stitch pattern – Byzantine stitch

The Byzantine stitch pattern is a textured knitting pattern against a background of reverse stockinette stitch. Basically, it’s a variation op 2×2 rib stitch. It may look complicated to work, but it’s really not that hard. You create the effect by pulling up loops between stitches around the column of knit stitches, a couple of rows below the one that you’re working. Next, these loops are slipped one row. Finally, they’re anchored and decreased away by working the k4tog bf decrease. It’s a versatile stitch pattern that can be used in any place you’d used regular ribbing. However, because it’s so pretty, it’s lovely as all-over patterning for blankets, for example.

This stitch pattern is worked as a multiple of 4 stitches + 2, and in a six-row repeat. Please note that in this swatch, I’ve not used any edge stitches.

Materials used

Yarn: Paintbox Yarns Simply DK, a good value, good quality 100% acrylic yarn, here in the color Marine Blue.

Needles: This is a pair of straights that I picked up at the second-hand store when I started knitting, brand unknown.

Stitches used

• k – knit
• k4tog bf – knit 4 stitches together through the back loop, then knit the same 4 stitches together through the front loop.
• p – purl
• pulling up a loop – in this stitch pattern this means that you insert your knitting needle underneath the bar between the last and next stitch, 3 rows down. Next, wrap the yarn around the needle, and pull it through. Take a look at the photographs below to see how this looks.
• sl – slip 1 stitch purl-wise with the yarn in front
• st(s) – stitch(es)

Byzantine stitch instructions

Set-up row 1 (RS): P2, *k2, p2*; rep *-* to end.
Set-up row 2 (WS): K2, *p2, k2*; rep *-* to end.
Set-up rows 3-6: Rep set-up rows 1 and 2 twice.

Row 1 (RS): P2, *pull up a loop underneath the bar between the last and next stitch, 3 rows down, k2, pull up another loop underneath the bar between the last and next stitch, 3 rows down, p2*; rep *-* to end.
Row 2 (WS): K2, *move the working yarn to the front of the work and sl1, p2, sl1, k2*; rep *-* to end.
Row 3: P2, *k4tog bf, p2*; rep *-* to end.
Row 4: K2, *p2, k2*; rep *-* to end.
Row 5: P2, *k2, p2*; rep *-* to end.
Row 6: K2, *p2, k2*; rep *-* to end.

Repeat rows 1-6 for pattern until desired length.

Below, you can see how this stitch pattern looks: First as seen from the right side, and then from the wrong side of the fabric.