Kelpie lace hexagon 4: a lace knitting stitch pattern

This is the last hexagon of a series of coordinating stitch patterns that would work to make a kind of gradient lace pattern.

Here are the others. Each one contains instructions for using as a solo stitch pattern or for combining with the other stitch patterns in the series:

knitted sample of Kelpie lace 
hexagon 4. It's got  more holes in it than Kelpie lace hexagon 3, like a grid of alternating knit stitches and holes framed inside hexagons.

The bottom row of triangles under the hexagons is solid knitting because it’s the tops of Kelpie lace hexagon 3 and isn’t using the setup rows from below. If it were using those setup rows, there’d be a pair of holes in each triangle.

Notes:

  • This stitch pattern comes in two parts: a chart and instructions for six setup rows, and then a chart and instructions for the rest of the pattern repeat.
  • If working this as a solo stitch pattern: Work the setup rows once, and then work the main pattern as desired, ending after row 8 or 16. (Rows 9-16 are the same as rows 1-8, just shifted sideways by half a pattern repeat.)
  • If working this after Kelpie lace hexagon 3, skip the setup rows and go straight to the main pattern. My next blog post in this series will have more details about this.
  • 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.
  • Kelpie lace hexagon 4 is a multiple of 8 + 9 stitches.
  • I’ve made a stitch map for Kelpie hexagon 4.
  • 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:

  • BEY (bunny ears yarnover): This turns three stitches into three stitches with a yarnover in the middle. Knit 2 together, but only remove the first stitch from the needle; yarn over; then work ssk with the second and third stitches. The middle stitch of the original three has been knit together with each of its neighbors. Blog post about bunny ears yarnover.
  • 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)
  • k3tog: knit 3 stitches together as if they were 1. (Right-leaning double decrease)
  • p: purl.
  • p1‑below: purl one below. For this stitch pattern, it’s not quite the same as a regular p1‑below, because it’s actually purling the bar below a yarnover, but the action is much the same. From behind, pick up the bar below the yarnover with the right needle and place it on the left needle next to the yarnover; purl both those strands at the same time. This prevents the bar from making a horizontal line in front of the yarnover.
  • 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. When there are two in a row, bring the yarn forward, wrap it once around the needle, and leave the yarn in front so it makes a second loop.

Kelpie Lace Hexagon 4 setup rows

chart showing how to work the Kelpie Hexagon 4 setup rows by means of special symbols. Written instructions in blog post.
click chart to enlarge

Row 1 (RS): k2tog, yo, k1, BEY, *k1, yo, cdd, yo, k1, BEY; work from *, k1, yo, ssk. (17 sts)

Row 2 (WS): p4, *p1‑below, p7; work from *, p1‑below, p4.

Row 3: k1, k3tog, yo × 2, k1‑tbl, *yo × 2, sssk, k1, k3tog, yo × 2, k1‑tbl; work from *, yo × 2, sssk, k1.

Row 4: p2, (k1, p1) in double yo, *p1, (k1, p1) in double yo, p3, (k1, p1) in double yo; work from *, p1, (k1, p1) in double yo, p2.

Row 5: k2tog, yo, k1‑tbl, yo, cdd, *(yo, k1‑tbl, yo, cdd) × 2; work from *, yo, k1‑tbl, yo, ssk.

Row 6: purl.

work setup rows 1-6 once and then go on to the next part.

Kelpie Lace Hexagon 4 main stitch pattern

chart showing how to work Kelpie Hexagon 4 by means of special symbols. Written instructions in blog post.
click chart to enlarge

Row 1 (RS): ssk, (yo, k1, yo, cdd) × 3, yo, k1, yo, k2tog.

Row 2 (WS): purl.

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

Row 4: p4, *p4, p1‑below, p3; work from *, p5.

Row 5: k1‑tbl, yo × 2, sssk, k1, *k3tog, yo × 2, k1‑tbl, yo × 2, sssk, k1; work from *, k3tog, yo × 2, k1‑tbl.

Row 6: p1, (k1, p1) in double yo, p1, *p2, ((k1, p1) in double yo, p1) × 2; work from *, p2, (k1, p1) in double yo, p1.

Row 7: k2tog, yo, k1‑tbl, yo, cdd, *(yo, k1‑tbl, yo, cdd) × 2; work from *, yo, k1‑tbl, yo, ssk.

Row 8: purl.

Row 9: ssk, (yo, k1, yo, cdd) × 3, yo, k1, yo, k2tog.

Row 10: purl.

Row 11: k2tog, yo, k1, BEY, *k1, yo, cdd, yo, k1, BEY; work from *, k1, yo, ssk.

Row 12: p4, *p1‑below, p7; work from *, p1‑below, p4.

Row 13: k1, k3tog, yo × 2, k1‑tbl, *yo × 2, sssk, k1, k3tog, yo × 2, k1‑tbl; work from *, yo × 2, sssk, k1.

Row 14: p2, (k1, p1) in double yo, *p1, (k1, p1) in double yo, p3, (k1, p1) in double yo; work from *, p1, (k1, p1) in double yo, p2.

Row 15: k2tog, yo, k1‑tbl, yo, cdd, *(yo, k1‑tbl, yo, cdd) × 2; work from *, yo, k1‑tbl, yo, ssk.

Row 16: purl.

the complete sample is shown side by side with a version of the sample that highlights the stitch pattern from this post.

The complete sample is shown side by side with a version of the sample that highlights only the main stitch pattern from this post; Kelpie lace hexagon 4 setup rows are not included because they don’t work as part of the lace gradient.