Loom Double Knit Checkerboard Design | Free Cowl Pattern

Inside: How to loom a double knit checkerboard design on a long loom. Includes free cowl pattern and tutorial videos.

It’s been an enjoyable walk down memory lane as I get reacquainted with my long looms. I almost forgot how wonderful the thick, squishy fabric feels as it grows on my loom.

I recently introduced the 2-color reversible stockinette and now it’s time to expand on that. When we first looked at this technique we kept one color on each side of the loom. Now we’re gong to see what happens when we switch colors.

By changing colors in the middle of a row we can add a design to the plain stockinette. I’m demonstrating a double knit checkerboard design today. This is perfect for learning the skill because there are only 2 color changes in each row.

One of my favorite things about two color, double knit designs is that you see the same design on both sides, but the colors are reversed. It can be a subtle difference, like in the cowl I made, or a striking contrast when you use more complex designs and high contrast yarn colors.

Let’s get started!

Loom Double Knit Checkerboard Design Cowl

By Kristen Mangus

The double knit Checkerboard Cowl makes a cozy, colorful addition to your winter wardrobe.  This cowl is worked flat on a double knitting loom using 2 colors in the double stockinette stitch and then seamed.  

Pattern includes written instructions, diagrams, and links to fully captioned tutorial videos for both left and right handed loom knitters.

An ad-free downloadable PDF of this pattern is available for purchase in my GoodKnit Kisses online store, Etsy or Ravelry at the links below:

MATERIALS

(Materials list may contain affiliate links to products I used to make this project. Using these links costs you nothing, but helps support GKK.) 

Yarn
Medium (#4) weight yarn in 2 colors
Red Heart Chic Sheep (100 g/ 3.5 oz, 170 m/186 yds.) used in sample.
Contrast A – Color Suede
Contrast B – Color Linen 

Loom
11/16” large gauge (LG) long loom with at least 15 peg pairs
18 peg Knifty Knitter yellow long loom used in sample.

Notions
Scrap yarn in contrasting color to use as anchor yarn
Crochet hook (for bind off)
Tapestry needle (for seaming and weaving in ends)

ABBREVIATIONS
Alt = Alternate
Approx = Approximate(ly)
CO = Cast on
K = Knit
Rep = Repeat
St(s) = Stitch(es)

GAUGE 10.75 sts and 23 rows per 4” x 4” (10 × 10 cm) in pattern.

SKILL LEVEL Easy

MEASUREMENTS 5.75” (27 cm) x 25.5” (65 cm) 

NOTES 
This cowl uses a double stockinette fabric. This pattern can be used with any double knit loom gauge and an appropriate weight yarn. 

Each row is knit working from the front (lower/bottom) board to the back (upper) in double stockinette twisting the yarn colors between each stitch.

Peg numbering in this pattern is from left to right.  All peg numbers mentioned in the pattern refer to peg pairs: one peg on the front board and one on the back.

2-Color Cast on:

• Cast on (wrap) all pegs in one pass across the row. 
• Twist the yarn completely between each to keep the same color on the front board through the color sequence.  When you turn your loom to work each row the colors will switch locations.  You start with Contrast A on the front board, but on the next row it will be on the back board.  Make sure to keep your colors aligned throughout the pattern.
• Color changes:  To change colors in the middle of the row twist the yarns only halfway.
• Pay attention to your tension.  Try to keep your yarn twists lined up in the center space between the boards.

Checkerboard Design: This design uses 2 color sequences that switch colors every 5 stitches.  Then every 12 rows you switch sequences.  (See detailed notes below.) The color sequence lists only the colors on the front board.  The back board will be the opposite color.

Seaming: I used the shoulder seam for this cowl to create a smooth join on both sides.

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INSTRUCTIONS

Double Stockinette Cast On with 2 colors
NOTE: Images shows a basic cast on without color changes. Pay attention to color changes in steps 9 and 11.

Cast on 15 pairs of pegs using the method below:

1. With both colors together tie a slip knot and place on anchor peg or hold loosely if no anchor peg. 
2. Grab both strands in hand and split the two yarns with Contrast B around the index finger and Contrast A around the thumb using the rest of your fingers to loosely grip and guide the working yarn. 
3. Wrap around the outside of the first peg pair with Yarn A on the front board and Yarn B on the back. (Do not Ewrap.)

