frustrated because my tension is awful! Now I will try it your way. I also have not used the Norwegian purl and I think that is another reason my tension when I knit is not great. I am a very tight knitter as well and just today while knitting with some really awesome knitters, I asked for help with my tension and they told me to learn to do it differently, ugh! I would rather just continue using larger needles. Anyhow, I think once I start knitting the way you do then I will see improvement. So thanks again.
If people have a problem with tension the only cure is practice. I do agree with others that it’s a word choice problem. Thank you both for sharing in such a confusing area for a new person
I agree with you and I am an English knitter. 😊
this was eye-opening. I thought this was about color theory but it was actually about stranded knitting technique. Ive been doing one strand in each hand, and that is why I get all kinds of puckering and stuff. Glad I found out its wrong!!!!
Glad I did not learn how to knit via UA-cam....I rolled the dice and got lucky when I made an Icelandic sweater 30 years ago--taught myself and it made a lovely sweater. Never heard of dominant color until today when I was thinking I might do a new sweater. All I kept seeing were videos about dominant color/dominant color/dominant color...."OMG!" I thought. I must have been doing it wrong all this time! So glad I found your video to confirm that Americans are crackpots! (I am one too). Saved myself a lot of angst-y drama trying to learn unnecessarily mind-numbing, anally retentive techniques! Wishing I had a Norwegian grandma....
Thank you and I totally agree with you! I'm in Canada, I hope that more people can learn how to control their tension.
Thank you!
Recently found your videos. Love all the good and interesting information and the back and forth chatting!
Well, I'm a middle european continental knitter, who hold both yarns on left finger. I prefer knitting fair-isle style. And I'm used to use color dominance in (according you) the wrong way, so surely not just american invention.
I have definitelly no trouble with uneven tension (well, it can sounds a little bit smugly, I know :) ), not before I know anything about dominance and not even after. So one can easily live without knowing this stuff and can knit amazing things (I did as well), so if norwegian tradition doesn't use it, I'm totally fine with it. But dominant color effect definitelly exist (look at all that examples different experienced knitter and teachbooks of knitting show), and I don't know why you are so strict about it and sound a little bit haughty to all other styles!
So it is good that it exist, because A) it add another aspect to the colour play (you can choose efect of the pattern), B) the reverse side looks more even - the floats are always paralel and don't go up and down (and I sometimes made reversible hat, where both sides are soo pretty'), C) it saved me hours of time of untangleing yarns which happend to me when don't use dominance.
What you show on your beautiful garments is proof of anything. It would look similar even if using dominance the right way (if you could recognise some 'popping color' there then it would be by wrong tension for sure:) ). You can see the difference only if you made two same pattern next to each other (and from the wrong side:)... You actually change the dominant color every few stitches and making so sort of average between two poles of dominance :D :D The final result would have minimal differences compared to mine, I believe...
So if you or anybody else don't use it, don't. But saying that color dominance as a whole is a nonsence or fiction of incapable knitters is a little bit off! :D
And it is true that I just heard of it and I am knitting for over 40 years.
Shetland Fair Isle knittes carry a yarn in each hand - they have no problems with tension.
Thank you for sharing!
Being from the UK myself, it's not something I've witnessed a Shetland knitter doing
Greatly appreciate this clarification!
Thanks for watching!
Really enjoyed your how to knit episode. I have been wanting to learn how to "pick". Feels like finger gymnastics, but I am improving with with practice. Thank you for sharing.
Very timely. I had seen some videos talking about two color knitting and had wondered about the two-handed style.
Great info! It totally makes sense.
Thank you so much for clarifying this. I remember when watching you do the Christmas balls, I took note of how you were holding the yarn and thought how odd, as I took classes that taught me just the opposite. And, yes, my stitches were disappearing.
Hi Arne. I watched you knitting and have learned to knit the Norwegian way. I am not as quick as when I throw which I have done my whole life but I am determined to practise till it is just as quick. I have developed many problems in my arms and hands from knitting the throw style so this new way will be a great relief ... esp as I am now able to switch one way to the other whenever I need to. 👍🏼
Keep up the good work!
Hello from Canada! I've just gotten back to knitting after several years hiatus and had never heard of knitting with a "dominant" colour. I've become interested in finding out more....but now after watching your video, you've put my mind at ease! Thank you so much!! I will continue to knit like I always have, although I am going to search for your "knitting the Norwegian way" to see if I can tweak my knitting. Again, thank you.
You are welcome!
@@ARNECARLOS I'm still happy with my stranded knitting, not worried about dominance. On a Facebook group today someone was thinking they were knitting all "wrong" because they didn't strive for this effect. I commented for her to not worry about it, she wasn't doing anything wrong as long as she was happy with her tension, and I guided her to watch your channel. Another woman posted that I can't compare, as Norwegian knitting and Shetland Fair Isle knitting is done differently. I chose not to engage further. Yes, maybe people knit differently, but shouldn't we be striving for the same thing? Do you think that there is no comparison? BTW, I'd love to knit the Norwegian way, but because of physical limitations with my left hand, I cannot. I gave my 35yr old son yarn and needles for Christmas and advised him to watch your channel and learn to knit your way....I'm very proud of his attempts, even though he can't seem to wrap his head around doing the purl, lol. xo
The pillow looks lovely 😊 xxx
This is so great! Love you guys, from America xo
Thank you for this. I’ve come to hate stranded knitting because of the contortions people call “technique”-hand cramps do not make me a more virtuous knitter.
I agree. And Im glad you did a video on this. And your examples were terrific. Thank you because it is 2020 and I just found a video on this and was not happy. I believe we should work on even tension. Like Arne said... it should look so even it looks machine knitted. That is what im going for.
Thank you!
Oh thank GOODNESS! I have never understood that dominant color thing! When I taught myself to knit I learned throwing instead of picking so when they have said you always hold the dominant color in one hand or the other I never knew if that correlated to how I knit! So thank you for clearing that up!
I holt the yarn in both hands and I have equal tension. It is very helpful when there are three colors -two in one hand an one in the other.
I thought I was knitting colourwork wrong for years, but it turns out I was doing it the Scandinavian way! I could never get used to knitting with one colour in one hand and one in the other. Happy to forget it altogether now!
I'm a Canadian knitter and I couldn't figure out what they were talking about "dominant" colours either. I'm sure you'll get some backlash of controversy on this, but thank you for clearing it up for us. I suspect you are correct.
Thank you. I heard about color dominance late in knitting life. The two time I have tried to follow it as a method and I had puckering, which I never had before. I’m switching back to the way I learned from reading my Elizabeth Zimmerman book.