Bobbles and other miscellany

Posted 11 Sep 2014 by JC

Over on Ravelry, we’ve been discussing the symbols that Stitch-Maps.com ought to draw, when presented with a variety of bead and bobble abbreviations. The bead stuff isn’t quite sorted out yet – join the conversation if you want your thoughts heard! – but it seems we’ve reached a consensus with the bobbles. So, without further ado, please welcome the newest symbols to take up residence at Stitch-Maps.com:

• MK = Make knot: (K1, yo, k1, yo, k1) in next st; pass 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th sts over first st and off right needle.
• MB = Make bobble: (K1, yo, k1, yo, k1) in next st, turn; p5, turn; k2tog, k1, ssk, turn; p3, turn; sl2-k1-p2sso.

Of course, there are umpteen ways of working a knot or bobble. Above, I’ve described my favorite ways of working them. If you have a different favorite, go ahead and use it when knitting from a stitch map! (It’s kind of like cable crosses. If you prefer working them without a cable needle, go ahead!) Or, when editing a stitch map, you can describe your favorite bobble method in the stitch map’s “Description” area.

Want some sample patterns? Sure you do! Here’s Irish Knot:

And Garden Path:

Bonus symbols

While adding MK and MB to the site, I took the opportunity to add a couple other symbols too:

• Drop st = Drop next st off left needle and allow to unravel.
• Dip st = Insert right needle under strand of yarn floating on RS of fabric, created by slipping sts on a prior row. K1 on RS or p1 on WS, bringing new st through old st and under floating strand.

Admittedly, you don’t see these stitches often. Dropped stitches sometimes appear above yarn overs, as in Barbara Walker’s Vertical Drop-Stitch:

Dips can lead to “quilted” fabrics:

Okay, I admit, this last stitch map isn’t all that interesting. I’d hunt down a more compelling sample pattern, but I should probably get back to beads, don’t you think?