Colorwork or no colorwork that is the question! Or is the choice really not quite so simple? After working on my first colorwork project I find myself obsessed, and yet craving to learn new stitches and design lacework patterns and all sorts of things!
So what are the pros and cons of colorwork? I think one of the biggest pros for colorwork for me is that it doesn't require different stitches, its normally just stockinette in the round, or flat. So that is simpler in that regard, however as I learned tension in floats (your carried yarns) is not as simple as not pulling too tight, and well.... better luck next time, and I will have to be careful with my cowl. So that is a big con, or just a learning curve. Another pro would be that once you have a set gauge and a section (say 24 stitches) you can create motifs that fit into that section and play around with them to create different patterns which can be rather fun. Another designer Jamie (https://www.pacificknitco.com/) has a few different cowls and hats like this and they are great fun! A slight con might be that you have to pick colors that work together which can sometimes be challenging and expensive depending on the yarn that you use.
So I think colorwork is a fun and simple designing option, and I already have a few ideas of things I just need to create some charts and start test knitting. As for the texture knits... there are very scary aspects of this, such as cables (which I am not about to attempt) and lacework (which seems like it could be fun!) The trouble with textures is figuring out how to make the stitches look nice, and that can be a process. Though I do have a book, more like a bible of needlecrafts from my grandmother and it has a whole index of knitting stitches. Another con though is that written directions aren't always easy to understand with new stitches, though YouTube is a godsend when you need a little help working out new stitches. I think a pro of texture is that you get to see certain yarns come to life even more with texture than it would with stockinette.
Either way that a designer chooses to go, or using both can make a fabulous and fun catalog of designs for people to choose from!
Which do you prefer: colorwork or texture? Let us know in the comments or tag us in your projects on Instagram and Facebook @thistlestitchdesign