Friday, August 16, 2013

Vikkel Braid, Estonian Braid, or Lateral Braid






This is something I had never heard of until recently, when somebody asked me about it.  I really like this stitch, or technique.  It's a great way to add a little something impressive to your knitting.  I tested it out on a crescent shawl and it looked great.  Give it a try the next time you need a little something extra on a project.

I am showing this technique in the same color, but you can make the braid in a contrasting color.  I recommend watching the DROPS video.  If you have never seen one of their videos, there is no sound.  You just watch and learn.


The first thing you'll need to do is cast on a new stitch at the beginning of the row where you want your braid.  For my sample, I used the cable cast on.  You can also use the knitted cast on.  (The new stitch should be placed on the left needle.)

Next, *knit into the back of the loop of the second stitch on the left needle.  Do not drop the stitch yet.  Now, knit into the front of the first stitch as normal.  Drop both stitches from the left needle.

Then, slip the first stitch from the right needle back to the left needle.  Repeat from *

When you get to the last stitch, knit it, then pass the second stitch on the right needle over.

You now have a lateral braid running across your knitting.  How cool is that?


7 comments:

Biki Honko said...

I can see this on several projects. What a cool way to divide areas of different colors! Thanks for the cool new stitch.

FuguesStateKnits said...
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FuguesStateKnits said...

Question- next row is just purled? What if you wish to do more than one row of braid? TIA

Sapphires-N-Purls said...

Yes, purl the next row. You can do as many rows of the braid as you like. As to working it on a circular project, since the right side is always facing - I would assume you could just go right into another braid on the next round. You'd probably have to play around to hide the jog though.

Jennie said...

I find that every time I knit a Vikkel braid, the next row after the Vikkel braid has elongated stitches - much taller than a regular knitted row. Do you know what I'm doing wrong, or how to prevent this?

Sapphires-N-Purls said...

Mine is like that too. I haven't come across anything regarding how to tighten them up. I used this on a shawl and really it's not noticeable.

Karen said...

I use it in the round on Barbie and 18" doll dresses as a "belt" to delineate where the waist should fall. Could also be used as cuff on sleeves or pant legs.