meta Word: a lace knitting stitch pattern

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The word I drew from the words suggested on Patreon for this post is Word, suggested by Cathy Davies and Kate, two Patreon supporters. When words are suggested that are either directly related to knitting or to word encoding, I add the word meta to the name of the pattern. This helps make them more searchable.

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 Word 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.

blue knitted sample of meta Word lace, with curvy raised lines and geometric patterns outlined by holes.
Chart showing how to work the meta Word lace pattern by means of special symbols. Written instructions in blog post.
Click chart to enlarge

Notes:

  • These are stitch patterns 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.
  • Meta Word is a multiple of 10 + 1 stitches and 14 rows.
  • I’ve made a stitch map for meta Word.
  • 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.
  • 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!

Abbreviations:

  • 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.)
  • k1‑tbl: knit 1 through the back loop/leg to twist it.
  • k2tog: knit 2 stitches together as if they were 1. (Right-leaning decrease)
  • k3tog: knit 3 stitches together as if they were 1. (Right-leaning double 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)
  • sssk: slip each of the next 3 stitches as if to knit, then knit them together through the back loop. (Left-leaning double decrease; substitute sk2p if desired.)
  • 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): p1, *k1, yo, k2tog, k1‑tbl, p1, k1‑tbl, ssk, yo, k1, p1; work from *. (11 sts)

Row 2 (WS): *(k1, p4) × 2; work from *, k1.

Row 3: p1, *k1, k1‑tbl, k2, p1, k2, k1‑tbl, k1, p1; work from *.

Row 4: *(k1, p4) × 2; work from *, k1.

Row 5: p1, *k2, yo, k2tog, p1, ssk, yo, k2, p1; work from *.

Row 6: *(k1, p4) × 2; work from *, k1.

Row 7: p1, *k2, k2tog, yo, p1, yo, ssk, k2, p1; work from *.

Row 8: *(k1, p4) × 2; work from *, k1.

Row 9: p1, *yo, sssk, yo, k1‑tbl, p1, k1‑tbl, yo, k3tog, yo, p1; work from *.

Row 10: *(k1, p4) × 2; work from *, k1.

Row 11: p1, *k1‑tbl, yo, ssk, k1, p1, k1, k2tog, yo, k1‑tbl, p1; work from *.

Row 12: *(k1, p4) × 2; work from *, k1.

Row 13: p1, *k1, yo, cdd, yo, p1, yo, cdd, yo, k1, p1; work from *.

Row 14: *(k1, p4) × 2; work from *, k1.