🧵 Double-sided knitting: reversible patterns and practical tips (simple method explained by Lenny and Louise)

Do you love two-tone patterns, but are stressed by jacquard with tangled threads ?
Do you dream of a neat, clean, reversible finish , without any wires to tuck away?
Or perhaps you once came across a "double-sided" project on Pinterest but didn't dare click on it (we've all done it 😅)?

Breathe.
We'll explain everything. And we promise: double-sided knitting isn't just for expert knitters ... if we show you the right method.

We've been knitting for over 20 years , ever since we spent our summers knitting with our aunt, who always used to say:

“If your knitting turns inside out, your pattern should still look good. Otherwise, start again.”

We never forgot that phrase. It was what pushed us to explore reversible techniques, including double-sided printing , which has become one of our favorite tools for creating clean, modern, and ultra-graphic designs.

In this article, we show you absolutely everything :
✔️ How it works
✔️ How to avoid common mistakes
✔️ How to create your own reversible designs
✔️ Which projects should I choose to start with?
✔️ How to incorporate this technique into a sweater, scarf, or accessory
✔️ and even a memo sheet to save ❤️

While also including links to Knit-sis patterns to inspire you or get you started.

⭐ What is double-sided knitting? (clear definition & beginner version)

Double-sided knitting is a technique that allows you to knit two layers of fabric at the same time , on the same needles, with two colors.
In the end, you get a book:

▪️ Reversible (front = back),

▪️ clean (no loose wires),

▪️ thick and warm ,

▪️ with a reversed pattern on one side .

👉 Example: a white heart on a pink background on one side, and a pink heart on a white background on the other.

🎯 Key points to remember

▪️ Knit one stitch for the “front”, then one stitch for the “back”, alternating.

▪️ The two colors intersect naturally.

▪️ The patterns are negative/positive : what is pink on one side is white on the other.

✨ A technique simpler than it seems

They swear that if you know how to knit stockinette stitch , you can knit double-sided.

Lenny: “The hardest thing for me at the beginning wasn't the technique, but remembering who was 'in front' and who was 'in back'. Spoiler alert: I stuck little stickers on my needles.”

🔹 Summary of this section

Double-sided knitting = two fabrics knitted at the same time, reversible, two-tone, thick and neat. Accessible as soon as you master stockinette stitch.

🧵 Why knit double-sided? (advantages & inspirations Knit-sis)

🌟 The undeniable advantages

▪️ Perfectly crisp patterns

▪️ No wires to tuck in (yes, yes 😍)

▪️ Ideal for accessories : scarves, cowls, snoods, potholders

▪️ Highly graphic rendering

▪️ Warmer than a classic book

💡 Modern Inspirations

Even though our Knit-sis patterns are not double-sided (to remain accessible to complete beginners), some designs lend themselves wonderfully to it.

✨ Examples of Knit-sis projects that inspired the patterns:

▪️ The central ❤️ of Mon Amour is perfect in a double-sided version.
➜ See the boss

▪️ The Vasarely design looks great in reversible patterns.
➜ See the boss

▪️ The contrasting colors of the Strippie provide inspiration for double stripe designs.
➜ See the boss

💬 Louise: “I dream of creating a double-sided scarf inspired by the Mondrian motif. It's on my 2025 wishlist…”

🔹 Summary

The double-sided paper offers a clean, warm and graphic finish, perfect for modern patterns & intarsia inspirations.

🔧 How to knit double-sided yarn? (simple method, beginners welcome)

🧵 Recommended equipment

▪️ 2 balls of contrasting colors

▪️ Circular or straight needles (all sizes possible, but 4–5 mm is ideal for beginners)

▪️ Marker

▪️ Kind patience towards yourself 💛

Beginner tip: avoid black wool (we can't stress this enough 😅).

🧵The step-by-step method (clear tutorial)

1) Cast on an even number of stitches

Each pair = 1 stitch in front + 1 stitch in back.

2) Right side row

Knit 1 stitch with color A , then slip the next stitch with the yarn behind in color B.
Repeat.

3) Reverse row

Knit 1 purl stitch in colour A , then slip the next one with the yarn in front in colour B.
Repeat.

4) That's all. 🎉

You are already double-sided.

🧩 How to create a reversible pattern?

👉 The principle: Use a grid like for jacquard, but with reversed A/B zones.

Example: a small 10 × 10 heart.
What is “pink” on the grid will be:

▪️ knitted in color A for side 1

▪️ knitted in color B for side 2

❌ Common mistakes (and how to avoid them)

1️⃣ The two layers separate
→ Remember to interweave the threads at each column change.

2️⃣ Blurry or off-center pattern
→ Place a marker to know where the pattern starts.

3️⃣ Loose mesh between layers
→ Check that you are alternating a knitted stitch / a slipped stitch .

4️⃣ Tension too tight
→ Release. The double-sided tape needs air.

🔹 Summary

The double-sided pattern relies on a simple alternation: 1 knit stitch + 1 slipped stitch. With a Fair Isle chart, you get a perfectly reversible design.

🎨 Ideas for double-sided knitting projects (from the simplest to the most ambitious)

✔️ Beginner level

▪️ Two-tone scarf (perfect for learning)

▪️ Coaster / test square with small pattern

▪️ Bookmark

▪️ Test strip with initials

✔️ Intermediate level

▪️ Reversible snood

▪️ Graphic potholder

▪️ Heart pattern scarf (inspired by Mon Amour 💕)

✔️ Advanced level

▪️ Mondrian - style “modern painting” scarf

▪️ Vasarely- style graphic stole

▪️ Decorative panel for bag or tote bag

▪️ Reversible sleeve cuffs

🧶 BONUS Knit-sis:

If you enjoy quick and rewarding projects before tackling double-sided tape, try:

▪️ Hug (perfect for getting started on a simple project)
➜ https://knit-sis.com/products/pull-sans-manche-calin-patron-de-tricot

▪️ Soft toy (free + perfect for practicing tension!)
➜ https://knit-sis.com/products/pull-doudou-patron-de-tricot-gratuit

🔹 Summary

Start small (square, scarf), then explore graphic patterns inspired by Knit-sis designs for modern and reversible projects.

✨ Conclusion: You are officially ready to knit double-sided!

Double-sided knitting is a magical technique:
✔️ Reversible
✔️ clean
✔️ graphic
✔️ simpler than it seems
✔️ Ideal for personalizing your projects

From our childhood at Grandma's to today, it's one of the techniques that still gives us the most creative thrills. We hope it will open as many creative doors for you as it has for us 💛

🎯 Ready to take action?

Discover:
👉 Modern and colorful Knit-sis designs (complete collection):
https://knit-sis.com/collections/tous-les-modeles

Or start with a simple and rewarding model:
👉 Hug (beginner-friendly) :
https://knit-sis.com/products/pull-sans-manche-calin-patron-de-tricot

Or sign up for our newsletter to receive our tips:
👉 Join the Knit-sis Letter (regular free pattern offer)