Before continuing with this lesson, be sure you understand
Before continuing with this lesson, be sure you understand Which Way am I Knitting and What row am I on. These lessons are designed to help you identify an upcoming stitch.
Understanding both what the pattern is asking you to do, and what the stiches show you have already done is really important. This will also help to prevent knitting mistakes from happening or help find them early when they are much easier to fix.
A 1x1 stitch pattern is probably the most difficult to "read". If you are starting a row, do not try to read that first stitch. It is somewhat twisted by the turn from the last row. I usually find that the third stitch from the end is the easiest one to "read". Then I count back to the first stitch and am able to determine whether it should be knited or purled based on the pattern.(Beginners should just compare the following three charts and move down to CONFUSED!)
Our first knit one purl one pattern is 1x1 rib, the knit stitches form columns as do the purl stitches.
Knitting charts are read from the bottom up. The first row is read right to left, the second row is read left to right. You alternate directions as you move up the chart.
The charts show you the pattern from the right side. So what is really confusing for a new chart reader is that the left to right rows, really mean the opposite stitch. A knit stich would necome a purl stitch, and a purl stitch on the chart is actually a knit stitch.
The number of stitches matter. With an even number of stitches, the next row will always start a knit stitch. This is a one row pattern.With an odd number of stitches (as shown), the second row would start with a purl stitch. This is now a two row pattern.
Seed Stitch is still a knit one purl one pattern but this time, the columns are not aligned. Each stitch is the opposite of the one below it.
This also can be a one or two row pattern depending on whether an even or odd number of stitches are involved.
Moss Stitch is a length doubled up version of seed stitch.
Odd or even number of stitches can take this from a four row pattern to an eight row pattern
CONFUSED: How can this be a beginner lesson?Easy!
We discussed earlier how to identify purl and knit stitches.
For 1x1 rib, as you look at the stitches on the left needle, knit the knits, and purl the purls.
For Seed Stitch, just do the opposite of what you see.
For Moss stitch - it is a four row repeat:
1 Change row - do set up base row
2 Same row - do what you see
3 Change row - do the opposite of what you see
4 Same row - do what you see
Once you understand which 1x1 stitch pattern is needed, you can easily maintain the correct sequence of stitches. You can safely ignore the pattern book and work away until desired length is obtained.
A special note for Moss Stitch, remember that legs lie! Always check for those purl bars before deciding if you are on a change row or same row!
