Spiral Cable

Sample knit with worsted weight yarn on US Size 6 needles

You asked for it, so here we go!  For about the last month, there has been a poll up, to determine if you all would like to see longer videos in which I demo cables and lace stitches.  I usually choose stitches that aren't too long or complicated in order to keep the videos brief.  There are many beautiful lace and cable stitches out there though, and most take longer to do than stitches I have done in the past.  The majority of you said you don't mind having to watch a longer video if it means getting to see more cables and lace.  I will still do other stitches, but there will now be more complicated/longer stitch patterns as well.

This is the first stitch I chose to do - a beautiful spiral cable.  Not complicated, maybe just a little tricky if you are new to cables.  Even a beginner can do this, with some practice.

If you don't have a cable needle, you can just use a DPN - make sure it is an appropriate size for your yarn.  The same size as the needle you are using to knit with is perfect, but you can use a needle one size smaller.  Too big and your stitches may get stretched, too small and it will probably slide out of your stitches.  

This is a 10 stitch cable worked on a reverse stockinette background, and an 8 row repeat.  The pattern below is for the cable only.  You will need to add more stitches for the reverse stockinette background.  In my sample above, I have six stitches of reverse stockinette on each side of my cable, so I have a total of twenty-two stitches on my needles.  You can have more or less stitches separating your cables - whatever looks good to you.

Notes:

C4B = Slip next two stitches from left needle to cable needle, hold in back of work.  Knit two from the left needle, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle.  (You can knit directly from the cable needle, or slip the stitches back to the left needle - whichever way is most comfortable for you)

2 SC = 2 Stitch Cross, Skip the first stitch on the left needle, and knit the second, leaving it on the left needle.  Knit the first stitch, and drop it and the second stitch from the left needle

Cast on 10 stitches for each cable, plus extra stitches for reverse stockinette background

Row 1: Knit

Rows 2 - 4 - 6 - 8: Purl

Row 3: K4, C4B, 2 SC

Row 5: K2, C4B, 2 SC, K2

Row 7: C4B, 2 SC, K4

And here is the video.  Happy Knitting, and Enjoy!

French Lace Edging - Vintage Stitch Series

Sample knit with Patons Grace on US Size 5 needles (Kollage Yarns Square  Needles)

I decided to do another vintage lace edging this week.  I have seen "French Lace" stitch patterns several times in the old books and newspapers, and this is the one I chose this time.  This appeared in the March 19, 1882 New-York Daily Tribune and was submitted by Emma Estelle Wetsel.

Cast on 15 stitches

Row 1: K3, YO, K2tog, K3, YO, K1, YO, K6

Row 2: K6, YO, K3, YO, K2tog, K3, YO, K2tog, K1

Row 3: K3, YO, K2tog, K2tog, YO, K5, YO, K6

Row 4: Bind Off 4 sts, K1, YO, K2tog, K3, K2tog, YO, K2tog, K1, YO, K2tog, K1

Row 5: K3, YO, K2tog, K1, YO, K2tog, K1, K2tog, YO, K3

Row 6: K3, YO, K1, YO, S2KP, YO, K4, YO, K2tog, K1

And here is the video.  Happy Knitting and Enjoy! 

Pillar Stitch

Sample knit with Red Heart worsted, US Size 9 needles

This is another simple pattern - only 2 rows so it is very easy to remember too.  The only thing you may find hard about this stitch is the purl 3 together, knit 3 together, purl 3 together into the same stitch.  I have a couple tips at the end of the video for this.

Work on a multiple of 4 + 1

Row 1: K1 *P3tog, leave sts on left needle, Knit same 3 sts together, Purl the same 3 sts together again, and drop from left needle, K1*
Row 2: Purl

Repeat these two rows for the pattern.

Here is the video.  Happy Knitting and Enjoy!

Tulle Stitch

Sample knit with Cascade Pima Cotton on US Size 6 needles

This is another stitch that is super easy and gives a nice, lacy effect great for a summer scarf or shawl.  Only two rows, this stitch is easy to remember too.  As you can see from the picture, this stitch creates an angled fabric - something you may want to consider. Also, the edges are a bit sloppy, so you may also want to add some extra stitches for a border, depending on what you are knitting.

Cast on any odd number

Row 1: Knit all stitches

Row 2: *K2tog, YO*, Knit last stitch

Repeat these two rows for pattern.

Here is the video.  Happy Knitting and Enjoy!

Mock Cables

Sample knit with Cascade 220 on US Size 6 needles

If you like the look of cables, but don't like fiddling with cable needles, or haven't really tried cables yet, this lacy stitch can give you the look of cables without the work.

Cast on a multiple of 4 plus 2

Row 1: P2 *K2, P2*
Row 2: K2 *P1, YO, P1, K2*
Row 3: P2 *K3, P2*
Row 4: K2 *P3, K2*
Row 5: P2 *K3, Pass the first K st over the last two K sts, P2*

Repeat from Row 2 for pattern

Here is the video.  Happy Knitting and Enjoy!