Addictive Knitting—An Entrelac Workshop

August 7th, 2008 in patterns & designs, knitting

Learning entrelac has been on my knitting to-do list for ages. My LYS had a class scheduled this summer, so I signed up and got my supplies together later to learn that I was going to be out of town that day. At this point I was determined to learn entrelac, so it became necessary to figure it out on my own. Several books and websites later, I feel as if I have mastered and even fallen in love with the insidiously addictive entrelac.

Let's systematically walk through the steps necessary to conquer this seemingly complicated technique. In reality it is not difficult at all but rather fun. The best way to learn it is to just do it. After creating the first row of rectangles, you will be surprised to discover that you have learned the technique already. Now you have to muster up the willpower to put it down!

Entrelac is perfect for using up the leftover bits of yarn you’ve been saving for who knows what knitting creation. The weights of the yarns you use can vary as it will add interest to the finished project. I chose a tapestry yarn because I have a substantial stash tucked away (eBay impulse purchase), but you can use whatever you have on hand. Following my step-by-step, you will end up with a rectangle 6 inches x 4-1/2 inches but depending on the yarn and needle size used, you will end up with different dimensions. If you feel the urge, keep knitting until the size suits you.

What to do with your swatch when you are done? Admire your work and keep it at that. Felt it and make a pin cushion, business card holder, or purselet. If you keep knitting, you can make it a stunning scarf. How about the wrist section of a pair of mittens? Check back to see what I did with my swatch!

What You'll Need:
Yarn: Tapestry/DK weight or use any weight yarn you desire
Needle size: 1 or a size to accommodate the yarn used

Abbreviations
k: knit
p: purl
psso: pass slipped stitch over
rh: right hand
rs: right side
sl: 1 slip one
st: stitch
tog: together
ws: wrong side

Step-by-Step

Base Triangles

Cast on 32 stitches and work as follows:
Row 1: 2 K2, turn, p2
Row 3: 4 K3, turn, p3
Row 5: 6 K4, turn, p4
Rows 7–8: K5, turn, p5
Rows 9–10: K6, turn, p6
Rows 11–12: K7, turn, p7
Rows 13–14: K8, turn, p8
End in WS row. This makes up the first triangle. Keep these sts on the rh needle.

The first side triangle is complete.

Work 3 more triangles as above until you have all 32 stitches on the rh needle.

The foundation of entrelac is comprised of triangles.

First Row

Make the left side edge triangle with ws facing as follows: Rows 1–2: p2, turn, s1, k1, turn; Rows: 3–4 p twice in the 1st st, p2 tog, turn, sl 1, k2, turn.

Purl into the back of the stitch to accomplish purling twice into the same stitch.

Rows 5–6: p twice in the 1st st, p1, p2 tog, turn, sl 1, k3, turn.
Rows 7–8: p twice in the 1st st, p2, p2 tog, turn, sl 1, k4, turn.
Rows 9–10: p twice in the 1st st, p3, p2 tog, turn, sl 1, k5, turn.
Rows 11–12: p twice in the 1st st, p4, p2 tog, turn, sl 1, k6, turn.
Row 13: p twice in the 1st st, p5, p2 tog, do not turn. All sts on the base triangle have been worked off. Keep these sts on the rh needle.

Creating a left side triangle is the first step in creating your first row side.

Make a rectangle with ws facing as follows: With the rh needle, pick up and p 8 sts along the edge of the triangle, turn.

Pick up the 8 stitches evenly across.

Row 1: 2 Sl 1, k7, turn, p7, p2 tog, turn.

Purl 2 stitches together.

Repeat rows 1–2 six more times. All of the sts on the base triangle have been worked off. Leave sts on the rh needle. This completes the first rectangle.

This is how your first rectangle should look.

Repeat these steps to make 2 more rectangles.

Make the right side edge triangle with ws facing as follows: With the rh needle, pick up and purl 8 sts down the side of the last base triangle outer edge.
Rows 1–2: k8, turn, p6, p2 tog, turn.

Congratulations on your first row!

Rows 3–4: k7, turn, p5, p2 tog, turn.
Rows 5–6: k6, turn, p4, p2 tog, turn.
Rows 7–8: k5, turn, p3, p2 tog, turn.
Rows 9–10: k4, turn, p2, p2 tog, turn.
Rows 11–12: k3, turn, p1, p2 tog, turn.
Rows 13–14: k2, turn, p2 tog.
Leave the last stitch on the needle, turn.

Second Row

Create the first rectangle on the right side as follows:
With rs facing, slip 1st st to rt needle and pick up 7 sts along inside edge of right edge triangle, turn.
Rows 1–2: Sl 1, p7, turn, k7, s1, k1, psso, turn.
Repeat rows 1–2 until all the sts of the rectangle are worked off.
Leave these 8 sts on the rh needle.

Create the second rectangle as follows:
With rs facing, with rh needle, pick up and k 8 sts along the side of the rectangle on the right side.
Rows 1–2: Sl 1, p7, turn, k7, s1, k1, psso, turn.
Repeat rows 1–2 until all the sts of the rectangle are worked off.
Leave these 8 sts on the rh needle.

Repeat these steps to create 2 more rectangles completing the second row.

By finishing your second row, you have mastered entrelac!

Third Row
Repeat first row.

Fourth Row
Repeat second row.

Fifth row
Repeat first row.

Top Edge Triangles

With the rh needle and right side facing, slip 1st st then pu 7 sts along inside of right triangle, turn.
Rows 1–2: Sl 1, p7, turn, k7, sl1, k1, psso, turn.
Rows 3–4: Sl 1, p5, p 2 tog, turn, k6, sl1, k1, psso, turn.
Rows 5–6: Sl 1, p4, p 2 tog, turn, k5, sl1, k1, psso, turn.
Rows 7–8: Sl 1, p3, p 2 tog, turn, k4, sl1, k1, psso, turn.
Rows 9–10: Sl 1, p2, p 2 tog, turn, k3, sl1, k1, psso, turn.
Rows 11–12: Sl 1, p1, p 2 tog, turn, k2, sl1, k1, psso, turn.
Rows 13–14: Sl 1, p 2 tog, turn, k1, sl1, k1, psso, turn.
Rows 15–16: p2 tog, turn, k1, sl1, k1, psso, do not turn.
Leave remaining st on the rh needle.
Create 3 more top triangles as above.

Fasten off the last remaining st by cutting the yarn and threading the tail through the loop and pull tight to secure.

Note: You can adjust the size of your piece by simply adding more base triangles and adding more rows. You must end on a first row in order to make your top edge triangles to finish off the entrelac pattern.

Have fun and experiment with colors and design for limitless creative possibilities!

Great Entrelac Reference Material

How to Knit by Debbie Bliss
The Odd-Ball Knitting Book by Debby Robinson
Knitty Otter
Untangling Entrelac
Knitting Park

posted in: patterns & designs, knitting, Entrelac, knitting how to, left over yarn project