Stitches

Create embroidery/duplicate stitch on knitting?

is it possible to create duplicate or embroidery stitches in knitting in any other stitch other than stocking stitch? like can you do this in garter stitch?

Public Comments

1. You can. The effect will be different, though. If you are using duplicate stitch on a knit item in order to have a motif, the motif will be less distinct on garter stitch than on stocking stitch. With embroidery that's raised above the surface and separate from the stitching, you could put it on any surface. Perhaps if you're using duplicate stitch for embellishment, you would want to knit an area of stocking stitch within the garter stitch to prepare for the embroider or duplicate stitch later?
2. You can, but the embroidery has to be less finely stitched. Since garter stitch creates a ridged fabric, it doesn't lend itself quite so well to painting a picture with embroidery. Below is a link to a picture of a garment where it's been done, but you can see how the design had to be a bit more bulky because of the nature of garter stitch.
3. Yes, you can. Most often it is done in duplicate stitch on stocking stitch because it shows off better. Garter stitch has its own texture, and you would get a less distinct design because of the ridges -- those blips on the back side when you change colours, you know about that. You can also do regular embroidery stitches, such as daisy stitch, French knots, and all the rest on the knitted fabric. Careful not to do too many because you still want to maintain the stretch of knitted fabric which embroidery does not allow. If you want your design to be seen, you need a clear smooth background, in stockinette and in a solid colour. Too much texture in the stitch, or patterned yarn, and it doesn't look good.
4. Myself, I just plow right over everything with a crocheted chain stitch. It works on any kind of stitch, really -- stockinette, garter, moss/seed, basketweave, 2x2 blocks, anything. You can chain stitch right through your knitted fabric (work from the front) and draw any kind of picture or curved or straight line you want. I write names in it sometimes and draw pictures or do outlines with it. It's really versatile.
5. The duplicate stitch itself should be done over stockinette st, but you can embroider over any knitted garment just by embroidering the pattern you want. It can be a flat to the fabric pattern or raised to several layers. It all depends on what looks good to you and what you want the finished pattern to look like. I have done a lot of different looking designs just because I liked the picture I saw of them. So, I copied them onto the sweaters, bags or hats I made. So, go for it. Design means doing what you like.