Entrelac2

New Techniques for Interlace Knitting

75 Stitch
Patterns +
25 Designs
ROSEMARY DRYSDALE

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161 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10013
Executive Editor
CARLA SCOTT

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Publisher
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President
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Copyright 2014 by Rosemary Drysdale

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or
used in any form or by any meansgraphic, electronic, or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, or information storage-andretrieval systemswithout written permission of the publisher.
The written instructions, photographs, designs, projects, and patterns
are intended for the personal, noncommercial use of the retail
purchaser and are under federal copyright laws; they are not to be
reproduced in any form for commercial use. Permission is granted to
photocopy patterns for the personal use of the retail purchaser.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Drysdale, Rosemary.
Entrelac 2 : new techniques for interlace knitting / Rosemary Drysdale.
pages cm
ISBN 978-1-936096-63-3 (hardback)
1. Entrelac knitting. 2. KnittingPatterns. I. Title.
TT820.D7655 2014746.432dc23
2014002641
Manufactured in China
1 3 5 7 9 10 8 6 4 2
First Edition

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contents
INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 3

Entrelac Enhanced 5

The Projects 94

CHAPTER 1

Entrelac Essentials 6
How-to: Basic Entrelac 8
How-to: Picking Up Stitches 14
How-to: Beading 15
Basic Patterns 17
Beading Patterns 22
Cable Patterns 26
Lace Patterns 33
Buttonhole Patterns 37
Triangle Patterns 43
CHAPTER 2

Beyond the Basics 50

How-to: Stars 52
How-to: Extended Stars 53
How-to: Braids 54
How-to: Zigzags 55
4-Star Patterns 57
5-Star Patterns 63
6-Star Patterns 76
Zigzag Patterns 84
Braid/Coil Patterns 90

Cabled Openwork Scarf 96

Color Block Mohair Tee 100
Variegated Slouchy Hat 104
Pinwheel Pillows 107
Beaded Cashmere Scarf 111
Childrens Lacy Star Hat 114
Eye for Color Eyeglass Case 117
Pretty Patchwork Tunic 120
Shades of Gray Pillows 126
Hexagonal Star Bag 131
Buttoned Coil Cowl 134
Cuffed Cutie Booties 136
Zigzag Scarves 140
Ribbed Medallion Jabot 144
Garter Stitch Openwork Top 146
Leaf Lace Mohair Scarf 150
Slouchy Striped Hat 153
Childrens Star Hats 159
Pincushion Cover 163
Aran Poncho 166
Abbreviations and More 172
Resources 174
Acknowledgments 175
Index 176

000

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INTRODUCTION

Entrelac Enhanced
While working on my previous book,
Entrelac, I was enthralled with the myriad
possibilities that were revealed as I got
more and more creative with my knitting.
Of course, one has to stop experimenting at some point and get
the book published. I was thrilled when so many people bought
my book, learned to knit entrelac, and did some experimenting of
their own, and Ive thoroughly enjoyed teaching hundreds of
knitters in person at yarn shops, shows, and guilds. So many
readers contacted me, sharing their love for the technique and
sending photos of their work. This feedback and encouragement
led to a conversation with my publisher, and we decided to
take entrelac to yet another level.
It took another year of experimentation, a lot of ripping out,
and a few tears, but at last another book was born. This time
around I started out knitting circularly. It was immensely exciting
to see what worked, what didnt, and where I could take the
ideas I had. In addition, I became intrigued by using the
technique without base triangles at all, focusing just on the play
of right-side and wrong-side rectangles. Other shapes emerged,
too: stars, hexagons, coils, and more.
All this resulted in an extensive new stitch dictionary that
includes more than 75 stitch patterns, along with 28 original
garment, accessory, and home projects based on many of
these stitches. I hope you feel as inspired as I did by the
results of my newest journey.

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CHAPTER 1

entrelac essentials

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Basic Entrelac
In this example, you will learn how to create an entrelac swatch that consists of five rows of stockinette stitch
triangles and rectangles. This is the most basic entrelac pattern, and it serves as the starting point for all of the entrelac
patterns in this book. (See page 17 for complete written instructions.) Once you get the hang of it, you will be
ready to tackle the other patterns and the projects. To make it easier to distinguish between sections,
you can use two different colors of yarn, as I have done here.
BASE TRIANGLES

1. Using your method of choice, cast on 24

stitches. You will be creating 3 Base
Triangles, each 8 stitches wide. Place
markers at every 8-stitch interval to help
distinguish each triangle.

