Weave: a lace knitting stitch pattern

The first word I drew from the words suggested on Patreon this month is Weave, suggested by Catnach, a Patreon supporter. Occasionally the words I encode make me giggle for one reason or another. In this case, it’s the incongruity between the word weave, and the format of the stitch pattern I’m designing (which is knitting).

I don’t usually include a side view of my swatches, but I was having trouble conveying what I like most about this lace any other way, so the featured photo is one view and the flat view is above the chart because it’s easier to see how it works.

There’s an extra blog post with some actual weaving options for Weave. (How could I not?)

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 made a Weave needlework chart for any craft that uses a square grid for designing.

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

chart using knitting symbols to show how to knit Weave lace. See below for written instructions.
Click chart to enlarge

Notes:

  • This is a stitch pattern such as might be found in a stitch dictionary. It is not a patterns for a finished object. You will need to add selvedges or some other form of knitted stitches to either side.
  • Weave is a multiple of 20 + 1 stitches and 20 + 10 rows. (end after either row 10 or 20)
  • I’ve made a stitch map for Weave.
  • 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:

  • CDD: centered double decrease: slip the next 2 stitches as if to knit 2 together, knit the next stitch, then pass the 2 slipped stitches over the third.
  • 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.)
  • 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): p1, *k6, k2tog, yo, k1, p1, k1, yo, ssk, k6, p1; work from *. (21 sts)

Row 2 (WS): *(k1, p9) × 2; work from *, k1.

Row 3: p1, *k3, k2tog, yo × 2, k2tog, k2, p1, k2, ssk, yo × 2, ssk, k3, p1; work from *.

Row 4: *k1, p4, (k1, p1) in double yo, p3, k1, p3, (k1, p1) in double yo, p4; work from *, k1.

Row 5: p1, *k2, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, cdd, yo, p1, yo, cdd, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k2, p1; work from *.

Row 6: *(k1, p9) × 2; work from *, k1.

Row 7: p1, *yo, k3tog, k4, yo × 2, ssk, p1, k2tog, yo × 2, k4, sssk, yo, p1; work from *.

Row 8: *k1, p6, (k1, p1) in double yo, p1, k1, p1, (k1, p1) in double yo, p6; work from *, k1.

Row 9: p1, *k1, ssk, k4, yo, k2, p1, k2, yo, k4, k2tog, k1, p1; work from *.

Row 10: *(k1, p9) × 2; work from *, k1.

Row 11: p1, *k1, yo, ssk, k6, p1, k6, k2tog, yo, k1, p1; work from *.

Row 12: *(k1, p9) × 2; work from *, k1.

Row 13: p1, *k2, ssk, yo × 2, ssk, k3, p1, k3, k2tog, yo × 2, k2tog, k2, p1; work from *.

Row 14: *k1, p3, (k1, p1) in double yo, p4, k1, p4, (k1, p1) in double yo, p3; work from *, k1.

Row 15: p1, *yo, cdd, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k2, p1, k2, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, cdd, yo, p1; work from *.

Row 16: *(k1, p9) × 2; work from *, k1.

Row 17: p1, *k2tog, yo × 2, k4, sssk, yo, p1, yo, k3tog, k4, yo × 2, ssk, p1; work from *.

Row 18: *k1, p1, (k1, p1) in double yo, p6, k1, p6, (k1, p1) in double yo, p1; work from *, k1.

Row 19: p1, *k2, yo, k4, k2tog, k1, p1, k1, ssk, k4, yo, k2, p1; work from *.

Row 20: *(k1, p9) × 2; work from *, k1.