SKILLS LEVEL: intermediate (3/5)
This pretty classic stitch is based on simple techniques (decreases and increases) but requires a little concentration to insert the needle correctly on the row of decreases and adjust the yarn tension for a regular result.
Tips: Be careful not to pull the yarn too much on the row of decreases and to hold the stitches together without splitting them. You can use the diagram as a guide to keep track of the number of stockinette rows between each stripe 🙂
SOME IDEAS FOR USE:
This stitch creates an effect of raised, very slightly openwork stripes (especially when knitted in a non-elastic yarn such as linen) and is perfect for giving a little relief and a revisited sailor spirit to a summer jumper. It’s also a lovely stitch for layette or children’s jumpers.
You can also play with the stripes and highlight them by using a yarn in a contrasting colour to knit rows 6 and 7.
TECHNICAL INFOS:
Our sample was knitted in Antigone “myosotis” with 3 mm needles on 34 stitches and 50 rows, i.e. 16 repeats of the pattern in width + 2 selvedges knitted in garter stitch and 6 full repeats in height.
This corresponds to a swatch of 24 m x 34 rows for a 10 cm x 10 cm square knitted with the same tension and a weight of approximately 0.6 g/cm2.
Abbreviations:
k2tog = knit two stitches together
RS, WS = Right side, Wrong side.
WRITTEN EXPLANATIONS:
On an even number of stitches :
Rows 1, 3 and 5 (RS): knit.
Rows 2 and 4 (WS): purl.
Row 6 (WS): k2tog to end of row.
Row 7 (RS): work each stitch twice (knit one stitch through front loop and keep it on your left needle, put the yarn in front, then purl the same stitch through front loop, put the yarn back, drop the original stitch from the needle).
Note: for a less openwork result, you can replace these increases with kfb = knit into front and back (Knit into the front of the next stitch, but leave the stitch on the left needle, insert the right needle into the back loop of the same stitch from right to left, knit the stitch again, drop the original stitch from the needle.
Row 8 (WS): purl.
Repeat these 8 rows.
CHART:
If you use this stitch, don’t hesitate to share it with us by using #tutoDRN on Instagram or by sending us photos of your creations. Happy knitting!