Duplicate Knit Stitch

Embellish Knitting Pieces Using a Neat and Simple Technique

Jan 31, 2008
Renee Blixt

Figure 1 - Bill Thomas and Renee Blixt

The duplicate knit stitch is a wonderful embellishing technique. Try it when personalizing or adding finishing touches to a knit project.

Duplicate Stitch Definition

The whole idea behind duplicate stitches is to cover pre-existing knit stitches in such a way that it looks like the knitter actually knitted the stitches while making the fabric.

A duplicate knit stitch is sewn on top of an existing knit stitch on a finished piece.

Duplicate knit stitches look exactly like knit stitches, but if they are made in contrasting colors, the look produced is quite effective. It would be very difficult, for example, to “write” a name into a fabric while stitching. Duplicate stitching makes it seem like that’s exactly what was done. However, the duplicate stitches are made after the knitting of the piece is completed.

Making Duplicate Stitches

Duplicate stitch work is especially precise; great care must be taken to cover each knit stitch that is being worked on exactly. A chart (like a cross-stitch chart) is very helpful when planning the patterns a knitter would like to make on the fabric. Once comfortable with the technique, knitters can easily freehand names or images.

The accompanying photos illustrate how to execute the duplicate stitch technique. Please double click on the photos to see an enlarged picture of the work.

For illustration purposes, a four-by-four-inch swatch was made out of worsted weight yarn. A contrasting yarn color was threaded through a tapestry needle.

After planning out where the stitches should go, it’s time to make them. First, pull the working yarn from the back of the piece through the fabric to the front, taking care to come up through the center of a knit stitch. (Figure 1)

Then, take the needle, and two stitches up, insert the needle through the legs of the stitch from right to left. That is, place the needle down on the right side of the stitch, and come up on the left side. The needle should travel under the stitch. Pull the needle up. This will create half of the duplicate stitch. (Figure 2)

Next, move two rows down. Do the same thing that was done in the previous stitch. (Figure 3) Continue in this manner (Figures 4 and 5) until the name or image is complete.

Using Duplicate Stitch

Keep in mind that duplicate stitch works best with non-bulky yarns. If size 5 or 6 yarns are used, the duplicate stitches would be far too thick. Of course, if that’s a look that is desired, then consider that a rule to be broken.

Almost anything can be “drawn” onto a knit piece using duplicate stitch. Try this technique when adding names or motifs – it will look great, and draw many compliments.