Mountain: a free lace knitting stitch pattern

This month, the random number generator chose mountain, suggested by Lara on Patreon. I decided that this would be fun to encode into a triangle shape to make mountains, and I’m glad I did! (The alternating reverse stockinette stitch triangles are not part of the code.) I also tried out some of the things I learned from the Japanese Knitting Stitch Bible, and this time I’m very pleased indeed, though I know it makes the instructions more complicated.

Each month, my Patreon backers have the chance to suggest words for me to encode as knitting stitches. A random number generator helps me choose the word of the month, and then I get to work, first turning the letters into numbers, then charting the numbers onto grids in various ways. Finally, when I make the chart into lace, I turn the marked squares into yarnovers and work out where to place the corresponding decreases. (I usually make lace; occasionally I make cables instead.) I also make a chart for any craft that uses a square grid for designing; this goes in a separate post.

Mountain: a free lace knitting stitch pattern by Naomi Parkhurst

Mountain: a free lace knitting stitch pattern by Naomi Parkhurst
click to enlarge

Notes:

  • This is a stitch pattern such as might be found in a stitch dictionary. This is not a pattern for a finished object. You will need to add selvedges or some other form of knitted stitches to either side.
  • Mountain is a multiple of 14+15 stitches and 56 rows.
  • I have made a stitch map for it.
  • There are a lot of different twisted stitches in here. Please feel free to ask questions about them! An online search for “twisted decreases” will find you some other ways of describing the same or similar maneuvers.
  • Designers, please feel free to use it in your patterns. I’d like credit but won’t be offended if people don’t give it.
  • If you like my posts like this, please consider supporting me on Patreon or donating with my Paypal tip jar in the sidebar. Thanks!

Abbreviations:

  • 1/1 LT: Slip next stitch to cable needle and place at front of work, knit 1 tbl, then knit 1 tbl from cable needle.
  • 1/1 RT: Slip next stitch to cable needle and place at back of work, knit 1 tbl, then knit 1 tbl from cable needle.
  • 3 stitch wrap: k1 tbl, p1, k1 tbl. Slip those three stitches onto a cable needle, then wrap yarn twice counter-clockwise so the yarn ends in the back, ready to knit the next stitch. Slip the stitches onto the right needle.
  • k: knit.
  • k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as if they were 1. (Right-leaning decrease)
  • k3tog: knit 3 stitches together as if they were 1. (Right-leaning double decrease)
  • p: purl.
  • ssk: slip each of the next 2 stitches as if to knit, then knit them together through the back loop. (Left-leaning decrease.
  • sssk: slip each of the next 3 stitches as if to knit, then knit them together through the back loop. (Left-leaning double decrease.)
  • tbl: through the back loop.
  • tk2tog: slip 1 purlwise, slip 1 purlwise through the back loop to twist the stitch. Slip each stitch back to left needle and knit 2 together. The front stitch is twisted.
  • tskp: slip 1 purlwise, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over. The front stitch is twisted.
  • yo: yarnover.

