Learning Double Knitting

My friend Danielle is working on a really pretty gingham double knit cowl, so I decided I just had to learn the technique! 

Double knitting uses two colors to make a piece that is two layers thick. 

Danielle told me the basics, and I found a tutorial that had slightly different techniques for double knitting. 

Apparently there are tons of right ways to do this!

I used Cassie Castillo's Basic Double Knitting Tutorial from Ravelry. She has lots of patterns on her blog along with an entrelac tutorial, so be sure to check out Azalea and Rosebud Knits. 

Here's the "right side" of my little double knitting patch...

and here's the "wrong side." 

There are so many ways to cast on and connect the sides. When working flat, I prefer to twist the yarn, bringing the working color up from under the other color, to close the edges.

Eventually, I want to make this cowl (Click it! Do it! It's gorgeous!). I realize this cowl is stranded and not double knit, but I think it would be perfect for a double knit piece. I could make it for my friend who just moved up to Alaska. It'd be really, really warm.

I think I'll start off with something like this washcloth, though. It's best to start small. :)