How to knit the diamond quilting stitch

This is one of those stitches that makes me proud to be a knitter. It's near impossible not to be impressed by English Diamond Quilting. The lattice effect created by the diamonds on a stockinette background give this pattern depth and lots of visual interest. This stitch pattern does involve a lot of focus and a range of techniques, so it's best suited for advanced knitters or intermediate knitters looking for a challenge.

Patterns like this one often make me want to run my hand over the finished project and really feel the subtle texture. This same impulse, though, can be felt by toddlers who will not be as gentle in their tactile exploration, and babies will easily hook a finger or toe on the slipped-stitch sides of each diamond. In other words, if you’re using this pattern to create a knitting gift, best to reserve it for adults who are less likely to snag a stitch.

Materials
Yarn in any weight
Knitting needles in the size indicated on your yarn label
Cable needle or double pointed needle in the same gauge as your knitting needle

Abbreviations
k - knit
p - purl
sl - slip
st - stitch
wyib - with yarn in back
wyif - with yarn in front
yo - yarn over

Pattern
English Diamond Quilting is worked over a multiple of 6 stitches, plus 2, over a 12 row repeat. Begin Row 1 below on the wrong side of your knitting.

Row 1: p1, * yo, p5, yo, p1; repeat from * to last st, p1
Row 2: k1, * sl 1 st wyib, drop yo off the needle, k4, sl 1 st wyib, drop yo off the needle; repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 3: p1, * sl 1 st wyif, p4, sl 1 st wyif; repeat from * to last st, p1
Row 4: k1, * sl 1 st wyib, k4, sl 1 st wyib; repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 5: repeat Row 3
Row 6: k1, * sl next st onto cable needle and hold to the front of your work, k2, k1 from cable needle, sl 2 sts, sl next st onto cable needle and hold to the front of your work, sl previous 2 sts back onto left-hand needle, k1 from cable needle, k2; repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 7: p1, *p2, (yo, p1) twice, p2; repeat from * to last st, p1
Row 8: k1, * k2, (sl 1, drop yo) twice, k2; repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 9: p1, * p2, sl 2, p2; repeat from * to last st, p1
Row 10: k1, * k2, sl 2, k2; repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 11: repeat Row 9
Row 12: k 1, * sl 2, sl next st onto cable needle and hold to the front of your work, sl previous 2 sts back onto left-hand needle, k1 from cable needle, k2, sl next st onto cable needle and hold to the front of your work, k2, k1 from cable needle; repeat from * to last st, k1

Repeat Rows 1-12 until piece reaches desired length, or as indicated in your pattern.