Ribbon Stitch

Ribbon Stitch Sample knit with Caron Simply Soft on US size 9 needles

How pretty is this?  I thought it was time for a little color work.  I don't often knit with more than one color, but this stitch makes me want to!  It is much easier than it looks too.

This pattern begins with 10 rows, then after the initial 10 rows you will only be repeating 3-10.  Row 1 is a knit row, and Row 2 is a purl row, which gives you a stockinette base.  Despite being all knit/purl rows, this fabric lays flat; there is no curling.  I think the edges are pretty darn sloppy, even though the pattern suggests an extra stitch on each edge for neatness.  I would probably add a few more stitches to the edges for a more significant border.  

Work on a multiple of 4 stitches, plus 3 - plus 2 more, one for each edge   (My sample was worked on 13 stitches.  Multiple of 4 is 8, plus 3 = 11 stitches for the pattern, plus the 2 edge stitches = 13 stitches total)

You will need two different colors of yarn.  Choose any colors you like - they can be complimentary, or contrasting colors.  If it looks good to you, then you've chosen the right colors!  (For the record, I like pink and red together, even though they "clash".  Remember, there are no rules.)

Pattern notes:

Pwise = purlwise - as if to purl

wyib = with the yarn held in back of the work

wyif = with the yarn held in front of the work

With Color A

Row 1 (Right Side): Knit all stitches

Row 2 : Purl all stitches

With Color B

Row 3: K1 (edge st) *K3, Sl 1 pwise wyib* Repeat from * to last 4 stitches - K3, then K1 (edge st)

Row 4: K1, K3, *Sl 1 pwise wyif, K3* Repeat from * to last stitch, K1

With Color A

Row 5: Knit all stitches

Row 6: Purl all stitches

With Color B

Row 7: K1, *K1, Sl 1 pwise wyib, K2* Repeat from * to last 4 stitches, K1, Sl 1 pwise wyib, K1, then K1 (edge st)

Row 8: K1 (edge st) K1, Sl 1 pwise wyif, K1, *K2, Sl 1 pwise wyif, K1* Repeat from * to last stitch, K1 (edge st)

With Color A

Row 9: Knit all stitches

Row 10: Purl all stitches

Repeat from ROW 3 for pattern.

And here is the video.  Enjoy!

Veil Stitch

Sample knit with Araucania Ruca on US Size 9 needles

I have been wanting to learn this stitch for ages!  However, the written instructions stumped me to no end.  It just didn't make sense to me.  Recently my sister was here for a visit, so I asked her to see if she could figure it out.  Of course, she did!  She has a knack for being good at all things crafty and creative.  I think it took her all of 10 minutes to master Veil Stitch!

Not so much a stitch as it is a technique, Veil Stitch elongates and twists the stitches and produces a mesh-like fabric that is beautiful.  I debated whether or not to even post written instructions or not, since it is hard to describe - and I decided that along with a few pictures, it might make a little sense.  There is a video of course, so if the pictures and words don't make sense, give the video a try.  You probably won't get it the first (or second, or third) time you try, but don't give up!!  Once your hands get used to the movements, it's a piece of cake!  I promise.  And you will be glad once you get the hang of it.

First, in words and pictures:

Work on any number of stitches you like.

1: Insert the right needle into the next stitch on your left needle, as if to knit.  Do not make a knit stitch though!

2: Bring the working yarn between the needles to the front of the work

3: Take the yarn over the top of the left needle, and over the top of the right needle

4: Take the yarn under the right needle, and then over again

5: Pull the yarn through the front leg of your original stitch from the left needle - just as you would for a normal knit stitch and let the yarn drop from the left needle.

Repeat steps 1-5.  Both sides of the fabric are worked in the same manner

Confused??  I was.  Here are a few pictures that may help

Insert the right needle into the next stitch on your left needle, as you would for a normal knit stitch 

Bring the working yarn between the needles - the yarn should be going over the top of the left needle

Now, take the yarn over the top of the right needle.  Do you see how the yarns form an 'X'?  The strand that is slanting from left to right, is the front leg of the stitch on the left needle. 

