The Weekly Swatch: Faggot and Chevron Rib Knit Stitch

 

Another simple lace knit stitch motif to add to the collection, the Faggot and Chevron Rib Knit Stitch. The stitch requires a multiple of seven stitches and is knitted over two rows.

Faggot and Chevron Rib Knit Stitch

The Weekly Swatch: Right-Slanting Turkish Rib Knit Stitch

Some ten years ago, I featured the left-slanting Turkish Rib Stitch in a weekly swatch. Today, I am finally following up with the stitch pattern for the right-slanting Turkish Rib Stitch. 

The Turkish Rib Stitch creates a rich diagonal rib texture and, depending how stretched the fabric is, almost gives the impression of lace openwork. The stitch requires a multiple of two plus two stitches and is knitted over four rows, excluding the set-up row. 

Right-Slanting Turkish Rib Knit Stitch Pattern

The Weekly Swatch: Bamboo Rib Knit Stitch

I have prepared another rib knit stitch for this week's not-so-weekly, weekly swatch.  

It's the Bamboo Rib Knit Stitch - an incredibly simple knit stitch. 

The vertical columns are created by yarn overs, which are lifted over the knitted stitches. This stitch is worked over two rows on a multiple of two stitches and all wrong side rows are purled. 

For further posts on ribbed knit stitch tutorials and my knitting patterns utilising ribbed stitches, please visit this link.

The Weekly Swatch: Brioche Rib Knit Stitch Variation

 

For this week's weekly swatch, I am showcasing a variation on the ever popular Brioche Rib Stitch.

The classic Brioche Stitch is a simple rib stitch, that creates a beautiful texture, which is not only pleasing on the eye. The rich and flexible texture created by this stitch also appeals to our sense of touch. Every time I spot a garment knitted in brioche rib, I simply have to feel the texture of the stitch. 

Brioche Rib Stitch is not only an eye-catching stitch, but also easy to knit. 

Following a single set-up row on an even number of stitches, the stitch motif is created by the continuous repetition of a sequence of stitches on every following row. The first stitch of every row is slipped purlwise. Classic Brioche Rib therefore requires no purling or great effort to ensure the stitch count is correct. 

The variation of this classic stitch, as shown in the photos, shares most of the above attributes, but the resulting texture of the knitted columns is more rigid and the variation creates an interesting mesh texture when the fabric stretched sideways. 

Free Mohair Scarf Knitting Pattern: The Winter's End Scarf

This weekend I completed the final rows of my Winter's End scarf and proceeded to block the scarf right after it came off the needles. The Winter's End scarf is knitted with fine 3 ply lightweight mohair yarn. As the pattern is straightforward and simple, this was my in-between, go-to project for the past four months. 

Simple Mohair Knitting Pattern with a Technical Twist

The stitch pattern for the scarf is a simple 1x1 rib and to keep things interesting and achieve a unique look, this mohair scarf pattern incorporates a technical twist. In order to achieve the long chain of stitches and airy texture of the scarf, the project is knitted on needles of two different sizes, radically different sizes to be precise: 2mm and 8mm. 

Free Mohair Scarf Knitting Pattern 

For this reason, and even though the project is perfectly suitable for beginner knitters, the challenge lies not so much in the stitch pattern, but in its execution; i.e. staying in charge of the fuzzy yarn, whilst working the pattern on odd needles and showing them who is boss.

Free Mohair Scarf Knitting Pattern 

I enjoy working with superfine mohair and really appreciate the unique qualities of this type of yarn, but I am well aware that the fuzziness of the material can be a source of frustration. From my experience with mohair knits, the golden rule for working with this type of yarn is to cast on loosely and to ensure you do not knit tightly. (More information on this, is available here.) This advice holds true for all mohair knits, but is even more important when knitting with mohair on odd needles.  

For the Winter's End Scarf I used Yeoman's 3 ply Elsa ( 30% mohair 40% acrylic 30% nylon), which is a budget option when it comes to Mohair yarn. The pattern is equally suitable for similar yarns or more upmarket choices with a higher mohair component (such as Drops Kid Silk) or, if you are preferring the luxury option, those with an added silk component, i.e. Rowan Kid Silk Haze or Debbie Bliss Angel. 

