The little birds stitch adds a unique 3-D texture to your work. The stitch can be used with any yarn at any gauge. This stitch works better for bigger projects such as blankets, sweaters and afghans.
The stitch is also a great way to learn to cable! The little birds stitch is best for advanced beginners.
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DIY Everywhere
Materials
Yarn of any weight (I used worsted weight)
Knitting needles in the appropriate size (I used 5 mm)
Cable needle
Yarn of any weight (I used worsted weight)
Knitting needles in the appropriate size (I used 5 mm)
Cable needle
Pro Tip: If you don't have a cable needle feel free to use a single double-pointed needle.
Abbreviations
CO - Cast on
K - Knit
P - Purl
sl - slip stitch
c3r - cable 3 right: For this you will slip two stitches onto your cable needle and place behind your work, k1, and then k2 off from your cable needle
c3l - cable 3 left: For this you will slip one stitch onto the cable and hold it in front of your work, k2, and then k1 off from your cable needle.
CO - Cast on
K - Knit
P - Purl
sl - slip stitch
c3r - cable 3 right: For this you will slip two stitches onto your cable needle and place behind your work, k1, and then k2 off from your cable needle
c3l - cable 3 left: For this you will slip one stitch onto the cable and hold it in front of your work, k2, and then k1 off from your cable needle.
Pattern
The little birds stitch is knitted over a 12 row sequence. The odd rows involve knit stitches and the even rows involve purl stitches.
The little birds stitch is knitted over a 12 row sequence. The odd rows involve knit stitches and the even rows involve purl stitches.
Cast on multiples of 14 + 8 stitches. In the video, I casted on 36 stitches. I knitted a section of the stockinette stitch before starting the sequence.
Row 1: Knit each stitch across
Row 2: Purl each stitch across
Row 3: K10, *sl 2 purlwise, k12. Repeat from * to the last 12 stitches, sl 2 purlwise, k10.
Row4: P10, *sl2, p12. Repeat from * to the last 12 stitches, sl 2, p10.
Row 5: K8, *c3r, c3l, k8. Repeat from * to end.
Row 6: Purl each stitch across
Row 7: Knit each stitch across
Row 8: Purl each stitch across
Row 9: K3, *Sl 2, k12. Repeat from * to the last 5 stitches, sl 2, knit 3 stitches.
Row 10: P3, *sl 2, p12. Repeat from * to the last 5 stitches, sl 2, purl 3
Row 11: K1, * c3r, c3l, k8. Repeat from * to the last 7 stitches, c3r, c3l, k1.
Row 12: Purl each stitch across
Row 2: Purl each stitch across
Row 3: K10, *sl 2 purlwise, k12. Repeat from * to the last 12 stitches, sl 2 purlwise, k10.
Row4: P10, *sl2, p12. Repeat from * to the last 12 stitches, sl 2, p10.
Row 5: K8, *c3r, c3l, k8. Repeat from * to end.
Row 6: Purl each stitch across
Row 7: Knit each stitch across
Row 8: Purl each stitch across
Row 9: K3, *Sl 2, k12. Repeat from * to the last 5 stitches, sl 2, knit 3 stitches.
Row 10: P3, *sl 2, p12. Repeat from * to the last 5 stitches, sl 2, purl 3
Row 11: K1, * c3r, c3l, k8. Repeat from * to the last 7 stitches, c3r, c3l, k1.
Row 12: Purl each stitch across
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Repeat rows 1-12 until your piece measures the desired length of your project.