How to Knit Entrelac + 6 Free Patterns

Entrelac is a knitting technique that produces a fabric with a woven appearance — tiers of tilting blocks appear to run over and under each other. But the fabric is actually worked all in one piece as a series of interconnecting rectangles. In this e-book, we’ll teach you the process of knitting entrelac from start to finish, then supply you with six fantastic free entrelac knitting patterns!

Our entrelac tutorial by Eunny Jang, is clear and easy to follow making learning this technique much easier. You’ll learn the basic principles — how the triangles and squares work together to form the unique, beautiful fabric. Eunny will also show you knitting entrelac in the round, perfect for patterns like socks and gloves! The possibilities are amazing for this unique knitting method.

You’ll learn how to knit entrelac in no time thanks to this awesome collection of techniques and patterns.

Entrelac Basics

Knitting using the entrelac method looks complicated and can be daunting if you haven’t tried it before. It creates beautiful knit fabric in a unique pattern that looks best when crafted with more than one color. The great news is that entrelac knitting isn’t nearly as complicated as it looks. With a little bit of practice and the help of our free entrelac e-book, you’ll be knitting entrelac patterns like a pro in no time.

To begin any entrelac pattern, you need to start by creating base triangles. First, you cast on the correct number of stitches. This should be a multiple of the number of stitches you’d like to include in each triangle. The triangles are then created by knitting and purling rows that increase by one each time you turn onto a knit row. This is repeated as many times as needed to create all of the base triangles.

From there, you knit blocks that face in the opposite direction of the base triangles. After you’ve created your first row of blocks, you’ll create a second row of blocks facing in the opposite direction again to create the look of woven ribbons. This process is repeated until you have a completed project. Learn the complete details of entrelac knitting and get six free knitting patterns by downloading our free e-book.

In our new free eBook, Entrelac Knitting: How to Knit Entrelac + 6 Free Entrelac Knitting Patterns, we’re going to teach you how to work entrelac, and then supply you with a few patterns that will really get you going!

What’s Inside?:

Entrelac Knitting Tutorial

Entrelac: Knitting Block by Block by Eunny Jang
For entrelac knitting instructions from start to finish, this article is second to none. Featuring images and step by step directions, you’ll learn to work flat entrelac and entrelac in the round. This tutorial is perfect for beginners and also more experienced knitters who would like a better understanding of this technique.

Basic Entrelac Scarf

By Lisa Shroyer
Lisa’s basic scarf is the perfect project to make when you’re just starting out with this technique. For first-timers, we suggest you use it to knit along with Eunny Jang’s entrelac tutorial at the beginning of the free e-book. One of our favorite parts of this fun project is how the self-striping yarn does all the heavy lifting to create a beautiful color.

Felted Entrelac Fobs

By Susan Pierce Lawrence
These little bags are worked in entrelac in the round, a technique that’s covered in detail in the opening how-to article. Fobs are wonderful little learning projects, and they make fabulous gifts and gift bag options. You’ll fall in love with this darling entrelac pattern.

Reservoir Mitts

By Allyson Dykhuizen
These mitts are one of our favorite, truly unique, entrelac patterns. They begin with a panel that forms the back of the hand. Stitches are then picked up from this panel for the palm, wrist ribbing, fingers and thumb. The wrist ribbing is only on the inside of the wrist; there’s a pretty seed stitch band on the entrelac portion of the wrist. These mitts are really neat.

Cochin Shrug

By Eunny Jang
Worked from side to side, this shrug grows by increasing the size of the entrelac units from the cast-on to the center, where stitches are bound off for one front side. Stitches are cast on for the other front side, and the units are decreased to the original stitch count. The finished shrug resembles a paper lantern or a globe hinged at the equator. This pattern is for those knitters who are fairly comfortable knitting entrelac.

Curvy Squares Tee

By Bonnie Paul
This tee is a departure from traditional entrelac: tiers of squares that grow and shrink in size stack up into a neatly fitted yoke and a flattering built-in shape. This sweater is worked from the top down in the round.

Entrelac Socks

By Eunny Jang
Eunny achieves an argyle kilt-sock look with this design. Knitted from the toe up, these socks combine entrelac, color knitting and sock knitting techniques that result in a really amazing pair of socks. If you’ve knit socks and you’ve got a couple of entrelac projects under your belt, you can definitely knit these!

If you’re starting out, don’t be intimidated by this technique! With the entrelac knitting instructions at the start of this collection, you’ll learn the process from cast on to bind off, working entrelac flat and in the round. For those attempting this for the first time, we’ve included some easy patterns, along with more advanced designs when you’re ready to move on. You’ll be knitting entrelac like a pro in no time. Download this free eBook to get started.