Free Mohair Scarf Knitting Pattern 

Gauge is not important for this project and my scarf is designed to be 35 cm wide and 135 cm long, thus producing a generous, versatile piece that can be worn in a variety of ways, either wrapped around the neck several times to keep chills away, as an accessory draped loosely around the shoulders to show off the knitting or as a protective layer for the head, shielding you from the elements, whilst simultaneously covering your entire head without destroying the hairstyle underneath. 

For a narrower scarf, simply cast on fewer stitches, ensuring you cast-on an odd number of stitches. The length of the scarf can be adapted by measuring the scarf as you knit.

Free Mohair Scarf Knitting Pattern 

The Weekly Swatch: Fisherman's Rib Stitch

Fisherman's Rib is one my all-time favourite stitches. Primarily used for thick and stretchy garments, the motif can either be achieved by picking up yarn and wrapping it round the needle followed by decreasing; or by knitting into the stitch directly below the knit stitch and purling the following stitch. For the sample below, I used the latter method.

Fisherman's Rib Knit Stitch

Cartridge Rib Stitch Baktus - Project Instructions

Free Baktus Knitting Pattern

As promised in my last post, here are the project instructions for the Cartridge Rib Stitch Baktus. 

Garter Stitch Baktus in Araucania Botany Lace 

This project was a modification of the ever popular Baktus pattern by Strikkelise, which is available here. Just like the original, the Catridge Rib Baktus is designed to use exactly one skein of sock yarn. The needle size is up to you and gauge is not important. Happy days!

Garter Stitch Baktus in Araucania Botany Lace 

The Weekly Swatch, Part 3 - The Left Slanting Turkish Rib Stitch

Left - Slanting Turkish Rib Knit Stitch

Turkish Rib stitch (left - slanting) is one of those uncomplicated, easily memorisable (is that a word?) stitches that can lend great texture to a knitted piece, especially in combination with other ribbed stitch motifs, emphasising either texture, direction or both. At the same time, it is certainly more interesting than mere two - by - two ribbing, which can get a bit tedious - both to look at and to knit.

Left - slanting Turkish Rib Stitch in Patons UK Vintage (4mm needles)

As I was knitting up my swatch, it looked like dropped stitches had been incorporated diagonally, giving the knitted fabric a great deal of sideways stretchiness and elasticity . All these properties make this the ideal stitch motif for socks, knee - highs, cowls, mittens and pretty much every other tubularly - shaped or partially tubular piece, allowing for convenient, adaptable fit without requiring a lot of shaping on the knitter's (or designer's) part.

Left - Slanting Turkish Rib Stitch

Knit in a multiple of two stitches.

Special Abbreviation: PR - (Basically the opposite of a psso on the left hand needle.) 

Purl stitch, return stitch from right hand needle to left hand needle, insert right hand needle into the stitch next to the returned stitch on the left hand needle, lift this stitch over the purled stitch and drop it off the needle. Return stitch on left hand needle to right hand needle. Done!

Row 1: knit all stitches

Row 2: P1, * yo, PR, rep from * to last stitch, p1.

Row 3: K1, *sl1, k1, psso, yo, rep from * to last stitch, k1

Repeat Rows 2 and 3.

- !! Update !! -

The stitch pattern / tutorial for the right-slanting Turkish Rib Stitch is now available here.

For all knit stitch patterns and weekly swatch posts, please follow this link to my knit stitch library.

For further posts on ribbed knit stitch tutorials and my knitting patterns utilising ribbed stitches, please visit this link.

One way of storing your knitting

My swatch is knit in Patons (UK) Vintage (a cotton / acrylic mix) on 4mm needles.

The Weekly Swatch, Part 1 - Cartridge Rib Stitch

I have been toying with the idea of creating a swatch / stitch library on the blog for quite some time, but never gotten round to actually doing something about it. As I have more time on my hands at the moment, it appears a good time to get started and commit. I can't guarantee that this will become a weekly thing, but the good intentions are there. (She says.......)

For various reasons, I am currently into simple stich motifs. When designing my own knitted objects, I found that simplicity is a good starting point. From a practical viewpoint, simple motifs make it easy to knit whilst doing something else.

Cartridge Rib Stitch