Sometimes techniques occur in the actual knitting of a pattern, which are common, but may be worked in a variety of ways. When the pattern hits at that sweet spot of 1 page portability, specifically spelling out the steps would make it verbose and unnecessarily lengthy.
The slits in next week’s release, Shabby Chic, is such a case. So instead of adding the specific steps to the quick knit, I decided to blog the exact method of bind off and cast on that creates those interesting slits in the pattern. Since in reality, they are simply buttonholes feel free to use favorite buttonhole method – doing so will make your Shabby Chic uniquely you!
Bind Off
A simple purl bind off.
Step 1: pattern to BO
Step 2: p2
Step 3: pass 1st st over st just created
Purl 1 and psso until the specified number of stitches are bound off.
Pattern to end.
1 stitch I-cord Cast On
Step 1: pattern 1 st before BOs
Step 2: knit into the front and back
Step 3: turn work (rs now facing)
Step 4: knit into front and back – 2 sts on right needle
Step 5: slip 2 sts back to left needle
Repeat Steps 4 & 5 until you have added the required number of CO stitches plus 1! So if it says CO 5, you will be ready for the next step when you have 6 “new” stitches on your left needle. 1 stitch from the original kfb and 5 cast on sts.
Step 6: turn work (ws now facing)
Step 7: slip 1
Step 8: pass last cast on stitch over slipped stitch
Step 9: slip stitch back
Step 10: pattern to end.
Et voila – purl bind off and 1 stitch I-cord cast on “slits” (aka buttonholes).
What are your favorite buttonhole methods? Which will you use to make your Shabby Chic uniquely yours?