Entrelac at a Different Angle

Instructions

• Materials
  • Two or more colors of yarn in similar weight
  • appropriately-sized needles
  • an eyed needle (i.e., a tapestry needle.)
  • "waste yarn" (a smooth, sturdy cotton works well)

• Colors
  For the learning swatch, I suggest using at least 2 colors so that the color contrasts will make the structure of the fabric easier to understand. Use as many colors as you wish. (This is a perfect time to dig into your 'odd ball' collection.)

• Needles
  To photograph the knitting clearly, in the images above, stitches were transferred onto extra needles.
  • If this confuses the issue for you, link to the detailed image for the third 'block' to see how the entrelac looks on one needle.
  • Even though I find it easiest to use straight needles, choice of straight, circular or double pointed needles is entirely up to the knitter.

• Cast On
  The samples on this site are all shown using an e-wrap cast on. In most cases, it would be better to use an "open" cast on. (For example, a crochet chain in "waste" yarn.)
  • An "open" cast on is more convenient for picking up stitches when banding the edges of the item.
  • When using only one color, an "open" cast on eliminates the need to cut the yarn.
  • Why not in these examples? One thing at a time!

• First 'block'
  • Cast on 7 stitches.
  • Starting with a purl row, continue in stockinette for 14 rows.

• Second 'block'
  • With different color, cast 7 stitches onto the EMPTY needle.
  • Repeat 7 times:
    • Next row: Knit 7 stitches.
    • Next row: Purl 6 stitches, purl the 7th stitch together with the adjacent stitch from the prior block.
  • Do not turn work. Do not break yarn.

• Third 'block'
  • Pick up 7 'loops' across the upper edge of Block 1.
  • Continuing with yarn from 2nd block, purl 1 row.
  • Work in stockinette for 14 more rows.

• Fourth 'block'
  • With different color, cast on 7 stitches onto the EMPTY needle.
  • Repeat 7 times:
    • Next row: Purl 7 stitches.
    • Next row: Knit 6 stitches, knit 2 stitches together using the slip/slip/knit technique.
  • Do not turn work. Do not break yarn.

• Fifth 'block'
  • Pick up 7 'loops' along the left edge of Block 3, onto the left-hand needle.
  • Continuing with yarn from 4th block, knit 1 row.
  • Repeat 7 times:
    • Next row: Purl 7 seven stitches.
    • Next row: Knit 6 stitches, knit 2 stitches together using the slip/slip/knit technique.
  • Do not turn work. Do not break yarn.

• Sixth 'block'
  • Pick up 7 'loops,' along the left edge of Block 2, onto the left-hand needle.
  • Continuing with yarn from 5th block, work in stockinette for a total of 15 rows.

• Seventh 'block'
  • Repeat second 'block' instructions.

• And, so on!

• So, why the cotton and tapestry needle? If you plan to pick up borders at the edge of your entrelac, don't cast off. Whenever you 'end' a border area with live stitches, use the cotton as a stitch holder. (Look at the first image on the History page to see an example.) Also, use an open cast-on where appropriate.

• If the directions don't make any sense whatsoever, try following commercially available instructions for 'traditional' entrelac which starts with a 'row' of triangles. Once you have mastered that, come back to this and you probably wont even need written instructions.