Most knitters know that duplicate stitch can add color details on plain stockinette fabric. In this hands-on workshop, discover how this simple and unassuming embroidery stitch can hide a multitude of sins, from errors in colorwork, cables crossed the wrong way—even sneaky finishing techniques—and more!

Homework #1: With smooth light-colored worsted weight or DK weight yarn, cast on 16 stitches. Work K1P1 Rib for 1". Change to stockinette, and work even for 4". Bind off. Homework #2: With smooth light-colored worsted weight or DK weight yarn, cast on 16 stitches. Row 1 (RS): P3, [k4, p2] twice, p1. Row 2 and all WS rows: P7, k2, p7. Rows 3, 7, and 15: P3, [slip the next 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in front, k2, k2 from the cable needle, p2] twice, p1. Rows 5, 9, 13, and 17: P3, [k4, p2[ twice, p1. Row 11: P3, slip the next 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in back, k2, k2 from the cable needle, p2, k4, p3. When Row 18 is completed, bind off in the pattern. Block both swatches before class.

Two blocked homework swatches; appropriate size knitting needles; tapestry needle (wide eye and blunt tip); spare yarn of the same weight you used for your homework but in a sharply contrasting color; scissors.