Checkerboard Openwork - The Knitter's Planner

By Meghan Jones

Meghan Jones has a BFA in Fibers and Textiles, designs knitwear full-time, and loves to create tutorials to accompany her patterns. She lives in the Inland Northwest with her husband, 4 kids, 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 8 chickens. You can find more of her work at www.littlenutmegproductions.com.

Inspiration: Worked with checker blocks of stockinette eyelets and garter ridges, this pattern creates a slight bias in the finished piece. Since the pattern includes a great deal of garter stitch, it does not curl and is cushy to the touch.

Tip: For this pattern you are always working a k2tog before a yarn over, and there are always an equal number of k2togs to yarn overs.

Finished Stitch Block Measurements

8 x 8 inch/20 x 20cm stitch block square, blocked (including garter stitch borders)

Materials

Worsted weight yarn

Size 6 US (4mm) needles

Gauge

19 sts and 30 rows = 4 inches/10cm in Checker Lace pattern

Checkerboard Lace Pattern (multiple of 16 sts)

Rows 1, 3, 5, 7 (RS): *k8, [k2tog, yo] 4 times.

Rows 2, 4, 6, 8: *p8, k8.

Rows 9, 11, 13, 15 (RS): *[k2tog, yo] 4 times, k8.

Rows 10, 12, 14, 16: *k8, p8.

Stitch Block Instructions

Bottom Garter Stitch Edging

CO 38 sts.

Knit 6 rows.

Square Body

Row 1 (RS): K3, work Checker Lace Pattern to last 3 sts, k3.

Row 2 (WS): K3, work Checker Lace Pattern to last 3 sts, k3.

Rep Rows 1-2 until square measures 7½ inches/19cm.

Top Garter Stitch Edging