This post does contain links to other blog posts by me on the topic of creating herringbone fabric in knitting along with a link to the original publication in Cast On Magazine. It contains NO affiliate links or adds. However if you want to support my work, feel free to fuel me with a kofi.
I am happy to introduce the Freia Cowl! - Herringbone Stitch & German Short Rows
The Freia Cowl Pattern can be found in Cast On! Magazine, an online magazine for knitters who love to learn. Cast On! is published by The Knitting Guild Association. In their own words, "The Knitting Guild Association is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to providing education and resources to knitters to advance their mastery of the craft of knitting. We support serious knitters in their efforts to perpetuate traditional techniques and keep the artisan aspects and high quality standards of the craft alive."
Because, as TKGA states in their mission statement above, they are dedicated to keeping the craft of knitting alive and thriving, for $25 a year they offer access to EVERY ISSUE of Cast On! ever published with four new issues per year.
A top down bandana style cowl featuring herringbone stitch knit flat and in the round. I wanted an opportunity to explore the nature of herringbone fabric and play on the different mechanics of how it is worked depending on whether we are knitting in the round or flat. I also wanted to incorporate the need to resolve stitches differently based on the end/beginning of a round or coming to the end of a row. The Freia Cowl is named for the Norse Goddess Freia. As a goddess of love as well as a warrior Freia is resourceful and wise. Inspired by her, I set out to design a cowl that would shield us from the elements, is creatively constructed and allows me to learn more about my craft while creating something beautiful.
Because I wanted the cowl to be deeper in the front than in the back, I knew incorporating short rows into the fabric would be my best option. However, a good portion of my fabric was to be created with herringbone stitch. I scoured the internet to find some instruction on this and came up empty. But knowing Freia would not want me to give up so easily as that, I proceeded to figure out how to make this happen. AND I DID.
It might be worth a quick review of herringbone stitch as well as german short rows diving into the two put together! Follow the links below for a refresher.
Let's Chat Short Rows when Knitting Herringbone Stitch!
There is no need to resolve the herringbone pattern before turning work and making a double stitch or "DS" but it may be easier. I found doing so creates a more visible hole in the fabric.
German short rows in herringbone pattern are worked the same as a regular german short row BUT when we combine the nature of German short rows (the visible “double stitch”) and the fact that herringbone includes working two stitches together and only dropping one off, we may find ourselves going cross eyed trying to remember which strand goes where.
To accommodate for this, the Freia Pattern instructs us to “place DSm” or "double stitch marker". This is done by placing a progress keeper or an opening and closing stitch marker around the DS. When the time comes to resolve the DS, we can use this marker to help our eyes know what strands to interact with as a single stitch.
Knitting Herringbone Fabric with German Short Rows:
I hope you find this as interesting as I do! Happy Making, Maker Friends!
~Sönna
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