The Irish Mesh Knitting Stitch is a fun, simple all over lace pattern stitch with a little structure and chunkiness to it. Its easy 4 row repeat is simple to remember and easy to integrate into a blanket, shawl or scarf pattern adding dimension and depth to your garments.
When I first started knitting, lace stitches really, really intimidated me. I would shy away from patterns that used lace motifs, opting for a chunkier and cozier aesthetic. While I still appreciate a good bulky knit, I've recently found that stitches with an airier look are versatile and add more texture to a knit garment than traditionally chunky stitches.
The best discovery I've made about lace knitting is that you don't actually have to knit lace stitches with lace weight yarn. Duh, right? But this discovery was huge for me. I've totally fallen in love with the look of a lacy pattern knit in bulky yarn. It's unexpectedly cozy in an opposites attract kind of way.
Here's the full repeat so you can fall in love with the Irish Mesh Stitch with me:
Cast-on multiples of 3 stitches. Keep in mind the lacy nature of this stitch means it will have lots of stretch to it and expand as you knit.
- Row 1 (RS): K2 *yarn over, slip 1 as if to knit with yarn at back, K2, pass slipped stitch over both knit sts* repeat from * to * last st, K1.
- Row 2 (WS): Purl all stitches.
- Row 3 (RS): K1, *slip 1 as if to knit with yarn in back, K2, pass slipped stitch over both knit sts, yarn over*; repeat from * to * last 2 sts, knit 2.
- Row 4 (WS): Purl all stitches.
These last 4 rows make up the pattern.
Here's a full video tutorial to help guide you through the Irish Mesh stitch on my IGTV page.
I can't wait to see how you guys use this stitch in your projects. Tag #lrdstitches so I can swoon over all your cozy garments.
Happy Knitting!
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When I first came across the stamen stitch I was so excited by it's unique texture. The stitch creates movement and feels lifelike. I am so excited to add it to a homeware pattern because I love running my hands over the slipped stitch bumps and it looks effortlessly cozy.
It feels great to add the stamen knit stitch to the blog this week as part of the weekly summer stitch tutorials this summer. If you want to get caught up on all our past stitches you can check them out here. This is the fourth stitch in our series which means I've officially made it through the first month of this project! Yay! I initially started these stitch tutorials as a way to combat design fatigue and be re-inspired by learning new knitting techniques. And guess what? I think it's working. I have a notepad full of new design ideas that I can't wait to see come to life.
Ready to get stitching? Here's the stamen stitch repeat:
For symmetry cast-on an even number of stitches +1 + 1 edge stitch on either side.
- Row 1: Knit all stitches
- Row 2: K1 (edge), K1, *slip one stitch purlwise with yarn at back, K1*, rep from * to * until last stitch, K1 (edge)
- Row 3: Knit all stitches
- Row 4: K1 (edge), *slip 1 purlwise with yarn at back, K1*, rep from * to * until last stitch, K1, K1 (edge)
Check out the full video tutorial of this stitch:
I hope you love this stitch as much as I do! Happy knitting!
Tag #lrdstitches if you use this one so I can swoon over what you're making with these new skills. Yay!
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If you're reading this, congrats! You've made it to the third week of our weekly stitch series. I have loved learning new stitches every week and posting about it on this blog. If you are playing along, be sure to tag #lrdstitches to be entered to win some prizes from my shop. If you are new here: hiiiiii! Be sure to check out the original KAL blog post to get all caught up.
I love the wicker stitch because of the structured, density of how it knits up. I think it would be a great stitch to use on a collar of a knit sweater, a border edge on a blanket or shawl, or in knitting homewares where you need a sturdy feel. Because of the dense nature of this stitch, I would suggest going up a needle size (or two) to ensure your tension has some ease to it. To be honest, I could have sized up a needle size for this swatch and will definitely do so if I use this stitch in a future design. Another thing I learn't about this stitch is that it 'eats up' more yardage than other stitches. Keep this in mind when you choose to use it in your projects!
Ready to get going? Here's the wicker stitch repeat:
Cast-on an uneven number of stitches. For the purposes of this tutorial I cast-on 21 stitches.
- Row 1 (RS): Slip 1st stitch knitwise with yarn in back, *K into the back loop of the second stitch on your LH needle, K1 into first stitch, slip both stitches off your needle*, rep from * to * until the end of the row.
