Entrelac (pronounced in-tru-lak) is a pattern that looks like it is woven, but really is just strategically placed increases and decreases. And although it has a large amount of patterns to memorize, it is not very difficult to learn.
There are a lot of different variations, but the basics are the same for each method.
Before I even get started, you need to know that:
k means knit
p means purl
sl means slip (unless otherwise specified, slip means slip purlwise)
ssk means slip knitwise, slip knitwise, and knit them together
p2tog means purl two together
pfb means purl in the front and back of a stitch
To begin, cast on a number divisible by eight and multiply it by however many triangles you want. I did twenty four stitches.
Note: You don't have to have a number divisible by eight; you can have any number you like and modify the pattern.
Base Triangles
To start making the first base triangle, slip one stitch (for simplicity, we'll slip the first stitch of each row) and knit one.
Now, turn the work and sl1, then p1. Turn the work again.
The rest of the instructions for base triangles are as follows:
sl1, k2, turn,
sl1, p2, turn,
sl1, k3, turn,
sl1, p3, turn,
sl1, k4, turn,
sl1, p4, turn,
sl1, k5, turn,
sl1, p5, turn,
sl1, k6, turn,
sl1, p6, turn,
sl1, k7, DO NOT TURN.
Your triangle should look like this.
Repeat that pattern across the row. You should get a total of three triangles. Your triangles will curl a little bit.
To begin the next round, you will need to make the
Left Triangle
Notes: 1) The left and right triangle are part of the purl square row.
2)You may change colors here, if you like.
To start making the left triangle, slip one stitch and purl the next.
Turn the work and slip one stitch. Knit the next and turn the work.
The rest of the pattern goes like this:
pfb, p2tog, turn,
sl1, k2, turn,
pfb, p1, p2tog, turn,
sl1, k3, turn,
pfb, p2, p2tog, turn,
sl1, k4, turn,
pfb, p3, p2tog, turn,
sl1, k5, turn,
pfb, p4, p2tog, turn,
sl1, k6, turn,
pfb, p5, p2tog, turn,
sl1, k7, DO NOT TURN.
Your left triangle will look like this.
Until you reach your last base triangle, you will make
Purl Squares
Along the edge of your base triangle, pick up eight stitches.
The rest of the pattern goes like this:
turn, sl1, k7,
turn, sl1, p6, p2tog
Repeat it until the base triangle you're p2toging into no longer has any stitches. Now, repeat it across the row (only once more if you cast on what I did).
To finish the row, you will need to make a
Right Triangle
Pick up 8 stitches and turn the work to the right side.
Follow this pattern:
sl1, p5, p2tog, turn
sl1, k6, turn,
sl1, p4, p2tog, turn,
sl1, k5, turn,
sl1, p3, p2tog, turn,
sl1, k4, turn,
sl1, p2, p2tog, turn,
sl1, k3, turn,
sl1, p1, p2tog, turn,
sl1, k2, turn,
sl1, p2tog, turn,
sl1, k1, turn,
p2tog.
Your work will now look like this.
You can either make the top triangles and finish your work now, or you can continue onto the knit squares. The top triangles can only be made after a row of purl squares.
Knit Squares
On the right side of the work, slip the remaining stitch from the right triangle and pick up 7 stitches (when picking up from your squares, pick up eight).
Here is the pattern:
turn, sl1, p7, turn,
sl1, k6, ssk,
Repeat this pattern until all eight stitches from the purl square have been worked into your knit square. After that, repeat it to the end of the row.
Before you do the top triangles, you must make a purl square row.
Top Triangles
Slip the stitch on your left-hand needle (from the right triangle) to your right-hand needle and pick up seven stitches.
Purl eight and turn your work.
The rest of the instructions are as follows:
k7, ssk, turn,
p6, p2tog, turn,
k6, ssk, turn,
p5,p2tog, turn,
k5, ssk, turn,
p4, p2tog, turn,
k4, ssk, turn,
p3, p2tog, turn,
k3, ssk, turn,
p2, p2tog, turn,
k2, ssk, turn,
p1, p2tog, turn,
k1, ssk, turn,
p2tog, turn,
ssk, turn.
Repeat this until the end of the row. You have completed your Entrelac swatch!
The front...
...and the back.
