Learning new stitches

Learning new stitches can be fun for newer knitters.

By Tina

We all love trying new stitches but for newer knitters  it can often be intimidating or even challenging.  For those wanting to try complicatedlooking stitches in their projects but have yet to learn certain techniques, here’s a few simple stitches to turn any plain design into a work of art.
If you haven’t quite mastered cable knitting yet, but want to impress your family and friends with gifts that incorporated a cable stitch, try learning themock cable.  This simple stitch pattern will  give the look of knitted cables on your scarf, sweater or hat and it’s very easy to learn.
This stitch is worked over multiples of 8 stitches as follows:

Courtesy of Knitting.About.com

Row 1: *K3, P2, K3; Repeat from * across
Row 2: *P3, K2, P3; Repeat from * across
Row 3: *K3, P2, K3; Repeat from * across
Row 4:  *P3, KTOG, leave the stitches on the left-hand needle. Knit into the first stitch again and slide both stitches off the needle, P3.  Repeat from * across.
You will repeat these four rows to establish your pattern and continue to desired length.  This pattern is great to use for scarves,  fingerless mittens or hats.

Courtesy of Knitting on the Net

If you are looking for a more reversiblepattern, then try this version of themock cable, with no need to twist the stitches to achieve the pattern.   This pattern stitch is worked over a multiple of 10 stitches as follows :
Row 1: P4, K1, P1, k4
Row 2: P3, K2, P2, K3
Row 3: P2, K2, P1, K1, P2, K2
Row 4: P1, K2, P2, K2, P2, K1
Row 5: K2, P3, K3, P2
Row 6: K1, P4, K4, P1
You will repeat these six rows to establish your pattern and continue to desired length.  This pattern too is perfect for scarves, hats and even shawls.