Knot Knecessarily Known Knitting

Every now and again, someone on the Ravelry "Knit One Below" board will ask how to fix a mistake in column pattern. Part of the reason there is no easy answer is that fixing mistakes in column pattern is not easy. I would rate this as one of the more difficult tricks a knitter could do. I did, in fact, need to do this four years ago on the socks I entered in the Think Outside the Sox contest. And it took me most of an evening, with many starts and stops. I'd think I had it, turn the work over, and see that I hadn't gotten it right. So, for all of you who really, really need to see this, here it is. Here is how to drop a wale and pick it back up in column pattern. And while I have not exhaustively explored it, I do believe you can put lifelines in at least some brioche patterns. As much as you will love a lifeline in lace, you will love it even more in brioche.

This net stitch, which can be worked in one color or two, is the sort of stitch pattern that makes you want to drop whatever you are already knitting just so you can try it. That is, until you attempt to read the instructions. Merike Saarniit did provide Estonian-style directions in the Estonian Patent stitch class at STITCHES South 2009. She called the stitch "Net Patent." A little quick research in my home knitting library uncovered what I think is the same stitch in several other resources. Katharina Buss Big Book of Knitting (New York, NY: Sterling Publishing Co. 2001) page 129 calls it "Brioche Stitch" and includes it in a section on "Shaker Knitting." Thérèse de Dillmont The Complete Encyclopedia of Needlework , third edition (Philadelphia PA: Running Press 1996) page 248 calls it "Double English Knitting." Barbara G. Walker A Treasury of Knitting Patterns (Pittsville, WI: Schoolhouse Press 1998) page 157 calls it "Double ...