DIY Network

Filler Stitches Filler Stitches From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-205

Filler stitches serve a couple of purposes in Aran knitting. For instance, there can be a lot going on visually in an Aran piece, so filler stitches give the eye a rest from the more intricate designs. In sweaters, the stitches were originally used to allow the knitter to make the same sweater in different sizes. Here Janet Szabo and Vickie Howell demonstrate some of the more frequently used filler stitches.

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	Trinity stitch (to see a step-by-step demo, click on the video link below)...
	Media Watch The Video

Trinity Stitch Afghan Square

The trinity stitch, also known as the popcorn or blackberry stitch, is one stitch where all the action happens on the wrong-side rows.

Using Plymouth's Encore Worsted and size 7 (4.5 mm) 16" circular needles, cast on 60 sts. Work 5 rows garter stitch (knit every row).

Keeping first and last three sts of each row in garter stitch, work patt across center 54 sts as foll:

Row 1 (WS): K1, *[k1, p1, k1] into next st, p3 tog; rep from * to last st, k1.
Rows 2 and 4: Purl all sts.
Row 3: K1, *p3 tog, [k1, p1, k1] into next st; rep from * to last st, k1.

Rep rows 1-4 a total of 18 times. Discontinue pattern and work 5 rows of garter stitch. Bind off loosely.

	Diamond (left cross)
	Diamond (right cross)

Moss Diamond Cable Afghan Square

Using Plymouth's Encore Worsted and size 7 (4.5 mm) 16" circular needles, cast on 60 sts. Work 5 rows garter stitch (knit every row), increasing 6 sts evenly across last row (66 sts).

Keeping first and last three sts of each row in garter stitch, work patt across center 60 sts as foll:

Row 1 (WS): K7, [p4, k10] three times, p4, k7.
Row 2: P6, [2/1 RC, 2/1 LPC, p8] three times, 2/1 RC, 2/1 LPC, p6.
Row 3 and all WS rows: Knit the knits and purl the purls.
Row 4: P5, [2/1 RC, p1, k1, 2/1 LPC, p6] three times, 2/1 RC, p1, k1, 2/1 LPC, p5.
Row 6: P4, [2/1 RC, (p1, k1) twice, 2/1 LPC, p4] four times.
Row 8: P3, [2/1 RC, (p1, k1) three times, 2/1 LPC, p2] three times, 2/1 RC, (p1, k1) three times, 2/1 LPC, p3.
Row 10: P2, [2/1 RC, (p1, k1) four times, 2/1 LPC] three times, 2/1 RC, (p1, k1) four times, 2/1 LPC, p2.
Row 12: P2, k2, (p1, k1) five times, [2/2 LC, (p1, k1) five times] three times, k2, p2.
Row 14: P2, [2/1 LPC, (p1, k1) four times, 2/1 RPC] three times, 2/1 LPC, (p1, k1) four times, 2/1 RPC, p2.
Row 16: P3, [2/1 LPC, (p1, k1) three times, 2/1 RPC, p2] three times, 2/1 LPC, (p1, k1) three times, 2/1 RPC, p3.
Row 18: P4, [2/1 LPC, (p1, k1) twice, 2/1 RPC, p4] four times.
Row 20: P5, [2/1 LPC, p1, k1, 2/1 RPC, p6] three times, 2/1 LPC, p1, k1, 2/1 RPC, p5.
Row 22: P6, [2/1 LPC, 2/1 RPC, p8] three times, 2/1 LPC, 2/1 RPC, p6.
Row 24: P7, [2/2 RC, p10] three times, 2/2 RC, p7.

Rep rows 1-24 a total of 3 times. Discontinue cable pattern and work 5 rows of garter stitch, decreasing 6 sts evenly across first row of garter stitch (60 sts). Bind off loosely.

Web Extra

Here are instructions for some optional squares not seen in this episode:

Moss Stitch Afghan Square

Using Plymouth's Encore Worsted and size 7 (4.5 mm) 16" circular needles, cast on 60 sts. Work 5 rows garter stitch (knit every row).

Keeping first and last three sts of each row in garter stitch, work patt across center 54 sts as foll:

Row 1 (WS): *K1, p1; rep from * across.
Row 2: *P1, k1; rep from * across.
Row 3: *P1, k1; rep from * across.
Row 4: *K1, p1; rep from * across.

Rep rows 1-4 a total of 18 times. Discontinue pattern and work 5 rows of garter stitch. Bind off loosely.

Honeycomb Cable Afghan Square

Using Plymouth's Encore Worsted and size 7 (4.5 mm) 16" circular needles, cast on 60 sts. Work 5 rows garter stitch (knit every row), increasing 18 sts evenly across last row (78 sts).

Keeping first and last three sts of each row in garter stitch, work patt across center 72 sts as foll:

Row 1 and all WS rows: Purl.
Row 2: Knit.
Row 4: [2/2 RC, 2/2 LC] nine times.
Row 6: Knit.
Row 8: [2/2 LC, 2/2 RC] nine times.

Rep rows 1-8 a total of 9 times. Discontinue cable pattern and work 5 rows of garter stitch, decreasing 18 sts evenly across first row of garter stitch (60 sts). Bind off loosely.

Knit Bit: Angora fibers come from Angora rabbits; Angora goats produce mohair fibers. Other fibers come from goats as well; for instance, cashmere comes from cashmere goats.

RESOURCES :

Plymouth Yarn Company’s Encore Worsted yarn
Plymouth Yarn Company
Website: www.plymouthyarn.com

GUESTS :
Janet Szabo
Knitting expert
Big Sky Knitting Designs
Website: www.BigSkyKnitting.com
E-mail: Janet@BigSkyKnitting.com