Knitting on the Bias

by Teresa Allum

 

Knitting on the bias adds a new dimension or slant to all your projects. The beauty of it is you do not need to follow a pattern or gauge for the basic triangles, squares or oblongs and they can be knit in any type of yarn with the appropriate size knitting needles. Numerous projects can be achieved with just these basic shapes, bags, Afghans, purses, garments, shawls, scarves to name a few that come to mind.

 

To begin take any yarn and appropriate size knitting needles and cast on three stitches. This cast – on will be the first right side row. If working in garter stitch, (knit every row) knit the second wrong side row. If working in stockinette stitch, (knit one row, and purl one row) purl the second wrong side row. On the third row increase at the beginning and end by knitting into the front and back of the stitch (two increases) on the right side row. On the wrong side rows knit or purl across each stitch.

 

 For a neat edge at the end of the row the increase can be done on the stitch before the last stitch. This is fine for the garter stitch or stockinette stitch but if and when you get into different pattern stitches and colors you need to increase on the first and last stitch in order to incorporate the new stitches and colors.

 

You continue with above two rows which forms a triangle until one edge of the triangle is the desired width for the project you have in mind. For practicing, twenty one stitches with worsted weight yarn are adequate. For triangles you would now bind off. For a diamond or square you would continue with the triangle but instead of increasing at the beginning and end of the right side rows you now decrease by knitting the first and last two stitches together until three stitches remain, knit the three stitches together and fasten off.  These diamonds and squares can be made any size. The width of one edge of the triangle determines the size. You now make up your projects based on the block method of construction. If working with the diamond shapes you fill in with the triangles.

With a little imagination as to working in stripes, and different patterns stitches you can make some attractive sweaters based on the block method of construction.

 

For a sweater you make two squares each one half the width of the bust measurement. The squares are then joined at shoulders, leaving enough room at the neck to go over the head.

The side seams are joined leaving enough room for the armholes. You can base the sweater measurements on a comfortable sweater you have in your closet.

 With a smaller size circular needle finish off with an inch or so in rib around the neck and armholes and two or three inches on the hem.

 

If you are tired of squares try an oblong which begins the same as the triangle until the desired width is reached.

Now increase at the beginning of the row and decrease at the end of  the row on the right side,  On the wrong side rows knit across. Repeat these two rows until the long increase side is the desired length. You now decrease at the beginning and end of every right side row until three stitches remain, knit three stitches together and fasten off.

For the second oblong, when the width is reached you decrease at the beginning of the row and increase at the end of the row on the right side. When the long increase side is the same length as the first side decrease at the beginning and end of every right side row until three stitches remain, knit three stitches together and fasten off. When the two pieces are joined they will match up if worked in stripes or patterns.

 

Finish the same as the sweater made with two squares.