2. To work the first Base Triangle, purl 2 sts

on the wrong side of the work. Turn to the
right side and k2, turn, p3, turn, k3, turn, p4,
turn, k4, turn, p5 (shown here).

5. Work the third triangle as you did the

first and second. Turn. You may think
you have done something wrong, but this
is how it should look3 triangles that
are attached to one another and curl
up at the tips. The Base Triangles
are now complete.

4. Work the second triangle as you did the

first. Do not turn. You are now ready to
start the third base triangle.

3. Turn the work again and k5 on the right

side (shown here). Continue in this way,
working 1 more stitch every wrong-side row
until 8 purl stitches have been worked. Do
not turn. You are now ready to work a
second triangle.

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RIGHT-HAND CORNER TRIANGLE

1. You are now ready to begin the Righthand (RH) Corner Triangle. (I changed to a
darker color yarn for clarity, but you can use
the same color.) Knit 2 stitches (shown here)
and turn. Purl 2 stitches and turn.

2. On the right side, increase 1 stitch by

knitting into the front and then the back
(kfb) of the first stitch.

3. Slip, slip, knit (ssksee explanation

below) with the dark stitch on right-hand
needle and the light stitch on left-hand
needle of the Base Triangle to decrease 1
stitch (shown here). Turn, purl 3 stitches,
turn.

5. On the next row, k1fb, k5,

ssk in the last stitch of the Base
Triangle8 stitches are on
right-hand needle and a Corner
Triangle is made.

4. Kfb in the first stitch to increase, k1,

then work an ssk decrease at the end of the
rowthere are 4 stitches on the needle,
shown here. Turn, p 4 stitches, turn. Kfb, k2,
ssk, turn. P5, turn. Kfb, k3, ssk, turn. P6, turn.
Kfb, k4, ssk, turn. P7, turn.

entre nous
SSK If you have not worked this
decrease before, heres how: Slip
2 sts knitwise, one at a time, to
RH needle, insert LH needle
into fronts of these 2 sts
and knit them together.
9

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How to Use the Patterns

Basics
page 17

Beading
page 22

Cables
page 26

This section teaches you the basic

entrelac technique, worked in one, two,
or three colors, as well as a few
other stitch patterns.

Simple entrelac patterns can be

enhanced with beads. All you need to know
is how to thread the beads onto the yarn
and work them into the knittingyoull
see how easy it is.

Adding cables to basic entrelac

gives you a myriad of patterns.
Use your favorite cable and create
your own unique designs.

Lace
page 33

Buttonholes
page 37

Triangles
page 43

Lace patterns can be worked with

heavy yarn for a less open look or with
fine yarn for a delicate effect.

This is the same technique used in

the Basics section, but binding off and
casting on stitches over the
triangles and rectangles to form
a Buttonhole effect.

These are very easy to make. Just work

a Base Triangle, a Right-Hand and
Left-Hand Triangle, and an End Triangle.
The possibilities are endless.

Triangles

Buttonholes

Lace

Cables

Beading

If you have never worked in Entrelac, practice the One-Color Stockinette Stitch sample on the opposite page.
Once you feel comfortable with the technique, add beads, cables and lace, and try the buttonhole patterns.
When working a stitch that is new to you, practice it in regular knitting and incorporate
it into entrelac only when youve mastered it.

16

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Work 1 RH Corner Triangle. Work

2 RS Rectangles. Do not turn.
Work 1 LH Corner Triangle.
NOTE For the sample swatch
shown here, this is the last row
before the End Triangles. To
complete the swatch, work the
End Triangles below, or rep from
** to desired length, ending with a
LH Corner Triangle completed1
st rem on RH needle. Do not turn.

One-Color Stockinette Stitch

Cast on 24 sts
(multiple of 8 sts).

BASE TRIANGLES
*Row 1 (WS) P2, turn.
Row 2 (RS) K2, turn.
Row 3 P3, turn.
Row 4 K3, turn.
Row 5 P4, turn.
Row 6 K4, turn.
Row 7 P5, turn.
Row 8 K5, turn.
Row 9 P6, turn.
Row 10 K6, turn.
Row 11 P7, turn.
Row 12 K7, turn.
Row 13 P8, do not turn.
Rep from * until 3 Base Triangles
have been worked. Turn.
RH CORNER TRIANGLE
Row 1 (RS) K2, turn.
Row 2 (WS) P2, turn.
Row 3 Kfb, ssk, turn.
Row 4 P3, turn.
Row 5 Kfb, k1, ssk, turn.
Row 6 P4, turn.
Row 7 Kfb, k2, ssk, turn.

