Learn how to knit the Diagonal Openwork knit stitch. This is a fairly simple stitch that involves a combination of knits, purls, increases and decreases to create an interesting diagonal design. This Diagonal Openwork knit stitch pattern works in multiples of 4 + 2 over an 8 row repeat.

To practice this beautiful stitch, check out the block pattern that I designed – it’s a free knit pattern just for you.

Scroll to the bottom of the post to see the chart for this stitch.

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Stitches and abbreviations used:

Written using US terms

K: Knit

K2tog: Knit 2 together

P: Purl

RS: Right side

Skpo: Slip 1 stitch purl wise, knit the next stitch, pass slipped stitch over knit stitch just made

Sk2po: Slip 1 stitch purl wise, knit the next 2 stitches together, pass the slipped stitch over the knit 2 together stitch just made

St(s): Stitch (es)

WS: Wrong side

Yo: yarn over


Pin of Diagonal Openwork Knit Stitch from Handmade by Stacy J
Here’s a pin for your Pinterest board 🙂

Stitch pattern for Diagonal Openwork Knit Stitch:

1 (RS): *K1, yo, sk2po, yo: rep * to last 2 sts, k2

2 and all WS rows: Purl

3: K2, *yo, sk2po, yo, k1; rep * to end

5: K2tog, yo, k1, yo, *sk2po, yo, k1, yo; rep * to last 3 sts, skpo, k1

7: K1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, *sk2po, yo, k1, yo; rep * to last 2 sts, skpo

8: Purl

Rep these 8 rows to desired length

Knitting chart for Diagonal Openwork Knit Stitch

I hope you enjoyed learning this stitch as much as I did. When you make something with it, could you please tag me @handmadebystacyj or #handmadebystacyJ – I’d love to see what you create!

Stacy J

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