Entrelac Knitting 101 + 9 Entrelac Patterns

Entrelac knitting is a method of knitting that makes a textured diamond design that sort of resembles plaid. This method looks like strips of knit fabric that are woven together, but it is really one continuous piece of knitting! 

Entrelac uses rows of alternating rectangles that build on top of one another to achieve its unique look. To begin an entrelac piece, you will first knit a row of foundation triangles to leave a flat edge on your work. Then, you begin picking up stitches along the edges of these triangles to form a row of rectangles, similarly to the way you would join mitered squares in modular knitting but on a smaller scale.

Unlike in traditional knitting where you work the stitches all the way across a row before turning the needles and starting the next row, entrelac knitting makes each rectangle in its entirety before moving on to the next one. As you knit these rectangles that form the pattern, you will pick up the surrounding stitches to create a seamless join.

Entrelac knitting combines a wide array of knitting skills, knitting stitches together and picking up stitches, so this technique is one to try after you've been knitting for a while. But once you get the hang of it, you'll see that the gorgeous patterns that entrelac creates are well worth the effort. This method may also be confusing because it involves turning your work in the middle of rows and increasing and decreasing stitches. However, once you get to know this method, you’ll find that it is reasonably simple to execute. Some people even prefer it to more traditional forms of knitting. Maybe you will, too!

As mentioned earlier, entrelac knitting requires you to draw on other knitting skills that you may already have. It is best to learn these skills before you are in the midst of an entrelac pattern.

Before you can learn how to knit entrelac, you need to know the following:

1. How to Cast On
   Actually getting yarn onto the needles is a pertinent skill needed for any knitting technique, so learn how to cast on here.
    
2. How to Knit Stitch
   This is the most common stitch, and the one the craft is named for, so it is necessary to learn to knit.
    
3. How to Purl Stitch
   This is the reverse of knitting. Everything is opposite: how you insert the needle, how the yarn is wrapped, and what it ends up looking like. You can learn purl stitch through a video tutorial or through a step-by-step photo tutorial.
    
4. How to Decrease Stitches
   There are many different ways to decrease your number of stitches. The most common decreases in entrelac are knit 2 together (k2tog), purl 2 together (p2tog), slip slip knit (ssk), and pass slipped stitch over (psso or skp). Completing any of these leads to a decrease of one stitch.
   
   If you do come across another way of decreasing in an entrelac pattern, see this link from twistcollective.com on decreasing stitches.
    
5. How to Increase Stitches
   There are also a few ways to increase stitches in your knitting patterns. In entrelac, make 1 (m1) and knit front and back (kfb) are the most common methods. Every entrelac pattern uses at least one of those two methods, so it is best to know both.
   
   If you do come across another way of increasing stitches in an entrelac pattern, see this link from twistcollective.com on increasing stitches.
    
6. How to Pick Up Stitches
   Because entrelac knitting has you working on top of the rectangles made in the previous rows, you have to pick up stitches along the sides as you go. Once you get the hang of picking up stitches with help from purlsoho.com, you will wonder why you thought it was hard at first.
    
7. How to Bind Off
   Your work can’t stay on the needles forever, so you need to know how to cast off your stitches.

Ready to start knitting? Here's our handy tutorial for how to knit the entrelac stitch.

1. Don’t be intimidated by the new technique. Many people have never tried entrelac because the instructions seem long and they think they’ll never understand. The instructions may seem complicated, but once you understand what each of the steps is doing, it will all come together. Just as it took some time to get in the groove of traditional knitting, entrelac will take some time and practice.
2. Always finish a row before putting it down. With the turns and increases and decreases in this method, it is especially hard to know your place as you go along. You probably could figure it out if you had to, but it would be a lot easier to finish rows before putting it down. If you are interrupted in the middle, be sure to mark clearly where you are on your pattern.
3. Take breaks often. At the end of every row look back at your work to make sure nothing looks out of place or funky. Craftworld.us says that “it’s almost inevitable that at some point you will lose your way,” so it is important to frequently check your work. Learn how to fix knitting mistakes if there is a problem.
4. “Take a leap of faith,” says Laurie from crazyauntpurl.com. Trust your pattern. The first couple rows might look kind of odd, but if you keep pressing through, you will be very pleased with your results!

There are many different ways to create the entrelac look. Each pattern uses a different combination of increases, decreases, and project turning. In cable knitting, the patterns may differ widely depending on the width and overlap of each cable. Entrelac is the same. That means the best way to learn how to knit entrelac is to jump right into a pattern.

Look through the patterns below, and if one calls your name, start working it up today. Just be sure to remember our entrelac knitting tips, and keep going, no matter what!

Entrelac Baby Blanket

Entrelac Buttonhole Shawl

Entrelac Rainbow Mitts

Entrelac Knitted Laptop Case

Autumn Garter Stitch Entrelac Scarf

Entrelac Cowl

Lady's Entrelac Hat

Easy Entrelac Scarf Tutorial

Entrelac Afghan Knitting Pattern