Prism Path Knit Swoncho | Part 2 || Marly Bird

🧶 Prism Path Swoncho – Part 2 (Knitting Version) Welcome, friends! I’m so thrilled to kick off the Prism Path Swoncho, part of the 2025 Prism Make-Along with Marly Bird! 🎉

This is the second official section of the free knit pattern, and I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be knitting this stranded colorwork swoncho together—section by section—until you’ve created something bold, beautiful, and totally wearable.

Colorful graphic with yarn and geometric shapes, featuring the text: "Marly Bird's PRISM MAKE-ALONG" in bold letters. Bright pink, green, orange, and teal accents highlight a Spectrum Stitch or Crochet Swoncho Free Pattern. -Marly Bird

Table of Contents

Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one of these links and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps support the content and free patterns I provide here on MarlyBird.com. Thank you for your support—it means the world to me! 💖

If you’re joining the free version, here’s how it works:

🧶 How the Free Make-Along Works

✨ On each scheduled release day (every Monday and Thursday in May), a new part of the pattern will be added to the MarlyBird.com website.
✨ The link to the pattern will be added to this blog post.
✨ You’ll be able to view the pattern for free—no download!
✨ If you want a direct link delivered straight to your inbox, be sure to sign up using the form below! This will also ensure you get the full supply list and helpful updates throughout the event.

📬 Sign up to stay in the loop and never miss a pattern drop!

Looking for Part 1? Click Here.

Scroll down to dive into Part 2 and let’s transition from ribbing to stockinette stitches while we shape the back of the neck. I can’t wait to knit this with you—let’s bring some serious color magic to life! ✨

Don’t forget to share your progress using #prismmakealong and tag me @themarlybird so I can cheer you on! 💛

Prism Path Swoncho

Designed by: Marly Bird

SKILL LEVEL

Intermediate

MEASUREMENTS

To Fit Sizes

Extra-Small/Small/Medium 28-38” [71-96.5 cm] bust

Large/Extra-Large 40-46” [101.5-117 cm] bust

2/3 Extra-Large 48-54” [122-137 cm] bust

4/5 Extra-Large 56-62” [142-157.5 cm] bust

Sample made in size 2 / 3 Extra-Large

Finished Measurements

Bottom Circumference 52½ (59½, 72, 84½)” [133.5 (151, 183, 214.5) cm]

Length 27 (27½, 28, 29)” [68.5 (70, 71, 73.5) cm]

Gauge

18 sts and 24 rounds = 4” [10 cm] in Fair Isle knitting with larger needles.

18 sts and 24 rounds = 4” [10 cm] in Stockinette st with smaller needles.

MATERIALS

Yarn

KnitPicks Swish Worsted (100% Superwash Merino Wool, 110 yds / 100 m, 1.75 oz/ 50 g, CYCA# 4 worsted)

6 (8, 10, 12) balls: Crush (28657) (A)

1 ball: Conch (c26068) (B)
1 ball: Estuary Heather (c28655) (C)
1 ball: Arctic (c28656) (D)
1 ball: Frosting (c28658) (E)
1 (1, 1, 2) balls: Indigo Heather (c24097) (F)
1 ball: Electric Blue (c26645) (G)
1 ball: Mint Julep (n4128) (H)
1 ball: Lady Slipper (n4127) (I)
1 ball: Nutmeg Heather (28652) (J)

Needles

A variety of needle lengths are used to accommodate the number of stitches. Getting interchangeable needle sets is a great option for this project.

U.S. 8 [5 mm] circular knitting needles, 12” [30.5 cm], 16” [40.5 cm], 24” [61 cm], 32” [81 cm], [47” [119 cm] and 60” [152 cm] long needles;
U.S. 9 [5.5 mm] circular knitting needles, 24” [61 cm], 32” [81 cm], [47” [119 cm] and 60” [152 cm] long needles, or size required for gauge.

Notions

Removable stitch markers, stitch holders or spare circular needles, tapestry needle.

ABBREVIATIONS

K – Knit

KFB – Knit Front and Back

P – Purl

Pm – Place marker

RS – Right side

slip marker – slip marker

WS – Wrong side

SPECIAL STITCHES

M1 (Make 1): With tip of left needle, pick up the horizontal strand between stitches from front to back. Knit this strand through the back leg, twisting it into a loop in the process – 1 stitch increased.

Kfb (Knit Front & Back): Knit through front and back of next stitch – 1 stitch increased.

Ssk (Slip, Slip, Knit): Slip 2 stitches, one at a time, as if to knit. Insert left hand needle into the front of these two stitches and knit them together from this position (1 stitch decreased)

SPECIAL TECHNIQUES

German Short Rows: Doubling the Stitch

When working German short rows, you’ll often hear the phrase “double the stitch.” This simply means we’re manipulating the working yarn in such a way that the stitch appears to have two strands wrapped over the needle instead of one. This visual cue helps mark your turning point and keeps your short rows looking clean and seamless.

