Knit and purl stitches can be arranged to make stitch patterns.
Working over any number of stitches, knit every stitch of each row. The resulting fabric has alternate ridged and smooth rows on each side. To work purl garter stitch, purl every row.
On an odd number of stitches, alternate knit and purl to the last stitch, then knit the last stitch. On the next row, alternate purl and knit to the last stitch, then purl the last stitch. The smooth and ridged stitches line up to make a reversible elastic fabric
This is also called moss stitch. On an odd number of stitches, work alternate knit and purl stitches to the last stitch, then knit the last stitch. Repeat this row to make a textured, reversible fabric with alternating smooth and ridged stitches.
stockinette stitch
This is also called stocking stitch. Working over any number of stitches, knit and purl alternate rows. All the smooth stitches are on one side of the fabric, all the ridges on the other side. The smooth side is stockinette stitch; the ridged side is reverse stockinette stitch.
Cable stitch patterns are made by using an extra, short double-pointed needle—a cable needle—to work the stitches in a different order along a row. Mastering cables opens up a huge range of stitch patterns, but all you need to know for the simple cables used in this book is how to cross three stitches over three on a knit row. For c6b, the stitches on the cable needle are held at the back of the work, and the cable slants to the right. For c6f, the stitches on the cable needle are held at the front of the work, and the cable slants to the left. The diagrams show a cranked cable needle, that’s one with a kink in the center, because this kind of cable needle holds stitches more efficiently. However, you can use any short, straight needle or even, for large stitches, improvise with a blunt pencil or a wooden dowel with smoothed-off ends.
START C6B
Slip the first 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work.
CONTINUE C6B
Knit the next 3 stitches.
COMPLETE C6B
Knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle.
START C6F
Slip the first 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the front of the work.
CONTINUE C6F
Knit the next 3 stitches.
COMPLETE C6F
Knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle.
