How to Knit a Turn in an Entrelac

Entrelac often looks best when done in contrasting colors, which highlight the stitch pattern.

Entrelac knitting, also known as the basket stitch, birch stitch, trellis, woven lattice, or diamond weave, is a technique that imitates the look of woven strips of knit fabric. Entrelac is actually made of interconnected triangles and rectangles that are slanted using increases and decreases. There are a few different techniques for knitting entrelac, but they all share a base of triangles, followed by knitting rows of rectangles that slant in opposite directions. When knitting entrelac, you will complete one triangle or block at a time, turning your work until it's time to make the next shape.

Things You'll Need

• Knitting pattern
• Knitting needles
• Yarn
• Towel
• Straight pins
• Spray Bottle

Instructions

Base Triangles

1. Select an entrelac knitting pattern, such as The Knitting Daily's Basic Entrelac Scarf or Laura's Merino 5-Entrelac Shawl, or one you've found on your own. Read the knitting pattern to make sure you have the required size needles and amount of yarn. Look for a section that directs you to knit or purl a small percentage of the stitches currently on your needles, immediately followed by turning the work. This is where the entrelac will most likely begin.

2. Cast on the number of stitches specified by your knitting pattern. Knit any plain rows of knitting that precede the entrelac.

3. Knit the set of triangles that form the base of the entrelac knitting. Entrelac is knit in stockinette stitch, which alternates rows of knitting and purling. Knit a few stitches, then turn the work as the pattern directs. Knit the same stitches again, then turn the work around.

4. Continue knitting a few stitches, then turning the work, increasing the number of stitches in each row. This will form your first base triangle, as the rows of knitting spread out from the two stitches you started with. When the first triangle is finished, do not turn the work around. Continue knitting the next stitches on your right hand needle until all the stitches you started with have been knit and each stitch has been increased into a triangle. These triangles form the base of the entrelac.

End Triangles and Rows of Blocks

1. Knit the triangle that frames the diagonal blocks on each side of the entrelac. Knit a few stitches, then turn. Increase your work with increases that slant toward the middle of the knitting. Do not turn when the triangle is complete.

2. Pick up and knit or purl stitches from the side of the triangle that faces the middle of the knitting. Insert your needle into each row and pull up a loop of yarn for the number of stitches the pattern specifies. If you are switching yarn colors for your first block, use the new yarn for the loops you pick up.

3. Work the stitches from the framing triangle and the new stitches, decreasing toward the middle of the knitting. Work for the required number of rows. Do not turn the work when the first block is done. Repeat until you get to the last base triangle. Switch yarn colors when the pattern requires it.

4. Pick up and knit the stitches from the last base triangle to form the framing triangle. Alternate rows of plain knitting with a row including a decrease. Slip the last stitch to the right hand needle and begin knitting the second row of blocks.

5. Pick up and knit or purl stitches from the side of the block that faces the middle of the knitting. Knit for the specified number of rows, alternating rows of plain knitting with rows including a decrease that slants toward the middle. Repeat until you get to the last block of the row.

6. Pick up and knit the stitches from the last block to form the framing triangle. Alternate rows of plain knitting with a row including a decrease. Slip the last stitch to the right hand needle and begin knitting the second row of blocks.

Ending Entrelac with a Top Row of Triangles

1. Pick up and knit the stitches from the side of the block from the previous row. Alternate rows of plain knitting with a row including a decrease. Pick up stitches from the next block when only one stitch remains on the needle.

2. When all the triangles have been completed, follow your pattern's directions for continuing to knit or work on other portions of the item.

3. Block your item. Moisten it with water, and arrange the item in the desired shape and dimensions, pulling slightly where needed. Pin the item in place on the towel. Remove when dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Some entrelac patterns use slipped stitches: others do not.

• Entrelac in the round does not use triangles on the sides.

• A yarn in a natural fiber will respond better to blocking, which sets the stitches in place. This is especially important with entrelac, where the clear arrangement of the stitches is essential.

• An entrelac pattern may use several types of decreases. Practice these on a swatch if you are unfamiliar with them.

• Round items can be blocked over an inflated balloon.

References

• Interweave Knits; "Entrelac" ; Eunny Jang; Spring 2007
• Simply Knitting; "Easy Entrelac"; Debbie Tomkies; Spring 2008
• Wool Works: Entrelac information and references

Resources

• "Entree to Entrelac: The Definitive Guide from a Biased Knitter"; Gwen Bortner; 2010
• Knitting on the Net: Entrelac Afghan Knitting Pattern
• Knitting Daily: Basic Entrelac Scarf
• Crystal Palace Yarns: Laura's Merino-5 Entrelac Shawl
• Lion Brand Yarn: Learn to Knit