The Knitting Fiend

Another striking, yet easy to knit, two color pattern!

Both sides of this fabric look similar. The knit side is illustrated above and to the left; the purl side is above and to the right. If you look carefully you’ll notice the knit side is smoother than the purl side. The knit side of this fabric, formed on odd rows, is considered the right side.

Barred Stripes.¹
Multiple of 4 stitches plus 2 stitches. (e.g. 4 stitches x 3 repeats + 2 stitches = 14 stitches.)

• Cast on with color A; purl one row.
• Row 1: Color B, k1, * sl 2 wyif, k2; repeat from * end k1.
• Row 2: Color B, k1, * p2 , sl 2 wyif; repeat from * end k1.
• Row 3: Color A, k3, * sl 2 wyif, k2; repeat from * end sl 2 wyif, k1.
• Row 4: Color A, k1, * sl 2 wyif, p2; repeat from * end k1.
• Repeat rows 1-4.

I discussed “sl wyif” and “sl wyib” yesterday when I discussed “Blended Stripes”; “sl 2 wyif” is similar. This translates to “slip 2 stitches with yarn in front”.

Do exactly what the directions say. Bring the yarn forward as to purl, slip the next two stitches as to purl. Then, follow the next instruction. Notice the yarn will be in front the whole time you purl rows 2 and 4. You’ll be moving the yarn from front to back as you knit and then slip stitches working rows 1 & 3.

When you slip the stitches, you’ll notice horizontal strands of yarn run across the surface of the fabric; these are called “floats”. I inserted a needle through a column of floats to show you what these look like; similar floats run across the purl side of the fabric. That’s how it should look so don’t worry whe you see these.

It’s pretty, it’s easy and you can incorporate this into your own sweater design!

1. p. 52 “Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns”, Walker.

To find other stitch patterns, visit Knit Stitch Patterns.

Stitch patterns are also compiled at technorati’s knit stitch patterns page, where you’ll also find how to knit articles.

Can you believe only one color is worked each row?

This two color stitch pattern is easy to knit, doesn’t curl, looks terrific on the purl side and acceptable on the knit side! It would make a wonderful vest or scarf.

Here are the directions.

Blended Stripes¹
Multiple of 4 stitches plus 3.

• Cast on a multiple of 4 stitches plus 3 more. (Example 19 stitches = 4*4 stitches + 3 stitches.)
• Knit 1 row with color A. (Wrong side.)
• Row 1: Color B, k1, * sl 1 wyib, p3; repeat from *, end sl 1, k1.
• Row 2: Color B, k1, * sl 1 wyif, k3; repeat from *, end sl 1, k1.
• Row 3: Color A, p3, * sl 1 wyib, p3; repeat from *.
• Row 4: Color A, k3, * sl 1 wyif, k3; repeat from *.
• Repeat rows 1-4.

I hope the long abbreviations “sl 1 wyib” and “sl 1 wyif” haven’t scared off the beginners because they are easy. Here’s what they mean:

• “sl 1 wyib” means ” slip 1 with yarn in back”. This means, hold the yarn in back of the work, which where you normally hold the yarn when you knit a stitch, slip the next stitch. Do remember, the convention in knitting is: slip a stitch by inserting the tip as to purl unless otherwise stated.²
• “sl 1 wyif” means “slip with yarn in front”. This means hold the yarn in front of the work as you would to purl, slip the next stitch inserting the tip as to purl.

Oh, guess what? I made a “boo-boo”. If you look carefully, you’ll spot two light brown horizontal strands covering the vertical dark brown column to the left and near the bottom. Guess who mixed up “wyib” and “wyif” when knitting with light brown? And she did it twice!

Oh well. It was a swatch and this is a blog. Perfection is for other people.

To find my other stitch patterns, visit Knit stitch patterns.

Stitch patterns are also compiled at technorati’s knit stitch patterns page, where you’ll also find how to knit articles.