Stuffable pockets, one/two colour

Machine types that can knit it

• Single bed (punch card) + ribber
• Single bed (electronic) + ribber
• Double bed with pushers (Passap type)
• Double-bed hand flat (V-bed)

Steps

1. Double-bed cast-on, k·(cell+div)+div.
2. Circular. On the slip-bed pass, force the divider and edge needles.
3. After H rows, drop the ribber and stuff.
4. Raise it and knit one full double-bed row to close.
5. Repeat; vary the closing rows per cell for a stacked layout.

The full card

What it looks like

A grid of puffy padded cells (quilted or bubble-wrap look) separated by flat vertical and horizontal channels. Cells can be rectangles, stacked or offset, or shaped (stepped outlines). In two colours, the cells are solid and the channels are striped.

How it behaves

Bubble/pad relief, strong. Height depends on the stuffing.

How it works

Knit a double-bed cast-on, then circular (tube: one bed per pass), which gives one big pocket. To divide it, on a pass where one bed is set to slip, push selected needles on that bed to the forward position; they are forced to knit and join the two layers locally. Drop the ribber to open and stuff the pockets. Knit a full double-jersey row to close. Two-colour version: 2 rows front bed in A, then 2 rows back bed in B with divider needles forced. Shape pockets by moving which needles are forced, or shape the whole piece by increasing and decreasing on both beds (cast on/off multiple stitches, since it's effectively single-layer).

Machines

Requires double bed (single bed + ribber, e.g. Silver Reed + SRP60N; Brother KH-821 + KR-830 class ribber). Manual needle selection. Colour changer optional (manual yarn swap otherwise). Industrial V-bed can only do two-colour stripes via high/low butts, not placement, and cannot stuff mid-knit. Brother note: forcing needles to knit works most reliably on the selecting main bed in slip/part mode; check the ribber model before relying on forced ribber needles.

Parameters

cell width (≈8), divider width (3–4), edge closers (3 each side); cell height (≈12 tube rows = 24 passes); stacked/offset closing; tension around 7 (2-ply Shetland).

Steps

1) Double-bed cast-on, k·(cell+div)+div. 2) Circular. On the slip-bed pass, force the divider and edge needles. 3) After H rows, drop the ribber and stuff. 4) Raise it and knit one full double-bed row to close. 5) Repeat; vary the closing rows per cell for a stacked layout.

Charting

Two stitch rows (front/back bed) drawn as loop glyphs, with dashed lines at the dividers. The carriage icon and a "circular" icon set the mode. Needle bar ||| above, with brackets for the groups. A placement chart shows a shaded cell per pocket.

Limits and common problems

Joined areas are knitted twice per tube cycle, so the surround grows about 2× taller than the pockets. Plan it or the fabric buckles. Check by dropping the bed after a few rows.

Combines with

pk-pockets-multicolour; other chapters' tuck/slip patterning.

Pieces and assembly

Padded regions in one piece, such as raised keys, cushions or tiles. Shaped outer edges come off the machine finished.

Related techniques

• Multi-colour pockets (reverse partial knit)
• Partial-knit hold mechanics
• Wrapping & float discipline
• One-side wedge / curve / spiral
• Alternating wedges, stripes & chevrons
• Centre bulge / dome