Diamond Stockinette Stitch

This easy variation on stockinette stitch creates an allover diamond pattern that is reminiscent of a cable stitch, but is much simpler to knit. This is the perfect stitch for beginner knitters who are ready for new stitches, but aren’t ready for cables.

Cast on a multiple of 6 stitches, plus 2.

Row 1 (RS): Knit.

Row 2 (WS): Purl.

Row 3 (RS): Knit 1, *bring the yarn to the front, slip 5, bring the yarn to the back, knit 1; repeat from * to last stitch, knit 1.

Row 4 (WS): Purl.

Row 5 (RS): Knit.

Row 6 (WS): Purl.

Row 7 (RS): Knit 3, *pick up the float you made in row 3 with the right hand needle and knit it together with the next stitch, bring the yarn to the front, slip 5, bring the yarn to the back; repeat from * to the last 5 stitches, pick up the float you made in row 3 with the right hand needle and knit it together with the next stitch, knit 4.

Row 8 (WS): Purl.

Row 9 (RS): Knit.

Row 10 (WS): Purl.

Row 11 (RS): Knit 1, *bring the yarn to the front, slip 5, bring the yarn to the back, pick up the float you made in row 7 with the right hand needle and knit it together with the next stitch; repeat from * to last 7 stitches, bring the yarn to the front, slip 5, bring the yarn to the back, knit 2.

Row 12 (WS): Purl.

Row 13 RS): Knit.

Row 14 (WS): Purl.

Repeat rows 7-14 for desired length.