Freestyle Knitting
by Susan Molthop

I've been teaching my neighbor how to knit. Cast-on, cast-off, knit, purl--so far, so good.. The next step was to follow a stitch pattern, and that's where it all fell apart. No matter how she tried, she could not get her needles to form a predetermined arrangement of knits and purls. Since the project was just for practice, she left the mistakes in and kept going.

I said she'd invented a new pattern--"Knit Some, Purl Some." We laughed about it, but I couldn't get the idea out of my head. Variagated yarn creates random colors, why not use "variagated" stitches to create random texture?

I had to try it--grabbed a ball of yarn and a set of needles and cast on. After that, I did just what I told my neighbor--I knitted some, then I purled some, then I knitted a few more, then I purled one or two. The next row was just as random. Sometimes I switched my knits and purls--sometimes I didn't. I just let it flow. The result was so much fun I had to laugh out loud. After years of following strict instructions, couning rows, counting stitches, watching for errors, making mistakes and ripping them out, I was now free to relax and enjoy my knitting without straining my brain.

Freestyle knitting needs no counting

Freestyle knitting goes fast. The end product is reversable and it lies flat--perfect for hand towels, wash cloths, dish towels, dish cloths, shower mats, lap robes, and place mats. I haven't tried it on a sweater or afghan, but I imagine it would work on anything but ribbing. I'm starting a dog blanket, now. If you want to see how that project turns out, check back often. I'll post a photo, here, when it's finished.

It doesn't matter what kind of yarn or what size needles you use, so you can pick any set of instructions, use their yarn and needle suggestions, use their number of stitches, and follow their instructions for increase, decrease, number of rows, etc., but substitute Linda Knitting for the actual stitch to use.What could be easier?

What's the best part of Linda Knitting? Just like the lady it's named after, everything you make will be unique.

The sample in the photo was done with standard worsted-weight yarn and size 8 needles. I cast on 17 stitches, then went right into freestyle Linda Knitting. If I had kept going, it would have made a cute scarf. Actual size is about 3 1/2" wide.

Variations:

If you get tired of all this anti-pattern knitting, you can add a distinctive stripe by knitting 2 rows, then purling 2 rows. Then go back to Linda Knitting.

If you're concerned about "clumping" patterns and want a smoother stitch, throw in a row of seed stitch (knit one, purl one) every so often.

If you'd like your pattern to be more pronounced, echo each of your freestyle rows.

Example:

Row 1: k3, p4, k1,p3, k4
Row 2: p4, k3, p1, k4, p3

This looks complicated, but, in practice, you simply improvise a row, then knit your knits and purl your purls on the next row. The following row you improvise again, then mirror your improv on the next row.

Use large blocks of stitches for a bolder pattern. Use smaller groups of stitches for a more subtle pattern (but this takes longer because of all the "yarn overs."

If you've never improvised anything in your whole life, here are some instructions to get you started.

Row 1. Cast on any number of stitches plus 2. ;)
Row 2. *Knit some, purl some* repeat till end.
Row 3. *Knit a few, purl a few.* Repeat till end.
Row 4. SMILE!
Repeat rows 1-4 until you've had enough. Cast off and add some fringe (optional). DONE! <grin>

*Any resemblance to a real person is purely intentional. <Very Big Grin>

If you like this freestyle stitch and want to share some of your own Linda Knitting projects, send me an email and I'll post your photos here, too.