Row 8 P5, turn.

Row 9 Kfb, k3, ssk, turn.
Row 10 P6, turn.
Row 11 Kfb, k4, ssk, turn.
Row 12 P7, turn.
Row 13 Kfb, k5, ssk, do not turn.
The RH Corner Triangle is
complete. Leave 8 sts on RH
needle.
RS RECTANGLES
*Pick-up row (RS) Pick up and
k 8 sts evenly along edge of next
triangle/rectangle, turn.
Row 1 (WS) P8, turn.
Row 2 K7, ssk (with last st of
rectangle and first st of next
triangle/rectangle), turn.
Rows 316 Rep rows 1 and 2
until all 8 sts from LH needle are
used up. Do not turn.
Rep from * until 2 RS Rectangles
have been worked.
LH CORNER TRIANGLE
Pick-up row (RS) Pick up and k
8 sts along edge of last
triangle/rectangle, turn.

Row 1 P2tog, p6, turn.

Row 2 K7, turn.
Row 3 P2tog, p5, turn.
Row 4 K6, turn.
Row 5 P2tog, p4, turn.
Row 6 K5, turn.
Row 7 P2tog, p3, turn.
Row 8 K4, turn.
Row 9 P2tog, p2, turn.
Row 10 K3, turn.
Row 11 P2tog, p1, turn.
Row 12 K2, turn.
Row 13 P2tog, do not turn1 st
rem on RH needle.
**WS RECTANGLES
Pick-up row (WS) Pick up and p
7 sts evenly along edge of
triangle just worked8 sts on RH
needle, turn.
*Row 1 K8, turn.
Row 2 P7, p2tog (with last st of
rectangle and first st of next
triangle/rectangle), turn.
Rows 316 Rep rows 1 and 2
until all sts from triangle/
rectangle are used up.
Do not turn.

END TRIANGLES
*Pick-up row (WS) Pick up and
p 7 sts evenly along edge of
triangle just worked8 sts on RH
needle. Turn.
Row 1 (RS) K8, turn.
Row 2 P2tog, p5, p2tog (last st of
End Triangle with next st of
previous triangle/rectangle), turn.
Row 3 K7, turn.
Row 4 P2tog, p4, p2tog, turn.
Row 5 K6, turn.
Row 6 P2tog, p3, p2tog, turn.
Row 7 K5, turn.
Row 8 P2tog, p2, p2tog, turn.
Row 9 K4, turn.
Row 10 P2tog, p1, p2tog, turn.
Row 11 K3, turn.
Row 12 P2tog, p2tog, turn.
Row 13 K2, turn.
Row 14 P2tog, p2tog, pass 1st st
over 2nd st1 st rem on RH
needle. Do not turn.
Rep from * until 3 End Triangles
have been worked, picking up
sts along edge of rectangles
instead of triangle.
Fasten off last st.

17

Basics

Next row (WS) Pick up and

p 8 sts evenly along edge of next
RS Rectangle. Turn.
Rep from * until 3 WS Rectangles
have been worked. Turn.

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Beyond the Basic Patterns

Now that youve mastered the essential shapes and stitches, its time for some more adventurous entrelac
techniques. Have fun experimenting with some of the more unusual shapes and motifs in this chapter.

Four Star

Four Star
page 57

Five Star
page 63

Six Star
page 76

Braid/Coil

Zigzag

Six Star

Five Star

Now its time to think outside of the box (or should we say rectangle?). Here I give you units .
of four, five, and six, incorporating many stitch and color techniques.

56

Zigzag
page 84

Braid/Coil
page 90

Zigzags are worked by casting on

and binding off rectangles.
Incorporate your favorite stitch
patterns into simple projects,
such as scarves.

An interesting effect is achieved

with this technique.
Its easy to do and a great way to
experiment with color.

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Four Star

Four-Star Stockinette Stitch

Cast on 12 sts.

entre nous
Notice that in the following
group of swatches, which
have four sections, the
result often more closely
resembles a square
than a star.

