Master Knitted Cardio Slip-Stitch Colorwork: Easy Two-Color Mosaic Pattern

Learn a simple and striking two-color slip-stitch (mosaic) technique—often called cardio slip-stitch colorwork—that produces a woven-looking fabric with minimal color carrying. This pattern uses one color for two rows at a time and slipped stitches to build the motif, making it an excellent introduction to colorwork for knitters who want bold effects without stranded knitting.

Knitting materials and tools:

• DPN 3.5 mm (US 4)
• Loops & Threads, Impeccable, (4) – 100% acrylic. Color A – beige , Color B – brown

Common abbreviations of knit stitches:

• k – knit
• p – purl
• sl1 wyib – slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in back
• sl1 wyif – slip 1 stitch purlwise with yarn in front
• sel s – selvage stitch: always slip the first stitch knitwise, work to the last stitch, purl the last stitch
• RS – right side
• WS – wrong side

Notes:

• You only use one color per two rows.
• The slipped stitches create a colorful pattern with minimal effort.
• This is a great introduction to mosaic knitting techniques.

Cardio slip stich colorwork knitting pattern:

Using color A, cast on a number of stitches that is a multiple of 6, plus 1 extra stitch, and 2 selvage stitches. For example, cast on 33 stitches.

Row 0 (WS, Color A): sel s, purl all stitches, sel s.

Row 1 (RS, Color B): no sel s at the beginning, k1, [sl1 wyib, k5] – repeat across, sl1 wyib, sel s.

Row 2 (WS, Color B): sel s, [sl1 wyif, p5] – repeat across, sl1 wyif. To work the last selvage stitch, bring the working yarn to the front and purl the very last stitch using the new color. Changing the color this way every second row will help create a neat and tidy edge.

Row 3 (RS, Color A): sel s, [k1, sl1 wyib, k3, sl1 wyib] – repeat across, k1, sel s.

Row 4 (WS, Color A): sel s, [p1, sl1 wyif, p3, sl1 wyif] – repeat across, p1, sel s. Work the last stitch as described above.

Row 5 (RS, Color B): sel s, [k2, sl1 wyib, k1, sl1 wyib, k1] – repeat across, k1, sel s.

Row 6 (WS, Color B): sel s, p1, [p1, sl1 wyif, p1, sl1 wyif, p2] – repeat across, sel s. Work the last stitch as described above.

Row 7 (RS, Color A): sel s, [k3, sl1 wyib, k2] – repeat across, k1, sel s.

Row 8 (WS, Color A): sel s, [p3, sl1 wyif, p2] – repeat across, p1, sel s. Work the last stitch as described above.

Repeat Rows 1-8 for desired length.