Étude no.11: KYOKs in lace

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I’ve been interested lately in the double increase that’s most handily abbreviated as KYOK: (k1, yo, k1) in one stitch.  I’ve been wondering  how to include it in lace, and so I decided it was time to try another design exercise. I played with a couple of layouts, and here are the results. I think they make serviceable patterns, if not wildly exciting ones, but I’ve learned something from the practice.

The thing that really came clear for me with this is that the single hole formed by the KYOK is actually the stitch the increases are worked in. I half knew this before, but I hadn’t consciously understood it.

Charts and instructions updated as of 16 August 2024.

Knitted sample of two stitch patterns: Gumdrops is alternating solid oval shapes with holes outlining them. Little Bees looks like very stylized bees.

Notes:

  • These are stitch patterns such as might be found in a stitch dictionary. They are not patterns for finished objects. You will need to add selvedges or some other form of knitted stitches to either side.
  • They are each a multiple of 6 + 7 stitches and 6 rows.
  • Designers, please feel free to use these stitches in your patterns. I’d like credit but won’t be offended if people don’t give it.
  • If you like my posts like this, please consider supporting me on Patreon or donating with my Paypal tip jar in the sidebar. Thanks!

Abbreviations:

  • active needle: the needle on which new stitches are placed.
  • CDD: slip the next 2 stitches as if to knit 2 together, knit the next stitch, then pass the 2 slipped stitches over the third. (Stands for centered double decrease.)
  • k: knit.
  • k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as if they were 1. (Right-leaning decrease)
  • kyok: (knit 1, yarnover, knit 1) all in the same stitch.
  • p: purl.
  • ssk: slip each of the next 2 stitches as if to knit, then knit them together through the back loop. (Or substitute your favorite left-leaning decrease)
  • yo: yarnover. Bring the yarn forward between the needles so that it will make a loop over the needle when the next stitch is worked.

Gumdrops instructions

Chart using special symbols to show how to knit Gumdrops lace. Written instructions in blog post.

Gumdrops is the bottom stitch in the swatch above. I have made a stitch map for Gumdrops.

Row 1 (RS): k1, k2tog, kyok, ssk, *k1, k2tog, kyok, ssk; work from *, k1.

Row 2 (WS): purl.

Row 3: k2tog, yo, k3, yo, *cdd, yo, k3, yo; work from *, ssk.

Row 4: purl.

Row 5: k2, yo, cdd, yo, k1, *k2, yo, cdd, yo, k1; work from *, k1.

Row 6: purl.

Little Bees instructions

Chart using special symbols to show how to knit Little Bees lace. Written instructions in blog post.

Little Bees is the top stitch in the swatch above. I have made a stitch map for Little Bees.

Row 1 (RS): k1, k2tog, kyok, ssk, *k1, k2tog, kyok, ssk; work from *, k1.

Row 2 (WS): purl.

Row 3: k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, *k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk; work from *, k1.

Row 4: purl.

Row 5: k2tog, yo, k3, yo, *cdd, yo, k3, yo; work from *, ssk.

Row 6: purl.