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.
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
Slip 1 stitch as you would to knit it.
Bring the yarn to the front.
Slip 1 stitch as you would to purl it.
Bring the yarn to the back.
Slide your needle into the second stitch.
Knit it.
Pull the loop of yarn through, but leave those stitches on the needle.
Slip the needle into the first stitch.
Now knit that one.
With both stitches knit it should look like this.
Pull both stitches off the needle they were on (the left hand needle if you are knitting right handed.)
Repeat this until you have 1 stitch left. Knit it.
Row 2
Slip the first 2 stitches the way you would purl them.
Bring the yarn to the front of the work.
Purl the second stitch.
Leave both stitches on the needle.
Purl the first stitch.
It should look like this with both stitches purled.
Pull both stitches off of the needle together.
Repeat this to the end. Knit the last stitch.
