The Knitting Fiend

Bold, attractive, easy to work! I’m pretty sure Jim will suggest I use this instead of Wickerwork for his Dad’s sweater. (I’m going to do it anyway, because it’s so much easier to keep track of where I am on the pattern.)

This stitch pattern is basically a decorated 5 x 2 rib. It’s really easy to get this pattern “in your head”; you’ll find you don’t need to read the directions once you complete row 4!

The slanting lines are formed with a variation on the LT (left twist). I will call the variation “ELT” (elongated left twist), and explain the difference between these and the plain ol’ ordinary LT.

But first, here are the directions:

• Cast on a multiple of 7 stitches plus 2 stitches. (Examples: 9 stitches, 16 stitches, 23 stitches etc.)
• Odd rows are wrong side rows.
• Row 1 and all odd rows: K2 * p5, k2; repeat from *.
• Row 2: P2 * ELT, k3, p2; repeat from *.
• Row 4: P2 * k1, ELT, k2, p2; repeat from *.
• Row 6: P2 * k2, ELT, k1, p2; repeat from *.
• Row 8: P2 * k3, ELT, p2; repeat from *.

Repeat rows 1-8.

The “ELT” is almost the as an “LT” which I described yesterday for “Wickerwork”. To begin insert right needle tip through the back loop of the second stitch away from the left needle tip as shown to the left. Wrap the yarn pull the loop through (just as to knit a stitch), but don’t drop the stitches off the left needle. (So far, exactly like the LT.)

Now, insert the right needle tip purlwise into the stitch you skipped. Slip it. Now, pull the stitch you already knitted off the left tip.

You will see the slipped stitch slanting over the stitch you knit. These slanting stitches look elongated because they are only knit every other row.

Also, notice the fabric draws in? You can experiment pressing the fabric or leaving it unpressed. Either way is attractive!

My mind is saying: Saddle shoulder sweater for Jim’s dad. I’ve got to think about that. . .