Bead Stitch

Sample knit with Rowan Kid Classic
on US size 8 needles

I love this stitch!

I always encourage knitters, both new and old, to step outside their comfort zone.  This is one of those stitches.  It is challenging, but I wouldn't say hard.  A bit tricky, yes.  Hard, no.

Truly, it is not hard, but may take a little practice and extra effort if you aren't familiar with some of the steps.  The one that might cause the most trouble is the purl 2 together through the back loop.  If you can purl one through the back loop, you can do two. I have a separate video for that HERE, if you have never done it before.   The other tricky bit is purling 3 together.  If you can purl, you can purl two together,  and if you can purl two together, you can do three!  If you find it hard because you are a tight knitter, loosening up on the row prior will help, as will using a pointy tip needle.

Special Abbreviations in this stitch:

P2tog tbl = purl the next two stitches together through the back loop.
P3tog = purl the next three stitches together as if they were one
PSSO = pass the slipped stitch over the stitch just knit
Sl = slip the next stitch to the right needle without working it

Multiple of 7

Row 1 (RS): K1, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, Sl 1, K1, PSSO *K2, K2tog, YO, K1, YO, Sl 1, K1, PSSO*, Knit last stitch

Row 2: *P2tog tbl, YO, P3, YO, P2tog,*

Row 3: K1, YO, Sl 1, K1, PSSO, K1, K2tog, YO *K2, YO, Sl 1, K1, PSSO, K1, K2tog, YO *, Knit last stitch

Row 4: P2, YO, P3tog, YO *P4, YO, P3tog, YO*, Purl last 2 stitches

Repeat these four rows for the pattern.

Happy Knitting!

Cluster Rib

Sample knit with Rowan Colourspun on US Size 6 needles

This stitch makes a nice flat fabric with a reverse side that is also nice.

Multiple of 3+1

Row 1: (RS) P1 *K2, P1*
Row 2: K1 *YO, K2, Pass YO over the 2 knit sts, K1*

Repeat these two rows for the pattern

Here is the video.  Happy Knitting, and Enjoy!

Risotto Stitch

Sample knit with Rowan Cocoon, US Size 7 needles

I love this stitch!  The yarn I used for the sample made a bit of a dense fabric, but I wonder how this would work on a lighter weight yarn.  I might play around with this and see how it looks in some fingering weight yarn - namely, the Swans Island that I got recently!  Maybe for a spring wrap or shawl.  I did find this stitch to be a bit labor intensive on the hands, so my project might be a shawlette instead of a full sized shawl.  

For the most part, you will be working with two stitches at a time.  You will be purling them together, then knitting the same two stitches together before dropping them from the left needle.  Don't worry, it isn't hard to do!  If you've never worked stitches this way before, it may take a little practice to get it down.

Multiple of 2

Rows 1, 3, 5: (RS) Knit

Row 2: *P2tog, leaving sts on left needle, move yarn to back, K same 2 sts together*

Row 4: P1 *P2tog, leaving sts on left needle, move yarn to back and K same 2 sts together* repeat from * to last st, P1

Repeat from Row 2 for pattern.

Here is the video.  Happy Knitting, and Enjoy!