FIRST RECTANGLE
Work in St st for 23 rows.
Do not turn.
SECOND RECTANGLE
Pick-up row (RS) Pick up and k
12 sts evenly along edge of First
Rectangle, turn.
Beg with a p row, cont in St st
over 12 sts for 22 rows.
Next row (WS) Bind off 11 sts
purlwise1 st rem on RH needle,
do not turn.
THIRD RECTANGLE
Pick-up row (WS) Pick up and p

11 sts evenly along edge of

Second Rectangle, turn.
Note Be sure to pick up last st
close to previous pick-up row to
avoid leaving a hole.
Beg with a knit row, cont in St st
over 12 sts for 23 rows, turn.
Next row (WS) Bind off 11 sts
purlwise1 st on RH needle, do
not turn.

Next row (WS) P11, p2tog (1 st

from Fourth Rectangle and 1 st
from First Rectangle), turn.
Note Work the p2tog tightly.
Rep last 2 rows until all sts from
first rectangle are used up12 sts
on RH needle, turn.
Bind off knitwise on RS.

FOURTH RECTANGLE
Pick-up row (WS) Pick up and p
11 sts evenly along edge of Third
Rectangle, turn.
Next row (RS) K12, turn.
57

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CHAPTER 3

the projects

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pretty
patchwork
tunic
SIZES
Sized for Womans Small,
Medium, Large, and X-Large.
Shown in size Small.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Bust 36 (40, 44, 48)"/91.5 (101.5,
112, 122)cm
Back length (including peplum)
21 (23, 24, 26)"/54.5
(58.5, 62, 66)cm
Upper arm 12 (12, 13,
14)"/30.5 (32.5, 34.5, 35.5)cm
MATERIALS
13 (16, 18, 21) 1oz/50g
balls (each approx 120yd/110m)
of Classic Elite Yarns Magnolia
(merino wool/silk) in #5449
sapphire
One pair size 6 (4mm) needles
OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE
Stitch markers
Cable needle (cn)

120

GAUGE
22 sts and 38 rows = 4"/10cm
over garter stripe pat (see page
TK) using size 6 (4mm) needles.
TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.
BACK
GARTER WAISTBAND
With size 6 (4mm) needles, cast
on 13 sts. Work in garter st
(k every row) until piece
measures 16 (18, 20, 22)"/40.5
(45.5, 51, 56)cm from beg. Bind
off all sts knitwise.
LOWER PEPLUM
With size 6 (4mm) needles and
RS facing, pick up and k 92 (101,
110, 119) sts evenly along one
long edge of garter waistband.
Row 1 (WS) K5, *p1, k8; rep
from * to last 6 sts, p1, k5.
Row 2 K5, *yo, k1, yo, k8; rep
from * to last 6 sts, yo, k1, yo,
k5112 (123, 134, 145) sts.
Beg garter lace pat
Beg with row 1, work in garter
lace pat until piece measures
5"/12.5cm from pick-up row, end

Sandi Prossers pullover is a masterpiece

of detail: flattering diagonals, eyelets and
scalloped edges, a dropped waist,
and a narrow cable at the boatneck.

stitch

GARTER LACE PATTERN

(multiple of 11 sts plus 2)

Row 1 (RS) K1, *k2tog, k3,
yo, k1, yo, k3, ssk; rep from *
to last st, k1.
Row 2 K1, *k4, p3, k4; rep
from * to last st, k1.
Rep rows 12 for garter
lace pat.

with a WS row. Bind off all sts

knitwise.
MAIN BODICE
With WS facing, pick up and p
72 (80, 88, 96) sts evenly along
rem long edge of garter
waistband. Work in entrelac pat
as foll:
BASE TRIANGLES
*Row 1 (RS) K2, turn.
Row 2 P2, turn.
Row 3 K3, turn.
Row 4 P3, turn.

Beg with row 7 of garter stripe

pat, cont in this way, working 1
more st at end of every RS row
until row 69 (77, 85, 93) is
worked as foll:
Row 69 (77, 85, 93) Work
in pat for 36 (40, 44, 48) sts,
do not turn. Rep from * for one
more triangle2 triangles made.
Turn.
RH CORNER TRIANGLE
Row 1 (WS) With WS facing
and working into sts from
previous triangle, p2, turn.
Row 2 Inc in first st by knitting
into front and back of st, k1,
turn3 sts.
Row 3 P2, p next st tog
with next st from Base Triangle,
turn3 sts.
Row 4 K1, inc in next st by
knitting into front and back of st,
k1, turn4 sts.
Row 5 K3, k next st tog with
next st from Base Triangle4 sts.
Starting with row 9 of garter
stripe pat, cont in this way,
inc 1 st at beg of every RS row

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shades of gray
pillows
solids and
stripes pillow
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Approx 16"/40cm square
MATERIALS
2 8oz/227g hanks (each
approx 132yd/120m) of Brown
Sheep Co. Burly Spun (wool)
in #03 grey heather (A)
1 hank in #04 charcoal
heather (B)

n One pair size 13 (9mm) needles

OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE
1 pillow form, 16"/40cm
square

GAUGE
8 sts and 13 rows = 4"/10cm
over St st using size 13 (9mm)
needles.
TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.
STRIPE PATTERN
*2 rows A, 2 rows B; rep from *
(4 rows) for stripe pat.

