Jacquard Stitch

Jacquard Stitch: it’s magical!

Sometimes something as simple as a vintage stitch pattern can change the lens through which we see yarn combinations. The Jacquard stitch did that for me, and I hope through this post, and the project in the May YarnYAY! box or my pattern for the Cheers pillow, that it’ll do the same for you!

Choosing Yarns:

When choosing yarns to play with Jacquard stitch, don’t be afraid to experiment! As long as the two yarns are approximately the same weight, the stitch pattern should work. You don’t even need to be too concerned about yarns with a different drape, or made out of different fibers, because this stitch essentially melds 2 yarns together to create a NEW textile! Here are a few combos to consider:

Solid or semi-solid and marled.
Monochromatic shades of totally different types of yarns (i.e. single ply roving yarn and boucle, Tencel and suri, etc.)
Contrasting colors of the same yarn.
Solid and variegated.
Fabric yarn and wool.
Chainette and plied.

Pro Tip: If using yarns that are a slightly different gauge from one another, use the recommended needle size for the heavier of the two yarns.

Jacquard Stitch: Swatch it!

SPECIAL STITCHES

Sl = slip (always slip stitches as if to purl, unless otherwise indicated)

wyib = with yarn in back

wyif = with yarn in front

See a video tutorial HERE.

DIRECTIONS

With Color A, CO a multiple of 8 + 4.

Row 1 (RS): Knit.

Row 2 (WS): Purl.

Join B.

Row 3 (RS): With B, k2, *sl 4 wyif, k4; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 4 (WS): K1, p1, *p3, sl 4 wyib, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1.

Row 5: With B, k2, *k2, sl 4 wyif, k2, rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 6: K1, p1, *p1, sl 4 wyib, p3; rep from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1.

Row 7: With B, k2, *k4, sl 4 wyif; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 8: K1, p1, *sl 3 wyib, p4, sl 1 wyib; rep from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1.

Row 9: With A, k2, *k1, sl 4 wyif; k3; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 10: K1, p1, *p4, sl 4 wyib; rep from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1.

Row 11: With A, k2, *sl 3 wyif, k4, sl 1 wyif; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 12: K1, p1, *sl 2 wyib, p4, sl 2 wyib; rep from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1.

Row 13: With A, k2, *sl 1 wyif, k4, sl 3 wyif; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.

Row 14: K1, p1, *sl 4 wyib, p4; rep from * to last 2 sts, p1, k1.

Rep Rows 3-14 until swatch is square.

Last Two Rows: Repeat Rows 1-2.

BO.

Block piece.

Caring for Jacquard Stitch Pieces: When combining different yarn types, it’s best to use the washing instructions of the most delicate of the two yarns!