Row 1 (RS): p6, k1 tbl, k1, *k1 tbl, p11, k1 tbl, k1; work from *, k1 tbl, p6. [29 sts]
Row 2 (WS): k6, p1 tbl, *p1, p1 tbl, k11, p1 tbl; work from *, p1, p1 tbl, k6.
Row 3: p6, k1 tbl, k1, *k1 tbl, p11, k1 tbl, k1; work from *, k1 tbl, p6.
Row 4: k6, p1 tbl, *p1, p1 tbl, k11, p1 tbl; work from *, p1, p1 tbl, k6.
Row 5: p5, tk2tog, kyok, *tskp, p9, tk2tog, kyok; work from *, tskp, p5.
Row 6: k5, p1 tbl, p1, *p2, p1 tbl, k9, p1 tbl, p1; work from *, p2, p1 tbl, k5.
Row 7: p5, tk2tog, kyok, *tskp, p9, tk2tog, kyok; work from *, tskp, p5.
Row 8: k5, p1 tbl, p1, *p2, p1 tbl, k9, p1 tbl, p1; work from *, p2, p1 tbl, k5.
Row 9: p5, tk2tog, yo, k1, *yo, tskp, p9, tk2tog, yo, k1; work from *, yo, tskp, p5.
Row 10: k5, p1 tbl, p1, *p2, p1 tbl, k9, p1 tbl, p1; work from *, p2, p1 tbl, k5.
Row 11: p4, tk2tog, yo, k2, *k1, yo, tskp, p7, tk2tog, yo, k2; work from *, k1, yo, tskp, p4.
Row 12: k4, p1 tbl, p2, *p3, p1 tbl, k7, p1 tbl, p2; work from *, p3, p1 tbl, k4.
Row 13: p3, tk2tog, yo, k3, *k2, yo, tskp, p5, tk2tog, yo, k3; work from *, k2, yo, tskp, p3.
Row 14: k3, p1 tbl, p3, *p4, p1 tbl, k5, p1 tbl, p3; work from *, p4, p1 tbl, k3.
Row 15: p3, k1 tbl, yo, ssk, k2, *k1, k2tog, yo, k1 tbl, p5, k1 tbl, yo, ssk, k2; work from *, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 tbl, p3.
Row 16: k3, p1 tbl, p3, *p4, p1 tbl, k5, p1 tbl, p3; work from *, p4, p1 tbl, k3.
Row 17: p2, 1/1 RT, k1, yo, ssk, k1, *k2tog, yo, k1, 1/1 LT, p3, 1/1 RT, k1, yo, ssk, k1; work from *, k2tog, yo, k1, 1/1 LT, p2.
Row 18: k2, p1 tbl, p4, *p5, p1 tbl, k3, p1 tbl, p4; work from *, p5, p1 tbl, k2.
Row 19: p2, k1 tbl, yo, ssk, k2tog, kyok, *ssk, k2tog, yo, k1 tbl, p3, k1 tbl, yo, ssk, k2tog, kyok; work from *, ssk, k2tog, yo, k1 tbl, p2.
Row 20: k2, p1 tbl, p4, *p5, p1 tbl, k3, p1 tbl, p4; work from *, p5, p1 tbl, k2.
Row 21: p1, tk2tog, yo, k2tog, yo x 2, ssk, k1, *k2tog, yo x 2, ssk, yo, tskp, p1, tk2tog, yo, k2tog, yo x 2, ssk, k1; work from *, k2tog, yo x 2, ssk, yo, tskp, p1.
Row 22: k1, p1 tbl, p2, (k1, p1) in double yo, p1, *p2, (k1, p1) in double yo, p2, p1 tbl, k1, p1 tbl, p2, (k1, p1) in double yo, p1; work from *, p2, (k1, p1) in double yo, p2, p1 tbl, k1.
Row 23: p1, k1 tbl, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, *yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 tbl, p1, k1 tbl, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1; work from *, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 tbl, p1.
Row 24: k1, p1 tbl, p5, *p6, p1 tbl, k1, p1 tbl, p5; work from *, p6, p1 tbl, k1.
Row 25: p1, tk2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k2, *k1, yo, ssk, k1, yo, tskp, p1, tk2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k2; work from *, k1, yo, ssk, k1, yo, tskp, p1.
Row 26: k1, p1 tbl, p5, *p6, p1 tbl, k1, p1 tbl, p5; work from *, p6, p1 tbl, k1.
Row 27: p1, k1 tbl, k6, *k5, 3 stitch wrap, k6; work from *, k5, k1 tbl, p1.
Row 28: p1, p1 tbl, p5, *p6, p1 tbl, p1, p1 tbl, p5; work from *, p6, p1 tbl, p1.
Row 29: k1, k1 tbl, p6, *p5, k1 tbl, k1, k1 tbl, p6; work from *, p5, k1 tbl, k1.
Row 30: p1, p1 tbl, k5, *k6, p1 tbl, p1, p1 tbl, k5; work from *, k6, p1 tbl, p1.
Row 31: k1, k1 tbl, p6, *p5, k1 tbl, k1, k1 tbl, p6; work from *, p5, k1 tbl, k1.
Row 32: p1, p1 tbl, k5, *k6, p1 tbl, p1, p1 tbl, k5; work from *, k6, p1 tbl, p1.
Row 33: (k1, p1) in 1 stitch, tskp, p5, *p4, tk2tog, kyok, tskp, p5; work from *, p4, tk2tog, (k1, p1) in 1 stitch.
Row 34: p2, p1 tbl, k4, *k5, p1 tbl, p3, p1 tbl, k4; work from *, k5, p1 tbl, p2.
Row 35: (k1, p1) in 1 stitch, tskp, p5, *p4, tk2tog, kyok, tskp, p5; work from *, p4, tk2tog, (k1, p1) in 1 stitch.
Row 36: p2, p1 tbl, k4, *k5, p1 tbl, p3, p1 tbl, k4; work from *, k5, p1 tbl, p2.
Row 37: k1, yo, tskp, p5, *p4, tk2tog, yo, k1, yo, tskp, p5; work from *, p4, tk2tog, yo, k1.
Row 38: p2, p1 tbl, k4, *k5, p1 tbl, p3, p1 tbl, k4; work from *, k5, p1 tbl, p2.
Row 39: k2, yo, tskp, p4, *p3, tk2tog, yo, k3, yo, tskp, p4; work from *, p3, tk2tog, yo, k2.
Row 40: p3, p1 tbl, k3, *k4, p1 tbl, p5, p1 tbl, k3; work from *, k4, p1 tbl, p3.
Row 41: k3, yo, tskp, p3, *p2, tk2tog, yo, k5, yo, tskp, p3; work from *, p2, tk2tog, yo, k3.
Row 42: p4, p1 tbl, k2, *k3, p1 tbl, p7, p1 tbl, k2; work from *, k3, p1 tbl, p4.
Row 43: k2, k2tog, yo, k1 tbl, p3, *p2, k1 tbl, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k1 tbl, p3; work from *, p2, k1 tbl, yo, ssk, k2.
Row 44: p4, p1 tbl, k2, *k3, p1 tbl, p7, p1 tbl, k2; work from *, k3, p1 tbl, p4.
Row 45: k1, k2tog, yo, k1, 1/1 LT, p2, *p1, 1/1 RT, k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, 1/1 LT, p2; work from *, p1, 1/1 RT, k1, yo, ssk, k1.
Row 46: p5, p1 tbl, k1, *k2, p1 tbl, p9, p1 tbl, k1; work from *, k2, p1 tbl, p5.
Row 47: (k1, p1) in 1 stitch, ssk, k2tog, yo, k1 tbl, p2, *p1, k1 tbl, yo, ssk, k2tog, kyok, ssk, k2tog, yo, k1 tbl, p2; work from *, p1, k1 tbl, yo, ssk, k2tog, (k1, p1) in 1 stitch.
Row 48: p5, p1 tbl, k1, *k2, p1 tbl, p9, p1 tbl, k1; work from *, k2, p1 tbl, p5.
Row 49: k1, k2tog, yo x 2, ssk, yo, tskp, p1, *tk2tog, yo, k2tog, yo x 2, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo x 2, ssk, yo, tskp, p1; work from *, tk2tog, yo, k2tog, yo x 2, ssk, k1.
Row 50: p2, (k1, p1) in double yo, p2, p1 tbl, *k1, p1 tbl, p2, (k1, p1) in double yo, p3, (k1, p1) in double yo, p2, p1 tbl; work from *, k1, p1 tbl, p2, (k1, p1) in double yo, p2.
Row 51: k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 tbl, p1, *k1 tbl, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 tbl, p1; work from *, k1 tbl, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k1.
Row 52: p6, p1 tbl, *k1, p1 tbl, p11, p1 tbl; work from *, k1, p1 tbl, p6.
Row 53: k2, yo, ssk, k1, yo, tskp, p1, *tk2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk, k1, yo, tskp, p1; work from *, tk2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k2.
Row 54: p6, p1 tbl, *k1, p1 tbl, p11, p1 tbl; work from *, k1, p1 tbl, p6.
Row 55: k6, 3 stitch wrap, *k11, 3 stitch wrap; work from *, k6.
Row 56: p6, p1 tbl, *p1, p1 tbl, p11, p1 tbl; work from *, p1, p1 tbl, p6.

