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!