Thyme: a needlework chart for any craft

The random number generator picked Thyme from the suggestions for this post, suggested by Catnach and Enting, two Patreon supporters.

I usually develop a complicated knitting stitch pattern for each word, but I also like to provide a basic chart for any craft that’s worked on a grid: beads, cross stitch, whatever. I also try to provide at least some digital art of the pattern repeated all over not as a chart. It doesn’t necessarily look like a finished object for any particular craft, but I just want to give a sense of it in use. (I try to make it look like knitting when it’s got floats short enough for easy stranded knitting.)

Image showing how the Thyme needlework chart might look as stranded knitting
chart showing the layout for Thyme needlework using dark and light squares to show the arrangement
Click chart to enlarge
  • Thyme has a repeat of 20 + 1 columns and 4 + 1 rows.
  • In the written instructions, color A is the light squares above, and color B is the dark.
  • The written instructions below are formatted for stranded knitting, but it is my hope that they could be translated into instructions for other crafts. For instance, if working filet crochet, 1 A could be one open square and 2 B could be two filled-in squares.
  • Designers, please feel free to use this in your patterns (no need to ask). 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!

Round 1: work as knit: *3A, 2B, 1A, 2B, 5A, 2B, 1A, 2B, 2A; work from *, 1A.

Round 2: work as knit: *1B, 2A, 4B, 1A, 1B, 3A, 1B, 1A, 4B, 2A; work from *, 1B.

Round 3: work as knit: *1A, 1B, 1A, 3B, 4A, 1B, 4A, 3B, 1A, 1B; work from *, 1A.

Round 4: work as knit: *1B, 2A, 4B, 1A, 1B, 3A, 1B, 1A, 4B, 2A; work from *, 1B.

Work rounds 1-4 as desired, ending with round 5:

Round 5: work as knit: *3A, 2B, 1A, 2B, 5A, 2B, 1A, 2B, 2A; work from *, 1A.

The darks and lights in the chart and sample image above are that way because I consistently use the dark squares to show where the letters in the chart are encoded. However, there’s nothing that says you can’t swap them as you please. In this case, I actually think it looks better. If you have trouble doing this from the chart, the written instructions might be easier; make the dark yarn A and the light yarn B.

Image showing how the Thyme needlework chart might look as stranded knitting, in reverse colors