Encoding explanation for the curious:

The first thing I did was to turn the letters of mountain into numbers, using base 6: 21  23 33 22 32 01 13 22. (I picked base 6 because I liked the resulting charts.)

Then I charted the numbers onto triangles, because a mountain is sort of a triangle, and picked this one because I thought it might make good lace. (I don’t usually try to make my codes look like the thing they describe.) Here’s how I made the chart:mountain process

The yellow squares outline the triangle and form a boundary beyond which the coded sections can’t go. The principle I use in many of my charts is to count squares to match each digit of a letter, and then mark the next square to the left as a sort of boundary. I started in the bottom right corner of the chart and worked to the left. The first digit of the letter m is 2, so I counted one square, then ran out of squares. I jumped up to the next line and counted the second square, then ran out of squares. I jumped up to the next line and marked the next available square with black. The second digit of m is 1, so I counted one square before running out of squares again, so I marked the black square to indicate 1 on the next line. I continued in this way, counting squares and then marking a boundary square, until I got to 01 (in the fourth row from the top of the chart). Here I counted no squares and marked the next square – this is where there’s two black squares in a row, then I counted 1 and marked the next.

The remaining squares in the last two rows don’t matter for the encoding because there is no marked square following any of them – the last digit is marked by the last black square. I kept the last blank row partly because of the way I drew the triangle (over one, up two), and partly because the resulting shape was 14+1 stitches by 28 rows – and this is a pretty good ratio for knitting. 14+1 by 14 would have been better, but I didn’t like the codes that fit in triangles of that ratio.

Once I made the chart, I mirrored it along the center of column 1 to get the final result:

mountain process 2

Then I replaced each black square with a yarnover (or a kyok), added alternating plain rows, and then figured out where to place decreases for the best effect.