- Row 2 (WS): Slip 1st stitch purlwise with yarn in front, *P the second stitch on your LH needle, P the first stitch the first stitch, slip both stitches off your needle*, rep from * to * until the end of the row.
Here's a video tutorial of how this is all done. (Click on the post and swipe to see side A and B).
I can't wait to see what you make with this one! Happy Knitting!
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If you're new around here, welcome! You might wanna take a peak at last week's blog to get all caught up on the stitch KAL I've taken on this summer, where every week we explore a new knitting stitch.
We started off last week with a lacy, slipped stitched pattern. This week I thought it would be fun to go in a completely new direction. We are working with the Grid Stitch. This stitch is chunky, textured stitch would make an amazing chunky scarf, blanket or anything where both side A and B of your work is visible. The texture resembles a waffle pattern and inspires instant coziness for any design you use it in.
Here's the simple written repeat for the grid stitch stitch:
For symmetry, cast-on multiples of 2 sts + 1st + 1 Edge st on either side. For the purposes of my swatch, I cast-on 15 stitches.
- Row 1 (RS): K1 (edge), *K1, P1*, repeat from * to * until last stitch, K1 (edge)
- Row 2 (WS): K1 (edge), work each stitch in the manner it presents [meaning if the stitch is a purl, purl it and if it's a knit, knit it] until last stitch, K1 (edge)
- Row 3 & 4: Knit all Stitches
I can't wait to see how this cozy stitch works up in all of your projects! As always, please tag #lrdstitches so that I can see what you're working on and so you can win some fun maker prizes. Happy Knitting!
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It's officially July-- the summer! Which means that I am already late in designing and knitting my fall collection. If you've been following my story lately you know that I've been looking for some inspiration to combat design fatigue and re-spark my knitting mojo. Whenever I've hit a design wall in the past, several tricks have helped me push through: knitting a personal project, working with a new fibre or learning a new technique.
So, I've decided to commit to learning one new stitch a week this summer. I'm blogging about it here to remain accountable to this project and also with the hopes that some of you would like to join in a semi- KAL sort of thing.
Here's the breakdown of how this is going to work:
I don't know about you, but learning new skills in the company of fellow makers. What could be better?
Ready? Let's get stitching!
This week's featured stitch is called the Mock Turkish Stitch. This stitch is a great combination of a chunky vertical stripe contrasting with an airy lace pattern. The pattern is a simple 2 row, 2 stitch repeat. I think it would make a great stitch for a scarf, or the border of a large project like a sweater or blanket.
Here's the repeat:
Cast-on multiples of 2 sts + 1 edge stitch on either side.
- Row 1 (RS): K1 (edge), *slip 1 stitch knitwise, K1, pass slipped st over, yarn forward*, repeat from * to * to last st, K1 (edge).
- Row 2 (WS): K1 (edge), *P2together, yarn around needle*, repeat from * to * to last st, K1 (edge).
Can't wait to see what you guys make with this one! Yay!
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The Find your Fade shawl by Andrea Mowry has been on my make wish list since its release in late 2016. I remember seeing it on Ravelry's homepage and wondering how colours that were so contrasting could become so blended and seamless. I thought there must have been some witchcraft going on. Was it a stitch I didn't know about? Was it the yarn itself? I had to find out. (Answer: it's all about the yarns you choose).
I spent the next few years building my knitwear business, finding little time for personal projects and having little desire to knit for pleasure after long days of making things for orders, for markets or for my shop. Still, I saw other maker friends of mine casting-on this magnificent shawl and every new version I saw was more beautiful than the last. It continued to pique my interest despite some of the newer and more trendy designs emerging on the knitwear scene. When I decided to take maternity leave this year it was definitely time for a personal project, and the find your fade was at the top of my list.
Thank goodness a good friend of mine jumped aboard this journey with me in the form of a KAL, because I'm not sure I would have completed the shawl without her help. She brought me food when my fridge was empty, my energy was low and when that new mom life was just too much. We helped each other carve out space to make. Being a new mom meant a lot of changes for me, and losing parts of myself to become a new me has been a big part of my post-partum journey. It seems only fitting that as my mat leave is coming to and end, my fade has found it's way off of my needles too.
