Wrapping stitches is a great way to add a decorative touch to your knitting!
Is can also help bring those stitches together more so they look like they’re intersecting.
There are 2 basic ways to wrap the stitches – using two needles or using an additional needle. We’ll show you both ways below.
For the purpose of this tutorial, we’ll be wrapping a k2, p1, k2 (exactly what’s being wrapped in the Diamonte Shawl) a total of 3 times, but this guidance can apply to most configurations of stitches (both the total number of stitches and also regardless of which stitches they actually are).
How to Wrap Stitches Without An Additional Needle
Step 1: K2, p1, k2. The stitches are on the RH needle.
Step 2: Bring the yarn forward in between the needles
Step 3: Sl the 5 sts from the RH needle to the LH needle
Step 4: Pass the yarn back again in between the needles as if to wrap the sts. Pull it a bit so it’s as tight as you want to see it aesthetically. As long as you don’t pull it so tight that it strangles the stitches, you’ll be ok.
Step 5: Sl back the wrapped sts from the LH to the RH needle – you’ve created one wrap.
Before proceeding, take a look at the wrap and make sure it looks good aesthetically (it’s neither too loose nor too tight).
Rep from Step 2, two more times.
Here’s how it looks when you’re done:
How to Wrap Stitches With An Additional Needle
Step 1: K2, p1, k2. The stitches are on the RH needle.
Step 2: Slip those 5 stitches to a new needle held at the front or back of the work (either way is fine – do which feels better to you).
Step 3: Wrap the stitches a total of 3 times. Again, don’t pull too tightly and don’t create a lot of give either.
Step 4: Return the wrapped stitches to the RH needle. The wraps are complete!
Here’s how it looks when you’re done:
And again, here are both methods (1 needle on the bottom, an additional needle on top).
They look pretty similar so it’s really up to you to choose the additional needle or not.
Personally, I prefer not to use the additional needle because it’s more fussy and I have to be careful that the stitches don’t slide off the working needle. But, do whichever way you prefer to work!
That’s the beauty of knitting – lots of methods with the same results.
Free pattern using wrapped stitches
Give wrapped stitches a try! They’re quite simple and the results are beautiful.
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