Here’s how to work the turns step-by-step:

💡Turning on the Right Side:

Knit to the stitch indicated in your pattern.
Turn your work—now the wrong side is facing.
With yarn in front, slip 1 stitch purlwise from the left needle to the right needle.
Pull the yarn over the top of the right needle to the back. This creates the “double stitch” by distorting the slipped stitch.
Bring the yarn to the front between the needles, ready to work the next purl stitch.
Work across the row as directed in the pattern, keeping a firm tension for the next few stitches.
.

💡 Turning on the Wrong Side:

Purl to the stitch indicated in your pattern.
Turn your work—now the right side is facing.
Bring the yarn to the front between the needles.
With yarn in front, slip 1 stitch purlwise from the left needle to the right needle.
Pull the yarn over the top of the right needle to the back. Again, this distorts the stitch and creates the doubled look.
Work across the row as directed in the pattern, keeping a firm tension for the next few stitches.

Repeat these steps wherever the pattern indicates a German short row turn. When you come back to those doubled stitches later, you’ll work them as one stitch—treat both loops together as a single stitch to avoid holes.

NOTES

Directions are for the smallest size; changes for larger sizes are in parentheses. When only one number is given then that number applies to all sizes.
When working in Fair Isle technique, carry yarn not in use loosely across WS of work but never over more than 5 sts. When it must pass over more than 5 sts, weave it over and under color in use on next st or at center point of the sts it passes over. The colors are never twisted around one another.
When a color is finished being used in a section, cut it and carry on. Do not carry colors up the inside of work.
As more stitches are added to needles switch to longer needles to accommodate them.

VIDEO TUTORIALS

Long-Tail Cast-On >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEGwt4cedLM <<
Knit Stitch (continental style) >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3brKFKg5Yc <<
Purl Stitch (continental style) >> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuDt-8jqh4g <<
How to Add Lifeline >> https://youtu.be/FiqYUE_aHAw <<
How to Tink >> https://youtu.be/c7Gud7k4Y8k <<
How to Bury Ends >> https://youtu.be/8_NBGUKjO-E <<
Fair Isle vid >> https://youtu.be/OaJg_hh1VVw
How to Add Stitches for Underarm >> https://youtu.be/cRRJ2plYr_U
How to do 1×1 ribbing >> https://youtu.be/xx7XFsbEGkE <<

The word "NECK" in large green outlined letters is centered on a colorful abstract background with shapes and patterns, featuring a red YouTube play button icon over the letter "C"—perfect for the Prism Make-Along 2025 or your next Crochet Swoncho project. -Marly Bird — CLICK THE IMAGE FOR THE VIDEO

PRISM PATH KNIT SWONCHO PATTERN – PART 2

Shape Back Neck:

With color A

Note: Work the double stitch as one stitch—treat both loops together as a single stitch to avoid holes.
Set-up Round: Knit.

Row 1 (RS): K22 (22, 25, 25), knit 1 more stitch and German short row turn.

Row 2: P22 (22, 25, 25), slip marker, p22 (22, 25, 25), purl 1 more stitch and German short row turn.

Row 3: K22 (22, 25, 25), slip marker, k26 (26, 29, 29), knit 1 more stitch and German short row turn.

Row 4: P26 (26, 29, 29), slip marker, p26 (26, 29, 29), purl 1 more stitch and German short row turn.

Row 5: K26 (26, 29, 29), slip marker, k30 (30, 33, 33), knit 1 more stitch and German short row turn.

Row 6: P30 (30, 33, 33), slip marker, p30 (30, 33, 33), purl 1 more stitch and German short row turn.

Row 7: K30 (30, 33, 33), slip marker, k34 (34, 37, 37), knit 1 more stitch and German short row turn.

Row 8: P34 (34, 37, 37), slip marker, p34 (34, 37, 37), purl 1 more stitch and German short row turn.

Row 9: Knit to marker.

Begin working in Rounds again as follows:

Note: Change the smaller size needle to a longer cable when necessary to accommodate the full width of the sts.

Round 1: Place marker, Knit around, knit each double stitch together as you come to them. 84 (88, 96, 100) sts.

Round 2: Knit.

Round 3 (increase round): * K2, M1; repeat from * around. 126 (132, 144, 150) sts.

Rounds 4 and 5: Knit.

Round 6 (increase round): * K31 (16, 9, 7), M1, K32 (17, 9, 8), M1, repeat from * around – 130 (140, 160, 170) sts.

Round 7: Knit.

For Size 4/5XL only:

Next 3 Rounds:

Round 1: Knit.

Round 2 (increase round): * K17, M1; repeat from * around – 180 sts. Round 3: Knit

Continue to Part 3: https://marlybird.com/prism-path-knit-swoncho-pattern-part-3/

Prism Path Knit Swoncho | Part 2 | Prism Make-Along 2025 Free Pattern

🧶 How the Free Make-Along Works