This lacy stitch is super simple to create and yet still makes a beautiful statement.  There are only 4 rows to repeat in this one, making it a perfect pattern to create from memory…excellent for the beginning of the busy holiday season November brings.  The pattern in this one reminds me of a pretty woven bread basket my mom used to use at her Thanksgiving table every year. This stitch looks lovely from the back side as well, making it a terrific one for projects that may be seen from both sides, such as scarves, shawls and blankets.

In this monthly column we’re going to be working on some exciting new stitch patterns, as well as a few new techniques thrown in for good measure.  My intention for our yarn play is to provide all the know-how for you to be able to work the new stitch; any charts, photos, or videos you may need; as well as a pattern to create an 8” x 8” square.  As we go along in our looming journey, we should be able to create lovely pieced afghans with our squares, as I like to know that we’re going somewhere while swatching, don’t you?  You can think of it as our Stitch Sample Afghan—a stitch dictionary right at your fingertips, keeping your legs warm, lol. 😉 To find all the previous stitches in this column, simply click here.

Mesh Stitch Square

Items Needed

Loom: Authentic Knitting Board Adjustable Hat Loom: 2 rounded pieces + 3 peg connectors, with pegs in all holes for a 3/8” gauge.  The Sock Loom 2 or the All-n-One Loom could also be used.

Yarn: approx. 75 yards Worsted Weight (sample uses Lion Wool in Pumpkin)

Notions: Loom tool, yarn needle, scissors.  (Also helpful: peg markers, row counter, and blocking pins)

Pattern Notes:

To work this pattern in the round, such as for a hat, use the Repeating Pattern Rows chart, and make sure to read it from right to left for each row, rather than alternating sides each time.  Also, cast onto your loom in a clockwise direction, using a number of pegs that is divisible by 3,+2 added stitches at the end—this is the number of stitches required for each pattern repeat, plus the last stitches of the round will be just the first 2 of the 3 repeat stitches due to the nature of this stitch pattern.  The vertical purl lines will be one stitch closer together at this spot, so it is best placed at the back, or in a fairly inconspicuous spot on your project.

For flat pieces of a greater size, simply increase the number of Repeating Pattern Rows inside the garter stitch edges for the length and width required, then complete with the Finishing Rows.  The border edges may need to also be increased to coordinate with the number of increased Repeating Pattern Rows.

This stitch pattern can be made into a very uniform and more open lacy design by stretching it taut while pinning during the blocking step.  Make sure it has had a sufficient soaking time to help accommodate this look.

When the pattern uses the term “knit” or “k”, please use the true knit stitch or the u-stitch, not the e-wrap.

There are two ways of creating eyelets for this pattern: the Knit 2 Together (k2tog) for a right leaning eyelet worked as a knit, and the Slip, Slip, Knit (ssk) for a left leaning eyelet worked as a knit. The following dictates how to work these stitches as you will find them in the stitch pattern:

*For ease in reading the pattern’s directions below, the steps  involving eyelets are placed inside brackets [ ] to let you know that they are all accomplished on just two pegs.

[k2tog, yo]:  Work over 2 pegs from right to left <: Move the loop from peg 2 (the yo peg) to peg 1 (the k2tog peg). Using the working yarn, knit the bottom 2 loops as one on the k2tog peg, then e-wrap the empty yo peg.

[yo, ssk]: Work over 2 pegs from right to left <: Move the loop from peg 1 (the yo peg) to peg 2 (the ssk peg). Using the working yarn, e-wrap the empty yo peg, then knit the bottom 2 loops as one on the ssk peg.

All the e-wraps are then untwisted when working them during the next row to emphasize the eyelet holes.

Repeating Pattern Rows

The Repeating Pattern Rows for this stitch are fairly tricky to explain, as they are repeating 2 rows of a 2 stitch repeat and 2 rows of a 3 stitch repeat.  They can be represented here in only a repeat of 3 stitches, but they are shown to 9 stitches so that the idea of how they travel down the row can be seen in its entirety.

So, in order to repeat this pattern when working in the round, simply keep repeating these stitches for the number of rows needed, with all rows beginning from the right side.  Please see the Pattern Notes for more instructions on this.

For repeating this stitch pattern when working as a flat panel, end at a number divisible by 3, within the chosen border.

Here is the entire pattern chart for the 8” x 8” square:

Everything you need to know about knitting your square is included in the above chart.  Believe it or not, you can actually create your square without looking at another thing!  For help with reading charts, please see the Stitchology I post for a detailed explanation, and you’ll be ready to go!

But, don’t worry…I am also providing you with the step by step instructions below. 😉

Step by Step Instructions:

Cast onto your loom from left to right, using a total of 36 pegs. (Sample uses Chain Cast On)

Set Up Rows

Row 1: p36.

Row 2: k36.

Row 3: p36.

Row 4: k36.

Main Pattern Rows

Row 5: p2, *p1, k2tog, yo, repeat from * to last 3 sts, p3.

Row 6:  *k2, p1, k2, repeat from * to last 3 sts, p1, k2.

Row 7:  p2, *p1, yo, ssk, repeat from * to  last 3 sts, p3.

Row 8:  Repeat Row 6.

Rows 9-58:  Repeat Rows 5-8.

Finishing Rows

Row 59: p36.

Row 60: k36.

Row 61: p36.

Bind off all stitches loosely. (Sample uses the Basic Bind Off)  Weave in ends and trim close to work.

Block to an 8” x 8” measurement.

Afghan Notes:

If you are intending this square to be part of an afghan, you may wish to make up to 3 or 4 additional squares.  We will be sharing at least 24 of these patterns for you to use in your blanket.  Use the following general measurements to decide how many of each of the 8″ x 8″ squares you will need, rounding up as necessary:

• Baby Blanket: 30″ x 36″
• Children: 42″ x 48″
• Lapghan: 36″ x 48″
• Twin Bed Afghan: 60″ x 85″
• Queen Bed Afghan: 90″ x 95″

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave a note for Bethany Dailey below in the comments! 🙂