Keep Knitting Fun with This New Knitting Stitch
Try the Raspberry
Knitting is fun. But once you've learned the basic knitting stitches like knit and purl, it can get pretty boring. One way to keep your knitting fun is by learning new stitches. I firmly believe every knitter should make learning new stitches part of their knitting hobby.
Why? Because it breathes fresh life back into your craft. It increases your skill level. It presents you with challenges and keeps you from becoming stale like day-old cigarette smoke.
Challenging yourself by teaching yourself new stitches is like opening the windows and filling your home with fresh life-giving spring air. Let's take a deep breath and learn a new stitch today -- the raspberry stitch!
Raspberry Stitch 101
First, take a look at the raspberry stitch. Google "raspberry stitch" then click on 'Images' at the top of the page. This will pull up a bunch of samples so you cannot only see how it looks, but also get some ideas about using the stitch. Such inspiration!
Now for the directions -- the instructions for the raspberry stitch are simple:
Cast on a multiple of 4 + 2 stitches
1st and 3rd rows: Purl
2nd row: K1, *(K1, P1, K1) into the next st, P3tog, repeat from * to last st, k1
4th row: K1, *P3tog, (K1, P1, K1) into the next st, repeat from * to last stitch, k1
Rows 1 - 4 form pattern. Repeat for desired length.
Although simple, sometimes it's just easier to see someone knit the stitch. To see this stitch in action, watch this video.
How to Use the Raspberry Stitch
First, search out patterns that use this pretty stitch. You can search online or spend a relaxing Sunday afternoon browsing through your favorite knitting books and magazines.
If you don't have any luck there, use it to knit an afghan, baby blanket or scarf. Now that you have your swatch and have practiced this pretty stitch, you can figure up how many stitches to cast on to make your project. Simple -- remember you don't always have to have a pattern.
You can also try this free knitting pattern using the raspberry stitch for a scarf and mittens set. I love this set because of the texture -- not to mention the pretty raspberry colored yarn!
Here's another pretty hat and scarf set that features the raspberry stitch. The hat uses the puff stitch, which matches perfectly with the raspberry scarf.
Now that You've Added a New Stitch to Your Repertoire...
Practice this new stitch. Knit up a pretty swatch in one of your favorite colors and add it to your stitch library. What? You don't have a knitting stitch library? Oh my! We'll take care of that in a future article. In the meantime, start practicing your new knitting stitch and knit something gawgeous!
