If you have ever worked a 2-color slip stitch or striped pattern, then you may have encountered the instruction “carry the yarn up.” This is a technique used when working 2 different colors but only a row or two apart – this short distance allows you to “carry up” each color as you work instead of having to cut the yarn each time.
How to carry the yarn up
Let’s use my Soundtrack pattern as an example (although the technique is the same regardless of the pattern). This is a 2 color slip stitch pattern and in the photo below, I have just finished a round working with color A (orange). The next round needs to be worked with color B (brown). So I hold color A to the left so it’s over color B – then I will just bring color B up and start working with it:
The technique is also similar when working flat (i.e, back and forth and not in the round). In my video about working 2 row, 2 color stripes, I show you exactly how this is done – the below video starts right at that point so you can see what I’m talking about:
I hope these visuals have helped you understand what “carrying the yarn up” is all about! If you have any questions feel free to reach out.