Duplicate stitch, also known as Swiss darning, is one of those techniques that looks incredibly effective but is actually surprisingly simple! By following the shape of your knitted stitches, you can literally “draw” directly onto your fabric.

But duplicate stitch can do much more than add decoration. It can be used to add color, personalize a garment, reinforce knitted fabric, repair worn areas and even help modify and reconstruct your knitwear.

What we’ll work on:
• The basics of duplicate stitch: We’ll start with the fundamentals: how to follow the knitted stitches correctly, where to insert your needle and how to create clean, regular stitches that blend naturally with the fabric underneath.
• Tension and coverage: We’ll look at how to control your tension and cover the original stitches evenly without making the fabric too tight or bulky.
• Drawing with stitches: Once you understand the basic technique, the fun begins! We’ll explore how to use duplicate stitch to create decorative motifs and add new colors and details to your knitting.
• Working with multiple colors: We’ll experiment with different colors and learn how to plan and build motifs directly onto knitted fabric.
• Reinforcing and repairing knitwear: Duplicate stitch isn’t just decorative. We’ll see how it can be used to strengthen weak or worn areas while keeping the repair integrated with the original knitted fabric.
• Cut, modify and put it back together! This is where things get really interesting. We’ll cut and modify a knitted swatch and then explore how duplicate stitch can help us rejoin sections of knitting, creating a clean and almost invisible result.
• An exclusive pattern to keep practicing: You’ll also receive an exclusive knitting pattern with a duplicate stitch design, created especially for this workshop. You can work on it at home and put everything you’ve learned into practice while creating a complete project of your own.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll see duplicate stitch as much more than a decorative embroidery technique. You’ll have a versatile new tool for decorating, repairing, reinforcing and transforming your knitwear, plus an exclusive project that will help you keep practising and experimenting after the class.

Want to know more about me and my work? Visit www.dariotubiana.myportfolio.com or find me on Instagram @rosso.cardinale.

One wool swatch or knitted sample, approx.20x20 cm (8x8 inches) inches, knitted in DK-weight yarn, stockinette stitch or lightly felted wool.

ALTERNATIVE TO THE SWATCH: If you don’t have time to knit a swatch, or simply don’t feel like it, you’re welcome to bring an old stockinette garment you no longer wear. 

• Worsted or DK-weight yarn scraps in light or medium colors (easy to see stitches)
• A knitted swatch, approx. 20x20 cm (8x8 inches), in smooth yarn, stockinette preferred
• Embroidery needle with a blunt tip
• Small embroidery scissors
• Printed pattern guide
• A notebook and pen or pencil for taking notes

Reminder: Please print any handout(s) prior to class and bring it with you.