Knit HeartStrings Learn-and-Knit-Alongs

When you get to round 33 of the Lace Doily Beret, there is a stitch sequence that might be new to you. In the pattern, the stitch sequence is abbreviated by a sequence of its parts: i.e. sl 2 tog kwise-k1-yo-p2sso. The Abbreviations section then gives more details for this special technique.

The stitches involved are not something new or difficult, but how they fit together to accomplish the balanced decrease of 3 stitches into 2 stitches might at first look intimidating in the written instructions.

First, let’s look at what the 3-to-2 Decrease stitch sequence will accomplish

The 3-to-2 Decrease is based on the center double decrease (cdd) we’ve used in several of our previous KAL projects this year (e.g. Pretty Awesome Yarn Pouch, Kitty In Your Lap, Dolly’s Top-Down Tri Shawl, and Seemingly Seamless 2-Needle Preemie Hat). The cdd produces a balanced double decrease; i.e. 3 stitches are decreased to 1 stitch, producing a symmetrical pyramid shape with the center stitch of the 3 stitches lying on top of the others. You can think of the cdd as a balanced 3 – to-1 decrease.

On the other hand, sometimes lace designs require 3 stitches to be reduced to 2 stitches rather than 1 stitch.

The 3-to-2 Decrease used in Lacy Doily Beret is an aesthetically pleasing way of doing this. It produces the balanced pyramid shape of the cdd, but with the 2 new stitches symmetrically coming out of the cdd base rather than just 1 stitch.

Photo tutorial to create the balanced 3-to-2 decrease

Note: Since the Lace Doily Pattern calls for yarn over before the 3-to-2 decrease stitch sequence (which is typical of lace patterns for decreases of this type), to begin with the yarn is pictured to the front of the work in the photos below.

Insert right-hand needle knit-wise through next 2 stitches.

Slip the 2 stitches off the left-hand needle, leaving the stitches temporarily on the right-hand needle.

Insert left-hand needle into next stitch as to knit (i.e. the 3rd stitch of the 3-stitch sequence we are working with).

Knit that stitch as usual, leaving the completed stitch on the right-hand needle.

Bring yarn forward between needle tips to create the yarn over (yo). Important Point! This is the extra step to the normal cdd that turns a balanced 3-to-1 decrease into a balanced 3-to-2 decrease.

Insert left-hand needle left-to-right through the 2 stitches that were previously slipped.

Pass these 2 previously slipped stitches over both the k1 and yo stitches.

Now you have created 2 stitches on the new row/round in place of the 3 stitches that were there on the previous row/round.

Please let me know if you have questions so I can clarify anything that might help you enjoy this technique to its fullest. A 3-to-2 decrease is not often encountered, so count yourself in the elite of knitters to know it now.

Lace Doily Beret wraps up the year by bringing together many of the techniques for knitting lace you have had a chance to learn and practice along the way.

Besides the Easy Start Center Start technique that you can use to help begin beret, I wanted to recap some other key stitch techniques used in Lace Doily Beret. Most of these techniques we have encountered in previous KnitHeartStrings KAL projects for Bits of Lace 2012 and BOBBOL 2013.

In case you need a review or are a newer KnitHeartStrings,  here is a convenient listing  previous support articles to help you knit the rounds following the Center Start for your beret.

Yarn Overs and Stitch Markers

Many of the rounds have a stitch marker near a yarn over. To avoid a possible problem, read Watch Out for Wandering Yarn Overs Near Stitch Markers

Double Yarn Overs

Two successive yarn overs are used abundantly in the Lace Doily Beret. Read Distinctive and Decorative – the Double Yarn Over

We also previously covered Substituting a single yarn over for a double yarn over eyelet which you can consider. But do be aware that doing so will effect a smaller overall beret  since so much of the background honeycomb lace fabric is comprised of double yarn overs. Just a precaution — or maybe use this intentionally for a smaller child size?

The “No Stitch”

For those of you using the charted instructions, odd-numbered rounds 23 – 31 include the “no stitch” symbol. Often misunderstood or confusing to some, The “No Stitch” article can help demystify this symbol if it is new to you, and further explain why it is sometimes used in charts.

The 3-to-2 Decrease

In Rnd 33, we encounter a NEW stitch sequence that creates 2 stitches from 3 stitches. The stitches involved are not something new or difficult, but how they fit together to accomplish the balanced decrease of 3 stitches into 2 stitches is a bit unusual and something we have not yet encountered in our journey of taking the art of knitting to new heights. I’ll be posting a photo tutorial with further explanation in the next-up article.

Shifting the Round

At the start of Rnd 35, the instructions call for shifting the round by one stitch. This is similar to what was done in Pretty Awesome Yarn Pouch, except the shift is in opposite direction.

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Hopefully this recap will be helpful in reviewing and avoiding possible stumbling blocks in knitting your Lace Doily Beret. Let me know if you have questions about these or need other help. How are you doing?