Étude no 24: Bunny Ears Honeycomb

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After last week’s post, I couldn’t resist trying out the kyok/bunny ears method for dealing with a double yarn over in an established stitch pattern. I was considering how the double YO, followed by pyop, followed by by bunny ears makes a three row sequence, and that reminded me of German Honeycomb (see my hexagonal mesh post). So here is a variation on German Honeycomb.

Periodically I like to play with techniques in swatches to see what I can do with them. When I write about this, I call the posts my études, because they’re somewhat like the exercises musicians do for practicing.

I am not sure the difference between the two is worth the extra effort in this particular stitch pattern. (I’ve included a single repeat of the original at the top of the swatch.) But that sort of thing is all in the eye of the beholder. Also, it would be more visible in thicker sock yarn, so the context is important!

Here is a close up of what each version looks like, with the kyok-bunny ears version on the left, and the k1-p1 version on the right.
Bunny Ears Honeycomb: a free lace knitting stitch pattern

Notes:

  • This is a stitch pattern such as might be found in a stitch dictionary. This is not a pattern for a finished object. You will need to add selvedges or some other form of knitted stitches to either side.
  • Bunny ears honeycomb has a changing number of stitches on each row. It takes a cast-on of 4 + 4 stitches, and ends likewise. It has a multiple of 6 rows.
  • I’ve made a stitch map for it.
  • Designers, please feel free to use it 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:

  • bunny ears back: RS: work ssk but leave the second stitch on the needle. Knit 2 stitches together. WS: work p2tog but leave the second stitch on the needle, ssp. (centered 3-to-2 decrease)
  • k: knit.
  • k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as if they were 1. (Right-leaning decrease)
  • kyok: (k1, yo, k1) in next stitch.
  • p: purl.
  • p2tog: purl 2 stitches together as if they were 1. (Right-leaning decrease)
  • pyop: (p1, yo, p1) in next stitch.
  • ssk: slip each of the next 2 stitches as if to knit, then knit them together through the back loop. (Left-leaning decrease)
  • ssp: slip each of the next 2 stitches as if to knit, slip them back together to the left needle, then purl them together through the back loop. (Left-leaning decrease)
  • yo: yarnover.

Row 1 (RS): *k2tog, yo x 2, ssk; work from *, k2tog, yo x 2, ssk.
Row 2 (WS): p1, pyop, p1, *p1, pyop, p1; work from *. [multiple of 5 + 5 sts]
Row 3: *k1, bunny ears back, k1; work from *, k1, bunny ears back, k1. [multiple of 4 + 4 sts]
Row 4: yo, p2tog, *ssp, yo x 2, p2tog; work from *, ssp, yo.
Row 5: k2, *k1, kyok, k1; work from *, k2. [multiple of 5 + 4 sts]
Row 6: p2, *p1, bunny ears back, p1; work from *, p2. [multiple of 4 + 4 sts]