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I Tried 5 Fancy Knitting Techniques. Are They Worth it?

Knicoleknits

22,151 views

I tried five fancy knitting techniques to find out whether they’re as satisfying as they are impressive — or whether they’re mostly just… a lot.

I’ll be looking at stacked stitches, roosimine inlay, sculptural smocking, Bohus knitting, and shadow or illusion knitting. Some of these techniques come from rich textile traditions, some are more modern in the hand-knitting world, and all of them make knitted fabric do something a little unexpected.

This is not a full tutorial for each technique — nobody needs to be here for 10 hours — but I’ll show examples, try each technique on camera, and share what I learned from making my own swatches. Which ones gave the best payoff? Which ones were fussier than expected? Which ones would I actually use again?

If one of these techniques makes you think, “Nicole, stop waving the swatch around and teach me properly,” let me know in the comments. A full tutorial may be required.

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*SHOW NOTES:*

What I'm wearing: Laurelie Shawl (modified)
https://www.ravelry.com/projects/Knic...

Fox Paws by Xandy Peters
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...

Roosimine by Caoua Coffee
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...

Roosimine patterns by Aleks Byrd
https://www.ravelry.com/designers/ale...

Floret by Norah Gaughan
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sour...

Bohus Stickning Angora Garnet
https://angoragarnet.com/en/product/b...
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sour...

Illusion Circle by Steve Plummer
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...
Steve Plummer designs
https://www.ravelry.com/designers/ste...

00:00 Introduction
02:08 Stacked Stitches
10:21 Roosimine inlay
15:22 Sculptural Smocking
19:26 Bohus Stickning
24:01 Illusion/Shadow Knitting
28:06 The Verdict

20 Comments

@Knicoleknits Creator 4 months ago Pinned

Hi, Friends! Thank you so much for sharing your precious time with me today :_yarnlove: I always feel a bit icky doing this, but I'm going to ask for a favor, if you're game:

I spent A LOT of time prepping for and making this video (waaaay more than I expected to). I humbly think it's pretty watchable and has good value for knitters of all levels and I'd really like to see it get out to as many folks as possible.

All engagement helps trigger the algorithm (likes, comments, subscribing), but there are a couple of "extra" things you can do to give it an even bigger boost.

1. Click "Share" and send it to a friend you think would enjoy this particular show and tell.

2. For the first 7 days after upload, you should have to the option to "HYPE" the video when you click on the like button. Doing this will have a HUGE impact on getting this out to more knitters. You only get 3 Hypes per week to dole out, so I totally get that it's a big deal to use one up for me.

Thanks so much for all the support and keep dropping your fabulous comments! Oscar and Felix and I read and appreciate every word :_oscar::_yarnlove::_oscar:

@Lisa.JerseyGerl 4 months ago

As a crocheter since a kid in the 70s, now an obsessed knitter (but new to stranded colorwork) my reaction was:
-Stacked stitches: wtf, just grab your hook
-Roosimine: Lovely. And floats in the front, no trapping, yay!
-Sculptural smocking: Artistic genuis! Stunning yet doable. Hmm 🤔
-Bohus: Gorgeous but, no thank u.
-Illusion knitting: Great party trick.
Thank you for exploring & explaining those wonderful knitting techniques and traditions!

@RitavanSpil 4 months ago

Bohus stickning is knitted in the round. There is another book called: Bohus stickning The revival

@WendyNicholls-e4z 4 months ago

Another fabulous well-conceived episode from the mistress of detail delivered with good humor and insight. Each time I watch something you’ve done, my sense of the context of knitting expands. So thanks for sharing so thoughtfully. This from someone who can't imagine knitting anything like this - in this lifetime or the next!

@DebraKemp-q3b 4 months ago

Every time I think I've heard of every way to create a look in knitting something like this pops up in my feed and blows my mind with how much more there is. It shows that knitting is ever increasing in complexity and technique and that knitters are incredibly creative talented people. Thank you for this clip.

@enablingcuriosity 4 months ago

When my kids was little, I smocked a lot of clothes. Then got into fabric manipulation. I had no idea I could do it with knitted fabric. It looks like so much fun, I'll have to try it.

@hannabusse8137 4 months ago

Oh my gosh, I'm casting off a project and i just thought "huh, that's cool, maybe I'll do that next," for EVERY SINGLE TECHNIQUE you showed. 😂😅 Oh no, too many ideas. Lol thank you!

@brandysears3546 4 months ago

Poems of Color is a lovely book.

@spirit__fox 3 weeks ago

For the massive decreases in fox paws, I ended up using a crochet hook as a helper.

@scottsmith5909 4 months ago

Okay so now I really want to make a jumper with an illusion knitting motif that people don't see until they've almost walked past and then do a double take

@I.F_from_Montana 4 months ago

I totally love the bohus knitting. You find it underwhelming - I find it breathtaking! And yes, I've seen absolutely gorgeous sweaters with this type of yoke, and always admired them. It's subtle, and delicate, and just drop-dead gorgeous, IMO...

@cherylgraham1016 4 months ago

I liked the shadow knitting and made a baby blanket with ducks, letters and blocks on it. It turned out nice and was enjoyable to knit.

@patrycjapiotrowska8463 2 weeks ago

That was super fascinating to watch! Roosimine is the one I'd like to try most!

@JanaGreydan 4 months ago

Do carry on please please PLEASE❤❤❤ Roosimine and sculpture and shadow are just unforgettable, I will surely try them soon❤❤❤❤

@osmia 4 months ago

This is the first time I've heard of stacked stitching and it looks awesome

@delilahdolittle1623 4 months ago

stacked stitches have been on my to-do list since I finished Xandy's Blooming Brioche design - a number of years ago now. This video inspires me to get to it Thanks!

@Jennie8684 4 months ago

I’m a science nerd and last year I made an Illusion throw. My plan was to allow for 6 months to a year to complete. Six WEEKS later it was complete and has since taken pride of place over a sofa in my living room. 😍 I will definitely make more and if I become a grandmother, I’ll be making the teddy bear blanket.

@roushannah 4 months ago

Great video, there are countless knitting channels on YouTube, but few match yours in regard to intellectual curiosity ... and yes all techniques deserve a full video tutorial

@knit_wit 2 months ago

I was really intimidated until you got to illusion. Hey! I've done that! I did a baby blanket with a panda about 12 years ago. It was great fun and a very happy mom resulted. I want to try the stacked knitting.

@lasphynge8001 4 months ago

Oh, please do fusion knitting in the next one ! It fascinates me, it's probably one of the next "exotic" knitting techniques I'm gonna try... Although the stacked stitches are also pretty high in the list, now. ^^