Two-Color Knit Bracelet (Fingering) — Simple Stranded Tube

Quick, wearable and customizable: a narrow tubular bracelet worked in two colors using stranded colorwork. Knit in the round for a seamless band; an easy flat version with a mattress-stitch join is included. Includes sizes, gauge adjustments and finishing options so you can make a snug cuff or a wider statement bracelet.

Finished sizes (circumference)

• Small: 6.5 in / 16.5 cm
• Medium: 7 in / 18 cm (sample shown)
• Large: 7.5 in / 19 cm

Skills used

• Knitting in the round (small circumference)
• Stranded colorwork (two colors, floats)
• Loose/stretchy bind-off (Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off given)
• Optional: mattress-stitch seam for flat knitting

Materials

• Yarn: Fingering weight (Category 1). Approx amounts: Color A (Main): 25 yards / 23 m. Color B (Contrast): 25 yards / 23 m. (Total ~50 yd / 46 m). Any fingering/sock yarn will work; use two contrasting colors for clear motif.
• Needles: Recommended: US 3 / UK (old) 11 / Metric 3.25 mm. (If you want tighter fabric, go down to US 2 / UK 12 / 2.75 mm.) Use double-pointed needles or a 16 in / 40 cm circular for magic-loop. For flat version use straight needles in same size.
• Notions: stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, tape measure. Optional: waste yarn for provisional cast-on if you prefer an i-cord edge.

Gauge

28 sts = 4 in / 10 cm in stockinette in the round on US 3 (3.25 mm). This pattern uses a 5-stitch colorwork repeat; choose cast-on to match desired circumference (see Cast-On below).

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• st(s) = stitch(es)
• CO = cast on
• BO = bind off
• MC = Main Color (Color A)
• CC = Contrast Color (Color B)

Notes

• Pattern repeat is 5 sts. Cast on a multiple of 5 for a perfect repeat around the bracelet.
• Keep floats loose (no more than 3–4 sts across) to maintain stretch and avoid puckering.
• You can work the band in the round (recommended) or flat (alternate RS/WS rows) and seam.
• For a narrower bracelet, work fewer pattern repeats vertically (fewer rounds); for a wider cuff, work more repeats.

Cast-on (choose size)

Calculate cast-on using gauge (7 sts/inch). Multiples of 5 only.

• Small (6.5 in): 46 sts (multiple of 5 adjust to 45 sts for design; 45 sts = 6.43 in)
• Medium (7 in): 50 sts (sample)
• Large (7.5 in): 54 sts (adjust to 55 sts for multiple of 5 = 7.86 in, or choose 50 for a bit snugger fit)

Recommended: Medium — CO 50 sts with MC. Join in the round, making sure CO edge is not twisted; place marker for beginning of round.

Two-Color Pattern (worked in the round)

Pattern is a 5-stitch horizontal repeat over a 4-round vertical repeat. All rounds are knit stitches in the round.

Repeat the 4-round sequence for the vertical pattern length you want.

Round 1: *K2 with MC, K1 with CC, K2 with MC* repeat to end.
Round 2: *K1 with MC, K3 with CC, K1 with MC* repeat to end.
Round 3: *K2 with CC, K1 with MC, K2 with CC* repeat to end.
Round 4: *K1 with CC, K3 with MC, K1 with CC* repeat to end.

Notes on carrying yarn: Always work each stitch with the color indicated. Carry the unused color loosely across the wrong side (inside of bracelet) as you work; catch floats if they are longer than 4 sts by twisting the yarns once.

Height options (work these after CO and before final edging)

• Narrow bracelet: Work 1 full 4-round motif repeat (4 rounds) or 6 rounds total including edge rounds.
• Standard bracelet: Work 3 full 4-round repeats (12 rounds) of the colorwork.
• Wide cuff: Work 5–6 motif repeats (20–24 rounds) for a wider cuff.

Edge finishing (in the round)

After finishing your last colorwork round, switch to MC for 3–4 rounds of stockinette (knit every round) to form a tidy top edge. For a stretchy, neat edge use Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off (JSSBO) — instructions below.

Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off (JSSBO) — in the round

1. Using a needle one size larger than you worked on, *K1, K1 into the back loop of the next stitch; pass the first stitch over the second as in a normal bind-off.*
2. Instead of slipping the stitch off the left needle after passing over, return it to the left needle and repeat: K1, K1 tbl, pass the first over the second, return the remaining stitch to left needle and continue.
3. Work this around until all sts are bound off. Cut yarn and pull through remaining loop, weave in end.

Flat version (optional)

If you prefer to knit flat and seam: CO same number of sts (+ non-multiple of 5 allowed but pattern will skew). Work a 2-st rib (k1, p1) for 6 rows for an edge, then follow a flat-row colorwork version (RS: knit pattern as indicated; WS: purl the stitches but when a stitch is in CC on the chart on the WS, purl with CC — maintain stranded floats on WS). Keep floats loose. End with 6 rows of rib. Seam short ends with mattress stitch matching pattern alignment.

Finishing

• Weave in ends on the inside of the bracelet using a tapestry needle. Bury ends along stranded floats for strength.
• Soak gently in lukewarm water with a mild soap, squeeze (do not wring), roll in a towel to remove extra water and shape flat on a towel to dry. The small tube generally needs minimal blocking; shaping can even be done on a bracelet form or a jars/lid matching circumference.
• Trim any stray fibers and check that floats are not tugged tight; re-weave if necessary.

Customization ideas

• Swap fingering for sport weight and increase needle size for a chunkier cuff.
• Add a tiny button and loop: work flat, before joining create a 3-st buttonhole in the rib edge and after seaming sew a small button to overlap slightly.
• Try reversed colors (MC/CC) to highlight negative space or keep a metallic contrast for a subtle sheen.

Troubleshooting

• If the band is too tight: use a larger needle or go up one size for bind-off round or add 5 sts (one repeat).
• If the colorwork puckers: loosen floats, ensure colors are not held too tightly, and block lightly to relax stitches.

Contact & copyright

Pattern created for PurlJam. For help or to share a photo tag #purljam. Website: https://purljam.verde.uk. Support: team@verde.uk

Feel free to sell finished items made from this pattern, but please do not reproduce or resell the pattern text without permission.

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