Double Mesh!

Stitch of the Month for May

Welcome to my new Stitch of the Month series! Every month, I’ll be exploring a new and exciting stitch pattern. You’ll find complete instructions and troubleshooting, plus a free downloadable pdf. Keep it on hand for those moments when you want to pop a little magic into your knitting projects.

The Joy of Open Work

Hot, humid weather can make knitted garments and accessories a little hard to wear. As a Designer in the American Deep South, I find myself turning again and again  to eyelet-based fabrics for their lightness and breathability. Luckily, there are hundreds of variations of stitch patterns that employ simple yarn-over techniques to create attractive openwork fabrics. When worked in plant-based yarns, these stitch patterns produce airy garments that are comfortable, moisture wicking and effortless to wear in any weather.

The Double Mesh Stitch

The double mesh stitch, so called because it uses yarn-overs on both the front and reverse side of the fabric, produces a particularly open and airy texture. Perfect for shawls and loose fitting garments, double mesh is famous for its luxurious drape and demure see-through quality. It is extremely easy to knit, both flat and in the round, requiring only an even number of stitches. 

Let’s give it a try…

Worked Flat

• Worked back & forth in rows 
• Multiple of 2 sts + 1 edge st each side.

Row 1 (RS): K1 (edge), *yo, k2tog; repeat from * to last st, K1 (edge).

Row 2 (WS): K1 (edge), *yo, p2tog; repeat from * to last st, K1 (edge).

Repeat last 2 rows for pattern.

Worked in the Round

• Multiple of 2 sts.

Rnd 1: *Yo, k2tog; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Rnd 1 for pattern.

For a list of Standard Abbreviations, CLICK HERE!

Troubleshoot

• Because double mesh uses yarn overs on both sides of the fabric, it can be a little hard to read. Consider using a lifeline (a length of waste yarn woven through live stitches so you can frog back without dropping stitches) just in case you get stuck.

• Double mesh produces a very loose, open fabric. Be careful when blocking! If blocked too aggressively, it can easily stretch and may affect your gauge. Of course, always knit a blocked swatch when using double mesh in one of your own designs!

• The open nature of double mesh affects its durability; it might not be the best choice for close fitting garments or where excessive rubbing or wear might take place.

Happy Knitting!