Knitting 4 of my favorite stitch motifs – Part I

This week, I’m knitting with Rozetti Yarns Nymph, that combines 84% cotton with 16% polymide for an irresistibly soft yarn that is great for all ages. This DK-weight yarn has a light chainette construction, with soft fibers blown through for a gorgeous halo. Have you had a chance to see my swatches over different pattern motifs I knit up yesterday in Nymph?

Today, I’m knitting squares in some of my favorite motifs. Before we get started, I wanted to give you some background into my inspiration for this project.

I co-host a Zoom Knit Night Study group for the Etobicoke Handweavers and Spinners Guild with my knitting pal, Gloria. Each meet-up focuses on different techniques used in knitting for the purpose of sharing and enhancing the knowledge of participants. Gloria and I came up with a “stitch of the meet” program, but thought that rather than just learning a new stitch, we’d make it a mystery Knit-a-long (KAL). We designed 12 different squares that fell into 4 different categories: 1) Basic Knit & Purl combinations, 2) Lace work from beginner to more advanced, 3) Different Ribbing techniques that ranged from Mistake Rib to 2-color Brioche, and 4) Knitting stitches that resembled weaving patterns. Around the same time that we were planning that program, I was introduced to Nymph and thought that the same concept would showcase the versatility of the yarn.

All squares have the same number of stitches and rows. The crochet cast on method is used throughout, along with a conventional cast off, and slipped stitch edges. If you’re unfamiliar with the crochet cast on method, you can find any number of videos on YouTube that demonstrate this technique. You start with a slip knot on the crochet hook and place it beside your knitting needle. By wrapping the yarn around the needle and making a chain stitch with the crochet hook, you create a stitch on the needle and a lovely chain edge that looks the same as a conventional cast off edge. The one point to note is that when you cast on 38 stitches using this method, you actually have 37 chain edge stitches. That’s because the last stitch is formed by taking the loop from the crochet hook and placing it on the needle.

Before we get started with the stitch patterns, here is a list of the materials I used and standard abbreviations used throughout. Whenever there is something unique to a particular pattern, it will be noted with the pattern. Unless the pattern states otherwise, I used a US 6 [4.0mm] needle.

materials

yarn

needles

  • US 5 [3.75mm], US 6 [4.0mm], and US 7 [4.5mm] knitting needles
  • US 7 [4.5mm] crochet hook

abbreviations

k = Knit

p = Purl

kfb = Knit into the front and back of the same stitch

ktbl = Knit through back loop of stitch

k2tog = Knit 2 sts together

p2tog = Purl 2 sts together

yf = Yarn forward

yb = Yarn in back

yo = Yarn over, bring yarn to front before knitting next stitch

ssk = Slip, Slip, Knit, slip each stitch knit-wise, then knit them together through back loop

sl = Slip stitch purl-wise

st(s) = Stitch(es)

rem = Remaining

RS = Right side of work

WS = Wrong side of work

Waffle Stitch

This is probably my favorite stitch pattern to use on socks. In fact, I used it on the socks I made previously with Odette. It can even be used with self patterning sock yarn as the motif does not take away from the yarn, but adds a little more interest while you’re knitting. We used this stitch pattern in our KAL as an example of how Knits and Purls can create interesting motifs. The pattern below has been converted from knitting in the round to working flat. I made 3 of these in colors Taiga, Salvia, and Swan.

Cast on 38 sts using the crochet cast on method.

Row 1: Sl1, k1, *p2, k2; repeat from * till 4 sts rem, p2, k2.

Row 2: Sl1, p1, *k2, p2; repeat from * till 4 sts rem, k2, p1, k1.

Row 3: Sl1, knit to end of row.

Row 4: Sl1, purl till 1 st rem, K1.

Work Pattern Rows 1 – 4 12 times total, then work Rows 1 and 2

Once completed, you will have 50 rows.

Cast off loosely.

I used a US 6[4.0mm] needle and Nymph in Taiga for the Waffle Stitch square, which is my favorite stitch to use when making socks.

Checkerboard Lace

This pattern stitch has been taken from the Checkerboard Lace scarf which is a free pattern on Ravelry. I’ve made this scarf previously, and will likely do so again. I love the look of it. I can envision using Nymph and this stitch pattern to make a lovely and light summer wrap to ward off the evening chill or air conditioning. We used this in our KAL in the lace category as the second level since a Yarn Over is always directly used beside a K2tog or SSK stitch. I made four of these in each of my colors; Taiga, Salvia, Swan, and Goblet.

