Cedar: a lace knitting stitch pattern

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The word I drew from the words suggested on Patreon for this post is Cedar, suggested by Enting, a Patreon supporter. This word turned out to be really tricky when I tried to use my usual encoding methods (it happens sometimes), so I decided to go with hexagon mesh lace instead, which sometimes can help me out. (The encoding process was similar to the one I described in Fresh.)

Each month, my Patreon backers have the chance to suggest words for me to encode as knitting stitches. A random number generator helps me choose which word I will encode from these, and then I get to work, first turning the letters into numbers, then charting the numbers onto grids in various ways. Finally, when I make the chart into lace, I turn the marked squares into yarnovers and work out where to place the corresponding decreases. (I usually make lace; occasionally I make cables instead.) I also made a Cedar charted design for any craft that uses a square grid for designing.

The stitch patterns are not meant in any way to look like the original words; the words are the seeds of my creativity.

Knitted sample of Cedar lace making a complex lacy zigzag with six pointed flower shapes and arches joining them, alternating with horizontal dashed lines.
Chart showing how to knit Cedar lace by means of special symbols. Written instructions in blog post.
click to enlarge

Notes:

  • This is a stitch pattern such as might be found in a stitch dictionary. It is not a pattern for a finished object. You will need to add selvedges or some other form of knitted stitches to either side.
  • Cedar is a multiple of 12 + 4 stitches and 24 rows.
  • Instead of writing yo x 2, I’ve changed that to double yo, in part because I’ve been writing (k1, p1) in double yo on the next row for a really long time, and felt it would be good to make it consistent.
  • I’ve made a stitch map for Cedar.
  • Designers, please feel free to use this in your patterns. I’d like credit but won’t be offended if people don’t give it.
  • If you appreciate my work, please consider sending me a donation.

Abbreviations:

  • active needle: the needle on which new stitches are placed.
  • double yo: bring the yarn forward between the needles, wrap it once around the active needle, and leave the yarn in front so it makes a second loop when the next stitch is knit.
  • k: knit.
  • k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as if they were 1. (Right-leaning decrease)
  • 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.

Row 1 (RS): k2tog, double yo, ssk, *k8, k2tog, double yo, ssk; work from *.

Row 2 (WS): *p1, (k1, p1) in double yo, p9; work from *, p1, (k1, p1) in double yo, p1.

Row 3: knit.

Row 4: purl.

Row 5: knit.

Row 6: purl.

Row 7: yo, ssk, *[k2tog, double yo, ssk] × 3; work from *, k2tog, yo.

Row 8: p2, *[p1, (k1, p1) in double yo, p1] × 3; work from *, p2.

Row 9: knit.

Row 10: purl.

Row 11: k2, *k4, [k2tog, double yo, ssk], k4; work from *, k2.

Row 12: p2, *p5, (k1, p1) in double yo, p5; work from *, p2.

Row 13: k4, *[k2tog, double yo, ssk] × 2, k4; work from *.

Row 14: *p5, (k1, p1) in double yo, p2, (k1, p1) in double yo, p1; work from *, p4.

Row 15: knit.

Row 16: purl.

Row 17: k4, *[k2tog, double yo, ssk] × 2, k4; work from *.

Row 18: *p5, (k1, p1) in double yo, p2, (k1, p1) in double yo, p1; work from *, p4.

Row 19: yo, ssk, *[k2tog, double yo, ssk] × 3; work from *, k2tog, yo.

Row 20: p2, *[p1, (k1, p1) in double yo, p1] × 3; work from *, p2.

Row 21: knit.

Row 22: purl.

Row 23: k2, *[k2tog, double yo, ssk], k4, [k2tog, double yo, ssk]; work from *, k2.

Row 24: p2, *p1, (k1, p1) in double yo, p6, (k1, p1) in double yo, p1; work from *, p2.