Duplicate stitch can be used to add color but it can also be used as a way to work in ends. When done to work in ends, it is often done on the wrong side so it is mimicking the back of the stitch, not the front. If the yarn tail needs to be worked in on the front, duplicate stitch may provide a good solution.
Duplicate Stitch on the Right Side
Working over a knit stitch: Thread a tapestry needle with the yarn tail or anchor the yarn on WS. *Bring needle to RS at base of a knit stitch (at the bottom of “V”). Bring the tapestry needle to the top of the stitch, go underneath the 2 legs of the stitch above, bringing yarn and needle through on RS, so the yarn sits on top of the original stitch. Put the needle back into base of stitch where it first came out, going toward the WS. Repeat from *. Continue to repeat in a column for desired length.
Working horizontally over a knit stitch: Thread a tapestry needle with the yarn tail or anchor the yarn on WS. *Bring needle to RS at base of a knit stitch (at the bottom of “V”). Bring the tapestry needle to the top of the stitch, go underneath the 2 legs of the stitch above, bringing yarn and needle through on RS, so the yarn sits on top of the original stitch. Put the needle back into base of stitch where it first came out, going toward the WS. Move to the right or left and repeat from *. Continue to repeat in a row for desired length.
Working diagonally over knit stitches: Thread a tapestry needle with the yarn tail or anchor the yarn on WS. *Bring needle to RS at base of a knit stitch (at the bottom of “V”). Bring the tapestry needle to the top of the stitch, go underneath the 2 legs of the stitch above, bringing yarn and needle through on RS, so the yarn sits on top of the original stitch. Put the needle back into base of stitch where it first came out, going toward the WS. Move to the right or left and up (or down) to the next stitch diagonally to be “colored” and repeat from *. Continue to repeat in a row for desired length.
