The fashion for knitted items is constantly changing. But no matter what new trends appear, the love and interest of needlewomen in openwork patterns will never pass. After all, it is they who make most tops, jackets, capes and shawls so airy and graceful.
What is an openwork pattern
Openwork patterns are very diverse: they can consist of small or large motives, be simple or extremely complex in execution, have a vertical, horizontal or diagonal orientation. Things connected with openwork patterns give the impression of real works of art, but the scheme for their construction is always the same, very simple and based on one principle - the decrease of the loops is always followed by their addition with the help of yarns, and vice versa. A certain sequence of the arrangement of such increases and decreases on the common knitted fabric and eventually forms an openwork pattern, which is sometimes also called lace.
Rules for constructing openwork patterns
Almost all types of openwork knit are simple combinations of open loop additions. Each new loop is obtained by throwing a thread on a knitting needle, knitting the resulting crochet. Such a simple operation creates the effect of a translucent, airy canvas.
The selected yarn can have the most direct influence on the appearance of openwork knitting. If you need to get a pattern with a clear and embossed texture, it is better to choose a durable, elastic material, and soft yarn or a fleece thread will give the effect of a blurry pattern. In addition, it is recommended to knit especially fine wool or cotton yarn with knitting needles of large diameters - this will give the pattern additional "perforation".
In some knits, as a rule, in the simplest ones, each addition of loops is done next to a decrease. As a result, the total number of loops in each row remains unchanged. In slightly more complex openwork patterns, addition and subtraction are made in different places of the same row. In the most complex knitting patterns, these two operations are performed in different rows. This makes it somewhat difficult to calculate the required number of loops, but this way the most sophisticated patterns are created.
An example of a beautiful openwork pattern
One of the most beautiful and uncomplicated in execution is the openwork pattern "boucle on openwork". This pattern is very delicate and is well suited for children's products.
For the execution of the pattern "boucle on openwork", you need to dial on the needles a multiple of 4 loops and add 2 more edge loops. The first row and all odd rows should be knit with purl loops. The second row begins with three loops, united by a classic purl loop, and continues with three more, knitted at the base of one. The fourth row consists of three loops, knitted from one, and three more, knitted together with a classic purl loop. Starting from the fifth row, the whole pattern is repeated.