126

NOTE
This design is based on the TwoColor Garter Stitch Striped
Square (Right Slanting) pattern
shown on page 46.
FRONT
FIRST TRIANGLE
With A, cast on 23 sts.
Row 1 (RS) K2, turn.
Row 2 (WS) P2, turn.
Row 3 K3, turn.
Row 4 P3, turn.
Cont in this way, working 1 more
st at end of every RS row, until
all 23 sts have been worked, end
with a RS row. Turn.
LH TRIANGLE
Work in purl garter st (p every
row) and stripe pat as foll:
Row 1 (WS) Join B, p2, turn.
Row 2 (RS) With B, p2, turn.
Row 3 With A, pfb, p2tog, turn.
Row 4 With A, p3, turn.
Row 5 With B, pfb, p1, p2tog,
turn.
Row 6 With B, p4, turn.
Cont in purl garter st and stripe
pat, working pfb at beg of WS

10:48 AM

Page 126

Traditional stitch patterns knit in

modern neutrals fit in fashionably
with any style of dcor.

rows and one more p st before

p2tog at end of every WS row,
until last RS row With B, p22,
turn, carrying A across wrong side
has been worked.
Next row (WS) With B, pfb, p20,
p2tog23 sts, do not turn.
RH TRIANGLE
Cont in purl garter st (p every
row) and stripe pat as foll:
Pick-up row (WS) With B, pick
up and p 23 sts evenly along
edge of first triangle, turn.
Row 1 With B, p2tog, p21, turn.
Row 2 With A, p22, turn.
Row 3 With A, p2tog, p20, turn.
Row 4 With B, p21, turn.
Cont in this way, working p2tog
at beg of RS rows, until last WS
row With B, p2tog, p1, turn has
been worked.
Next row (WS) With A, p2, turn.
Next row (RS) With A, p2tog, do
not turn. Cut B.
LAST TRIANGLE
Cont in St st with A only, as foll:
Pick-up row (RS) With A, pick
up and k 22 sts evenly along

edge of RH Triangle23 sts on

needle, turn.
Row 1 (WS) P23, turn.
Row 2 (RS) Ssk, k20, ssk (last st
tog with next st from RH
Triangle), turn.
Row 3 (WS) P22.
Row 2 (RS) Ssk, k19, ssk, turn.
Row 3 (WS) P21.
Cont in this way, working 1 less
st between decs every RS row,
until last WS row P2, turn has
been worked.
Last row (RS) Ssk, ssk, pass first
st over 2nd st. Fasten off last st.
BACK
With A, cast on 32 sts. Work in St
st and stripe pat for 50 rows,
endi with 2 rows A. Piece
measures approx 16/40cm from
beg. With A, bind off.
FINISHING
Block pieces to measurements.
Sew front and back together
over 3 sides. Insert pillow form
and sew rem seam.

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CRAFTS KNITTING

Embark on an Entrelac Adventure

In Entrelac 2: New Techniques for Interlace Knitting, Rosemary Drysdale follows up her bestselling
Entrelac with an even more innovative and comprehensive look at the technique, with over 75 unique
stitch patterns and more than 25 garment, accessory, and home projects, all revealing the beautiful
potential of one of the hottest trends in knitting. If youre new to entrelac, this book will provide a clear
and inspirational introduction. And if you think you know all there is to know, Rosemary will show
you possibilities for entrelac you never dreamed of. Designs include:
A

feminine stitch-sampler tunic, a color block mohair tee, and other fresh, modern fashions

Adorable

baby hats and booties: a quick way to give entrelac a try

Chunky-knit
Cozy

pillows showing off simple but striking stitch patterns

scarves that feature beading, zigzags, and other unique design elements

$24.95 US $26.95 CAN

ISBN: 978-1-936096-63-3
52495

Take a look inside and discover a whole new world of entrelac!

9 781936 096633