Colour Work Knitting Catching Floats Every Time

This page with the step by step colour work tutorial video was made after knitters told me they loved the Toadstool Autumn Woodland Fair Isle tea cosy in Simply Knitting 281 but felt unsure about knitting it. It explains how I catch floats, offers a free teapot practice chart to knit along with, and gives clear tips for keeping tension even across a motif.

Colour work looks neatest when the yarns are managed properly on the wrong side. In this video I show how I always catch the contrast yarn as I go so there are no long floats left hanging at the back of the work. This keeps the fabric even, prevents snagging and gives the inside a tidy finish.

I made this video because a few people had contacted me about my new tea cosy design in Simply Knitting issue 281, the Toadstool Autumn Woodland Fair Isle tea cosy. I had received a couple of comments saying they loved the design but felt they could not knit it, so I thought a tutorial video would help and give them the confidence to try colour work.

To go with the video there is a free to download knitting pattern that includes the little teapot chart I am working on. It has fifteen stitches and thirteen rows, so it is quick to knit but long enough for you to get the feel of catching floats as you go. You can knit along with me in the video and practise the technique on a small simple motif.

When working with two colours, carry both yarns along the row. Every few stitches, wrap the unused yarn behind the working yarn to lock it in. This keeps the tension balanced and avoids tight patches. The technique becomes automatic once you have done it a few times.

The video walks through the process slowly so you can see exactly how the yarns sit and how the catch is made. You will also see how to keep the floats consistent across a whole motif. This method works for any small chart or repeated pattern and is ideal for beginners who want a reliable approach.

If you are following one of my colour work charts, use this technique throughout. It gives the best finish and makes the inside of the cosy look as good as the outside.














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