Basketweave (knitting)
Encyclopedia
In knitting
, a basketweave pattern is characterized by intersecting ribs
and welts
.
In its simplest form, basketweave is composed of a checkerboard
pattern of identical rectangle
s that alternate between stockinette stitch and reverse stockinette stitch. In this form of basketweave, the only variables are the dimensions of the rectangles, i.e., the number of stitches across and number of rows long. If the rectangles are much longer vertically than horizontally, a basketweave may also be called a broken rib pattern. Similarly, if the rectangles are much longer horizontally than vertically, a basketweave may also be called a broken welt pattern. More complicated types of basketweave can be made with allowing the rib and welt widths to vary (i.e., by using rectangles of different sizes), and by allowing some rows or welts to continue uninterrupted.
Other variations of basketweave change the stitch patterns that compose the rectangles. Instead of stockinette stitch and its reverse, the rectangles can be done in seed stitch, in cables
or lace
. An especially common variant is to alternate rectangles of ribbing
with rectangles of welting
, e.g., rectangles of three ribs set against rectangles of three welts.
An visually fascinating alternative approach to basketweave patterns is entrelac knitting
, in which the grain of the knitted fabric itself follows a woven
pattern.
Knitting
Knitting is a method by which thread or yarn may be turned into cloth or other fine crafts. Knitted fabric consists of consecutive rows of loops, called stitches. As each row progresses, a new loop is pulled through an existing loop. The active stitches are held on a needle until another loop can...
, a basketweave pattern is characterized by intersecting ribs
Ribbing (knitting)
In knitting, ribbing is a pattern in which vertical stripes of stockinette stitch alternate with vertical stripes of reverse stockinette stitch...
and welts
Welting (knitting)
In knitting, welting is the horizontal analog of ribbing; that is, one or more horizontal rows of knit stitches alternating with one or more rows of purl stitches....
.
In its simplest form, basketweave is composed of a checkerboard
Checkerboard
A checkerboard or chequerboard is a board of chequered pattern on which English draughts is played. It is an 8×8 board and the 64 squares are of alternating dark and light color, often red and black....
pattern of identical rectangle
Rectangle
In Euclidean plane geometry, a rectangle is any quadrilateral with four right angles. The term "oblong" is occasionally used to refer to a non-square rectangle...
s that alternate between stockinette stitch and reverse stockinette stitch. In this form of basketweave, the only variables are the dimensions of the rectangles, i.e., the number of stitches across and number of rows long. If the rectangles are much longer vertically than horizontally, a basketweave may also be called a broken rib pattern. Similarly, if the rectangles are much longer horizontally than vertically, a basketweave may also be called a broken welt pattern. More complicated types of basketweave can be made with allowing the rib and welt widths to vary (i.e., by using rectangles of different sizes), and by allowing some rows or welts to continue uninterrupted.
Other variations of basketweave change the stitch patterns that compose the rectangles. Instead of stockinette stitch and its reverse, the rectangles can be done in seed stitch, in cables
Cable knitting
Cable knitting is a style of knitting in which textures of crossing layers are achieved by permuting stitches. For example, given four stitches appearing on the needle in the order ABCD, one might cross the first two the next two, so that in subsequent rows those stitches appear in the new order...
or lace
Lace knitting
Lace knitting is a style of knitting characterized by stable "holes" in the fabric arranged with consideration of aesthetic value. Lace is sometimes considered the pinnacle of knitting, because of its complexity and because woven fabrics cannot easily be made to have holes...
. An especially common variant is to alternate rectangles of ribbing
Ribbing (knitting)
In knitting, ribbing is a pattern in which vertical stripes of stockinette stitch alternate with vertical stripes of reverse stockinette stitch...
with rectangles of welting
Welting (knitting)
In knitting, welting is the horizontal analog of ribbing; that is, one or more horizontal rows of knit stitches alternating with one or more rows of purl stitches....
, e.g., rectangles of three ribs set against rectangles of three welts.
An visually fascinating alternative approach to basketweave patterns is entrelac knitting
Entrelac
Entrelac is a knitting technique used to create a textured diamond pattern. While the end result resembles basket-woven strips of knitted fabric, the actual material comprises interconnected squares on two different orientations....
, in which the grain of the knitted fabric itself follows a woven
Woven
A woven is a cloth formed by weaving. It only stretches in the bias directions , unless the threads are elastic. Woven cloth usually frays at the edges, unless measures are taken to counter this, such as the use of pinking shears or hemming.Woven fabrics are worked on a loom and made of many...
pattern.