Multi-colour pockets (reverse partial knit)

Machine types that can knit it

• Single bed (punch card) + ribber
• Single bed (electronic) + ribber
• Double bed with pushers (Passap type)

The full card

What it looks like

Stuffed cells where each column or cell is a different solid colour (or striped or patterned inside). The back is one colour. Clean block boundaries.

How it behaves

Padded relief, like the single-colour version.

How it works

Set the carriage to slip on both beds and leave the front side off the whole time. Every stitch is made by manually pushing needles to the forward position, so a needle knits only when forced. Rows 1–2: force colour-1 blocks on the front. Rows 3–4: force colour-2 blocks. Rows 5–6: back bed with the divider needles forced. Repeat. Unknitted colours float inside the pocket and are hidden by the stuffing. Close the pockets by forcing the cell needles on a back-bed row.

Machines

Double bed; manual selection on every row; patience. More colours mean longer internal floats.

Parameters

colours (3–5); block layout (graph paper); tension around 6 on both beds.

Steps

Loop: {front colour 1 (2 rows) → front colour 2 (2 rows) → … → back + dividers (2 rows)}. Stuff, then close.

Charting

Shade cells by colour per pocket. Stitch diagram: loops where knitted, a straight line (float) where skipped.

Limits and common problems

Floats over about 1 inch lift the yarn, causing drops. Hold the yarn down for the first stitch.

Combines with

pk-pockets-double-bed, stripes.

Pieces and assembly

Colour-coded padded panels without seams, e.g. black and white keys as alternate cells.

Related techniques

• Stuffable pockets, one/two colour
• Partial-knit hold mechanics
• Wrapping & float discipline
• One-side wedge / curve / spiral
• Alternating wedges, stripes & chevrons
• Centre bulge / dome