This pattern was everything as beautiful as the pictures I saw online made it look. The yarn I used was a combination of indie yarns from talented dyers, and even though it was a little brighter and less neutral than my usual palette it worked up perfectly! I loved being able to work on this project on-the-go due to the large, mindless sections of all knit stitches. That being said, the process was looooonnnnggg and by the time I got to my last colour I seriously considered casting-off early and finishing the shawl a few rows short. I was ready to move on from the project and become re-inspired by something else. To be honest, maybe I should have because the shawl is HUGE, and not the finished size I was expecting. Still, small tiny shawlettes are not my thing so I'm sure I will love the oversized nature of this shawl once winter hits.
Anyway, I guess this post isn't so much an in-depth review of the pattern, as much as a quick note to highlight a project I am proud that I made and I probably would never make again 🙃.
Pattern: Find Your Fade, Andrea Mowry
Yarns: Hello Stella (3 first skeins), Annie Paaren (middle skein) & Artfil Belle (last 3 skeins)
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When I found out I was pregnant this past year I was very cautious about what I wanted to knit for my growing human. So many of the baby patterns available I found too 'cutesy' or simply were not patterns I was excited to take on. I wanted to choose tiny projects where I could splurge on some beautiful yarn and tackle a few of the patterns I had long time drooled over. It was the best time for some selfish knitting-- enter Purl Soho's Mosaic blanket pattern.
This pattern has been pinned in my bookmarks bar for about a year now. The complicated looking texture and graphic two-toned colour work is right up my alley.
I chose neutral colours with high contrast so I the colour work in this pattern could really pop. This was my first time knitting a mosaic pattern and let me just say that I am hooked. The ease of knitting colour work with one colour per row and slipped stitches completely changed my view on how to construct colourful patterns that look good on both side A and B of your work. The back of this pattern ends up looking like little purls, and while it's not as neat and tidy as the front it is still an interesting textured part of the project.
The pattern suggests a heavy worsted/ aran weight yarn. After playing around with my yarn and gauge I decided to go up a needle size from what is recommended for a slightly airier finished piece. It is for a baby after all and dense, itchy fabric was not the vibe I was looking for.
My struggle with this pattern is that after doing about 18 repeats, I still can't seem to memorize it. I have to check back and see where I am almost every row. This means I can't take it to any stitch & sips or work on it while in the presence of others. So. It's taken me a long time to knit up. I often find myself leaving it at home and grabbing a more mindless project for a day out and about.
I am so happy that I took a leap to knit someone else's blanket pattern, and I know that once it is done it will be a beautiful piece for baby to enjoy for years to come.
Pattern: Purl Soho Mosaic Blanket Pattern (free on their website!)
Yarn: Stonehedge Shepherd's Wool Yarn in worsted weight found at local LYS La Maison Tricotée
If you've been searching for an easy top-down sweater I would highly recommend the Flax Light sweater by Tin Can Knits. I decided to knit this pattern because not only is it a free download on Ravelry it has almost 12,000 reviews and a nearly perfect rating.
I've now knit 3 of them in the newborn size and it makes a great 1 skein fingering weight project. I love the idea of making this project for a newborn gift because you can splurge on some nice yarn as you only need 1 skein! What's more newborns are squirmy and overheat easily. The lighter yarn weight makes it a great fit for babies, especially because they will most likely wear an undershirt or onesie underneath.
My only complaint in knitting this pattern, which has pretty much nothing to do with the pattern itself, is that I had to purchase an additional pair of needles for the ribbing. Unfortunately my addi click tip needle set (and most other needle sets from the popular needle manufacturers) don't come with the ability to click in smaller lace size needles into their standard cord sets. I usually try to stay away from patterns that require additional needle purchases, but for this one I'm happy to have made an exception.
The newborn sweater size probably took me a total of 5-6 hours to make, so if you're really disciplined you can whip it out in a day. You can see part of the process captured on video on my instagram.
I'm sure that I will continue making this pattern as a baby gift for years to come (especially now that I have invested in the required needles)!
Ready to get knitting?
Find the free pattern on Ravelry.
Yarn Used: Fingering weight 80% Superwash Merino, 10% Cashmere, 10% Nylon blend by indie dyer Knitting it Yarns.
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