Indian Embroidery Style Knitting Stitch
This is a member of the reversible stitch family. Its appearance is somewhat reminiscent of hemstitch. It is often used for knitting scarves or shawls. It looks great as a trim for sweater or cardigan sleeves, as well as dress or skirt hems.
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Cast on a multiple of 8 stitches plus 2. Work the desired number of rows in garter stitch. I worked ten rows, but you can adjust the width of the solid band as you wish.
Now, let's start the main pattern. Slip the edge stitch. Insert the needle from left to right.
Work a long knit stitch. To do this, wrap the yarn around the working needle four times. Wrap away from you.
Pull the wrapped yarn through the stitch.
Continue working these long stitches from every stitch in the row.
Finish with an edge stitch.
In the next row, knit the edge stitch. Then slip the long stitch onto the working needle, letting the wrapped yarn unravel.
Slip 7 more long stitches, for a total of eight.
Pull the 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th stitches over the first four stitches – see photo.
Transfer the crossed stitches back to the left needle.
Knit them.
Repeat the process for the next eight stitches.
Continue working all stitches in the row this way.
Work the next row in purl stitches.
Then repeat the pattern from the 1st row.
I love double-sided patterns! This one would also look great if you played it up by inserting a contrasting fabric under the openwork strip. For example, if you knit a sofa cushion cover with this pattern. And sew a slipcover out of solid-colored contrasting fabric to go underneath it. It would look very stylish.