There are several different ways to make a herringbone pattern. Occasionally I get pattern support queries about the one used in my Down Home pattern so I’ve created this tutorial to help people out.
By far the most common issue people have when swatching is that they are getting a lacy pattern instead of a herringbone pattern. Before I begin I want to address how to fix that. If this is happening to you the problem is with the number of stitches you have on your needles. The pattern is worked over a multiple of 3 plus 1. If you cast on a multiple of 3 the yarn overs will stack on top of each other and open up into something that does not at all resemble herringbone. Casting on an extra stitch should clear it right up.
Now that that’s out of the way, here is how to create the herringbone pattern from Down Home:
Knit the first stitch. [Note: We are just swatching here. The actual pattern has a selvage stitch in stockinette at either side of the row. If you are trying this on the actual sweater and not a swatch knit the first two stitches, one for the selvage and one to begin the pattern.]
Next, make a Yarn Over by bringing the working yarn from the back to the front and around the right hand needle.
Next, with the yarn held in back slip the next stitch on the left hand needle as if to purl.
Now knit the next two stitches on the left hand needle.
Insert the tip of the left hand needle into the front of the slipped stitch. Then pass the slipped stitch over the two knitted stitches. Your work will now look like this:
Repeat these steps from the yarn over until you have reached the end of the row. Do not repeat the initial knit stitch from the beginning of the row.
The right side should look like this. Now flip your work over so that the wrong side is facing you.
Purl the first stitch. [Or the first two stitches to account for the selvage if you are working on the sweater instead of a swatch.]
Make a yarn over by taking the working yarn over the top of the right hand needle and bringing it around back towards the front of your work.
With the working yarn in being held in front, slip the next stitch as if to purl.
Purl the next two stitches on the left hand needle.
Insert the tip of the left hand needle into the back of the slipped stitch. Pull it over the two purled stitches and drop it off of the needle.
Your work should now look like this. Repeat these steps from the yarn over until you have finished the row.
Once you’ve finished the wrong side should look like this. That’s it! Flip the swatch back over the the right side and repeat the instructions above.