Twill is a type of weave with a pattern of diagonal parallel ribs. Simply stated, this is accomplished by floating one thread over the top of one or more others to create its characteristic diagonal pattern. We can recreate this weaving technique with our knitting. The floats, or diagonal lines, are accomplished by simply twisting two peg’s stitches at a time as you work through the rows.
We have changed the format just a little bit for our Stitchology Column. Each of the featured stitches will be explained row by row via both written and video instructions. We will be focusing on highlighting the repeating stitch pattern itself, so that you can enjoy the freedom of putting these new stitch patterns to use in your own projects as creativity strikes. We hope you will enjoy this new way of learning new stitches with us! 🙂
Find all the previous Stitchology Columns at this link here.
Special Stitch Instructions
To work this pattern in the round, such as for a hat, use the Repeating Pattern Rows chart, and make sure to read it from right to left for each row, rather than alternating sides each time. Also, cast onto your loom in a clockwise direction, using a number of pegs that is divisible by 6—the number of stitches required for each pattern repeat.
When the pattern uses the term “knit” or “k”, please use the true knit stitch or the u-stitch, not the e-wrap.
The cables in this pattern involve simply trading the loops of 2 pegs in the correct order. They consist of a Left Twist [lt2] (a twist with the sts running to the left), and if so desired, a Right Twist [rt2] (a twist with the sts running to the right). They are worked as follows:
[lt2]: Worked over 2 pegs: Lift the loop from the peg on the left and either hold in your fingers, or place on a cable needle. Lift the loop on the right and move it to the peg on the left. Place the held loop onto the peg on the right. With the working yarn, knit the 2 pegs. (*see video for alternate techniques)
[rt2]: Worked over 2 pegs: Lift the loop from the peg on the right and either hold in your fingers, or place on a cable needle. Lift the loop on the left and move it to the peg on the right. Place the held loop onto the peg on the left. With the working yarn, knit the 2 pegs. (*see video for alternate techniques)
*An easy way to remember which direction to go is to remember to hold the stitch on the side of the slant. So…for a right twist, hold the loop on the right. For a left twist, hold the loop on the left.
Abbreviations
K,k: knit
P,p: purl
WY: working yarn
St(s), st(s): stitch, or stitches
rep: repeat.
lt2: a left leaning twist of 2 stitches
rt2: a right leaning twist of 2 stitches
Chart for Repeating Stitch Pattern
*Note: The stitches in the chart that are bordered with darker squares are the Repeating Pattern Rows/Stitches.
When working a Flat Panel, the stitches after the border square are worked only once: at the beginning of the first and all odd rows, before all the repeats of the Repeating Pattern Rows are worked, and at the end of the 2nd row and all even rows, after the Repeating Pattern Row repeats have been completed.
When working in the Round, only repeat the 7 stitches of the Repeating Pattern Rows within the border…the stitches after the border squares are not worked at all. Make sure to simply read each row from right to left and work in a clockwise direction.
Repeating Pattern for working as a flat panel (Cast on from right to left/clockwise a number divisible by 7, plus 2 additional sts. Begin 1st Row from left to right/counterclockwise):
Row 1: p2, *k5, p2, rep from * to end.
Row 2: *p2, lt2, k3, rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 3: rep Row 1.
Row 4: *p2, k1, lt2, k2, rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 5: rep Row 1.
Row 6: *p2, k2, lt2, k1, rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 7: rep Row 1.
Row 8: *p2, k3, lt2, rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Rep rows 1-8 for desired length.
Repeating Pattern for working in the round (Begin from right to left/clockwise, cast on a number divisible by 7):
Round 1: *p2, k5, rep from * to end.
Round 2: *p2, lt2, k3, rep from * to end.
Round 3: rep Round 1.
Round 4: *p2, k1, lt2, k2, rep from * to end.
Round 5: rep Round 1.
Round 6: *p2, k2, lt2, k1, rep from * to end.
Round 7: rep Round 1.
Round 8: *p2, k3, lt2, rep from * to end.
Rep rounds 1-8 for desired length.
For working a stitch that is the exact mirror opposite of the one above, follow the same general instructions provided, but substitute right twists for the left ones, and use the below chart for exact stitch placements.
Have questions or comments? Please feel free to leave a message for Bethany in the comments below.
