Tuesday, February 17, 2015

ANDALUSIAN KNITTING STITCH

I enjoy trying out new and easy knitting stitches. Any I do have to be easy because my knitting is limited to scarves and dish clothes. I did knit my oldest granddaughter a poncho when she was 2 but it was just two rectangles that you end up sewing together. Very cute on her but so simple.

When I find myself wanting to truly relax, I will generally start looking for something to knit or crochet. One time I went to the doctor and took my knitting with me to do while I was waiting. By the time I got in, I was so relaxed that the nurse couldn't get a blood pressure reading. She tried several times.

This stitch called Andalusian is a simple pattern just using knit and purl stitches. There are 4 rows in the pattern but two of them are the same. I thought I would show you what the "work" looks like when you are ready for the next row to help you with the pattern. 

Sometimes I like to knit while I watch television and if the pattern is several rows, I will make a tally mark on a piece of paper when I finish each row in case I start watching television more and not paying attention to what I am doing. It slows the process down, but it's better than messing up and having to rip out. I just use enough of the instructions for the row to remind me what I am doing and just make a tally mark after I finish the row. It is also helpful if I stop and leave it for a bit. 

If the pattern is one that I can recognize the "look" of each row I don't have to do the tally marks. This pattern is one of those.


ANDALUSIAN STITCH

Number of stitches to cast one: Multiple of 2 + 2 (in other words and even number of stitches)

Instructions:

Row 1 (right side): Knit across.

Row 2: K1; purl to last st, K1

Row 3: K1; (K1, P1) to last st, K1

Row 4: K1; purl to last st, K1.

You will notice that the even rows are always the same pattern. I like that in a pattern. After you finish an odd number row (the right or front side) and turn your needle and work over to start the next row, this is what your work will look like....
This is the wrong side or back side of your work.

                                    * * * * * * * * *
It is row 3 that creates the horizontal "pattern" of the work. On the front or right side of the work it looks like a "bump".
That row is your clue as to whether you are ready for Row 1 in the pattern or Row 3.

                               * * * * * * * *
Ready for Row 1...

                               * * * * * * * *
Ready for Row 3....

For my sample I am using size 10 US 6.0 mm needles and I cast on 22 stitches.  I think it will make a pretty scarf. If you wanted to make a dish cloth, I would cast on 40 or so stitches depending on how large you wanted the cloth to be and stop after Row 4 when it is about square.

Hope you will give this Andalusian Stitch a try. Would love to hear about your experience.

2 comments:

  1. Looks like great fun! I am a semi-accomplished knitter - cables, lace, intarsia, bobbles, gloves with DPN's = no problem. Knit a whole sweater that might actually fit and look right? Problem. So I only knit things that aren't threatening, doing mostly scarves and hats. That said, I always need a complicated pattern, for when I need a challenge....and ALSO one of simple elegance for when I just want to glide along. This fits that last part, and I am excited to try this pattern! May make it into a shortie scarf that I simply criss-cross over my chest inside my coat. Faster than a full scarf, these little shorties are warm, in a few blinks and you are done (or a few TV shows), they are neat and manageable, inexpensive, and especially classy if you add a pin. So that's what I intend to do with your pattern idea. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Love your idea! Sounds like you are a bit more accomplished than I am. Who knows with winter coming, I might get brave. Thanks for stopping by and leaving your kind words.

      Delete