The Yarn Diary

The Yarn Diary | June 01, 2026

Easy Knitted Plaid: How to Knit a Plaid Pattern

This week, Sara Delaney shows us a clever and simple way to create beautiful plaid fabric with your knitting!

Knitting plaid fabrics can seem like a daunting task when you consider that they may involve not only two or more colors but also intarsia work. And how do you keep the tension even in an intarsia section that is only one stitch wide?

Why not skip the intarsia altogether with some cleverly placed purl ravines and the use of a crochet hook!

Work the horizontal stripes of your plaid normally and wherever you’d like to have the vertical stripes just work a purl stitch in that vertical column of stitches.

Once you’ve finished knitting the piece you can go back with your crochet hook, and slip stitch a line of stitches into the vertical purl ravine. The slip stitches will lie even with the surface of your knitting.

With this technique, it’s easy to create a multi-colored plaid by changing the colors of your vertical stripes. You can stick to two colors, or get creative with as many as the color wheel can hold.

Easy to make plaid sweaters, cowls and hats…it’s addictive!

Check out our video tutorial for more details, and discover more easy knitting patterns at Yarn.com!

Shop All Yarn Free Patterns New Products

by WEBS - America's Yarn Store

archive top-traffic

Check Out This Month's Hottest Blog Posts!

Bamboo vs Cotton Yarn: Which Should You Use?

Bamboo drapes, cotton holds its shape. Compare feel, drape, stitch definition, stretch,...

Wooden vs Metal Knitting Needles: How to Choose

Wood grips, metal glides. A practical comparison of friction, tip sharpness, weight, co...

Bamboo vs Cotton Yarn: Which Should You Use?

Bamboo drapes, cotton holds its shape. Compare feel, drape, stitch definition, stretch,...

Wooden vs Metal Knitting Needles: How to Choose

Wood grips, metal glides. A practical comparison of friction, tip sharpness, weight, co...

amigurumi 25 Free Crochet Patterns with PDF Downloads — Blankets, Hats, Bags & More

25 of our best free crochet patterns — all available as instant PDF downloads. Blankets...

beginner 24 Easy Knitting Patterns for Beginners (Free PDFs & More)

Start knitting today with 24 beginner-friendly patterns — from your first garter stitch...

beginner How to Read a Knitting Pattern with Confidence

How to read a knitting pattern made simple—learn to understand abbreviations, materials...

beginner How to Read a Crochet Pattern: A Beginner's Guide

Learn how to read crochet pattern instructions with confidence. Get clear tips, abbrevi...

2026 The 10 Best Crochet Hooks of 2026 — Expert-Tested Picks

From ergonomic grips to luxurious birch wood, these are the 10 best crochet hooks of 20...

What Is Medium Weight Yarn? A Crafter's Guide

Find out what makes medium weight yarn so versatile, how to choose the right skein, and...

Wool vs. Acrylic Yarn: Which Is Warmer and Easier to Care For?

Wool or acrylic? Learn when to splurge on natural fiber and when to save with synthetic...

Acrylic vs Cotton Yarn: Which Should You Use?

Choosing between acrylic and cotton yarn? This guide compares texture, warmth, durabili...

acrylic yarn Acrylic Yarn: Everything You Need to Know

The complete guide to acrylic yarn — what it is, how it's made, when to use it, best pr...

crochet How to Store Yarn: The Complete Guide to Keeping Your Stash in Perfect Shape

Everything you need to know about storing yarn properly — from protecting against moths...

acrylic yarn Best Yarn for Crochet: A Complete Guide for Every Project & Skill Level

A complete guide to choosing your first crochet yarn — what weight, fiber, and color to...

acrylic yarn Best Yarn for Blankets: A Guide for Knitters and Crocheters

How to choose the right yarn for any blanket project — from baby blankets to king-size ...

crochet Yarn Substitution Guide: How to Swap Yarns Without Ruining Your Project

How to substitute yarn in any knitting or crochet pattern — matching weight, gauge, fib...

acrylic yarn Best Yarn for Amigurumi: How to Choose Yarn for Crochet Toys

The complete guide to choosing yarn for amigurumi — what fiber, weight, and hook size t...

beginners What Is a Skein of Yarn? The Complete Guide to Yarn Packaging

beginners The Complete Crochet Hook Buying Guide: Materials, Sizes & Expert Picks for 2026

baby How to Knit Baby Mitts and Booties: A Knit-Along

Learn how to knit baby mitts and booties with our step-by-step guide. Find tips, tools,...

beginner How to Make a Crochet Hexagon Step-by-Step

Master the crochet hexagon with our beginner-friendly guide. Learn easy steps, tips, an...

beginner How to Crochet a Granny Square: A Beginner's Guide

Master the crochet granny square with our step-by-step beginner’s guide, including tips...

beginner How to Crochet the Bollinger Shawl Step-by-Step

Crochet your own Bollinger Shawl with our step-by-step guide. Find tips, yarn recommend...

beginner How to Knit an Entrelac Scarf for Beginners

Learn how to knit entrelac scarf designs with our step-by-step beginner's guide, includ...

archive How to Join Less Than 10 Stitches in the Round | Knitting Tips

archive Are you a Standard Size?

This is our last guest post by Dora Ohrenstein.

archive Anouk Cowl in 2/10 Merino Tencel

The beginning of the new year is a great time to start a new project, maybe something j...

archive Hate That Gap? How to Join in the Round Invisibly

Learn how to join in the round invisibly for seamless circular knitting. Get our step-b...

archive How to Fix Curly Circular Needle Cords | Quick Knitting Fix

archive How to Keep Your Knitting Edges Neat | Selvedge Tips

archive What Do the Numbers on Coned Yarn Mean? | Weaving Tips

archive How to Get the Best Fit for Hand-Knit Gloves & Mittens

archive Easy Knitted Plaid: How to Knit a Plaid Pattern

archive How to Convert a Flat Knitting Pattern to In-the-Round

archive How to Divide a Ball of Yarn in Half | Knitting & Crochet Tip

archive 2015: A Weaving Odyssey

We get many visitors each day in the weaving room. Some are weavers looking for tools a...

archive How to Knit Clean Stripes in Ribbing | Color Change Tips

archive Free Knitting Pattern: Shale Pleated Scarf | Easy Lace Scarf

archive How to Pick Up Stitches Before Ripping Back | Save Your Knitting

archive Working with Multiple Strands of Yarn | Holding & Tension Tips

archive Knitting Needles & Crochet Hooks: A Beginner's Guide

Get practical tips for organizing your knitting needles crochet hooks. Find storage ide...

Article Hand-Dyed Yarn 101: A Complete Crafter's Guide

Get expert tips on choosing, using, and caring for hand-dyed yarn. Learn how to pick th...

Article Yarn Weight Chart: The Complete Guide to Yarn Weights, Ply & Conversions

The complete Craft Yarn Council yarn weight chart, plus UK and Australian ply conversio...

news The Ultimate Guide to Circular Knitting Needles

Find out how circular knitting needles can transform your projects. Learn tips on choos...

View All Posts