Idyll: a needlework chart for any craft

The random number generator picked Idyll from the suggestions for this post, suggested by Kate, one of my Patreon supporters.

I usually develop a complicated knitting stitch pattern for each word, but I also like to provide a basic chart for any craft that’s worked on a grid: beads, cross stitch, whatever. I also try to provide at least some digital art of the pattern repeated all over not as a chart. It doesn’t necessarily look like a finished object for any particular craft, but I just want to give a sense of it in use. (I try to make it look like knitting when it’s got floats short enough for easy stranded knitting.)

an artistic rendition of the Idyll chart repeated as an allover pattern as if it were stranded knitting.
Chart that shows where the colors are to be placed to make the pattern.
  • Idyll has a repeat of 6 + 1 columns and 12 + 1 rows.
  • The written instructions below are formatted for stranded knitting, but it is my hope that they could be translated into instructions for other crafts. For instance, if working filet crochet, 1 A could be one open square and 2 B could be two filled-in squares.
  • Designers, please feel free to use this in your patterns (no need to ask). I’d like credit but won’t be offended if people don’t give it.
  • My blog posts and free stitch patterns are supported by subscriptions on Patreon or donations to my Paypal tip jar in the sidebar. If you appreciate my work, please consider helping out. Thanks!

Round 1: using A, knit. [repeat of 6 + 1 sts]

Round 2: work knit as follows; *(1 A, 2 B) × 2; work from *, 1 A.

Round 3: work knit as follows; *2 A, 3 B, 1 A; work from *, 1 A.

Round 4: work knit as follows; *1 A, 1 B, 3 A, 1 B; work from *, 1 A.

Round 5: work knit as follows; *2 B, 3 A, 1 B; work from *, 1 B.

Round 6: work knit as follows; *(1 B, 2 A) × 2; work from *, 1 B.

Round 7: work knit as follows; *2 A, (1 B, 1 A) × 2; work from *, 1 A.

Round 8: work knit as follows; *(1 B, 2 A) × 2; work from *, 1 B.

Round 9: work knit as follows; *2 B, 3 A, 1 B; work from *, 1 B.

Round 10: work knit as follows; *1 A, 1 B, 3 A, 1 B; work from *, 1 A.

Round 11: work knit as follows; *2 A, 3 B, 1 A; work from *, 1 A.

Round 12: work knit as follows; *(1 A, 2 B) × 2; work from *, 1 A.

Repeat Rounds 1-12 as desired, ending with Round 1.

cross stitched bookmark with the letters "Love" in the middle, and the encoded pattern made from Idyll around the edge.

Here is a bookmark using Idyll as a border, stitched and photographed by RJ Nelson. Many thanks!