How to knit the plaited basket stitch

The Plaited Basket Stitch creates a beautiful fabric with a technique you likely haven't tried before (at least not on purpose!). You'll feel like a knitting-needle-ninja once you get into a rhythm with all the ins and outs of this pattern. I find it to be a really fun knit with a beautifully finished look!
Because all of the stitches in this pattern are twisted, the resulting fabric is very dense. This makes it an especially great pattern for projects that will need to stand up to a lot of use, like a knit table runner or placemats, or for outerwear like a heavy sweater or coat. To ensure that the fabric will last even longer, choose a yarn that won’t easily pill, like a 4-ply worsted weight wool for a garment, or a nice washable cotton for a table runner or placemats.
Advertisement
Watch the Plaited Basket Stitch video tutorial from Tania Dos:
Materials
Yarn in any weight
Knitting needles in the size indicated on your yarn label
Pro tip: Since this pattern involves a lot of needlework in and around your stitches, be sure to choose a yarn that is tightly plied and won’t easily split.
Abbreviations
k - knit
p - purl
sl- slip
st - stitch
Pattern
Plaited Basket Stitch is worked over an odd number of stitches in a 2 row repeat. Begin Row 1 on the right side of your work.
Advertisement
Row 1: k2, *insert your right-hand needle between the first and second sts on the left-hand needle from back to front, k the second st first, then k the first st, sl both sts off the needle; repeat from * to last st, k1
Row 2: p2, * p the second st on your left-hand needle first, then p the first st, then sl both sts off the needle; repeat from * to last st, p1
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until your project reaches desired length, or as indicated in your pattern.