Cast on 38 sts using the crochet cast on method and a US 5 [3.75mm] knitting needle.

Set up Row: Sl1, Knit to end of row

Row 1 and every odd numbered row: Sl1, k1, purl to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 2: Sl1, k5, *yo, ssk, k1, (k2tog, yo) 2 times, k3, repeat from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 4: Sl1, k1, *k3, (yo, ssk) 2 times, k1, k2tog, yo, repeat from * to last 6 sts, k6.

Row 6: Sl1, k3, *(yo, ssk) 3 times, k4, repeat from * to last 4 stitches, yo, ssk, K2.

Row 8: Sl1, k2, *(yo, ssk) 4 times, k2, repeat from * to last 5 stitches, yo, ssk, K3.

Row 10: Repeat Row 6.

Row 12: Repeat Row 4.

Row 14: Repeat Row 2.

Row 16: Sl1, k1, k2tog, yo, *k4, (k2tog, yo) 3 times, repeat from * to last 4 sts, K4.

Row 18: Sl1, k2, k2tog, yo, *k2, (k2tog, yo) 4 times, repeat from * to last 3 sts, K3.

Row 20: Repeat Row 16.

Repeat Rows 1 – 20 once more, then repeat Rows 1 – 9.

Once completed, you will have 50 rows.

Cast off loosely.

I used a US 5 [3.75mm] needle and Nymph in Swan for the Checkerboard Lace square, which is a free pattern on Ravelry.

Eyelet Stitch Pattern

This stitch pattern is from a vintage baby pattern book that I have made several times. It’s probably my favorite baby sweater pattern. I say vintage because it’s been around for a very long time, but I believe it’s still in print, which means some designs never go out of style. It incorporates the Knit Below stitch that is used in Fisherman’s Rib. We used this stitch pattern in our KAL as an introduction to lace. I made 3 of these in Taiga, Salvia, and Swan.

Special Abbreviations:

kb = Knit below; Insert right needle into the stitch below the next stitch on the left needle and knit.

Cast on 38 sts using the crochet cast-on method.

Row 1: Sl1, knit to end of row.

Row 2: Sl1, purl till 1 st rem, k1.

Row 3: Sl1, *k2tog, yo, kb, yo, ssk, k1; repeat from * until 1 st rem, k1.

Row 4: Sl1, purl till 1 st rem, k1.

Work Pattern Rows 1 – 4:  12 times total; then repeat Rows 1 and 2.

Once completed, you will have 50 rows.

Cast off loosely.

I used a US 6[4.0mm] needle and Nymph in Taiga for the Eyelet Stitch square.

Faux Cable Twist

I first discovered this stitch from a sock knitting pattern many years ago. Since then, I have used it on the legs of socks as well as an added embellishment on the sleeves of sweaters. It goes by different names such as Faux Cable and Mock Cable, but I like to call it the Faux Cable Twist because of the twisted stitch in between each of the cable motifs. Originally designed for working in the round, the pattern has been converted for knitting flat. I made 4 squares in this motif; 1 in each color.

special abbreviations

  • ktbl = Knit through back loop
  • ptbl = Purl through back loop

Cast on 38 sts using the crochet cast on method.

Set Up Row:  Sl1 *ktbl, p1, k2, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts; ktbl, k1.

Row 1:   Sl1, *ptbl, k1, p2, k1; rep from * to last 2 sts; ptbl, k1.

Row 2:   Sl1, *ktbl, p1, k1, yo, k1, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts; ktbl, k1.

Row 3:   Sl1, *ptbl, k1, p3, k1; rep from * to last 2 sts; ptbl, k1.

Row 4:   Sl1, *ktbl, p1, k3, with the tip of the left needle, lift the third stitch on the right needle over the first two sts and drop it off, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts; ktbl, k1.

Work Pattern Rows 1 – 4:  12 times total; then repeat Row 1.

Once completed, you will have 50 rows.

Cast off loosely.

I used a US 6[4.0mm] needle and Nymph in Salvia for the Faux Cable Twist square.

We have completed four of the eight different stitch patterns that I used in my “favorite things” blanket. I love the stitch definition that was achieved with Nymph. The soft halo complimented each pattern beautifully.

Please join me tomorrow for Part II as I reveal the remaining stitch patterns with Nymph and start planning how they will all be laid out.

Rozetti Yarns Nymph in colors Goblet, Swan, Salvia, and Taiga are suitable for all ages.

This is part 3 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 2: Knitting swatch squares with Nymph over different pattern motifs

Go to part 4: Knitting 4 more of my favorite stitch motifs – Part II

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