4. While using your opposite hand to hold the yarn on the pegs, twist the strands with Yarn A OVER Yarn B. Make sure to twist the yarn completely so the colors stay aligned.

5. Wrap the next pair of pegs.

6. Holding the yarn on the newly wrapped pegs, twist the strands with Yarn B OVER Yarn A. (This is the opposite direction you twisted in Step 4.)

7. Wrap the next pair of pegs. 
8. Repeat steps 4-7 alternating the direction you twist the yarn until the first 5 pegs are wrapped.
9. Color Change: Instead of a full twist, only twist the yarn halfway and wrap Color A on the back board and Color B on the front board.
10. Continue wrapping the next 5 pegs, twisting the yarn between each stitch.
11. Color Change: Twist yarn only halfway to switch colors back to Color A on the front and Color B on the back.
12. Lay anchor yarn across the stitches in the center of the loom.
13. Turn loom around to work in the opposite direction and twist the working yarn strands around the outside of the last peg pair. 
14. Wrap all pegs again keeping colors aligned and twisting yarn between each stitch. All pegs now have two loops. DO NOT KNIT OVER. 
15. Turn loom around to work in the opposite direction and twist the working yarn strands around the outside of the last peg pair. 
16. Repeat steps 3-11 once more. All pegs now have three loops. 
17. Knit the bottom loop over the top 2 loops on all pegs. After knitting all pegs have 2 loops and your cast on is done.

Color Sequence 1:

Front Board: Color A-5 pegs, Color B-5 pegs, Color A-5 pegs

Color Sequence 2:

Front Board: Color B-5 pegs, Color A-5 pegs, Color B-5 pegs

Row 1: Wrap and knit all*

*To knit the row, turn loom, twist working yarns at the outside of end pegs, wrap loom as above, twisting between each stitch and changing colors every 5 pegs, then knit bottom loop over top 2 loops.

Section 1: Work Row 1 in Color Sequence A for 12 rows.
Section 2: Work Row 1 in Color Sequence B for 12 rows.

Continue alternating the above 2 steps until your cowl is 12 blocks long (6 of each color sequence) or to desired length. 

Before Bind off, knit off 1 stitch on each peg to leave 1 loop on each peg. 

Bind off:

1. Using crochet hook, pick up stitch on last peg opposite where the working yarn is.  (Ex: If the working yarn is on the upper board at the left, pick up the stitch on the lower board at the right.)
2. Pick up stitch from peg on opposite board to complete that pair. You have 2 stitches on your hook.
3. Pull the stitch closest to the tip of the hook through the other stitch to bind off.
4. Move back to the opposite board and pick up the next stitch in the sequence and pull that stitch through the one on your hook; make sure to alternate between colors. 
5. Repeat Step 4 until you have one stitch left on your hook.
6. Cut long yarn tails for sewing and pull through the last stitch.
7. Weave in tails. 

Finish cast on end:
Now we’re going to create a clean edge at the beginning.  

1. With your crochet hook, pick up the stitch at the opposite end of the row from the yarn tail.  [Note: Make sure you do not pick up any strands of the anchor yarn.]
2. Pick up the next color stitch that was twisted to the one just picked up.  Now you have 2 stitches on your hook.
3. Pull the stitch closest to the tip of the hook through the other stitch; alternate between Contrast A & B. 
4. Repeat Steps 2 & 3 until you have one stitch left.
5. Using the crochet hook, pick up the yarn tails and pull it through the last stitch.
6. Gently pull the anchor yarn out of your cast on edge.
7. Weave in tails. 

Seaming:

Seam cast on to bind off edge using a shoulder seam.  See tutorial video for details.

Loom Double Knit Checkerboard Tutorial Videos

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The following videos demonstrate all the techniques and skills you need to loom knit the Double Knit Checkerboard Cowl.

Double Knit Checkerboard (stitch pattern)

2-Color Reversible Stockinette (includes cast on, bind off, color twisting, and finishing)

Double Knit Seaming (shoulder seam)

Right handed

Left handed

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