This pretty scarf is so easy to knit, it’s worked on the bias in garter stitch (every row knit) – the bias effect created increasing at the beginning and decreasing at the end of every alternate (every other) row to counter-balance one another. Lots of decorative stitches in knitting are created by adding stitches and taking them away at certain points along a row so it’s worth the practice to work them correctly.

Note: where the term ‘work’ is used in all of the following techniques, you will need either to knit or to purl, depending on what fits best with the pattern you are working. Abbreviations include: Tog; together, K; knit, P; purl.

Increase (Inc)

Up1

Use your right-hand needle to pick up the loop lying between your needles. Place this loop on to the left-hand needle before working into the back of this loop to create a new stitch.

Work twice in stitch

Work into the front loop of the stitch on the left-hand needle (in the usual way) but then before you drop it off the left-hand needle, work into it once more, but working into the back of the stitch.

Decreases (Dec)

Work 2 together (K2tog/P2tog)

Insert your right-hand needle through the front of the next 2 stitches, and draw a loop of yarn through both of the stitches before dropping them both off of the left-hand needle.

Skpo

Slip the next stitch from the left-hand to right-hand needle. Knit the next stitch in the usual way before using your left-hand needle to lift the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch and off the tip of the right-hand needle.

Tip: Always slip your stitches purlwise unless otherwise specified.

Note that the finished skpo and k2tog slant in different directions on the fabric.

Once you’ve tried those, try these:

Have a go at double decreases with this easy how-to guide
Lace knitting – we show you how