Recently, while working on my new design for a Chanel-style jacket, I wanted to make knitting look like weaving. It took many attempts, but I finally found an idea I liked. It is, as is typically the case, the easiest version of all the options I tested.
Then after finishing my test swatch I thought, “Hey, this is perfect for a placemat.” So, I created the Waverly Placemat, a very easy pattern. Imagine 1 x 1 ribbing, with a second color woven between all stitches every other row. How’s that for easy? Please let me know if you enjoy this new stitch.  

Cheers, James

To view the Woven Knitting video, click here.

To view the Waverly Placemat, click here.

Video Transcript:

The Woven Knitting Stitch, is a new designer knitting stitch James created for James Cox Knits. This stitch pattern is worked with yarn in two colors, a main color and a contrast color. The main color is worked in one-by-one ribbing, while the contrast color is not knitted. It is woven between slip stitches every other row.

• Beginning with double point or circular needles, use the main color to cast-on an odd number of stitches.
• Knit one row in one-by-one ribbing. Start with knit one * purl one, knit one and repeat from the * to the end of the row. Turn the work.
• On row two, begin the weaving technique. Slip every stitch in the main color purlwise. Slip the first stitch, take the contrast-colored yarn between the first and second stitch from back to front. Slip the second main color stitch, take the contrast color across the second stitch and to the back, slip the next main color stitch, bring the contrast color to the front, slip the next main color stitch, take contrast color to the back, continue until you get to the last main color stitch, take the contrast color to the back, and slip the last main color stitch.
• Now rather than turn the work you'll need to slide the work to the opposite end of your needle and work another row of one-by-one ribbing, starting with a purl and the main color yarn in front, slip the first stitch then take main color to the back and knit the second stitch, purl the third and continue in one-by-one rib pattern till you get to the end of the row, purl the last stitch.
• Turn the work and weave another row with the contrast color. Pick up the contrast color, which is now in front, slip the first main color stitch, take the contrast color to the back, slip the second main color stitch, bring contrast color to the front, slip one stitch, take contrast color to the back, slip one stitch, bring contrast color to the front, slip one stitch, continue just as you did before until you end with the contrast color in front and one slip stitch.
• You can now begin to see how the pattern appears. Just repeat the two-row pattern, one row of ribbing in the main color and one row of weaving with the contrast color passing between slip stitches.
• Take note that the fabric is completely reversible—exactly the same on both sides. The selvedge edges turn out with slip stitches and the woven yarn always stays one stitch inside the selvedge border.
• Work this pattern until you reach approximately your desired length. Then decide if you want to end on a woven or a knitted row. For your bind off, use any bind-off technique you prefer.

With this stitch pattern James created the Waverly Placemat designer knitting pattern. To view this Designer Knitting Pattern, click here.

To view all the various designer knitting patterns for accessories as well as garments, click here.

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