Pattern:

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

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Diagonal basketweave is one of those knitting patterns that looks so intimidating, but once you understand the method is a lot of fun to knit. I’ve tried it in both cotton and wool and both swatches are very flat and resistant to curling, so the pattern seems ideally suited to blankets and the edges of sweaters.

 

If you want to try working this stitch in the round we have a tutorial for that as well – Diagonal Basketweave In The Round Tutorial!

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Use the size of needle suggested on your package (or whatever needle you would usually use with your yarn), or possibly a size larger. Knitting a little bit loosely will make everything a lot easier. Some yarns look good when knit this way with needles about 4 sizes larger than normal – it’s worth swatching if you want an openwork look.

 

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

multiple of 2 stitches plus 1
(repeat what is between the * * to the last stitch)

 

Row 1: slip 1 as to knit, bring the yarn to the front, slip 1 as to purl, bring the yarn to the back, *knit the second stitch from behind, then the first stitch, slip both from needle* knit 1

Row 2: slip 2 as to purl, bring the yarn to the front, *purl the second stitch, then the first stitch, slip both from needle*, knit 1

 

The directions are a little dense, but the pictures below should help.

 

Row 1

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Slip 1 stitch as you would to knit it.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Bring the yarn to the front.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Slip 1 stitch as you would to purl it.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Bring the yarn to the back.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Slide your needle into the second stitch.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Knit it.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Pull the loop of yarn through, but leave those stitches on the needle.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Slip the needle into the first stitch.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Now knit that one.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

With both stitches knit it should look like this.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Pull both stitches off the needle they were on (the left hand needle if you are knitting right handed.)

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Repeat this until you have 1 stitch left. Knit it.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Row 2

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Slip the first 2 stitches the way you would purl them.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Bring the yarn to the front of the work.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Purl the second stitch.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Leave both stitches on the needle.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Purl the first stitch.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

It should look like this with both stitches purled.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Pull both stitches off of the needle together.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

Repeat this to the end. Knit the last stitch.

Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern Diagonal Basketweave Knitting Pattern

 

If you want to try working this stitch in the round we have a tutorial for that as well – Diagonal Basketweave In The Round Tutorial!