It looks woven, but it’s really loom knit! Sisal and Seagrass Stitches

I love learning new stitch patterns on my knitting loom. I designed the Sisal and Seagrass stitches. Both stitch patterns have a woven look with a rich texture that will give your next scarf, cowl or hat a unique design.

(And I’ve even got pattern links below that showcase these stitches.)

I spent a good deal of time researching to see if these stitch patterns already existed. After searching the internet, knitting books and speaking with a few yarn shop owners and knitting instructors I was excited to learn that I really had designed some new stitches!

Both the Sisal and Seagrass stitches are simple to loom knit. They combine a bind off with an ewrap yarnover to give the fabric an open texture. The Sisal Stitch uses this technique on every row creating the illusion of a woven fabric. The Seagrass Stitch alternates the bind off-yarnover row with a knit row breaking up the pattern and creating it’s own unique texture. Each one is a multiple of 2+2 with a 2 row repeat. What does that mean, you ask?

It’s pretty simple actually, but if you’re not familiar with knitting terminology it can be confusing. When a stitch pattern is a multiple of 2 that means that you repeat the same pattern instructions every two stitches. On a knitting loom that means that you will work the stitch pattern over two pegs. The +2 that we tack onto the end of “multiple of 2 +2” just means that we also need two “extra” stitches that are not part of the stitch pattern. In this case these are edge stitches on either side and allow you to create a smooth edge.

See what I made with the Sisal and Seagrass Stitches!

I loom knit this Bento Box Scarf alternating both the Sisal and Seagrass stitches. This was knit on the KB 28″ Knitting Board with peg extenders using 168 pegs. I loom knit it along the width of the loom and it came out to 55″ long.

I’ve got the stitch patterns written out below for you. To really see the texture of the stitch pattern I recommend using a solid colored yarn in your projects. (I know, I know! I didn’t do that with the scarf above. That’s how I know you should.) Please feel free to use these new stitches in your own designs and projects!

Sisal Stitch Pattern

Multiple of 2 +2
Number of rows to repeat: 2

ABBREVIATIONS

BO = Bind off – Knit Peg 1, knit Peg 2, move 2 onto 1 and knit off (bottom loop over top).
EWYO = EWrap Yarnover – Ewrap the empty peg.  [NOTE: Peg must be Ewrapped to set up the stitch correctly.  Do not use a yarnover that wraps only the front of the peg.]
K = Uwrap knit
Rem = Remaining
Rep = Repeat
Sl = Slip Stitch – Skip the peg.
St(s) = Stitch(es)

NOTES

This stitch pattern when used alone requires a foundation row of knit stitches. Do not use this stitch pattern directly after casting on. If you are incorporating this stitch pattern into another project you may begin with Row 1 if the previous row was all knit.

Foundation row: K all.
Row 1: Sl 1, *BO 1, EWYO rep from * to last stitch.  K1.
Row 2: Rep Row 1

Rep Rows 1-2 for stitch pattern.

If finishing a project with this stitch you will also need to knit a final row before bind off. Knit Row 3 listed below before binding off.

Row 3: Sl 1, K rem sts

Patterns using the Sisal Stitch!

Sisal Stitch Tutorial Video:

Seagrass Stitch Pattern

Multiple of 2 +2
Number of rows to repeat: 2

ABBREVIATIONS

BO = Bind off – Knit Peg 1, knit Peg 2, move 2 onto 1 and knit off (bottom loop over top).
EWYO = EWrap Yarnover – Ewrap the empty peg.  [NOTE: Peg must be Ewrapped to set up the stitch correctly.  Do not use a yarnover that wraps only the front of the peg.]
K = Uwrap knit
Rem = Remaining
Rep = Repeat
Sl = Slip Stitch – Skip the peg.
St(s) = Stitch(es)

Foundation Row: K all.
Row 1 Sl 1, *BO1, EWYO rep from * to last stitch, K1.
Row 2 K all.
Repeat Rows 1-2

The Seagrass Stitch is unique because it can slant to the right or left depending on the direction you knit. In the round this creates a gentle spiral look. As a flat panel you can create either a straight panel OR a zig zag panel by switching directions! You can see all three sample below.

Patterns using the Seagrass Stitch!

Seagrass Stitch Video:

I hope you enjoy these new stitch patterns. Please post your comments below. I’d love to see your test swatches and designs! Please share you projects on social media and tag me with #goodknitkisses!

Happy Knitting!
Kristen Mangus of GoodKnit Kisses
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