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05/15/25 •

Prism Path Knit Swoncho | Part 5 | Prism Make-Along 2025 Free Pattern

Can you believe it? We’ve officially hit the halfway point of the Prism Make-Along! 🎉
This week we’re diving into Chart 5, and the colorplay just keeps getting better.

Colorful graphic with a ball of yarn and knitting needle, text reads "Marly Bird's PRISM MAKE-ALONG" in bold, vibrant letters—perfect for knitters and crocheters ready to dive into a fun mystery colorwork challenge, surrounded by abstract shapes and patterns. -Marly Bird

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At this stage, your yoke is large enough to try on—and we highly recommend doing so before continuing.

👕 Try It On!

Carefully slide your swoncho onto a longer needle (or scrap yarn if needed) and try it on to assess the fit.

✔️ Does the neckline sit comfortably?
✔️ Is the fabric laying flat across your chest and shoulders?
✔️ Are your floats relaxed, and does the colorwork feel soft and flexible?

If things are puckering or riding up, it might be time to gently block your yoke or recheck your tension before continuing.

Remember: stranded colorwork can pull in if your floats are tight—so check now while changes are still manageable.

Chart 5: A Vibrant 8-Color Repeat

Chart 5 brings in a bold new section with 8 different colors and a 9-stitch repeat—you’re really flexing those colorwork muscles now!

At this point in the pattern, it’s important to continue practicing good yarn management habits to keep your fabric smooth and beautiful.

🧵 Important Colorwork Notes for Chart 5

  • Total Colors Used: 8
  • Stitch Pattern Repeat: 9 stitches over 11 rounds
  • Color Strategy: Each color is used purposefully—cut the yarn after its last round unless it is reused within one row
  • Secure Tails Smartly: Use your ends to help close any jogs or color gaps at the beginning of the round

This section is where your color palette really starts to sing—enjoy the vibrant transition and keep your floats smooth and relaxed.

💌 New Here? Here’s How the Free Make-Along Works

Just joining us? Welcome to the party! 🎉 Here’s a quick refresher on how the free version of the make-along works:

✨ New pattern parts are released every Monday and Thursday in May
✨ The latest pattern sections are added to the Prism Make-Along blog post
✨ You can view the patterns for free on the blog—no downloads required
✨ Want a direct link in your inbox? Sign up using the form on the blog post to receive pattern updates, supply info, and tips!

📬 Sign up here to stay in the loop and never miss a release!

A mannequin displays a colorful, hand-knitted yoke with intricate, multicolored geometric patterns from the Prism Path Knit Swoncho. Yarn shelves in pink and other hues are visible in the blurred background. -Marly Bird

Looking for Part 4? Click Here.

Scroll down to dive into Part 5 and let’s transition from one color stockinette stitches to some fun colorwork. It is like magic! ✨

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: Mint Julep (n4128) (G)
  • 1 ball: Electric Blue (c26645) (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:

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

💡 Turning on the Wrong Side:

  1. Purl to the stitch indicated in your pattern.
  2. Turn your work—now the right side is facing.
  3. Bring the yarn to the front between the needles.
  4. With yarn in front, slip 1 stitch purlwise from the left needle to the right needle.
  5. Pull the yarn over the top of the right needle to the back. Again, this distorts the stitch and creates the doubled look.
  6. 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

PRISM PATH KNIT SWONCHO PATTERN – PART 5

Chart V 

Knit 11 rounds of Chart V, reading rounds from right to left, noting 9-st repeat will be worked 26 (28, 32, 36) times around.

A knitting color chart grid with 11 rows and 11 columns, featuring ten yarn colors in pink, teal, blue, and gray shades for Prism Path Knit Swoncho | Part 5. The legend at right lists each color’s name and number next to matching color blocks. -Marly Bird

Next round (increase round): With A, * k1, kfb, k7; repeat from * around. 260 (280, 320, 360) sts.

💡 Pro Tip: Continue to weave in your tails as you go. Do not wait until the end to do it!

🎉 You’re Crushing It

If no one’s told you lately: you’re doing awesome. Your Prism Path Swoncho is more than halfway there, and each round is building a wearable work of art. Keep going!

🗓️ Continue to Part 6: https://marlybird.com/prism-path-knit-swoncho-pattern-part-6/
You’re well on your way to a stunning finish—stay consistent, enjoy the color changes, and don’t forget to tag your progress with #PrismMakeAlong and #MarlyBird so we can cheer you on!

Marly Bird

The One and Only, Marly

Marly is a knitwear and crochet designer (and yarn addict) that is here to help you learn how to knit and crochet in a way that's fun and approachable.

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