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Category: Knitting

Crossing Over

Knitted swatch in crossover stitch

Crossover stitch is the latest of my new stitch patterns. Another stitch from the 1930’s, Crossover stitch has lovely columns of faux twisted stitches between columns of eyelets. You can see my swatch biases a little to the left, but if you use needles a couple of sizes larger than you normally would for your chosen yarn, the stitches become stable and won’t lean.

With only two rows, this stitch is super easy to memorise for on-the-go knitting and would be beautiful worked in a panel up the centre front on a top, as an all-over pattern on a stole, or in an afghan square, surrounded by seed stitch.

Sarah

A Versatile Diamond Stitch from 1870

Diamond and zig-zag swatch in knit/purl stitches.

One of the most striking knit and purl patterns I found in The Knitted Lace Pattern Book, was stitch number 31, with offset diamonds and vertical zig-zagging lines of reverse stocking stitch.

Even though this pattern was published in 1870, I think it has a real 1930’s vibe to it, and would make a great sleeveless pullover for a man or a woman, or a really nice scarf. I can also imagine separating the vertical lines of diamonds with a cable stitch, or even working a lace diamond inside each diamond shape.

Whatever you decide to use this stitch for, I hope you have fun with Stitch Number 31 from The Knitted Lace Pattern Book, aka Offset Diamonds. I’ve updated it into modern knitting terms, created a chart and test knit it so it can become a favourite of knitters worldwide once more.

Sarah

She Sells Sea Shells, on a Lace Edging…

Shell patterned knitted lace edging

Today I have another little break from knitting stitch patterns for you, Shell Pattern Lace from a turn of the century hand written notebook. This knitted lace is very much like Kilgorie Edge, but with a much wider heading, and I think the differences make this version more elegant.

Fans of Knitting-and.com may already know that I have a real passion for knitted lace edgings, and I’ll be adding many more over the rest of this year and 2019.

Sarah

A Fruity Stitch for Knitters

A swatch of knitted pineapple stitch.

When I first saw pineapple stitch, I couldn’t figure out why this simple but elegant stitch was given such an odd name. On closer inspection, I suddenly realised!

Little knit stitches that look like pineapples
It’s made up of thousands of tiny pineapples!

Pineapple stitch was particularly popular in the 1930’s and 40’s, often seen on the short sleeve tops that were a staple garment in the era.

Pineapple stitch looks particularly nice worked in a smooth yarn, although a very fine and subtle bouclé would make a very interesting fabric.

I hope you’ve enjoying my little knitted stitch pattern feature over the past few weeks. I have five stitches left in this series. If you’d like to be notified via email whenever I post a new stitch or pattern, you can sign up over on the left (if you’re on a desktop or laptop computer), or beneath this post on tablets or mobile. I never share anyone’s email address with any third parties and will only use it to notify you of new posts.

Sarah

Diamonds are a Boy’s Best Friend

Knit/purl diamonds swatch

Today’s knitting stitch pattern is another knit and purl design with a masculine feel to it that I have dubbed “Diamond Stitch“. A completely reversible stitch, diamond stitch can be knit with a range of yarns for different effects. A smooth, crepe (or cabled) yarn will produce very distinct diamonds. Handspun 2 ply, or even a handspun novelty yarn would produce a softer look. A super light mohair on larger than normal needles would create quite an ethereal fabric.

Try giving Diamond Stitch (and any of the other knit/purl stitches I’ve posted so far), a try with a range of yarns and see what type of fabrics you can create. You might be surprised!

Sarah