Next, take the yarn under the right needle, and over the top again

Pull the yarn through the front leg of the original stitch on the left needle - just as you would when making a normal knit stitch.  Your needle is already through the front leg of that stitch, all you are doing now is pulling the wrap from the step above back through that original stitch.  Remember the 'X' your yarn made?  You are pulling the yarn through the bottom of the 'X'.  

Finally, here is the video, which along with the pictures I hope will help you to get the hang of Veil Stitch.  Good luck and Enjoy!

Lorne Pattern - Vintage Stitch Series

Sample knit with Caron Simply Soft on US size 7 needles

This is the next stitch in the Vintage Series that I love.  This one comes from The Lady's Knitting Book, Second Series published in 1881 by E. M. C.   

The pattern calls for "plus 2" stitches - one to be knit on each edge.  If using this stitch alone in your pattern, I would add a few more to make a wider border, because the edges look a little sloppy to me.  If you are a tight knitter, try to loosen up a bit, or use a larger needle so the 'knit 3 together' will be a bit easier on you.

Cast on a multiple of 5 stitches plus 2

Row 1: K1, *K2, YO, K3tog, YO*, repeat from * to end, Knit last stitch

Row 2: K1, *P3, K2*, repeat from * to end, Knit last stitch

Row 3: K1, *P2, K3*, repeat from * to end, Knit last stitch

Repeat these three rows for pattern.

And here is the video.  Enjoy!

Ripple Stitch

Sample knit with Patons Silk Bamboo on US 7 needles

I've decided to post an additional stitch for this week, since "A Pretty Stitch" is a duplicate :0)  Also, this stitch was used in one of the scarves I showed you in my How to Knit a Scarf video, and someone had asked about the pattern.  There is no pattern for the scarf itself, I made it up and didn't bother to write it down.  I just added a simple garter/yarn over border to the Ripple Stitch pattern to make the scarf.  

Work on a multiple of 5 stitches, plus 2

Pattern Note:  All slipped stitches are to be slipped purl-wise, with the yarn held in the front of the work (wyif)

Row 1: K1, *P1, Sl2 wyif, P2tog, YO*, K last stitch

Row 2 and all even numbered Rows: Purl all stitches

Row 3: K1, *Sl2, P2tog, YO, P1*, Knit last stitch

Row 5: K1, Sl1, *P2tog, YO, P1, Sl2*, end last repeat with Sl1, and Knit last stitch

Row 7: K1, *P2tog, YO, P1, Sl2*, Knit last stitch

Row 9: K1, P2, *Sl2, P2tog, YO, P1*, end last repeat with Sl2, P1, and Knit last stitch

Repeat these 10 Rows for pattern.

And here is the video.  Enjoy!

A Pretty Stitch: Vintage Stitch Series

Sample knit with Patons Angora Bamboo on US 7 needles

This weeks stitch comes from My Knitting Book, by Miss Lambert, which was published in 1845.  There is no real name for this stitch.  The book simply calls it "A pretty stitch for a purse".  Good enough for me!  This stitch does look awfully familiar to me though.  I briefly went through a few of my stitch books and posts on this blog, but couldn't find it.  It's possible I am wrong, but I could swear I know this stitch!  Perhaps there is a similar stitch I am thinking of, not this particular one.  If anyone recognizes this stitch, please let me know.  I am curious to see if this has a name in some other book.

UPDATE 11/5: jessontube1 has found the stitch!  It is pebble stitch, which I posted back on May 4, 2011.  Sorry for the duplicate, all.  I will try to get another one up tomorrow - one that I haven't posted already!  **Second Update 11/6:  I happened to come across a very similar stitch in The Big Book of Knitting Stitch Patterns, but called Knotted Stitch. 

This is a very simple and pretty stitch, useful for many other items besides a purse :0)

Cast on an even number of stitches

Row 1: Knit  (You will only work Row 1 once, it is not included in the repeat)

Row 2: Knit 1 *K2tog* Knit last stitch

Row 3: *Knit 1, Make one by knitting into the bar between the stitch you just knit and the next stitch on your left needle* Knit two.  (When you come to the last two stitches, you will not knit the bar between them.  If you do, this will give you an unnecessary extra stitch)

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: Purl

Repeat from Row 2 for pattern.

And of course, here is the video.  Enjoy!