Merci, modification 2: a needlework chart for any craft

After I made the Merci needlework chart, I figured out a modification to Merci to make it more suitable for stranded needlework. The result made me see that there was kind of one basic tile pattern in dark and light alternation, with two slightly different centers to the dark and light “tiles”. I wondered how it would look if I changed the center of the light “tiles” to be an inverted version of the dark “tiles”. (I say tile, because I don’t know what else to call the repeating shape). The result, posted here, is an interesting counterchange pattern.

I could go on to use the other pattern as a counterchange design too, but I think I’m ready to move on to other designs. If you like the other center design, maybe give it a try for yourself?

How Merci modification 2 might look as allover stranded knitting.
click chart to enlarge
  • Merci, modification 2 has a repeat of 10 + 1 columns and 10 + 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, 1A could be one open square and 2B 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 knit as follows; 1A, *1B, 2A, 3B, 2A, 1B, 1A; work from *. (11 sts)

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

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

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

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

Round 6: work knit as follows; 1A, *1A, 2B, 1A, 1B, 1A, 2B, 2A; work from *.

Round 7: work knit as follows; 1B, *1B, 2A, 1B, 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B; work from *.

Round 8: work knit as follows; 1A, *(1B, 3A) × 2, 1B, 1A; work from *.

Round 9: work knit as follows; 1A, *3B, 1A, 1B, 1A, 3B, 1A; work from *.

Round 10: work knit as follows; 1B, *1A, 2B, 3A, 2B, 1A, 1B; work from *.

Round 11: work knit as follows; 1A, *1B, 2A, 3B, 2A, 1B, 1A; work from *.