The Weekly Swatch: Garter Twist Knit Stitch

Here is another two-row repeat stitch that creates texture just through the combination of knit stitches. The twists are created by knitting twice into the previously worked stitch. 

The Garter Twist Knit Stitch requires a multiple of 2 stitches and is worked over 2 rows.  

The Weekly Swatch: Spine Knit Stitch

 

If you love creating rich texture with simple knit and purl stitches, the Spine Knit Stitch should be a staple in your repertoire. 

The rich texture of this stitch is created by passing the needle behind and in front of the first stitch on the left-hand needle, knitting the second stitch before knitting the first stitch and letting both stitches slip off the needle after both stitches have been worked. The stitch requires a multiple of 2 stitches and all wrong side rows are purled throughout. 

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: 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: Wrapped Openwork Lace Columns (Knit Stitch Tutorial)

I am still in love with openwork knit stitches and have prepared another super simple openwork knit stitch for this week's weekly swatch. 

This knit stitch is worked over two rows on a multiple of three plus two stitches, making this an extremely simple, yet highly versatile lace ribbing stitch. This stitch looks (and feels) entirely different, depending on the yarn used. To showcase the look of this stitch in different yarn weights, I knitted my swatches in the images below with Araucania Botany Lace (sock yarn) and Rowan Bamboo Soft. 

The Weekly Swatch: Chevron and Feather Knit Stitch

 

A variation of the classic Feather Knit Stitch, the Feather and Chevron Knit Stitch is simple, yet impactful, as it creates a beautiful scalloped edge. This stitch can be memorised without problem. The stitch motif is created over two rows and the wrong side rows are purled throughout. 

The Weekly Swatch: Gate and Ladder Knit Stitch Pattern

The Gate and Ladder Knit Stitch

For this week's lace knit stitch, I have chosen the Gate and Ladder Stitch. 

This stitch motif is achieved over two rows (excluding the set-up row) and results in a fabric, which combines solid knit columns and openwork ladders, where the yarn over increases are worked. 

As can be seen from the images below, this lace stitch is ideal for yarns of a heavier weight. 

For my samples I have chosen Rowan Bamboo Soft and Stylecraft Merino, both on 4cm knitting needles.

Gate and Ladder Knit Stitch

The Weekly Swatch: The Net Knit Stitch or Filet Net Knit Stitch

For this week's knit swatch I have prepared the Net Knit or Filet Net Knit Stitch. This is an uncomplicated openwork lace knit stitch, which is worked over two rows, creating a mesh fabric. 

When playing around with the swatch, I got the idea that this stitch might be suitable for a project incorporating beads and the below photo of the swatch with black yarn showcases the stitch worked with wooden beads, which were incorporated on the 2nd row. 

Net Knit Stitch or Filet Net Knit Stitch (Yarn: Stylecraft Kon-Tiki) 

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

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.