Bake: a lace knitting stitch pattern

The word I drew from my word hoard for this stitch pattern is Bake, suggested by Lara, a Patreon supporter.

This lace is a bit of a departure for me—usually I focus on the decrease lines, but this time I was really interested in the basic motif: two double yarnovers with a diagonal line of three single yarnovers. (This is more visible from what is most commonly thought of as the back of the knitting, so I have included a photo of that below.) I am not yet certain if I think this is successful; I think it would be more visible with a lot more plain knitting between each motif. However, they would lose the code aspect in that case.

The motif reminds me of bees.

Each month, my Patreon backers have the chance to suggest words for me to encode as knitting stitches. I make three of these into knitting stitches each month: the second and third (posted on the first day of the next month) are drawn from the collection of new words; the first is drawn from the collection of unused words. A random number generator helps me choose these, 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 usually make a chart for any craft that uses a square grid for designing; this goes in a separate post. (I hope to get this up soon for Bake, but it is not yet ready.)

The stitch patterns are not meant in any way to look like the original words; the words are the seeds of my creativity.

knitted lace sample for bake lace from what is usually called the front
knitted lace sample for bake lace from what is usually called the back
Click to enlarge chart

Notes:

  • This is a stitch pattern such as might be found in a stitch dictionary. It is not a pattern for a finished object. You will need to add selvedges or some other form of knitted stitches to either side.
  • The repeats in the charts and the text aren’t in the same places. The double YOs complicate writing the repeats logically in the text. (The chart repeat follows the code grid as closely as possible.)
  • Bake is a multiple of 9 + 9 stitches and 12 or 12 + 6 rows. (End after either row 6 or row 12).
  • I’ve made a stitch map for Bake.
  • Designers, please feel free to use this in your patterns. I’d like credit but won’t be offended if people don’t give it.
  • My blog posts and free stitch patterns are supported by subscriptions on Patreon or donations to my Paypal tip jar in the sidebar. If you appreciate my work, please consider helping out. Thanks!

Abbreviations:

  • 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. (Or substitute your favorite 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; substitute sk2p if desired.)
  • tbl: through the back loop. Insert the needle through the other side from usual and work the stitch. When it slides off the needle it will be twisted.
  • yo: yarnover. Bring the yarn forward between the needles so that it will make a loop over the needle when the next stitch is worked. When there are two in a row, bring the yarn forward, wrap it once around the needle, and leave the yarn in front so it makes a second loop.

Row 1 (RS): *K3, k1 tbl, k2, k3tog, yo, k1, repeat from * to last 10 sts, k3, k1 tbl, k2, k3tog, yo, k1.

Row 2: Purl.

Row 3: *Yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, yo, k3tog, yo, k2tog, yo, repeat from * to last 9 sts, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, yo, k3tog, yo, k2tog, yo.

Row 4: P4, (k1, p1) in double yo, p2, *(k1, p1) in double yo, p3, (k1, p1) in double yo, k2, repeat from * to last st, p1.

Row 5: *K4, k2tog, yo, k1 tbl, k2, repeat from * to last 9 sts, k4, k2tog, yo, k1 tbl, k2.

Row 6: Purl.

Row 7: *K1, yo, ssk, k2, k1 tbl, k3, repeat from * to last 9 sts, k1, yo, ssk, k2, k1 tbl, k3.

Row 8: Purl.

Row 9: *Yo, ssk, yo, sssk, yo, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, repeat from * to last 9 sts, yo, ssk, yo, sssk, yo, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo.

Row 10: P3, (k1, p1) in double yo, p3, *(k1, p1) in double yo, p2, (k1, p1) in double yo, p3, repeat from * to last st, p1.

Row 11: *K2, k1 tbl, yo, ssk, k4, repeat from * to last 9 sts, k2, k1 tbl, yo, ssk, k4.

Row 12: Purl.